“The Red House” is a psychological thriller novel written by American author, Mark Haddon, and published in 1947. The novel is set in a rural English village, where two teenage siblings, Angela and Richard, decide to explore the woods behind their family farm, which is rumored to be haunted by a malevolent presence.
Their curiosity leads them to discover an abandoned house in the woods, which is painted entirely in red. The house is owned by their reclusive neighbor, Mr. Bryson, who has always warned the siblings to stay away from the woods and the house.
As Angela and Richard continue to explore the woods and the house, they uncover dark family secrets that have been buried for years. Their uncle, Philip, who has been living with their family, seems to know more than he’s letting on, and as tensions rise, the siblings start to fear for their safety.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the red house is not just a haunted house, but a symbol of the psychological and emotional turmoil that plagues the characters. The novel deals with themes of family secrets, mental illness, and the destructive power of the past.
The novel is a suspenseful and atmospheric read that keeps the reader engaged until the very end.
Directors:
Delmer Daves
Writer:
George Agnew Chamberlain, Delmer Daves, Albert Maltz
Stars:
Edward G. Robinson, Lon McCallister, Judith Anderson
