Out of all Richard Laymon's excellent novels, Island is my favourite. It has everything you could ever want from a novel, including an absolutely jaw-dropping final twist. It's the story of a group of people who are shipwrecked on a tropical island, only to be hunted down by a crazed killer. ... Read review
Advantages: Even by Laymon's standards, this is great. Disadvantages: Absolutely none at all!
...all Richard Laymon's excellent novels, Island is my favourite. It has everything you could ever want from a novel, including an absolutely jaw-dropping final twist. It's the story of a group of people who are shipwrecked on a tropical island, only to be hunted down by a crazed killer. This might not sound like the most original premise you've ever heard, but it's what Laymon does with this basic idea that is so special. The writing is absolutely ... ...It's written in the form of a diary, from one character's point of view, and is so well crafted that you genuinely feel you're reading the words of a real person, rather than the author's words. Laymon somehow manages to make the novel fast moving and exciting, and yet still full of suspense. It's one of those books where you're constantly rushing to finish a chapter, just so you can get on to the next! I can't recommend this book highly enough. ... more
Out of all Richard Laymon's excellent novels, Island is my favourite. It has everything you could ever want from a novel, including an absolutely jaw-dropping final twist. It's the story of a group of people who are shipwrecked on a tropical island, only to be hunted down by a crazed killer. This might not sound like the most original premise you've ever heard, but it's what Laymon does with this basic idea that is so special. The writing is absolutely flawless, and the characters are utterly believable and never dull. It's written in the form of a diary, from one character's point of view, and is so well crafted that you genuinely feel you're reading the words of a real person, rather than the author's words. Laymon somehow manages to make the novel fast moving and exciting, and yet still full of suspense. It's one of those books where you're constantly rushing to finish a chapter, just so you can get on to the next! I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you havn't read a Laymon novel before, there isn't a better one to start with.
Advantages: Thrills from cover to cover Disadvantages: You will get hooked on Laymon
...people stranded on a
isolated island written in the first person viewpoint of Rupert Conway a university student
holidaying with his girlfriend Connie and her family.But appearances can be deceptive
which very quickly becomes apparent when people begin to die starting with the men.
It becomes clear quite early on who is behind everything but the story doesn't let up with
the surprises right up to the last sentence.
With deeply descriptive portraits ...
erinmitch 10.06.2004 (15.06.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island - Richard Laymon
This is my favourite book by Richard Laymon. It contains all the usual excitement, suspense, blood and gore. The story is written in the form of a journal. We know everything that our "hero" Rupert thinks and does but all we know about the other characters is what Rupert knows. The story is excellent. If you have liked any other books by Richard Laymon, you will love Island. It's a definite must read! If you want to read a Richard Laymno book for ...
Claire102 28.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island - Richard Laymon
Advantages: Scary, tense, and brilliant Disadvantages: None
Being the first book I read from this author, I didn't quite know what to expect. As it turned out, "Island" blew me away. Right from the very fist sentance to the climactic ending, this book is very hard to put down. The story is set (as the name suggests) on an Island. A family have gone there for a little holiday, when all of a sudden they find themselves stranded. Things then go from bad to worse, as the family discover that they are not alone; ... ...them out one by one ... The book is written in first person narrative, and is in the style of a diary kept by the main charactor, Rupert. One of the reasons for this is the very interesting plot twist at the end of the book ... A great read and one of the best books I have read in a long time. Richard Laymon is an incredible author! ...
Arbobug 12.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Island - Richard Laymon
Advantages: The main character is telling the story to his journal. Disadvantages: Has some confusing plot twists
This was the first Richard Laymon book I ever read. I love that it is written as the journal of a lustful young man who outwardly appears to be very shy and quiet. This is the perfect book to read to achieve the "what if" factor of being deserted on an island. It shows just how quickly common courtesy and human restraint go in a situation where there is no one around to hold you accountable for your actions. The danger and suspense of the situation ...
SweetJeni25 18.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Island - Richard Laymon
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Island - Richard Laymon"
Advantages: Another brillian book by this author Disadvantages: Not keen on ending
Richardlaymon (the cellar, island and the stake) has done a brilliant job up until the end which i thought was poor. The glory bus was brought out in 2005 and you can get it at most major bookshops for about £6.99. You could probably get in cheaper on the net.
The book revolves around two main characters. Theres pamela who has just got married, kidnapped by rodney, a rapist and murderer who has had a crush on her since school. Then there's shy, quiet norman who goes into a garage to pay for his petrol and comes back to find someone sat in his car demanding a ride.
The book kicks off with rodney kidnapping pamela, leaving a female corpse to take her place in her house, with her husband and setting it on fire. Nobody will realize that pamela has been kidnapped, they will mistake the corpse for her. Pamela manages to escape after ...
Advantages: The first person narrative can be quite funny at times Disadvantages: Most of the rest of it
A couple of days ago I was scanning my bookshelves for something to read. I couldn't make my mind up whether to go for a crime novel, or sci-fi or even something a bit technical. In the end I opted for a book by RichardLaymon. A few years ago now I had read one of his called 'Island' about a group of eight people who become shipwrecked on an, you've guessed it, island with a deranged maniac on the loose which I had really enjoyed.
Remembering this I looked forward to tucking into this older title of his, published in 1993, entitled 'Endless Night'. It is a story about Jody Fargo, sixteen years old and spending the night at her friend Evelyn's house, when a group of killers break in. She witnesses her friend being kebabed by a spear and escapes the house but not before rescuing the only other survivor from the building; twelve ...
Product Information for "Island - Richard Laymon" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Horror
Title
Island
Author
Richard Laymon
ISBN
0747215103; 0747250995
Manufacturer's product description
When eight people go on a cruise in the Bahamas, they plan to swim, sunbathe and relax. Getting shipwrecked is definitely not in the script. But after the yacht blows up they're stranded on a deserted island, and there's a maniac on the loose.
Compare Island - Richard Laymon to other similar Horror Books »
A nice gripping and readable novel ; A terrific tale of survival ; Very atmospheric ; The characters thoughts and feelings are projected well to the reader
Suddenly stops flowing towards the middle ; King can be slightly over obsequious towards the main character (*)
