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lemonmarch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
chuskeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
So creeeeepy! The ending was just perfect!
I stumbled across this book after reading the acknowledgements from a similar YA book, and I knew I had to read it.
“LATER THAT SUMMER, when Mrs. Penmark looked back and remembered, when she was caught up in despair so deep that she knew there was no way out, no solution whatever for the circumstances that encompassed her, it seemed to her that June seventh, the day of the Fern Grammar School picnic, was the day of her last happiness, for never since then had she known contentment or felt peace.”
We see the events unfold from Christine Penmark’s point of view from the opening line. Penmark’s daughter, Rhoda, is a beautiful and highly intelligent little girl with a dark side. This psychological thriller traces Christine’s discovery of Rhoda’s innate evil and the cold indifference of her actions. But more than that, Christine’s own past adds another layer to the story that is revealed as the narrator discovers it herself.
I’ve heard there’s a movie, but I haven’t seen it. I can only imagine it to be on par with The Omen - one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen.
I stumbled across this book after reading the acknowledgements from a similar YA book, and I knew I had to read it.
“LATER THAT SUMMER, when Mrs. Penmark looked back and remembered, when she was caught up in despair so deep that she knew there was no way out, no solution whatever for the circumstances that encompassed her, it seemed to her that June seventh, the day of the Fern Grammar School picnic, was the day of her last happiness, for never since then had she known contentment or felt peace.”
We see the events unfold from Christine Penmark’s point of view from the opening line. Penmark’s daughter, Rhoda, is a beautiful and highly intelligent little girl with a dark side. This psychological thriller traces Christine’s discovery of Rhoda’s innate evil and the cold indifference of her actions. But more than that, Christine’s own past adds another layer to the story that is revealed as the narrator discovers it herself.
I’ve heard there’s a movie, but I haven’t seen it. I can only imagine it to be on par with The Omen - one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen.
gardengorgon37's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sare1125's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, and Racism
badseedgirl's review
5.0
When I finished reading this book, I had the same response I had when I finished reading Make Room! Make Room! the book that Soylent Green is based on.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2062873553
And that is the problem with finally getting around to reading the source material for a movie you absolutely adored. The first time I saw the gloriously, campy 1956 version of The Bad Seed I fell in love with the movie so hard I swore at that moment I was going to name my first daughter, Ingo, after the wonderful Final Girl Ingo Denker, who survived the murder of her entire family by her mother through intelligence and a little luck. I fund the ending of that movie to be possibly one of the greatest examples of Devine retribution (or karma, if that is the way you swing) to ever grace the silver screen. Imagine how disappointed I was that there was no character named Ingo, and there sure a shoot was no retribution, Devine or otherwise at the end of the novel!
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. If anything, the Rhoda in this book is even more sociopathic than the Rhoda in the movie. The scene where Rhoda takes care of the apartment caretaker, Leroy, is so horrific, I still shiver at the thought of it. And that poor puppy! For the most part the movie was pretty truthful to the source material, except for the ending. The ending of the book leaves the reader with a much more pessimistic outlook on life.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2062873553
And that is the problem with finally getting around to reading the source material for a movie you absolutely adored. The first time I saw the gloriously, campy 1956 version of The Bad Seed I fell in love with the movie so hard I swore at that moment I was going to name my first daughter, Ingo, after the wonderful Final Girl Ingo Denker, who survived the murder of her entire family by her mother through intelligence and a little luck. I fund the ending of that movie to be possibly one of the greatest examples of Devine retribution (or karma, if that is the way you swing) to ever grace the silver screen. Imagine how disappointed I was that there was no character named Ingo, and there sure a shoot was no retribution, Devine or otherwise at the end of the novel!
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. If anything, the Rhoda in this book is even more sociopathic than the Rhoda in the movie. The scene where Rhoda takes care of the apartment caretaker, Leroy, is so horrific, I still shiver at the thought of it. And that poor puppy! For the most part the movie was pretty truthful to the source material, except for the ending. The ending of the book leaves the reader with a much more pessimistic outlook on life.
courtneyjane's review against another edition
5.0
This book was such a pleasant surprise. When I first marked it as to read I didn't realize it was published in 1954 and I was worried it would lack excitement. However, I was instantly drawn into this book. The writing was beautiful. The story was thought provoking. At only 206 pages I highly recommend it.
duderun's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my gosh! I have loved the movie based off this book for years and just realized it was also a book. This book is better than the movie by far, as is typical. I would recommend this to everyone. It is a classic that is so good. The narrator for the audiobook was so good. I couldn’t stop listening to this book. It is an edge of your seat book. Read it.
katermannx's review against another edition
5.0
"The Bad Seed" by William March is a chilling psychological thriller that tells the story of a young girl named Rhoda Penmark, who appears to be a sweet and innocent child, but is actually a cold-blooded killer. As her mother Christine begins to uncover the truth about her daughter's true nature, she must confront the horrifying possibility that evil can be born, not made.
The novel is masterfully written, with March creating a sense of creeping dread as the reader becomes aware of Rhoda's true nature. The characters are well-drawn and believable, and the themes of nature vs. nurture and the dark side of childhood innocence are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.
In 1956, the novel was adapted into a movie of the same name, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. While the movie is faithful to the novel in many ways, it does make some significant changes to the story, including altering the ending.
Both the book and the movie are notable for their exploration of the dark side of human nature, and the idea that evil can exist even in the most innocent-seeming individuals. However, the book is able to delve deeper into the psychology of the characters, allowing the reader to fully experience the horror of Rhoda's actions and Christine's growing terror and despair.
Overall, "The Bad Seed" is a haunting and unforgettable tale of psychological horror that will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page. It is a must-read for fans of the horror genre and anyone interested in exploring the depths of human nature.
The novel is masterfully written, with March creating a sense of creeping dread as the reader becomes aware of Rhoda's true nature. The characters are well-drawn and believable, and the themes of nature vs. nurture and the dark side of childhood innocence are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking way.
In 1956, the novel was adapted into a movie of the same name, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. While the movie is faithful to the novel in many ways, it does make some significant changes to the story, including altering the ending.
Both the book and the movie are notable for their exploration of the dark side of human nature, and the idea that evil can exist even in the most innocent-seeming individuals. However, the book is able to delve deeper into the psychology of the characters, allowing the reader to fully experience the horror of Rhoda's actions and Christine's growing terror and despair.
Overall, "The Bad Seed" is a haunting and unforgettable tale of psychological horror that will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page. It is a must-read for fans of the horror genre and anyone interested in exploring the depths of human nature.
pbraue13's review
3.0
A little bland, but must have been a shocker when it came out. There is a real element of terror in the idea that someone, even an innocent child with pigtails, could be capable of such horrible things yet appear so calm, cool, and normal. I’ll be a little more weary of children with pigtails now.
abbienk's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75