Michelle Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Looking through Amazon, there appears to be more Laymon books about than I reaslised. I read a few of them, then got fed up with the recurring gore and sex. As a one-off every now and again, they're quite entertaining, but I'm not sure I'd recommend reading a bunch together! What were your experiences of him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I used to read him a lot, but, like you, got bored with the sex & gore. There are a few that are really quite entertaining though. They're usually quick reads, so if you have a long bus or train journey, a couple of these will keep you going till you reach your destination. I prefer Koontz, King & Herbert myself though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I've read The Woods Are Dark, Beast House & The Cellar so far which were all quick reads. There was one I really wanted to read The Island I think it was called, so may have to get that out of the library His books are what I would call trashy horror, the only negative comment I would make is that the way he writes his female characters is quite off-putting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 I've just seen The Island on Amazon, and thought it looked quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I know Clare read it and enjoyed it, but it does look like a good story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I like Richard Laymon and I have a few of his books, which I am trying to collect as I go along. I have : The Midnight Tour Alarums Dark Mountain Come Out Tonight Among The Missing Amara Flesh The Travelling Vampire Show Quake Night In The Lonesome October Body Rides Island The Cellar Savage Resurrection Dreams The Lake The Woods Are Dark Night Show Funland and I'm always looking for more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 I'm sorry to those who liked Island, but I'm finding it quite disturbing. Laymon seems to enjoy writing about some pretty nasty things.. the descriptions aren't needed, I just think he gets a kick out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inanna Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 Thats typical Richard Laymon writing, actually its rather milder than alot of his other books IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted April 20, 2006 Author Share Posted April 20, 2006 Well I've read some others of his, but there was just something disturbing about this one. Maybe it's me that's changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I read Laymon in my teens and soon got bored of how far-fetched some of his stuff. I also found his writing style to be a tad simplistic, something I wouldn't have minded, thinking in retrospect, if he had been better at choosing more effective words. The mysogeny and pulpy gore was a turnoff too; once you'd read one Laymon there was little reason to read others. Endless Night was a particular example of pointlessness. Of the books I read, the only one that sticks in my head is Savage; but there's still ten years between my fond memories of it and now. I daresay that I wouldn't like it were I to read it tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 Welcome Stewart. I used to be able to enjoy his books on a superficial level, but when I tried Island, I couldn't even do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sillywabbit Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Have his 'One Rainy Night' on my tbr shelf Not read any by him yet. :shock: Is it a good one? :| Wabbit x :wave: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 8, 2006 Author Share Posted July 8, 2006 It really depends how you feel about horror books.. Laymon writes about alot of killing, gore and sex. It's something I liked reading at one point, but not any more. One Rainy Night gets good reviews in Amazon I see.. it's one that I do remember quite well, but I do remember getting annoyed because it was obvious what was happening, but none of the characters could work it out! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sillywabbit Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 :shock: Would have to be in the right mood for that one then! Thanks for reply Wabbit x :wave: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHH707102 Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 I personally love Richard Layman, I've read all his books (I think!) and I find him quite good - he's very "easy reading in a gory sort of way!". I also love Shaun Hutson and James Herbert, but personally don't like Stephen King at all, I've tried a few of his books and I just cannot get into them so I gave up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Hi everyone - I am new here so I wanted to introduce myself by giving you some info on a book that I have recently finished reading. It really has made a lasting impression. Endless night by Richard Laymon is not for the faint hearted, but dare I say that it is excitingly good and stomache wrenching (but not in a good way)! It only took me a few days to read, needless to say that my husband suffered, because I simply could not put it down. From the first chapter it had you gripped. What worries me is the state of mind of Mr Laymon who wrote the book. I mean where did he come up with the idea of creating a group of mad-men characters, who since their teens had gone around breaking into peoples houses in the night, killing and torturing anyone who was home? Anyway, because the book is so gut wrenchingly horrid and graphic I am ashamed to say that it has to be one of my favorites. If you havent read it, then it comes highly reccommended. I havent read anything else by Richard Laymon yet, so if you have let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 That sounds like a book I would like to read! I will add it to my never ending list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 That sounds like a book I would like to read! I will add it to my never ending list! Ditto lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I've read a fair few Richard Laymans over the years, but I kind of went off him eventually as they tend to get a bit same-y - they're usually heavy on the gore with quite a sexual slant to them. Some of the better ones (in my opinion) include: Funland (horrific happenings at a carnival)* The Travelling Vampire Show (a bit of blood-letting there)** Darkness, Tell us (Ouija board) Blood Games (an annual reunion goes disastrously wrong) He's definitely not a writer for the squeamish! * Bram Stoker Best Novel nominee (1991) ** Bram Stoker Best Novel winner (2001) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~V~ Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 i picked this one up in the states it was ok but not that great. i put it on RISI so it can't have been that good anyway, from what i see on fantasitc fiction, he died in 2001 so there won't be any new ones from him oh, and welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 from what i see on fantasitc fiction, he died in 2001 so there won't be any new ones from him Yes, from what I remember, it was Valentine's Day - I recall seeing a small notice next to his section of the shelves in horror when I went to Ottaker's shortly afterwards & thinking to myself, "that's such a shame!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Thanks to you all for your feedback. My mother in law is coming to stay with us from Wednesday onwards, she usually arms me with enough reading material to keep me going for a good few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmce Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Hey has anyone every read the book funland-richard laymon. Heard it was good but would like a second opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Its tricky really, I generally only read the horror/thriller genre and I would class Laymons as mediocre. He has a penchant for sexual violence in most of his books and I do mean nearly every one. Sometimes his writing/plots are good, he likes the borderland between outright supernatural horror and strange human mutants. Funland is ok, if memory serves, no twists or surprises but a gore fest nonetheless. I say give it a go and see what you think, although avoid the beast house series like the proverbial plague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Try Stephen Laws, he's a better bet. His book Daemonic is worth a read, unless you suffer from claustropobia that is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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