A Gem in Psychological Thrillers

books:

	• Psycho Robert Bloch Amereon Ltd, 1984 - 223 pages average customer review:based on 48 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Pulp Masterpiece

First off, I was a fan of the movie before I read the book. There's no doubt that the movie is a classic, a must-see for any fan of the horror genre and one of the scariest films of all time, but the book is a classic in itself. Essentially, the plot in the book is the same as the movie, but there are big changes in dialogue and in several other details (Ex. The character Mary Crane is named Marian in the movie, Norman in the book offers Mary coffee to go with her food while Norman in the movie offers Marian milk.)

The biggest difference is that Norman Bates in the book isn't the clean-cut kid that we see in the movie. Anthony Perkins was great as Norman, but the Norman in the book is someone that a lot of people can level with: Anthony Perkins plays as the twenty-something mama's boy, Norman in the book is a 40 year-old pervert with a lot of personal problems that are pretty much out in the open for the reader to see (he's an alcholic for one thing.) With the movie, it is difficult to see how Norman deals with his struggles with Mother, and we see him as someone that we can easily sympathize with because aside from his anger towards his mother, and his willingness to protect her after the murders began, he still seems to be a pretty nice kid until we discover the truth that he is his mother. The original Norman that we see is a chilling portrayal of a sexually-repressed psychopath(with more than one personality, of course.) When it comes down to it, the Norman we see in the book is grittier and more true to life than in the movie, which is not to insult Hitchcock or Perkins.

The book itself is fast-paced and an easy read, not all good books need esoteric prose or footnotes at the end of every sentence, and although the movie has definitely outlived the book, the book is where the idea came from in the first place; if not for Psycho the book, Psycho the movie would never exist. We also shouldn't forget that this novel was written by Robert Bloch, a master of the horror genre, respected and loved by the best writers in the field (if you don't believe me, check out Appreciations of the Master by Robert Bloch, edited by Richard Matheson and Ricia Meinhardt) For me, Psycho is good read that is worth re-reading at no great cost (it only took me a day to read the darn thing for goodness sake!)

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A Gem in Psychological Thrillers

This book leans more towards being a psychological read, rather than pure blood splattering horror.

Yes, Mary gets murdered and the same theme you have witnessed in the movie unfold here. She steals money, goes on the run, wrestles her inner demons and decides to go back home and face the music. The book shadows her life as she takes this path but takes an entirely different direction when she innocently meets Norman Bates - not knowing that her agonised self analysis and contemplations will be cut short as will her life.

Here you enter the mind of Norman Bates... the mental tortue... the feelings of inadequacies... the manifested fear... the sense of not belonging, but achingly, wanting to. Although Norman himself knows he does not belong to the 'normal' realm of society, he lacks courage and does nothing to change his life. Afterall, the comfort of what you have always known is a lesser evil to the comparative effort it would take to rebel - to have a family, friends, "be a man". And it also eliminates the harsh truth of society shunning you, deeming you unworthy.

The writing is very simple and easy to follow yet the simple thought processes of Norman are gripping. Overall, the atmosphere is one of subtle yet mounting sheer 'creepiness'. You cannot wait to turn a page, learn more of delusional Norman, what makes him do what he does and bring us right into what he has become. Which is, delightfully, one of the most complex psychopaths i have ever read about. A thoroughly thrilling psychological study with a well devised plot to keep the pages turning!

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Powerful, harrowing novel

I have been reading this book and have only a little more than 23 pages to the end. However, so far, I have been bowled over by the strong use of language and the way themes and concepts are introduced! This is one book that I think could (and possibly should) be assigned to read in junior high or high school. That's how moved I am by it. The human condition is one of the central threads of the tlae and you and I being human can certainly relate to that if I'm not mistaken.

Not Free SF Reader

Mummy's boy murderer.

If you ever suspect that you might be in a horror movie scenario, don't stop at a dodgy looking creepy motel, with a rather creepy guy giving off some bad vibes. If you are stuck in the sixties, I guess you have some more excuse at not being au fait with what not to do to avoid the slaughterer in this scenario. Anyway, definitely a good book.

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Brilliant!

Having loved the film for years, I thought it was time to read the book that inspired it. What a delight. The writing is suspenseful and clear. The characters are well drawn and three dimensional. The intersection of chapters that allows the reader to see what different characters are doing simultaneously is dynamic and keeps the reader intrigued.

As for the story itself, well it is simply brilliant. The action starts quickly and never lets up. Norman Bates is far more developed and sinister than in the film. Mary Crane is dark and depressing. Even Sam Loomis is complicated! Poor old Norman Bates just cannot seem to catch a break, well, until he has a break down.

The only complaint I have is that my very old used copy (that is aging and looks like was once for sale at the checkout of a supermarket) has quite a few spelling mistakes and weird errors: Lila becomes Lisa for 3 pages and punction is sporadic for a page! (I thought is was funny more so than anything else.)

The book is just superb. The last lines linger in your mind. I highly recommend it!

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

When the Bates Motel loomed up out of the storm, Mary Craine thought it was her salvation. The rooms were musty but clean, and the manager, Norman Bates, seemed like a nice enough fellow, if a little strange... .

Then Mary met Norman's mother. And the butcher knife.

The nightmare had just begun... .

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