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Shirley Jackson Quotes

Author

Shirley Jackson (December 14, 1916 – August 8, 1965) was an American author whose dark and unsettling stories have left a lasting impact on the horror genre. Known for her psychological insights and the way she intertwines the supernatural with everyday life, Jackson's work has been widely celebrated for its originality and depth.

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All Shirley Jackson The Haunting Of Hill House House Children Ifs Horror Long People Writing Years

Famous Shirley Jackson Quotes

“I wonder if I could eat a child if I had the chance.' 'I doubt if I could cook one,' said Constance.”

Ifs Children Said Chance Wonder Doubt Cooks If I Could

Book:We Have Always Lived in the Castle

Source: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

“Poor strangers, they have so much to be afraid of.”

Fear Poor Stranger

Author:Shirley Jackson

“I'm going to put death in all their food and watch them die.”

Dies Watches

Author:Shirley Jackson

“Journeys end in lovers meeting; I have spent an all but sleepless night, I have told lies and made a fool of myself, and the very air tastes like wine. I have been frightened half out of my foolish wits, but I have somehow earned this joy; I have been waiting for it for so long.”

Long Has Beens Made Ends Joy Lying Night Waiting Half Air Journey Fool Lovers Taste Wine Meetings Foolish Wit Frightened Sleepless Nights Lovers Meeting

Book:The Haunting of Hill House

Source: The Haunting of Hill House

“I very much dislike writing about myself or my work, and when pressed for autobiographical material can only give a bare chronological outline which contains no pertinent facts.”

People Giving Writing Facts Materials Fake Dislike Outlines Fake People Pertinent

Book:The Lottery

Source: The Lottery

“It has long been my belief that in times of great stress, such as a 4-day vacation, the thin veneer of family wears off almost at once, and we are revealed in our true personalities.”

Long Belief Personality Stress Vacation Veneer

Author:Shirley Jackson

“February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer.”

Seems Air Amount Summer Winter Endless February

Book:The Magic of Shirley Jackson

Source: The Magic of Shirley Jackson

“I came to believe that being a private detective was the work I was meant to do.”

Believe Detectives

Book:Just an Ordinary Day: Stories

Source: Just an Ordinary Day: Stories

“Life Among the Savages is a disrespectful memoir of my children.”

Children Memoir My Children Savages Disrespectful

Book:The Lottery

Source: The Lottery

“The first book is the book you have to write to get back at your parents; the book you always had in you. Once you get that out of your way, you can start writing books.”

Way Writing Firsts Book Parent Get Back Writing A Book

Author:Shirley Jackson

“I suppose, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village to shock the story's readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives.”

Stories My Own Violence Reader Ancient Setting Settings Shock Village Brutal Pointless Graphic Rite Inhumanity

Book:The Lottery

Source: The Lottery

“Dad and I did not care at all for your story in The New Yorker … [I]t does seem, dear, that this gloomy kind of story is what all you young people think about these days. Why don't you write something to cheer people up?”

People Thinking Writing Kind Doe Stories Seems Care Young Dad Dear These Days Cheer New Yorkers Gloomy

Book:Come Along with Me: Classic Short Stories and an Unfinished Novel

Source: Come Along with Me: Classic Short Stories and an Unfinished Novel

“The number of people who expected Mrs. Hutchinson to win a Bendix washer would amaze you.”

People Winning Numbers Expected

Author:Shirley Jackson

“It was one of those winter days that suddenly dream of spring, when the sky is blue and soft and clear, and the wind has dropped its voice and whispers instead of screaming, and the sun is out and the trees look surprised, and over everything there is the faintest, palest tint of green.”

Looks Dream Voice Sun Clear Tree Sky Wind Spring Blue Green Winter Winter Days

Book:Come Along with Me: Classic Short Stories and an Unfinished Novel

Source: Come Along with Me: Classic Short Stories and an Unfinished Novel

“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.”

Giving Persons Home Wanted Jobs Asks Proud Give Me Western Workers Managers Reconstruction Handouts Cafeteria

Author:Shirley Jackson

About the Author

Born: December 14, 1916
Died: August 8, 1965
Known for: Author
Quotes: 165

Books & Sources

The Haunting of Hill HouseRelated source material

Novels and Stories: The Lottery, The Haunting of Hill House, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Other Stories and SketchesRelated source material

The SundialRelated source material

We Have Always Lived in the CastleRelated source material

Just an Ordinary Day: The Uncollected StoriesRelated source material

Raising DemonsRelated source material

The Magic of Shirley JacksonRelated source material

Come Along with Me: Classic Short Stories and an Unfinished NovelRelated source material

HangsamanRelated source material

Let Me Tell You: New Stories, Essays, and Other WritingsRelated source material

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