Rating: 
Summary: Laymon does it again!
Review: I've read about 5 of Laymon's books and I loved them all. Island is no exception. I LOVED this book. The world lost a literary great when Laymon passed away. Rupert Conway is the teller of this story. He's thought that when his girlfriend asked him to come on a family vacation, he'd have a time of his life, an adventure he'd never forget. He was right about that. After the boat explodes, the girl's family and Rupert swim to an island. There's plenty of fresh water and food...and a killer. The killer plans to kill off one by one so the killer can put his sick and twisted plan into action. Laymon is such a talented writer. He had the ability to keep the reader glued to the page with many plot twists and turns. Many times I'd tell myself that I'd just read to the end of the chapter, then go to bed. Well, that didnt' work. I read this 504 page book in just two days. I dare anyone to start this book and try to put it down. Guess what, ya can't. Laymon also can create characters you care about and want to read about. Laymon created wonderful characters in Rupert and Connie. What's typical in Laymon's writing, is that you even care about the chatacters that are bad. The reader will want to get to know all of them, want to know everything about them. I know people who like to skim through a book to get the "feel" of it. Don't do this with that book. If you do, you may run into spoilers and ruin the book. I can't say enought good things about this book. If you start it, I know you'll love it. You won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and suspenseful
Review: Obviously, this one is not for everyone. For a big book, I read this in almost two days. Its the story of a boating trip gone awry when a group of people are having a picnic on a supposedly deserted island. When the boat blows up, they are all stranded there. This one is narrated by a horny teenage boy named Rupert, who is trying to survive, save his women and sneak peeks at them. I found this one to be suspenseful, spooky and funny at the same time. I have known guys like Rupert so I didn't find his sex-obsessed mind to be all that unbelievable. If you want to read Laymon novels, you must be warned that the narrator is always horny, the women always end up naked and there is campy fun elements that add to the book. In Island, everyone ends up in the nude including the guys, the plot is strange and its one heck of a ride. A lot of people didn't like this, but I did. If you are into the more literary horror, you won't enjoy this, but if you like horror that is funny and you don't offend easily you'll love it. Richard Laymon was one of the funnest writers in horror. Island reminds me of one of those late night Cinemax films, but at the same time, it draws you in. Good, campy fun, but frightening and spooky at the same time.
Rating: 
Summary: It's a joke people - loosen up
Review: The brilliant Laymon took an ordinary story and made it a page-turner. He knew exactly what he was doing with the audience undecided as to whether Rupert was a hero or a schmuck... For those who rated it low - you don't get it. Stick to Koontz, Andrews, Stine, or Rice...more your speed...
Rating:
Summary: Worst book I have ever been uable to put down
Review: In nearly 50 years of reading, this is the worst book I have ever read in two or three sittings. I found it to be a real page turner. The plot is paper thin, the characters sophomoric, and I'm not certain that the kind of terrain in which this book is set really exists in the Bahamas. Nevertheless, I couldn't put it down. This is a great book to take along on a long flight. Know what...I'm probably going to pick up another Laymon book for my next trip. It is a shame that this talented man is no longer with us.
Rating: 
Summary: Richard Laymon--Island (1995)
Review: Before he passed away late in the year of 2001, Richard Laymon was regarded as one of the most unique, grotesque, and thoughtful horror writers of the past quarter century, along with the likes of Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Dean Koontz. His distinctive style did not touch everyone's tongue with the right taste, but he gathered an exceptionally loyal following with his dozen or so novels. "Island" is certainly no exception to the usual Laymon formula--deranged, horrid, graphic, and quick. Surprisingly asked to join his girlfriend on an eloquent cruise with the rest of her family, the goofy Rupert Conway expects to get a little sun, take a few nice swims, hopefully get some hot, steamy action, and come back a rejuvenated soul afterwards. What Rupert gets is nothing but pure terror, as the family yacht blows up and shipwrecks onto a strange island. As if nothing could get worse, a homicidal maniac starts to knock of all of the vacationers. Rupert must settle his sexual urges, find strength from within, and save his himself and his yacht-mates before it is too late. Laymon has the uncanny ability to put many Fruedian notions into his characters--mainly with the perverted Rupert, who is more focused on getting into the pants of all the female mates with the exception of his actual girlfriend--and many other subliminal fears that most authors only think about putting on paper, much less doing it as successful. "Island" is weird, captivating, and sometimes down-right, awfully stupid. It's grisly story is only for a select group who is a fan of the genre and can stomach what Laymon puts in writing. Those looking for a thrill and a novel that you will feel good about reading, do not pick up "Island". Those who want to be shocked, traumatized, and taken back by a novel's emotional potency, consider not only this Laymon work, but many of his others.
Rating:
Summary: Not As Good As I've Heard
Review: I've read several Laymon books - most recenly Body Rides, and this one. He is a different sort of 'horror' writer, and spends an inordinant amount of time on sex. In this book, our 'hero' Rupert is a typical 18 year old male stranded on an island with beautiful women. I understand that that is what 18 year old males do and think about, however, I'm not sure as much of it needed to be included. The story could have been told without it, and honestly, it was not that great of a story - easy to figure out the ending. It was a page turner - of that I agree with other reviewers. I'm hoping some of his other books are better than the two I've read, or I will give up on this author.
Rating:
Summary: X-Rated Lord of the Flies
Review: This horny thriller is a fast, fun, and easy read. Be warned that it is graphically violent and sexual but I expect that'll attract more readers than deter them. I'm sure some will claim that it's sexist and misogynistic but you have to keep in mind that it's written from the perspective of a horny male teenager.
Rating: 
Summary: Man, I should be a writer
Review: Several of my friends recommended Laymon and then loaned this book to me. It is a fast read and somewhat entertaining. How could Stephen King "recommend" Laymon? Evidently Laymon's core audience is teenagers who enjoy the constant horniness of the characters. I thought the book was fairly good until I realized what I was reading was all I was going to get. No plot twist or shocking turn. I knew the ending about half way through. If this guy was a bestseller, I think we all should consider writing for a living!
Rating:
Summary: Laymon's Addictive!
Review: I started out by chance reading Night in the Lonesome October and I was hooked...seriously! Island is scary, funny, sexy, crazy & a great read! I highly recommend it! Once you start reading...be prepared to stay up all night!
Rating:
Summary: Too bad wasn't 100 stars!
Review: This is one of the greatest books i have ever read. Yes it is a disturbing book and not everyone would like it. But it is suspenseful and funny. If you like Koontz, King you you love Laymon. He is greaT!
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