Before I begin: it's retro lulz time! A description of the leading male hottie, the music teacher who is "slim and fine-boned, with glossy black hair which framed a face so perfect in feature that it might have belonged to a television star" ..."Jules Duret was waiting for her in the music room. He was wearing a pale blue shirt, open at the throat, and a pair of white flared pants"Did anyone say Saturday Night Fever? You can tell this novel was written in the 70s can't you? I wonder if they will update any subsequent re-releases to have Jules in skinny leg jeans... but jokes aside, I want to very seriously say that I really enjoyed this book.Let's get this straight - I'm not one for paranormal. I generally find it full of cliches, the same carbon copy template that has been used so many times that the ink has definitely run dry, sloppy editing, cardboard characters, look I could do on (but I won't). It's gotten dire to the point I generally shun all paranormal and I have forgotten what was popular back when I was in high school - yes, kiddies - supernatural horror! Stuff by Christopher Pike et al. And books exactly in the vein of Down a Dark Hall, which unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read back then, or else teen Shirley would have absolutely adored it!This novel is about Kit Gordy, who sadly gets shunted to a girl's boarding school when her mother remarries and as you do, wants to dispense with the inconvenience of a teenager she's had on her hands for too long and go on a European dream honeymoon.From the first page, I was reminded why creepiness is called exactly that. Because it slowly creeps up on you and this is what this novel does. To the initial blood-freezing description of the mad, internally burning mansion that is the school, to Kit's dawning dread that the school has only accepted four students. Think deliciously Gothic creepy as in Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Slowly the girls start going mad and if you like that sort of thing, you will love this!Despite other reviews calling Down a Dark Hall heavy handed in it's imagery, I found it beautiful. It's Gothic and has gothic literature ever been... light handed? Even when I read Mistress of Goth Angela Carters' stuff I feel like I'm being hammered over the head by a overly opulent, bloody jewel studded saucepan and her work is considered modern classics. I guess the only thing about Down a Dark Hall is that it includes a rather cheesy supernatural plot line, which gives it a rather mass paperback feel. But hang on. It is a mass paperback. If you view this story in its historical context and influence as an early example of the young adult paranormal genre and as a forefront example of a mass produced piece of work, then it's hands down a pulp classic!And I love it! I love old school cheese. And this cheese ladies and gents, has matured perfectly.Compared to modern paranormal dross, which doesn't even handle seem to be able to handle basic plot and pacing, I'm impressed that this novel has an excellent story that unfolds at a perfect pace, enough explanation is worked into the actual narrative to prevent data dumping and an excellent ending with a haunting, lingering finish. You only have to suspend your belief when it comes to the actual supernaural part - not over how stupid the heroine is etc etc (anyway, in this case Kit is an awesome heroine). I only have a minor gripe to do with one character's change of heart (too abrupt) during the climax. But that is a plotting issue. Hurray! This novel has a plot in order to have a plotting issue!Overall: Yum. I always have an appetite for good solid writing, And I have a taste for this sort of paranormal.Thanks to the wonderful Wendy Darling who sent me this book along with a whole stash of American candy and goodies! Check it out:So I got a bonus: my copy of the book smelling like Sweet Tarts whenever I open it. Can't get that with a Kindle, hey?This review also appears on my blog Books on Marrs here
This is one of the first full length novels I read. I remember it serving as one of the seminal moments in my literary formation. I remember it being suspenful and full of immagery. This book was republished in 1990, but was originally published in the late 70's. I read it in 5th or 6th grade.While studying children's literature as part of my Masters program, we had to choose a book that we had read in elementary school. The assignment instrcted us to look at our influential book with adult eyes. We had to then review it.I remember finding the book in a local library and discovering that Lois Duncan had been busy since writing Down A Dark Hall. She went on to write the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series. That should have been my first clue. The story takes place in a private school for gifted students. It turns out there are only five students in this strange school. Their studies include channeling the spirits of long dead artists and composers. Kit, the story's main character is always close to figuring out the secret, but remains a step behind, until the end of the book.The author hits the reader over the head with heavy handed immagery, which leaves nothing to the imagination. It's a really BAD book. It's amazing what twenty five or so years and an adult sensibility can do to shatter the memory of a long ago wonder of literature.
What do You think about Down A Dark Hall (1990)?
Tne only real mystery is why someone can't get rid of the awful book description? Its full of spoiulers,a nd obviously written by a pre teen. 'Retro lulz time"? Are you KIDDING ME? Not to mention that flares are coming back like mad, so whoever it is obviously doens't have a real good feel for fashion.
—Your name...
kit gordy got accepted into blackwood a school for young kids. the school building is a creepy old house and when kit once gets there, she gets the chills. she feels something evil here but cannot explain it. her parents leave for europe on their honeymoon once she gets settled in. strange things start happening at the school and she wants to escape. the "principal" tries her best to stop them but fails.i think that kit's a brave girl. if i was her than i would have done the same thing except at the end of the story. even though her school only has 4 girls in it including herself, she is friendly to everyone around her. this story was one of the most exciting stories i have ever read and keeps me into it, always turning the page. OOPS!!!! i am spoiling the story!!!!! sorry peoples!!!! but, even though i spoiled most of it, i didn't spoil the WHOLE thing so u should still read it peoples!!!! as i said it was VERY interesting and fun to read!!!
—Alice
The story was interesting and it kept me reading until the very end and I finished it at 1am and it was a school day! I liked the author's style of writing and will continue reading the other books. The only part I did not like in the story was the ending. I think it was supposed to look like an ending that has no 'ending' (can't really put it in words) I still don't know whether Lynda was harmed from the fire or not. Kit, her friends (except Lynda), the professor, Madame Duret and Jules all got
—Jia Hui
This book is a good book that I'd recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery that takes forever to solve. This book is about four girl students that go to a creepy mansion that is a school called Blackwood. After being sent to Blackwood all of the girls, Kat, Ruth, Lynda, and Sarah, end up have strange happenings occur to them. These occurrences change who they truly are and Kat gets to the bottom of it. Kat had dreams that seemed real life of her playing the piano amazingly and woke up with sore fingers as if she had been playing for hours on end. You definitely have to think outside the box to have the want to keep reading this book.
—Kori Looker
