“No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.”
Shirley Jackson“She wants her cup of stars.”
Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House“All cat stories start with the statement: 'My mother, who was the first cat, told me this,' and I lay with Jonas listening to his stories.”
Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle“I delight in what I fear.”
Shirley Jackson“I never was a person who wanted a handout. I was a cafeteria worker. I'm not too proud to ask the Best Western manager to give me a job. I have cleaned homes.”
Shirley Jackson“I have always loved to use fear, to take it and comprehend it and make it work and consolidate a situation where I was afraid and take it whole and work from there.”
Shirley Jackson“It’s not nice to think of children growing up like mushrooms, in the dark.”
Shirley Jackson“Everything is worse...if you think something is looking at you.”
Shirley Jackson“Around the house, my head deep in a pillowcase or the oven, my eyes focused on that supernatural neatness which the housewife sees somehow shadowing her familiar furniture, it was largely possible to disregard, or not-quite-hear, Sally, but in the car I was entirely what I believe is called a captive audience.”
Shirley Jackson“I am living on the moon, I told myself, I have little house all by myself on the moon.”
Shirley Jackson“So long as you write it away regularly nothing can really hurt you.”
Shirley Jackson