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TL;DR: Arthur Kipps, a young London solicitor, travels to a remote town to settle the estate of the late Mrs. Alice Drablow at Eel Marsh House, which is cut off by tides. He glimpses a gaunt woman in black at the funeral and hears terrible sounds in the fog. Her appearances are linked to children's deaths, and Arthur's encounter costs him dearly.
Table of Contents
The Woman in Black at a Glance
| Author | Susan Hill |
| First published | 1983 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | readers who want a classic, atmospheric ghost story |
The Woman in Black is a ghost story by Susan Hill, published in 1983. It is written in the style of a Victorian gothic tale and has become a modern classic. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes the deaths of children and frightening supernatural scenes.
Main Characters
- Arthur Kipps: A young solicitor and the narrator.
- The woman in black: The vengeful ghost of Jennet Humfrye.
- Mr. Samuel Daily: A kind, wealthy local landowner.
- Mrs. Alice Drablow: The dead owner of Eel Marsh House.
- Stella: Arthur's fiancée, later his wife.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Christmas Eve
Years later, Arthur, now older and remarried, refuses to tell a ghost story at Christmas. Instead, he decides to write down his true, terrible experience.
Crythin Gifford
As a young man, Arthur travels to the town of Crythin Gifford to handle Mrs. Drablow's affairs. Locals refuse to talk about Eel Marsh House. At the funeral, Arthur sees a pale woman in black with a wasted face.
Eel Marsh House
Arthur goes to the isolated house, reached by a causeway covered at high tide. In the fog, he hears a pony and trap sink into the marsh with a child's screams. He sees the woman in black again and is terrified.
The secret
Arthur finds letters revealing that Jennet Humfrye, Mrs. Drablow's sister, had a child out of wedlock. The child was adopted by Mrs. Drablow and died in the marsh accident. Jennet, mad with grief, died, and her ghost brings death to a child whenever she is seen.
The cost
Arthur returns to London, marries Stella and has a son. At a fair, Arthur sees the woman in black again. A pony and trap carrying Stella and their child crashes into a tree. The baby dies instantly, and Stella dies months later. Arthur ends his story, unable to forget.
5 Key Takeaways
- Grief can turn into vengeance.
- Some secrets are better left buried.
- Fear grows in silence and isolation.
- The past can reach into the present.
- Curiosity can carry a terrible price.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The quietest places can be the most frightening.
- A mother's loss can become a curse.
- Some stories are told to warn, not to entertain.
Who Should Read The Woman in Black?
Read The Woman in Black if you love classic ghost stories and atmospheric horror. It suits older teens and adults.
About Susan Hill
Susan Hill is an English writer born in 1942 in Scarborough, Yorkshire. She has written literary novels, ghost stories and crime fiction, including the Simon Serrailler detective series. Her novel I'm the King of the Castle won the Somerset Maugham Award. The Woman in Black has become her most famous work, thanks partly to a long-running London stage play and a 2012 film.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Woman in Black:
- Why does Jennet Humfrye haunt the town?
- Why do the locals keep silent?
- Is Arthur responsible for what happens?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Woman in Black is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Woman in Black, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is short, chilling and elegant, and its ending is haunting. It is perfect for a dark winter evening.
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What to Read Next
- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: a classic ghost story
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson: a haunted house
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: a gothic mansion with secrets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Woman in Black about?
A young lawyer encounters a vengeful ghost while settling an estate in a remote marsh house.
Who wrote it?
Susan Hill, in 1983.
Who is the woman in black?
The ghost of Jennet Humfrye, whose child died.
What happens when she is seen?
A child dies.
What is Eel Marsh House?
A remote house cut off by tides.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 2012 film with Daniel Radcliffe.
Is there a play?
Yes, one of the longest-running plays in London's West End.
What age is it for?
Older teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 160 pages.
Is it scary?
Yes, it is a slow-building, chilling ghost story.
Is The Woman in Black worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a classic, atmospheric ghost story. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.