Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Hell House summary
Brief summary
Hell House by Richard Matheson is a chilling story about a group of researchers who spend a week in a haunted house, facing supernatural terrors and uncovering its dark secrets. As they strive to survive, they confront their own inner demons.
Topics
Table of Contents
Hell House
Summary of key ideas
The Haunted Belasco House
In Hell House by Richard Matheson, we are introduced to the Belasco House, a mansion with a dark history. It was once owned by Emeric Belasco, a man who was known for his debauchery and cruelty. The house is rumored to be haunted, and many who have entered have never returned. The current owner, a dying millionaire named Deutsch, hires a physicist, Dr. Lionel Barrett, to investigate the house and prove or disprove the existence of life after death.
Barrett, along with his wife Edith, and two mediums, Florence Tanner and Benjamin Fischer, accept the challenge. Florence, a spiritualist, and Fischer, a physical medium, have their own reasons for wanting to explore the house. Florence is determined to prove the existence of life after death, while Fischer is seeking to confront the demons that have haunted him since his last visit to the house twenty years ago.
The Haunting Begins
As soon as the team enters the Belasco House, they are confronted with a series of disturbing events. The house seems to be alive, with its own malevolent consciousness. The team members experience physical and psychological attacks, and their equipment malfunctions. Despite these challenges, Barrett remains determined to complete his investigation and prove his scientific theories.
Meanwhile, Florence and Fischer are both affected by the house in different ways. Florence is tormented by visions of the house's past, while Fischer's mental state deteriorates rapidly. He becomes increasingly violent and erratic, and it becomes clear that he is being influenced by the malevolent forces within the house.
The Battle of Science and Supernatural
As the investigation continues, Barrett becomes more convinced that the haunting is a result of electromagnetic fields within the house. He believes that by neutralizing these fields, he can rid the house of its malevolent presence. However, his attempts to do so are met with increasing resistance from the house, and the situation becomes more dangerous.
Meanwhile, Florence and Fischer are both pushed to their limits. Florence is determined to survive the house's onslaught and prove the existence of life after death, while Fischer is consumed by his own personal demons. The battle between science and the supernatural intensifies, and it becomes clear that the house will not give up its secrets easily.
The Final Showdown
In the final act of Hell House, the team members are pushed to their breaking points. Barrett's scientific theories are put to the ultimate test, Florence is forced to confront the reality of the house's malevolent presence, and Fischer's inner demons are unleashed in a violent rampage. The house itself seems to come alive, determined to protect its dark secrets at any cost.
In a dramatic and terrifying climax, the team members face their greatest fears and the true nature of the Belasco House is revealed. The line between science and the supernatural blurs, and the characters are forced to confront the limits of their understanding of the world. In the end, Hell House leaves us with more questions than answers, and a lingering sense of unease about the unknown forces that may exist beyond our understanding.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Hell House about?
Hell House (1971) is a chilling novel that follows a physicist, his wife, and a team of mediums as they investigate the infamous “Belasco House,” known for its dark history of depravity and death. As they spend several days in the haunted mansion, they come face to face with terrifying supernatural forces and uncover the truth about the house’s malevolent past.
Hell House Review
Hell House (1971) is a chilling, suspenseful novel that will captivate readers with its eerie storyline and haunting atmosphere. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- Featuring complex characters and a mysterious haunted house, the book keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the dark secrets lurking within.
- With its detailed descriptions of paranormal activities and psychological horrors, the book immerses readers in a terrifying world that they won't be able to put down.
- Exploring themes of fear, redemption, and the supernatural, the book offers a thought-provoking experience that will leave readers questioning their own beliefs and the nature of evil.
Who should read Hell House?
- Readers who enjoy horror and supernatural fiction
- Those looking for a thrilling and chilling page-turner
- People who are fascinated by haunted houses and paranormal investigations
Categories with Hell House
Book summaries like Hell House
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Hell House FAQs
What is the main message of Hell House?
The main message of Hell House is that evil can lurk in the most unexpected places.
How long does it take to read Hell House?
The reading time for Hell House varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Hell House a good book? Is it worth reading?
Hell House is a gripping and chilling read that is definitely worth your time.
Who is the author of Hell House?
The author of Hell House is Richard Matheson.
What to read after Hell House?
If you're wondering what to read next after Hell House, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda