Kell Posted October 19, 2005 Posted October 19, 2005 Author: James Herbert ISBN # 0 340 41616 5 I'm a pretty big fan of James Herbert but this is not one of his better tales. Truth be told, I was several chapters in before I realised I'd actually read it years before & forgotten as it's pretty unmemorable (unusual, because I'm usually completely immersed in the worlds he creates). This is one of the rare occasions where I preferred the movie to the book (it was on just a few days prior to me picking up this book & it bears little resemblance to the plot he wrote, but in this case, they managed to improve on it a fair bit - sorry, Mr Herbert!). Nah, I definitely prefer his later novels such as Once or The Magic Cottage which have far more of his famous atmosphere & mastery of words than this does. Quote
Kell Posted December 29, 2005 Author Posted December 29, 2005 The Dark Author: James herbert ISBN # 0450049701 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 1st Published: 1980 It came like a malignant shadow with seductive promises of power. And somewhere in the night... a small girl smiled as her mother burned... asylum inmates slaughtered their attendants... in slimy tunnels once- human creatures gathered. Madness raged as the lights began to fade and humanity was attacked by an ancient, unstoppable evil... What is it lately with horror books being a major disappointment? Yet again, I finish a book after what seems like an age-long slog only to feel incredibly let down by an author who usually delights me with his mastery of words. This should have been a better read as it Quote
Margo Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 I quite liked this one, and at the moment read The Fog by James Herbert, but I'm not really injoying the fog as much as I thought I would. Quote
Inanna Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 I got halfway through before I realised that I'd seen the movie of it, still it was quite a good read, just a shame that I already knew the ending Quote
Kell Posted January 6, 2006 Author Posted January 6, 2006 The film was better. It actually changed large partso f the plot & aspects of various characters, but the film was definitely better than the book. Quote
Maureen Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 It was supposed to be released earlier but has been put back till April 06. Why do we say put back when we really mean put forwards? Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 Maureen Wrote : Why do we say put back when we really mean put forwards? I have NO idea Maureen, hehehe, but you have a very good point! *Tracey awaits this book with such impatience!* * edited cause I AM the typo Queen ! Quote
Kell Posted January 6, 2006 Author Posted January 6, 2006 * edited cause I AM the typo Queen ! You'll have to share the crown with me then - I'm always having to go back & edit my posts - LOL. I spotted one I'd missed a month or so back just a moment ago, so I'll have to nip back & correct that one too. Evetually, all my posts will be typo free - LOL! Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 I loved both those books Clare, but I am a Herbert nut! Others is one of my faves by Mr Herbert - but I love them all ! Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 Kell wrote : You'll have to share the crown with me then - I'm always having to go back & edit my posts - LOL. I spotted one I'd missed a month or so back just a moment ago, so I'll have to nip back & correct that one too. Evetually, all my posts will be typo free - LOL! oh, I wish I had your optimism !!! Hail Ye Typo Queens !!! Quote
Inanna Posted January 7, 2006 Posted January 7, 2006 I've read four of his books, Once, Haunted, Ghosts Of Sleath and Magic Cottage. I enjoyed them all and will definitely read more of his stuff as I have heard lots of good reviews on him. Clare, Ghosts Of Sleath is my favourite so far Quote
Michelle Posted January 10, 2006 Posted January 10, 2006 I agree Kell. As I said to you elsewhere, my memory of this book is more Laymon than Herbert. It's fine as it is, but not what you expect from Herbert. Quote
Tash Posted January 10, 2006 Posted January 10, 2006 My step-dad and I were always big fans of James Herbert and would always be nagging the other to 'hurry up and finish' any new ones he brought out so the other could read it. However, we have both felt that his recent ones were not 'up to scratch' for him. It has become a struggle to maintain interest and I agree that his endings are far from what they used to be. Quote
Kell Posted February 10, 2006 Author Posted February 10, 2006 This book has been added to my sale or swap list if anyone's interested. Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted May 23, 2006 Posted May 23, 2006 We really do differ in taste, don't we Kell? I think Haunted is the best novel that James Herbert has ever written. Its limited setting, small cast of characters, and its preference in dealing with the interaction between the cast makes it far more interesting than his other novels, whether it be a cult trying to scare lovebirds out of their house or a deformed PI exploring the mystery around a hospital. And it's a lovely take on the ghost story; subtle yet effective. And a far sight better than the shoddy sequel (The Ghosts Of Sleath) that made the mistake of a) being a sequel; and upping the ante. I definitely prefer his later novels such as Once... or The Magic Cottage... But Haunted was released two years after The Magic Cottage. Quote
Kell Posted May 24, 2006 Author Posted May 24, 2006 But Haunted was released two years after The Magic Cottage. Was it? Oops! LOL! Quote
Sarahrob Posted May 24, 2006 Posted May 24, 2006 I've never seen the film, but I did enjoy the book. I liked the eeriness of it and the relative simplicity. I wasn't convinced by the relationship of the main character and... can't remember the name... Edith? I read it a few years ago, but I still remember the atmosphere of it, where I have forgotten most of his other books. Quote
angerball Posted July 11, 2007 Posted July 11, 2007 Just starting this book! I'm quite excited as it's set in Devon (where I live!). Does anyone know if Hollow Bay and the Devil's Cleave are fictional places, or do they actually exist? I just googled them, but all I got were references to this book, so I'm guessing they are fictional? Quote
Nici Posted July 11, 2007 Posted July 11, 2007 Has this book got anything to do with the book I am currently reading:- James Herbert - The Secret of Crickley Hall? I am a bit confused as I thought this was a stand alone book. Quote
angerball Posted July 11, 2007 Posted July 11, 2007 Ok, now I'm curious! I could have sworn when I posted on this thread last night, the title was the same as the book I'm reading now - The Secret of Crickley Hall. What was the original title of the thread/book? Quote
Kell Posted July 12, 2007 Author Posted July 12, 2007 What was the original title of the thread/book?It was originally called The LEGEND of Crickley Hall. Quote
angerball Posted July 15, 2007 Posted July 15, 2007 Just finished this one, and wasn't all that impressed. It started off well, but it just dragged on and on. It was utterly unoriginal - I kept waiting for a great twist, but there wasn't one. Boring, boring, boring! Quote
Colin Jacobs Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 I first found Herbert when I read "The Fog" and read all his books but since 48 a chase novel his others after that have been very hard work. why has he changed his style of writing? is it just me or has he decided his readers need more fantasy? Quote
Loopyloo100 Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 I have enjoyed many Of James Herbert's books including Creed, but Once I really did not enjoy. I enjoyed the likes of The Enchanted Wood when I was young and loved this type of fantasy, but I just couldn't relate to Herbert's adult fairy tale! Quote
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