Suffer the Children

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Summary: 100 years ago. . .
Review: 100 years ago there was a very talented writer who couldn't sell his work to save his life. He died penniless in a seedy garret. His last words were, "I shall return!' Fast-forward 100 years. Now, as then, there is writer, but this writer is very untalented. However, his work sells like hotcakes and makes him a lot of money. This bad writer is the reincarnation of the first one I described. But now he know what sells to an undemanding readership, so he uses the same plotline in every novel he writes: an unavenged century-old death, a young person who starts acting irrationally, animal deaths, etc. I guess he can't help it.

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Summary: cry for all the children
Review: a 100 years ago a child was badly abused and killed. 100 years later another child suffers the same abuse but lives but is mute.
the ghost of the child from 100 years ago takes over the body of
the present day mute's sister and children start disappearing all
over again. history is bound to repeat itself and i think this is
one of john saul's best books. anyone who has read any of his books cannot miss this one for it is creepier than anyone of his
i have read.

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Summary: Suffer the Reader
Review: As a fan of the horror genre, both film & fiction, it isn't often I find myself completely disgusted by a horror story. Bravo, John Saul.

This book is both artless & hateful. The descriptions of torture of children, at the hand of another child, are graphic, sadistic, and completly nauseating.

The story reads like a frustrated juvenille attempt at horror-porn.

Do yourself a favor. Go to Peter Straub, Dean Koontz, Stephen King.

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Summary: Suffer the Children Review
Review: Do you like horror novels? If yes, then you'll love John Saul's book Suffer the Children. This novel takes place in Port Arbello on a sunny, breezy day. The characters in this book are Jack and Rose Conger. Their family has a lot of history in Port Arbello. There is Elizabeth, the Conger's eldest daughter, who is extraordinarily mature for a thirteen-year-old. Next, there is Sarah. Sarah is the Conger's youngest daughter. The past has closed in on her, and she doesn't talk. Finally, there are Sylvia Bannister and Ray. Sylvia is Jack's secretary, and Ray is the Chief of Police in Port Arbello. (Here are a few lines from Suffer the Children to help you sample the story.) "The man rose out of the bushes, the bottle held aloft, the knuckles of his right hand white as they gripped its neck. He brought the bottle down hard, crushing the rabbit's skull just as it came to light at his feet"(pg.10). The main problem in this book is that children are disappearing. The problem becomes complicated when the eye-witness to the kidnapping gets sent to a place 40 miles away. In this book John Saul is able to create suspense and excitement well. Students in grade eight and up can easily relate to this book. The audience of this novel might enjoy the excitement and thrill of this book. The book is very easy to follow and understand. You will not want to put it down. It is worth reading all 378 pages of Suffer the Children.

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Summary: His best - in my humble opinion
Review: His first is still Saul's best book. Eerie and thrilling. Alas, as this was a big hit, he wrote exatly the same for nearly 20 more books, but here it is still fresh. If you want to try out Saul, or just read one of his books, try this one. There are others which are also quite ok, but, yes, try this one first

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Summary: This book has never left my mind
Review: I believe I read Suffer the Children when I was in middle school back in the 70's?? I guess I picked it up not knowing what kind of a book it was and I don't remember if I finished it but I know I will never forget the awful cave scenes. The seaweed and sand sandwiches will forever be etched in my mind and remembering all of that still disgusts me today! That book changed the way I read from then on...I've never picked up another novel that looked even somewhat similar in name or cover.

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Summary: Good book, disappointing ending
Review: I have been a big fan of John Saul's for a while now, ever since I picked up The Unloved a few years back. Since then, I have been reading everything of his that I can get my hands on, and I have rarely been disappointed. He is an amazing writer, and Suffer the Children is no exception. This is one of those books that when you open it for the first time, you can't put it down again until you've finished! The plot is excellent, the characters are well developed, and it is overall just a really great story. However, I have to say I was VERY upset by the ending of this book. I don't want to give everything away, but the ending didn't resolve any of the problems that arose in the story, and the guilty characters were not punished! I guess I just adhere to the old fashioned belief that, when all is said and done, the evildoers in any book should get their just desserts, and this book didn't live up to that expectation. Other than that, Suffer the Children is just another excellent story that John Saul can add to his long, long list! Read it and enjoy it (until you get to the ending that is).

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Summary: GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I READ SUFFER THE CHILDREN MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND FROM THAT POINT ON I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF JOHN SAUL HES BOOKS GET RIGHT TO THE POINT AND I DIG THAT ABOUT HIM HE DOESNT STOP AND EXPLAIN EVERY SINGLE DETAIL OF EVERY SINGLE WORD HE WRITES LIKE MANY OHTERS DO THIS BOOK HAD ME ON MY TOES AT EVERY MINUTE I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN I ALSO RECOMMED FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOW BECOMING FAIMLAR WITH JOUN SAUL HELLFIRE,SECOND CHILD AND DARKNESS AS WELL AS PUNISH THE SINNERS I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY JOHNS BOOKS AS MUCH AS I DO HE IS THE TRUE MAN OF HORROR MOST SURELY OUT DOES STEVEN KING.DONT LET THIS AUTHOR PASS YOU BY PICK UP ON OF HIS BOOK AND GET READY TO BE SCARED!!!!!!!!

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Summary: Not One Of His Best
Review: I read the review before I bought this book and I thought I would enjoy it but I didn't.

Saul tackles the controversial subject of child molestation in this one then branches off into a macabre story about a possessed/reincarnated? young girl that does horrible things to to other children.

I was very confused by this book but I gave it the benefit of the doubt right up until the very disappointing end. My final word on this is, the book has plot holes so wide you could hide mack trucks in them.

I couldn't identify with the characters either and I think that's an important element of any story.

Saul I think you ran out of steam one quarter of the way into the book and rushed it off to meet your deadline. Don't do it again!

Rating:
Summary: One of Saul's best books yet!
Review: I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was creepy and I couldn't put it down. The only thing I wasnt crazy about was the ending. It wasn't what I expected but otherwise I would recommend it. Second child was also very good.