The Sundial

By Shirley Jackson,

Book cover of The Sundial

Book description

Before there was Hill House, there was the Halloran mansion of Jackson’s stunningly creepy fourth novel, The Sundial

When the Halloran clan gathers at the family home for a funeral, no one is surprised when the somewhat peculiar Aunt Fanny wanders off into the secret garden. But then she returns…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Sundial as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love books that refuse to fit neatly into genre categories. This underappreciated novel by the author of "The Lottery" and The Haunting of Hill House reads like a Seinfeld episode set on the eve of the apocalypse.

The Sundial’s combination of social satire and horror got lackluster reviews when it was published in 1958, but that’s just because it was way ahead of its time.

Sometimes you come to an older book as an experienced reader and can still be amazed. Everyone knows The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but everyone should also know this remarkable novel about a world that may or may not be ending, a family that may or may not have special knowledge, a society that may or may not deserve to continue. No one understood the concept of “just beneath the surface” better than Shirley Jackson, and few if any explored it with more wit and grace.  

From F.'s list on the old (and new) weird America.

Want books like The Sundial?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Sundial.

Browse books like The Sundial

Book cover of The Ballad of Black Tom
Book cover of Blindsight
Book cover of Sarah Canary

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,583

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in satire, the apocalypse, and presidential biography?

Satire 169 books
The Apocalypse 84 books