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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
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
This book is great for what it is - a classic. I already knew the big twist because of the movie and TV series, but I still really enjoyed the book. If I went into reading without any knowledge of the story, though, I know I would’ve enjoyed it much more! So it really isn’t the books fault. The events happened very quickly and I loved how fast paced it felt for me. I feel like the book could have gone on longer - I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and I had so much more I wanted to understand about the characters after the book concluded. The explanation for the killer’s behavior and personality was fascinating and the final chapter was super cool with all of that in mind!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think that if I had read this book before I had seen the movie Psycho I would have found it to be powerfully suspenseful, which is why I chose to give it 4 stars. It was well written, and a quick read. I can definitely see why Alfred Hitchcock chose to make it one of his masterpieces. I actually do wish that I had read it before seeing the movie, though Psycho is one of my favorites. You do lose out on one of the most suspenseful twist reveals in the book, that Norman's mother is in fact dead, and that Norman himself is the mother. (Now come on, you can't say I spoiled you on that one!) But the way it is written in the book really gives you a chill.
I decided to read this book, followed by Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello after seeing the movie Hitchcock, which is based on that book and Hitchcock's life and the time surrounding when he made the movie Psycho and how inspired he was by Robert Bloch's book. I am looking forward to starting Rebello's book next!
I decided to read this book, followed by Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello after seeing the movie Hitchcock, which is based on that book and Hitchcock's life and the time surrounding when he made the movie Psycho and how inspired he was by Robert Bloch's book. I am looking forward to starting Rebello's book next!
I wish I had read this book before seeing the movies or TV series. That being said, I tried to read it as if I didn't know the story. This is a deliciously creepy book. I see from some reviews that people found it boring, but I don't think that all horror needs to be so in your face gory or scary. Norman Bates is, well, psycho and I enjoyed reading about him. Despite the fact that one can definitely tell the book was written during a different time period, I think it still holds its own today. I recommend this if you like a subtly creepy slow burn.
Meet Norman Bates.
Norman resides in a lovely town, and is the proprietor of the local Bates Motel.
He loves birds and lives with his mummy, whom he adores.
The only problem is that she's a bit of a psycho bitch who enjoys hacking people up in the shower.
Norman will do anything to protect his dear mum which includes covering up her various extracurricular activities.
Now, if you haven't seen the original movie Psycho, I strongly advise that you do. Very rarely do I say a movie surpasses the book. In this case, it does. Perhaps it is the portrayal of Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, perhaps it was that Hitchcock produced it. Most likely, it's both.
If you love your own mummy, this is a book that should warm the cockles of your heart.
3 Ninja-Bunnehs-Wearing-Wigs
Norman resides in a lovely town, and is the proprietor of the local Bates Motel.
He loves birds and lives with his mummy, whom he adores.
The only problem is that she's a bit of a psycho bitch who enjoys hacking people up in the shower.
Norman will do anything to protect his dear mum which includes covering up her various extracurricular activities.
Now, if you haven't seen the original movie Psycho, I strongly advise that you do. Very rarely do I say a movie surpasses the book. In this case, it does. Perhaps it is the portrayal of Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, perhaps it was that Hitchcock produced it. Most likely, it's both.
If you love your own mummy, this is a book that should warm the cockles of your heart.
3 Ninja-Bunnehs-Wearing-Wigs
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I watched the movie before I read this and honestly the differences are very minor and it was such a great adaptation of a book that i genuinely couldn’t put down from start to finish so it’s a 5 star for me!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Books like this must have been so good before they were made into movies.
This would have been so much better if I hadn't seen the movie first. To be fair, I didn't know the book existed before watching the movie (probably like most people- Hitchcock version, not whatever other garbage they've attempted), so props to the movie industry for turning me onto it and BOO for ruining the twist.
I love this era of creepy atmospheric books. It's like the right amount of wrong feeling, without an absurd amount of gore or constant twists to try to be new and exciting and engaging. It's a slow build of a story that leaves you feeling slightly sorry for Norman. The extra insight into the characters in each chapter as you read through their thoughts and perspectives provides much more atmosphere and entertainment than a movie could do.
Plus, super short read. Who needs 500 page thrillers?
This would have been so much better if I hadn't seen the movie first. To be fair, I didn't know the book existed before watching the movie (probably like most people- Hitchcock version, not whatever other garbage they've attempted), so props to the movie industry for turning me onto it and BOO for ruining the twist.
I love this era of creepy atmospheric books. It's like the right amount of wrong feeling, without an absurd amount of gore or constant twists to try to be new and exciting and engaging. It's a slow build of a story that leaves you feeling slightly sorry for Norman. The extra insight into the characters in each chapter as you read through their thoughts and perspectives provides much more atmosphere and entertainment than a movie could do.
Plus, super short read. Who needs 500 page thrillers?
A classic! Quick and easy read. I didn’t know about the plot twist, so that was a fun surprise. A good read for sure and loved the characters.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes