Early Life and Education
Susan Hill was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. She later referenced her hometown in her works, such as A Change for the Better and short stories like Cockles and Mussels. After attending Scarborough Convent School, Hill's family relocated to Coventry, where she attended Barr's Hill School. She developed a keen interest in literature and theatre during this time. At Barr’s Hill, she took A-levels in English, French, History, and Latin, before proceeding to King's College London to earn a degree in English. By the time she entered university, she had already completed her first novel, The Enclosure, which was published during her first year at college.
Writing Career
Susan Hill’s writing is best known for its gothic and suspenseful style. Her most iconic work, The Woman in Black (1983), has become a staple in British ghost story literature. This atmospheric novel was successfully adapted into a long-running West End play and multiple screen versions, including the 2012 Hammer Films production starring Daniel Radcliffe. The success of The Woman in Black solidified Hill’s reputation as a master of ghost stories, often drawing comparisons to authors like M.R. James and Daphne du Maurier.
In addition to The Woman in Black, Hill has written other acclaimed ghost stories, such as The Mist in the Mirror (1992) and The Man in the Picture (2007). Her novels blend eerie atmosphere with psychological depth, creating haunting narratives that linger with readers.
Apart from her ghost stories, Hill is also known for her Simon Serrailler crime series, which debuted in 2004 with The Various Haunts of Men. The series, featuring a recurring detective character, has been well-received for its intricate plots and character development. She published the latest installment in the series, A Change of Circumstance, in 2021.
Hill has written many novels, short stories, non-fiction works, and children's literature. Notable among her works are I'm the King of the Castle (1970), which won the Somerset Maugham Award, and The Bird of Night (1972), which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In the 1990s, Hill founded her own publishing company, Long Barn Books, through which she has published several works.
Style and Themes
Susan Hill’s writing is known for its descriptive, gothic style, and her ghost stories typically focus on building suspense through atmosphere rather than relying on graphic horror. She often explores themes of psychological trauma, loss, and isolation, with settings that are vividly described to enhance the eerie and unsettling mood of her narratives. She draws inspiration from classic English ghost stories, adding her own modern twist.
Hill’s non-ghost novels often delve into human emotions and relationships, such as in Strange Meeting (1971), which is set during World War I and deals with themes of friendship and the horrors of war.
Adaptations
The Woman in Black has been one of Hill’s most successfully adapted works. The stage play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt in 1987, ran for over three decades in the West End, making it one of the longest-running plays in British theatre history. The 2012 film adaptation became the most successful British horror film in over 30 years.
Hill also wrote the screenplay for a sequel to The Woman in Black, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, which was released in 2014. She has written a sequel to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca titled Mrs de Winter (1993), showcasing her skill in reinterpreting classic tales.
Personal Life
Hill was engaged to David Lepine, organist at Coventry Cathedral, but he tragically passed away in 1972. In 1975, she married Stanley Wells, a distinguished Shakespeare scholar, and they had three daughters. Tragically, their second daughter, Imogen, died in infancy. Hill’s personal life took a turn in 2013 when she separated from Wells and entered into a relationship with Barbara Machin, the creator of Waking the Dead. The relationship ended in 2016.
Honors and Recognition
Susan Hill’s contributions to literature have earned her several honours. In 2012, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to literature, and in 2020, she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). Throughout her career, she has been widely recognized for her literary achievements and her significant influence on both gothic fiction and crime writing.
Legacy
With a writing career that spans more than five decades, Susan Hill continues to influence both readers and writers. Her distinctive style, atmospheric storytelling, and ability to craft chilling narratives have made her a beloved figure in the realm of gothic and ghost fiction. Hill’s The Woman in Black remains a cornerstone of modern British ghost literature, and her Simon Serrailler crime series ensures her continued relevance in contemporary fiction.
Bibliography
2014 The Soul of Discretion
2013 Black Sheep
2012 Dolly
2012 A Question of Identity
2011 The Betrayal of Trust
2011 A Kind Man
2010 The Small Hand
2010 The Shadows in the Street
2009 Howards End is on the Landing
2008 The Battle for Gullywith
2008 The Vows of Silence
2008 The Beacon
2007 The Man in the Picture
2006 Farthing House: And Other Stories
2006 The Risk of Darkness
2005 The Pure in Heart
2004 The Various Haunts of Men
2003 The Boy Who Taught the Beekeeper to Read
1998 The Service of Clouds
1997 Listening to the Orchestra
1997 The Second Penguin Book of Modern Women's Short Stories
1995 Contemporary Women's Short Stories
1995 Reflections from a Garden
1994 The Christmas Collection
1994 Pirate Poll
1993 Mrs de Winter
1993 King of Kings
1993 Beware, Beware
1992 The Mist in the Mirror: A Ghost Story
1992 A Very Special Birthday
1991 The Penguin Book of Modern Women's Short Stories
1991 The Glass Angels
1991 Air and Angels
1990 Ghost Stories
1990 The Parchment Man: An Anthology of Modern Women's Short Stories
1990 Stories from Codling Village
1990I Won't Go There Again
1990 Septimus Honeydew
1990 The Walker Book of Ghost Stories
1989 Family
1989 Suzy's Shoes
1988 Can It Be True?: A Christmas Story
1988 The Spirit of the Cotswolds
1987 Lanterns Across the Snow
1987 Shakespeare Country
1986 The Lighting of the Lamps
1986 Mother's Magic
1985 The Ramshackle Company
1984 One Night at a Time
1983 People: Essays and Poems
1983 The Woman in Black
1983 Ghost Stories
1982 The Magic Apple Tree: A Country Year
1980 New Stories
1979 The Distracted Preacher and Other Stories by Thomas Hardy
Awards
2006 Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year
1988 Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (Gold Award)
1972 Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize
1972 Whitbread Novel Award
1971 Somerset Maugham Award
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