[image] I enjoyed this simple yet effective Victorian-era ghost story. I liked the gothic elements: the imagery and descriptive setting the author used[image] I enjoyed this simple yet effective Victorian-era ghost story. I liked the gothic elements: the imagery and descriptive setting the author used to set the stage for a cold autumn, dreary, and moonlit English countryside. It started out with a family telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve. It then went to the to Arthur Kipps, our narrator, to tell the final tale to his stepchildren and wife. His tale was based on his personal account that he encountered many years before. [image] Mr. Kipps was a lawyer sent by his employer to settle an estate issue following the death of an old woman. As he attends the funeral, starts invesigating, and making discoveries strange things began to happen. Along the way there were apparitions and appearances of the Woman in Black. The story had some creepy moments mixed with mystery. The story tragically ended by Mr. Kipps as he stated "They asked for my story. I have told it." The story ended on a somber and haunting note that provided closure to the story.
Overall this was a fun and quick read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic and ghost stories. Thanks!...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. This was pure gothic-vampire horror but presented in a way the characters all had human emotions and I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. This was pure gothic-vampire horror but presented in a way the characters all had human emotions and interpersonal problems. I really liked the descriptive imagery used throughout the entire story: from dark 1700s Louisiana to shadowy Old Country Europe. The tone contained all the elements of a good vampire/horror story: dark and gothic. These were real vampires that killed people; whether to feed or the thrill of the hunt. [image] I liked the idea that Louis was literally giving an interview the entire time to a reporter only named 'the boy'. Louis was a well-crafted character who was deep and reflective. He clashed with Lestat, who was the narcissistic and ruthless vampire who killed mercilessly. Then there was the child Claudia who transformed into an adult. All three had interesting dynamic that reflected real human emotions: anger, contempt, etc. Eventually the story caught up to the present and a lot happened in between (I don't want to spoil it).
Overall I really liked this. The story was horror and gothic at its finest. I like the movie and think they are both good in their own way. I would recommend this to anyone who liked gothic horror or vampire fiction. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed this supernatural horror story. Joe Hill took Christmas and really warped a great time of the year: a time for nostalgia, family, laughter, I enjoyed this supernatural horror story. Joe Hill took Christmas and really warped a great time of the year: a time for nostalgia, family, laughter, and happiness was transformed into horror. The underlying vibe was dark and morbid. The main antagonist, Charles Talent Manx III, was a well-crafted and merciless killer. He was described as a creative who fed on the energy of children he kidnapped and took to Christmasland. The protagonist, Vic McQueen, was also a creative but who learned to hone her skill of using the Shorter Way in a neutral and positive manner. [image] The overall delivery was great: italicized emphasis, creepy dialogue, a creepy plot centered around murder and kidnpapping, and descriptive imagery. The feeling of winter and Christmas gave off coldness and chill as children were the victims of Charlie Manx. The image of him gliding around in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith was great. [image] Overall I enjoyed this creepy story. I learned Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes horror and Stephen King novels. Thanks!...more
Overall I liked this story. The plot follows the gradual demonic terror and the trauma the family experiences along the way. The church makes reluctanOverall I liked this story. The plot follows the gradual demonic terror and the trauma the family experiences along the way. The church makes reluctant attempts to get involved and protect the family from the infestation, oppression, and obsession of terrorizing the house. The story is written to reflect realism. The writing style is sort of written to reflect the way a journalist would write. I know this came before the movie and in comparison, it is pretty consistent and has the famous "Get OUT!!'.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal terror story. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed reading one very much. From the beginning the author sets the tone of eerie and follows through until the end. The story was great. By many I enjoyed reading one very much. From the beginning the author sets the tone of eerie and follows through until the end. The story was great. By many this is the considered the benchmark for haunted houses and haunting stories. The imagery and the setting the author delivers had me hooked throughout the story.
The thing I like most was the blending of subtle psychological terror, paranormal activity, and cognitive distortions the author was able to make work. Its not an "up to your interpretation" scenario but your imagination helps you fill in the blanks.
Overall this was a very good and spooky story. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good haunted house story. Thanks!...more
This was written back in 1967 but is still good. The plot follows a young couple, Rosemary and Guy, who move into an apartment with hopes starting theThis was written back in 1967 but is still good. The plot follows a young couple, Rosemary and Guy, who move into an apartment with hopes starting their life together. They learn the building has a history all its own involving witchcraft, cannibalism, and suicide. After they move in, they realize they have odd and eccentric neighbors. Passing them off as just neighbors and nothing more, the story eventually shows the neighbors' sinister intentions.
The story progresses to include witchcraft and devil worship. The story really takes off after the bizarre dream. It was descriptive and horrific as Rosemary is raped by Satan himself as part of a satanic ritual.
Overall it had great readability and the details about witchcraft were just enough to keep me intrigued. I would recommend this solid horror story to anyone. Thanks!...more
I really enjoyed this one. It has all the elements of eerie paranormal horror with some mystery. The plot involves a little girl who's life goes from I really enjoyed this one. It has all the elements of eerie paranormal horror with some mystery. The plot involves a little girl who's life goes from normal to complete terror. The little girl, Regan, starts playing with a ouija board and an unknown presence begins communicating with her. The unwanted entity, who goes by the name of Mr. Howdy, slowly becomes problematic. As with all paranormal activity, the plot tracks the demonic activity commonly seen in the four stages: infestation, oppression, obsession, and eventual possession of the little girl. The plot is riddled with psychiatric, religious, and occult-witchcraft fervor that adds to the atmospheric heaviness leading to the exorcism. [image] 'Could you help an old altar boy, Father?' - The Demon
'And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, "Legion, for we are many."' - Mark 5:9
The book is well-written and flows very nicely. All the characters are well-developed and life-like. All the characters have their personal demons and struggle with them in the story. The overall tone throughout the book is eerie and solemn. For me this is tied with Stephen King's Salem's Lot for creepiness. I would highly recommend this to anyone. Thanks!...more
"I think perhaps all of us go a little crazy at times." pg 36 [image]
Then she did see it there—just a face, peering through the curtains, hanging in mi
"I think perhaps all of us go a little crazy at times." pg 36 [image]
Then she did see it there—just a face, peering through the curtains, hanging in midair like a mask. A head-scarf concealed the hair and the glassy eyes stared inhumanely, but it wasn't a mass, it couldn't be. The skin had been powdered dead-white and two hectic spots of rouge centered on the cheekbones. It wasn't a mask. It was the face of a crazy old woman. pg 41
[image]It was great to see how Norman Bates was originally created. Robert Bloch wrote it in 1959 and Alfred Hitchcock translated it into the classic film the following year. The book was suspenseful, well-written, and evenly paced. It was suspenseful because (even if you've seen the movie) the delivery was creative to keep me engaged. The writing was professional, clear, and concise that added dimension to the suspenseful element. Robert Bloch crafted the story to give it a pulse: there were times when it had quick, bursts of speech to mimic panic and pressure; other times it took deep breaths to calm itself down. [image] I really enjoyed this even though I've seen the movie countless times. Alfred Hitchcock followed the book but Robert Bloch put the fine details into this masterpiece. I would absolutely recommend this to horror fans and fans of the movie. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed reading this one. The story was solid and flowed nicely. The character was well-developed and played great into the story. From the beginninI enjoyed reading this one. The story was solid and flowed nicely. The character was well-developed and played great into the story. From the beginning we see he was very human: he had emotions of despair, depression, and even quite possibly an alcohol addiction. I mean, what else would you expect from a man who lost everything and wound up being the last man on Earth? His purpose in this new world would be to remain alive for as long as possible.
The concept of the "vampires" (explained in the book), his mission to destroy them, his daily living, healing from the trauma of losing his family, and the pseudoscientific explanations all gave to a topnotch story. The ending was a good wrap-up! [image] The 1964 Vincent Price film 'The Last Man on Earth' almost follows this book to the letter. The 2007 Will Smith version 'I Am Legend' takes a different approach but was still a good movie in my opinion.
The 11 other stories in this were decent and showcased Richard Matheson as a talented storyteller. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story. Thanks!...more
This was a unique story. I've never seen the anime movie so this was completely new to me. The futuristic, post-apocalyptic vampire storyline was coolThis was a unique story. I've never seen the anime movie so this was completely new to me. The futuristic, post-apocalyptic vampire storyline was cool. However I felt the dialogue and some passages of the book read kinda funny, but I'm thinking that's a translation issue.
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