How do I write about a review about one of James Herbert's finest books? 'Spose I'll start at the beginning and work my way through!
The Psychical Research Institute investigates stories of psychic phenomenon, mediums, spiritualist, ghosts, etc. They believe in paranormal activity and go ... Read review
This horror story describes three nights of terror in a remote country house, where a ... more
psychic investigator is obliged to re-evaluate his beliefs about the supernatural as he confronts the secrets of his own past. The author's many books include "T...
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Advantages: What a twist in the tale!! Disadvantages: Hate those naughty scenes
How do I write about a review about one of James Herbert's finest books? 'Spose I'll start at the beginning and work my way through!
The Psychical Research Institute investigates stories of psychic phenomenon, mediums, spiritualist, ghosts, etc. They believe in paranormal activity and go as far as they can to verify its existence.
So sometimes they need the services of a certain David Ash psychic investigator extradonaire one ... ...difference, he's a complete sceptic, believing every thing has a natural cause and trying to prove it. Hence he's quite the enemy of other spiritualists.
One day the Institute receives a call from the Marriell family asking that Ash goes to investigate the young girls that they claim is haunting their house.
Kate McCarrick boss and part time love packs him off to Edbrook with order to behave, not drink so much and bring back ... more
How do I write about a review about one of James Herbert's finest books? 'Spose I'll start at the beginning and work my way through!
The Psychical Research Institute investigates stories of psychic phenomenon, mediums, spiritualist, ghosts, etc. They believe in paranormal activity and go as far as they can to verify its existence. So sometimes they need the services of a certain David Ash psychic investigator extradonaire one of their best investigators. But he's an investigator with a difference, he's a complete sceptic, believing every thing has a natural cause and trying to prove it. Hence he's quite the enemy of other spiritualists.
One day the Institute receives a call from the Marriell family asking that Ash goes to investigate the young girls that they claim is haunting their house. Kate McCarrick boss and part time love packs him off to Edbrook with order to behave, not drink so much and bring back some results. At the run-down house of Edbrook Ash meets the beautiful Christina Marriell a, her older brother Robert and Simon and their aunt Nanny Webb who has looked after them since their parents were killed when they were children
They the mysterious things start happening, Ash's camera keeps going off when there is no one around, his equipment keeps playing up and he's starting to feel a little uneasy. And then there's the figure of a young woman in a white dress he can see but can never get close to. His opinion is that someone is playing a trick on him.
Meanwhile Edith Phipps, a medium friend believes that something is wrong and head down to Edbrook. But back at the house Ash is beginning to get confused. Is the figure in white Christina's schizophrenic twin sister who committed suicide and whom the Marriells did not think it was necessary to tell him about! Things from Ash's past also haunt Ash's dreams, could ghosts from Ash's dreams be manifesting themselves?
What follows is 3 days of pure terror and inexplicable happenings with David Ash's sanity being tested to the limit.
The book is a joy to read, not in that it is full of happiness, bunnies skipping, along, flowers in the spring kind of thing because it a chilling horror tale! But its so well written, a real page turner, all you're going to do is curl up on the sofa with a coffee, box of Milk Tray and this book.
I personally think David Ash is the most original and developed of Herbert's male characters, I think its because compared to other male characters Ash has a history, he's more in-depth, we can see why he behaves the way he does. We can understand his motives and actions particularly his scepticism, that it is fuelled by the fear and guilt surrounding the death of his sister. And he gets even better in the Ghosts of Sleath.
Christina Marriells character is a stroke of genius, she's very elusive and there's always a niggling doubt about her in the back of your mind. She's a bit of a strange one. Her and her brothers who are in their 20 are always playing tricks and jokes and come across as very childish. But their tricks are tinged with darkness, giving us a clue as to what's happening at the depilated house of Edbrook. Edith Phipps the medium and Kate McCarrick are little more then emergency sirens, letting us know when danger is ahead. I would have liked them to have played a bigger role, particularly as its a very small book (by modern standards). Its only 224 pages long. And lets just say that although Edith has more input than MS McCarrick, it doesn't last long!
I don't know about anyone else but I hate Herbert's sex scenes. Of course Ash ends up in bed with Christina which on reflection was probably a very bad thing! Its like he finds them embarrassing and I get embarrassed reading them because they are so stifled and stilted. Perhaps he should read a few Jackie Collins and get a few tips (missus!)
The build up to the climax is a real gripper, and the revelations surprised even me, and I do like to think that I can spot these things coming, but alas, not this time. It is a Herbert classic, there's no doubt about it. I could and have read it time and time again.
There has been a film based on this book, based, but very ,very loosely. Its not even based in the right period! So stick to the original and let your imagination conjure up your own images!
I read this one after The Ghosts of Sleath which features the same central character, this is a physic investigator called David Ash. This book however is actually the first featuring this character and as such I read them in the wrong order, this however wasn’t detrimental to the story but it did have a bearing on my expectations. As I had thoroughly enjoyed “The Ghosts of Sleath” I probably approached this book expecting more ... ...expectations, perhaps if I’d read it first that might have been different. Anyway, back to the story. Ash is a strong character who claims that there is no such thing as the “unexplained” and sets out to prove it with a truly cynical attitude. In this story he is called in to investigate reports of hauntings in a family home called Edbrook.
As the story develops Ash is confronted with situations that even he cant explain and is ...
Mickm9 09.02.2001 (04.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Haunted - James Herbert
Advantages: A very easy read - with an unexpected twist! Disadvantages: A bit cheesy - especially the film
This is a classic scary story... it was the first I read by James Herbert and it got me hooked!
It is a trashy horror - a nice easy read - but I wouldn't reccommend reading it alone in bed!
It's so good that a film was made based on this book - film is a bit cheesy!
It can be very frightening in parts - but if you are already a fan you will expect this.
It is like one of those ghost stories you hear - that you are not sure whether to believe ...
amylovelace 19.10.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Haunted - James Herbert
Advantages: As with many of James Herbert's books the story is intense and his writing style helps you to feel as though you are there in the book. It is a wonderful story with twists and turns. Disadvantages: The book was made into a film and if you have seen the film it is a little hard to get the images of the screen characters out of you head, especially David. Also please make sure you read this before 'The Ghosts of Sleath' as this is the sequal.
...two, but on realising that Haunted was the prequal I had to read it.
As with his other books, you are drawn into the situation. In the fire I felt hot and out of breath. Towards the end my heart was racing with fear and excitement.
As usual there is still the typical James Herbert account of the character's sexual relations, but these just help to get a feel of the characters.
I did get the continuous feeling of the scene being constantly dark, ...
Emzie-bab 14.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Haunted - James Herbert
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Advantages: Short Gripping Read Disadvantages: A Bit outdated and cliche'd
and a part of him he thought never enev existed.
If You like this and other JamesHerbert novels, I would suggest you look for By Horror Haunted - edited by Stephen Jones and JamesHerbert's Dark Places as they are great insightful books.
I'll be totally frank about this though. I really need to re-read the book. I remember bits of it, but not all of it. I think the girl he falls in love with was sent to investigate on him, and he maybe still working within the police, but undercover, or he is on sabatical and simply trying to olve a certain part of the case on his own. I definately remember the ending being very strange!! ...
Advantages: Fantastic read for horror enthusiasts Disadvantages: James Herbert can't write fast enough
If Most Haunted ever had to go to Lockwood Hall I think they would retire.
I love JamesHerbert anyway, But this is one of those books you just can't put down because you insist you have to scare the pants off yourself. In fact I would put this as a second only to 'The Dark' .
If you like scary books and you've never read a good one yet then JamesHerbert is a good place to start with this one as a first. It has all the usual twists and turns of a Herbert, and the creepies to go with it.
The story starts as David Ash thinks he has run over a small boy on the bridge as he enters the small village of Sleath, But as with all Herbert stories things are never as they seem, even from the very beggining.
A fantastic read. Highly recomended to any horror enthusiast. ...
Advantages: Plenty of twists and turns, and surprises. An easy imaginable place. Disadvantages: Very Similar too many of his others novels.
Having read ALL of JamesHerberts Books. The Ghosts of Sleath was a very good read but not unlike his others works.
If you enjoyed The Magic Cottage, Once and Nobody True then you'll love it! Its not quite as fast and compelling to read as '48. But it takes the place of the awful films they put on now adays.
The story continues from JamesHerberts 'The Haunted'.
It takes the Story of David Ash a Psychical reserchers on from his meeting at Edbrook house, and how his story continues. The nightmares and atmosphere thats he feels again rises for him to find the turth once again for the village of Sleath.
When David Ash Arrives at the village of Sleath and automatically feels the burden that holds this Village, the truth evades him, and sends me all over the village looking for the Truth. With shocking accidents as the villagers are ...
Three nights of terror at the house called Edbrook - three nights in which David Ash, there to investigate a haunting, will be victim of horrifying and maleficent games. These are the three nights in which he will face the blood-chilling enigma of his own past - the three nights before Edbrook's dreadful secret will be revealed...And the true nightmare will begin! Remember with fear. "Disturbing atmosphere and constant unpleasant shocks." - "Daily Mail".
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Stephen King's claim to fame ; Superb atmosphere ; Sublime plot ; A vivid imagination that stretches all supernatural boundaries ; Probably responsible for some of the best horror films of the 70's and 80's
Some unessesary background in the first half ; Kubrik mucked up the story too much ; Could have been much more (*)
