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trevoryan's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't even know that Hitchcock's Psycho was based on a novel until recently. Being a big fan of the film, this was a very enjoyable read. Pretty much the same story as the film, just with more detail.
jeansbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cpeters2384's review against another edition
4.0
1959. This book for its time is just exquisite. I’m soooooo very upset I had seen the movies before reading the book. Heck, before knowing there was a book or the joy of knowing I could read it before the movie.
Creepy, mysterious and so very unsettling is Norman and all that he is. I’m glad I finally got my hands on a copy so I can appreciate this classic and log its elements in my bank for future reads/critiques.
Creepy, mysterious and so very unsettling is Norman and all that he is. I’m glad I finally got my hands on a copy so I can appreciate this classic and log its elements in my bank for future reads/critiques.
pipi_marino'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
marcus_bines's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
I've watched the Hitchcock movie several times, but had never read the novel it's based on. Turns out it's a very faithful adaptation, with exactly the same structure, which meant that for me there were few surprises. Nevertheless, the writing was good, straightforward and fast-paced, and I still felt the tension inherent in the final scenes in the Bates house, despite knowing what would happen.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
3.0
At least for me the novel Psycho by Robert Bloch suffers from the same problem as The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, which I read last year. To be frank, the problem would probably more accurately be described as mine. And this problem is: I grew up with the movie version as my point of reference for this novel. To me Norman Bates will always be Anthony Perkins; the tall gangly young man in his late 20’s early 30’s who created feelings of pity and camaraderie between the viewer and the character, a kind of anti-hero. I sort of liked this Norman Bates, and there was a dark part of me that wanted the movie version of Norman to get away with the murders.
Unfortunately Robert Bloch’s Norman Bates is a short, fat, balding man, who was a drunkard and was completely unlikable. In chapter fifteen, he was described as having a “dull, fat, commonplace face”. Mr. Bloch’s Norman was infinitely more disturbed, and is absolutely not a hero, anti or any other type.
And to top it all off, all the best lines and scenes in the movie were not written by Bloch, but were instead written by the very talented script writer, Joseph Stefano. The scene where Norman is dumping Mary’s car in the swamp and it stops sinking and there was that moment where it looked as though it was not going to sink, not in the book. The scene where the detective is killed while falling down the stairs, not in the book, and that oh so iconic scene where after Norman has been caught and he is sitting in the police station and he is thinking in his mother’s voice about how even though there was a fly sitting on his/her hand, he/she was not going to kill it so they would know he could not even kill a fly, not in the book. I am sure I am not the only one to feel this disappointment after reading the novel.
The other unfortunate aspect to reading a novel that has become a cinematic classic is that the shock value was completely gone. I can only imagine how shocking this novel must have been in 1959 when it was written and again in 1960 when the movie was released. This book covers a score of very touchy subjects, Normans’ psycho-sexual issues with his mother that affected his relationships with all women, to name the biggie. But in the intervening 55 years (I can’t believe I just typed that, 55 years!) there have been a host of books and movies dealing with the same thing. Psycho suffers from being the first in a long line of copy cats, but after 50+ years, it is hard to remember it was the first. Oh we have become a jaded and cynical public!
I very rarely have ever said this before, and I hate to put it in print where it will be out there for all eternity, but I think I liked the movie better. There I have said it and can now move on with my life. As far as this review goes. I have had a difficult time trying to give it a rating. But I am settling for 3.5 stars, and somehow that still feels wrong, because the novel probably deserves better, but unfortunately for Mr. Bloch, Alfred Hitchcock got to me first.
Unfortunately Robert Bloch’s Norman Bates is a short, fat, balding man, who was a drunkard and was completely unlikable. In chapter fifteen, he was described as having a “dull, fat, commonplace face”. Mr. Bloch’s Norman was infinitely more disturbed, and is absolutely not a hero, anti or any other type.
And to top it all off, all the best lines and scenes in the movie were not written by Bloch, but were instead written by the very talented script writer, Joseph Stefano. The scene where Norman is dumping Mary’s car in the swamp and it stops sinking and there was that moment where it looked as though it was not going to sink, not in the book. The scene where the detective is killed while falling down the stairs, not in the book, and that oh so iconic scene where after Norman has been caught and he is sitting in the police station and he is thinking in his mother’s voice about how even though there was a fly sitting on his/her hand, he/she was not going to kill it so they would know he could not even kill a fly, not in the book. I am sure I am not the only one to feel this disappointment after reading the novel.
The other unfortunate aspect to reading a novel that has become a cinematic classic is that the shock value was completely gone. I can only imagine how shocking this novel must have been in 1959 when it was written and again in 1960 when the movie was released. This book covers a score of very touchy subjects, Normans’ psycho-sexual issues with his mother that affected his relationships with all women, to name the biggie. But in the intervening 55 years (I can’t believe I just typed that, 55 years!) there have been a host of books and movies dealing with the same thing. Psycho suffers from being the first in a long line of copy cats, but after 50+ years, it is hard to remember it was the first. Oh we have become a jaded and cynical public!
I very rarely have ever said this before, and I hate to put it in print where it will be out there for all eternity, but I think I liked the movie better. There I have said it and can now move on with my life. As far as this review goes. I have had a difficult time trying to give it a rating. But I am settling for 3.5 stars, and somehow that still feels wrong, because the novel probably deserves better, but unfortunately for Mr. Bloch, Alfred Hitchcock got to me first.
capnlinnius's review against another edition
2.0
If we had cut out the first bit where Norman just describes this book about, to him, strange and weird rituals of "lesser civilized people", and took out the part with the explaining his behaviors (i e the psych eval thing) at the end, this would have been a 3 star read for me.
While the book gives more insight into Norman's thoughts, something that is mostly impossible to do in a movie, that's about the only thing that I can say would trump the cult classic that Hitchcock's adaptation is. A quick read, but barely adds anything if you've already seen the movie, and is noticeably aged. Similar, more engaging stories exist today, so I don't think you'll miss out if you skip this one.
While the book gives more insight into Norman's thoughts, something that is mostly impossible to do in a movie, that's about the only thing that I can say would trump the cult classic that Hitchcock's adaptation is. A quick read, but barely adds anything if you've already seen the movie, and is noticeably aged. Similar, more engaging stories exist today, so I don't think you'll miss out if you skip this one.
jkmama83's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katermannx's review against another edition
5.0
"Psycho" by Robert Bloch is a chilling masterpiece that skillfully peels back the layers of Norman Bates' twisted psyche, leaving readers both captivated and horrified. Much like Norman's dual personality, the book expertly navigates the thin line between reality and illusion, luring us into a suspenseful dance with the unknown.
Bloch's narrative, much like Norman's fragmented mind, keeps us on the edge of our seats, with each page revealing a new facet of the unsettling story. His prose, as sharp as the knife Norman wields, slices through the tension, drawing us deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the Bates Motel.
Both the book and its cinematic counterpart are like twin shadows cast by Norman's dark past, each offering a unique perspective that adds depth to the other. Just as Norman's duality isn't a competition but rather a haunting harmony, the book and film complement each other, making them a compelling duo for those who appreciate both mediums.
For fans of the film, diving into the pages of "Psycho" is an exhilarating experience, akin to unraveling the enigma that is Norman Bates himself. Bloch's work serves as a chilling companion to Hitchcock's masterpiece, delving into the origins of Norman's madness with a finesse that keeps the pages turning.
In the end, "Psycho" is an invitation to explore the darker corridors of the human mind, just as Norman delves into the abyss within himself. It's a rollercoaster of suspense, a plunge into the depths of psychological torment that shouldn't be missed. So, if you've found yourself captivated by the film, prepare to be equally enthralled by the book. There's no competition here, just an eerie harmony that will leave you both satisfied and unnerved.
Bloch's narrative, much like Norman's fragmented mind, keeps us on the edge of our seats, with each page revealing a new facet of the unsettling story. His prose, as sharp as the knife Norman wields, slices through the tension, drawing us deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the Bates Motel.
Both the book and its cinematic counterpart are like twin shadows cast by Norman's dark past, each offering a unique perspective that adds depth to the other. Just as Norman's duality isn't a competition but rather a haunting harmony, the book and film complement each other, making them a compelling duo for those who appreciate both mediums.
For fans of the film, diving into the pages of "Psycho" is an exhilarating experience, akin to unraveling the enigma that is Norman Bates himself. Bloch's work serves as a chilling companion to Hitchcock's masterpiece, delving into the origins of Norman's madness with a finesse that keeps the pages turning.
In the end, "Psycho" is an invitation to explore the darker corridors of the human mind, just as Norman delves into the abyss within himself. It's a rollercoaster of suspense, a plunge into the depths of psychological torment that shouldn't be missed. So, if you've found yourself captivated by the film, prepare to be equally enthralled by the book. There's no competition here, just an eerie harmony that will leave you both satisfied and unnerved.