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stephen_arvidson's review against another edition
3.0
Earthbound follows Ellen and David Cooper to an isolated seaside cottage not far from the one where they spent their honeymoon twenty years earlier. Only now, their marriage is in a state of disrepair due to David's recent infidelities. Shortly after their arrival, David discovers that the derelict beach house is haunted by the beautiful spirit of Marianna, a nympho-ghost whose lust-filled depravity has doomed her not just to earth but to the very confines of the cottage. Unholy desires fill David with each unabated visitation by Marianna (who only appears whenever David’s wife is away). When David inevitably succumbs to Marianna’s temptations he resents the liaison and vows to be faithful to Ellen. However, his errant impulses and foolish skepticism cause him to disregard the warnings of the mysterious heiress on the hill who urges the couple to leave immediately… and David finds himself growing deeper in his carnal knowledge of Marianna’s ghost, even as their dalliances begin to literally sap away at his health and energy, leaving him powerless to stop himself.
Billed as “A Lover’s Ghost Story” and comprising few characters and a claustrophobic setting, Earthbound defies straightforward genre classification as it blends elements of horror and suspense in a tale of paranormal erotica. The story is more sexual than terrifying—though the sexual content is more restrained in language than you might expect. Sure, legendary author Richard Matheson injects some quality suspense into this rambling tale; however, he also veers into shameless bathos and outright titillation. And yet, one could reasonably argue that the sex scenes were as flat and lacking as the dialogue. On the other hand, Matheson deserves props for deftly exploring the complexities and unforeseen flaws of both relationships and the human mind, even if it comes across as heavy-handed and didactic in the epilogue.
Earthbound is far from being his best work, though it is (somehow) hauntingly erotic and occasionally exciting. Any faithful readers looking for a Matheson tale that’s of the same masterpiece league as The Shrinking Man, The Beardless Warriors (my favorite Matheson novel, by far), and—to a lesser extent—Duel will likely want to skim over this meager addition to Matheson’s legacy.
Billed as “A Lover’s Ghost Story” and comprising few characters and a claustrophobic setting, Earthbound defies straightforward genre classification as it blends elements of horror and suspense in a tale of paranormal erotica. The story is more sexual than terrifying—though the sexual content is more restrained in language than you might expect. Sure, legendary author Richard Matheson injects some quality suspense into this rambling tale; however, he also veers into shameless bathos and outright titillation. And yet, one could reasonably argue that the sex scenes were as flat and lacking as the dialogue. On the other hand, Matheson deserves props for deftly exploring the complexities and unforeseen flaws of both relationships and the human mind, even if it comes across as heavy-handed and didactic in the epilogue.
Earthbound is far from being his best work, though it is (somehow) hauntingly erotic and occasionally exciting. Any faithful readers looking for a Matheson tale that’s of the same masterpiece league as The Shrinking Man, The Beardless Warriors (my favorite Matheson novel, by far), and—to a lesser extent—Duel will likely want to skim over this meager addition to Matheson’s legacy.
sandygx260's review against another edition
2.0
I was vastly disappointed in this book. Seemed like more of a sketch than a fleshed out novel, and, coming from this master of horror, relativity mundane and by the numbers.
bnadams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s not Hell House but it’s a decent ghost story turned rekindled romance(?)
amn028's review against another edition
2.0
Good premise but the overwhelming melodrama of the characters ruins it for me.
tnadauld's review against another edition
2.0
This was disturbing. Picked it up from the library because I absolutely love What Dreams May Come. Was not expecting to hate the characters in this story so much. I was literally groaning throughout because it was painful to read such a depressing, thrilling and disturbing tale. I hated the husband, but then hated that I felt for him in the end. Finished it in a day, so it was gripping, but I almost didn’t finish just because of how stressful it was. I love Matheson but overall, I probably wouldn’t recommend this book, despite the fact that I enjoyed the end and found it thrilling at parts.
booksdogsandjess's review against another edition
3.0
This was not my favourite Richard Matheson by any means.It was a little creepy,but not scary and I did not like the characters, none of them. I liked how he ended it with Marianna but I felt like that was even unoriginal and had guessed that that was how it would end about half way thru.
shrektien's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
booksdogsandjess's review against another edition
3.0
This was not my favourite Richard Matheson by any means.It was a little creepy,but not scary and I did not like the characters, none of them. I liked how he ended it with Marianna but I felt like that was even unoriginal and had guessed that that was how it would end about half way thru.
cdcsmith's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one, but it seems I haven't met a Richard Matheson book/story I haven't. There were things I wished had gone a little differently. There were side stories I would have liked to know more about. But this was a good, quick read.