Kell Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 See, I preferred his novels like The Magic Cottage and Once - I thought those the strongest of his. I also liked Creed, but mostly I find Herbet's early stuff more disappointing - The Dark was dire and The Haunting was incredibly predictable and rather boring. I haven't read very much of his more recent work, but I did rather enjoy Others - that one was quite good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 I've never really got into James Herbert's books that much - I've bought a few but can't even remember if I finished them (so I must not have been too impressed). The only one of his books I absolutely loved was Fluke, which I don't think is typical of his work. Maybe that's why I loved it so much! It was so sad and emotional, rather than just being straightforward horror (though the situation could be viewed as quite horrific). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Jacobs Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 (edited) I loved "The Fog" which is the first one I read followed by Johnah which was based where I live The Rats trilogy was good too. I have read all the others some good some poor, I keep up to date with his works but they seem to be more adult fairy tales than anything. Nobody True was very hard work but I had to finish it to review it and give it a poor rating in the hope that Herbert would listen to his readers Just visited the James Herbert web site it is two years out of date!! http://www.james-herbert.co.uk/home.htm Edited August 10, 2008 by Michelle merged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 If you look at amazon, Nobody True had some really good reviews too, so they were certainly enjoyed by some! Many authors will change their style if they write for many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 I have read most of James Herbert's books, the most recent book I read of his was 'The Secret of Crickley Hall', which was really good. I think he is mellowing in years or maybe he needed the change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I read this book recently and I quite enjoyed it! I thought some approaches were original, the main character was likeable and what was a cliche was very well done. The ending went a bit loopy though. Having said that, it's the first Herbert book I've read. Anyone want to suggest better books by him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggiesfan Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The Magic Cottage is his best book for me, although i liked Portent, 48, Nobody True and The Fog too. he is one of my favourite authors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I'm sorry but The Magic Cottage sounds like an Enid Blyton title. I can't help but laugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Roxi, a lot of us here enjoyed The Secret of Crickley Hall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Awesome, I'll check it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I liked the magic cottage, its a good read. More atmospheric than scary but a good read all in all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Dawkins Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 48 is my favourite cracking thiller.I also really enjoyed Once which is a fairy story.Ghosts of Sleath is another good story and it features David Ash from Haunted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Roxi, a lot of us here enjoyed The Secret of Crickley Hall. Apart from me, I gave up about half way through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loopyloo100 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Apart from me, I gave up about half way through! I didn't enjoy this one that much either although I did manage to reach the end. I didn't enjoy Once either, but yet again plodded through to the end. I suppose the last 2 books of his that I remember enjoying were Haunted and The Ghosts of Sleath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattyOldMaid Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I remember 48, I thought it was bloody brilliant, but now can't remember the ending, guess I'll have to reread that one! The ghost of Crickley Hall was very, very good, I enjoyed reading it and couldn't put it down. The same went for Nobody True and Portent. I would have loved to see the relationship between James and Diane to have developed a lot more, having said that it was beautifully written. Can't wait to get started on Haunted. Batty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah1979 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 The secret of Crickley Hall was my favourite book that i have read by James Herbert. It scared the life out of me! very eerie and it was really hard to put the book down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilde Lily Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 My first thought on finishing Haunted was, "Wow! That was fun!" And it was! Haunted is a good old fashioned ghost story with just enough "present day" to "kick it up a notch." I especially liked the juxtaposition of Ashe's memories of the drowning of his sister and the later, unanticipated by me, revelation of her ghost's participation in her brother's torment. I would like have a deeper exploration of the relationship between Ash and Kate, or not to mention it at all. Herbert seem to be trying to tell us something about Ash and Kate, then he just drops the subject. Maybe there will be more in an upcoming novel? I could live without the final confrontation between Ash and the ghosts at the train station. OK, let the ghosts be watching the departing train from the platform, but that last attack inside of the train was just hokie and completely unnecessary. That sort of 'ghost pops out of the closet" device is old and over-done. All in all I enjoyed the book and it's has convinced me to try another of Herbert's books. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 All in all I enjoyed the book and it's has convinced me to try another of Herbert's books. Any suggestions? I highly recommend Once and The Magic Cottage. Ooh, and The Ghosts of Sleathe is another one featuring David Ash, but I've not read that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malefic Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) After being disappinted with Stephen King as late, I have gone back to James Herbert and picked up The Secret of Crickley Hall and although I am only a third of the way through the book is amazing. Unlike the King books I have read lately, Herbert had me hooked onto this book within 3 or 4 chapters with a few chills running up and down my spine!! Has anyone else read this book and found the same things - addictable and quite spooky in places! Each night this book is being read and hope to have it finished soon, but to be honest this is one of the best books I have read for a while Only downside is the copy I have is hardback and its quite hard to hold that and a cup of tea in the bath Edited March 22, 2009 by malefic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I haven't read that one but I just finished Haunted. It's my first James Herbert, and I will certainly be reading more. The Secret of Crickley Hall is on my wish list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelvin Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 The Magic Cottage is his best book for me, although i liked Portent, 48, Nobody True and The Fog too. he is one of my favourite authors. I enjoyed all his books i think they are well written but my altime favourite is nobody true, Others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_bint Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) I have just closed the back cover on James Herbert's Nobody True, James has knocked me for six again, might have to revisit this book one day........has anyone else read it? Edited May 12, 2009 by Michelle Title changed to something more descriptive, and helpful for future searches! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I have, when it was first published. I really liked it. In fact, I have a signed-by-the-author copy! Ooooh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_bint Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I have, when it was first published. I really liked it. In fact, I have a signed-by-the-author copy! Ooooh! My hubby got two books the same one christmas, and one went back to the book shop for an exchange........but the books were mixed up and the unsigned one I had given him stayed at home and the signed one went to the shop. He had not even realised it was a signed one until the person that bought it for him mentioned it a few months later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusky Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I really enjoyed it! It was the first James Herbet book I read...really, the first proper horror I'd read, and while it shocked me, I read it in just a few sittings (although I refused to read it late at night). It got me interested enough to go and find some of his other books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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