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peytondani's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because the movie is one of my favorites of all time. Obviously, I love the story, but the writing was VERY mediocre. This is one of the cases where the movie is much better than the book. Hitchcock really tightened the narrative and the script coupled with the performances fleshed out better characters than Bloch did.
micah_berg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bruinrocks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
houst's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tonis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
babsbutler14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
raxorrr's review against another edition
3.0
The only reason I gave this 4 stars was because
Spoiler
I guessed the plot twist.Spoiler
_sequel_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ryantlabee's review against another edition
4.0
Some stories are like that perfectly aged wine, and Robert Bloch's "Psycho is that bottle of wine. Nearly 65 years have passed since Bloch decided to freak us all out with his twisted tale of Norman Bates and the not-so-cozy Bates Motel, and guess what? It's still as electrifying as ever. Yeah, even if you've watched Alfred Hitchcock's legendary flick a million times, the original pages of "Psycho" have some curveballs that'll have you saying, "Hitch who?"
The genius of Bloch's "Psycho" isn't just in the "gotcha" moments that have become pop culture touchstones. Oh no, it's how he dives headfirst into the murky waters of the human mind. Norman Bates is our tour guide through this psychological funhouse, skillfully blurring the lines between victim and villain.
For the cinephiles who worship at the altar of Hitchcock, Bloch's novel offers a treasure trove of nuances that the silver screen just couldn't capture. While the film is a visual spectacle of suspense, the book delves deeper, weaving a complex tapestry of motive and madness as rich and dark as a noir classic.
Let's not pretend "Psycho" is without its quirks. The portrayal of mental illness has its roots in a bygone era, and there are moments when the pacing feels like it's taking a stroll rather than a heart-pounding sprint. Yet, these are mere specks on the thriller "Psycho," serving more as timestamps of the era Bloch was writing in rather than detracting from the story's edge.
Robert Bloch's "Psycho" is a hallmark of horror literature and is well worth the read even in 2024.
The genius of Bloch's "Psycho" isn't just in the "gotcha" moments that have become pop culture touchstones. Oh no, it's how he dives headfirst into the murky waters of the human mind. Norman Bates is our tour guide through this psychological funhouse, skillfully blurring the lines between victim and villain.
For the cinephiles who worship at the altar of Hitchcock, Bloch's novel offers a treasure trove of nuances that the silver screen just couldn't capture. While the film is a visual spectacle of suspense, the book delves deeper, weaving a complex tapestry of motive and madness as rich and dark as a noir classic.
Let's not pretend "Psycho" is without its quirks. The portrayal of mental illness has its roots in a bygone era, and there are moments when the pacing feels like it's taking a stroll rather than a heart-pounding sprint. Yet, these are mere specks on the thriller "Psycho," serving more as timestamps of the era Bloch was writing in rather than detracting from the story's edge.
Robert Bloch's "Psycho" is a hallmark of horror literature and is well worth the read even in 2024.