Richard Laymon

[Michelle]

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?

[Kell]

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.

[Inanna]

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 :D

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 :wink:

[Michelle]

I've just seen The Island on Amazon, and thought it looked quite good.

[Inanna]

I know Clare read it and enjoyed it, but it does look like a good story :D

[Anonymous]

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!

:mrgreen:

[Anonymous]

Inanna, let me know when you have a spare space on your shelf and I'll lend you Island :D

[Inanna]

Inanna, let me know when you have a spare space on your shelf and I'll lend you Island :D

LOL theres always space on my shelf :D

Have you read it yet?

[Michelle]

ooh ooh... then me?! :D

[Anonymous]

Yes, I've had it a while, pm your address if you like and I'll send it this week :mrgreen:

Body Rides is a good read too, I think someone else said that in another thread, a bit more unusual.

[Anonymous]

Michelle wrote :

ooh ooh... then me?!

Sure Michelle, maybe Inanna could send it to you once she's read it and then you can send it back to me?

That's probably the best way about it, and that's fine with me.

:mrgreen:

[Inanna]

Not a problem for me :D

[Michelle]

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. :(

[Inanna]

Thats typical Richard Laymon writing, actually its rather milder than alot of his other books IMO :wink:

[Michelle]

Well I've read some others of his, but there was just something disturbing about this one. Maybe it's me that's changed.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Michelle]

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.

[1sillywabbit]

:) Have his 'One Rainy Night' on my tbr shelf
Not read any by him yet. :shock:
Is it a good one? :|

Wabbit x :wave:

[Michelle]

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

[1sillywabbit]

:shock: Would have to be in the right mood for that one then!

Thanks for reply :)

Wabbit x :wave:

[PHH707102]

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!