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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Fantastically chilling. A genius work. The movie doesn't do the book justice; you don't actually know the story "Psycho" until you've seen what's going on in the head of Norman Bates.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
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
I’m not a fan of horror in any format but am pushing myself outside of my comfort zone this year for my library’s Winter Reading Challenge which is horror themed. This was a book club selection which is why I tackled it and WOW. I understand why it is a classic of the genre. I truly couldn’t put this creepy novel down, but am more than happy to no longer be inside Norman Bates’ head [shivers].
Psycho is one of my favourite movies, I've probably seen it the most out of any other movie I own. With that said, I LOVED the book because the differences between Robert Bloch's description of Norman Bates and how he has been portrayed in film make the book a completely different experience. The sequels aren't as good but are still worth reading.
I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy read thriller!
I recommend this to anyone looking for an easy read thriller!
A pulp gem: fast paced, clever, terse, and featuring probably the greatest fake-out of all time. (Only the last line of Charles Willeford's Pick-Up comes close in my book to the revelation of Norma Bates knife-wielding reality.) It's just a hoot--the few silly lines and bad jokes and all.
Interestingly, although usually associated with horror (the novel and film) and it's author with horror writing, the novel version of Psycho actually has more of a noir than Gothic feel to it. And, although having started out in the shadow of H. P. Lovecraft when writing for pulps such as Weird Tales, by 1959, Robert Bloch had published six novels, mostly all for Ace Books, and all of them (I think, judging by the titles and the two I've read) in the noir/crime genre. Therefore Psycho is perhaps the greatest noir/horror hybrid of all time--and way, way before the self-conscious likes of Angel Heart or the similar noir/sci. fi. of Blade Runner.
The combination of a frustrated woman turned impulsive thief, an unassuming psycho killer, a terrible family secret/drama playing as a sublimated murder (as in so many Gothics), and an adequately colorful cast of "normal" people trying to track down the woman, all recounted in the shifting P.O.V., interior monologue like a noir voice-over, and terse, descriptive prose, is infectious. Throw in a healthy dose of silly, dime-store Freud and, voila'--the world's greatest guilty pleasure. Also, while I read I was frequently reminded of Jim Thompson's similar forays into noir pop psychology and psychotic characterizations. Heck, it's even set in Thompson's familiar southwest of lonely roads, swamps, and failing motels bereft of the once busy highways they were built to flank. Hmn. Could Bloch have been a fan of the alcoholic Oklahoman king of pocketbook pulp noir potboilers? (If he was he followed the golden rule: always steal from the best. Mr. Lovecraft, meet Mr. Thompson.)
Interestingly, although usually associated with horror (the novel and film) and it's author with horror writing, the novel version of Psycho actually has more of a noir than Gothic feel to it. And, although having started out in the shadow of H. P. Lovecraft when writing for pulps such as Weird Tales, by 1959, Robert Bloch had published six novels, mostly all for Ace Books, and all of them (I think, judging by the titles and the two I've read) in the noir/crime genre. Therefore Psycho is perhaps the greatest noir/horror hybrid of all time--and way, way before the self-conscious likes of Angel Heart or the similar noir/sci. fi. of Blade Runner.
The combination of a frustrated woman turned impulsive thief, an unassuming psycho killer, a terrible family secret/drama playing as a sublimated murder (as in so many Gothics), and an adequately colorful cast of "normal" people trying to track down the woman, all recounted in the shifting P.O.V., interior monologue like a noir voice-over, and terse, descriptive prose, is infectious. Throw in a healthy dose of silly, dime-store Freud and, voila'--the world's greatest guilty pleasure. Also, while I read I was frequently reminded of Jim Thompson's similar forays into noir pop psychology and psychotic characterizations. Heck, it's even set in Thompson's familiar southwest of lonely roads, swamps, and failing motels bereft of the once busy highways they were built to flank. Hmn. Could Bloch have been a fan of the alcoholic Oklahoman king of pocketbook pulp noir potboilers? (If he was he followed the golden rule: always steal from the best. Mr. Lovecraft, meet Mr. Thompson.)
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Can see why this one is a classic! I was really apprehensive before reading this as some classics just aren't my style. This one was SO well done
Creepy and really unsettling, the setting is excellent - who doesnt love a near abandoned motel?! Norman bates character was just amazing and I just couldn't read this fast enough.
The whole thing is a super quick read and I would highly recommend this for all thriller and horror lovers! There is something in there for all lovers of the two genres
Creepy and really unsettling, the setting is excellent - who doesnt love a near abandoned motel?! Norman bates character was just amazing and I just couldn't read this fast enough.
The whole thing is a super quick read and I would highly recommend this for all thriller and horror lovers! There is something in there for all lovers of the two genres