Psycho

Rating:
Summary: a curious piece of 1950s pulp fiction..
Review: 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch would most certainly be long forgotten and probably out of print if it weren't for its brilliant film adaptation. Actually it is one of those unusual cases where the film is actually better than the book; the film's screenwriter (Joseph Stephano) did a great job. So what does the book offer?

While all the major elements found in the film 'Psycho' are also in Robert Bloch's original novel I found the book to be relatively poorly written. Great premise with a not-so-good execution. For much better psychological/criminal character studies I recommend 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson, or one of the many early works of Patricia Highsmith. Robert Bloch simply doesn't have the same literary strength, and the characterizations are fairly thin.

However it is very interesting to note key differences between the film and the book, and so I believe fans of Hitchcock's film will enjoy reading Robert Bloch's novel. At least it's a short read, the perfect sort of book to carry on business trip.

Bottom line: the book that spawned Norman Bates. Somewhat disappointing but most will find some reading enjoyment from it.

Rating:
Summary: a curious piece of 1950s pulp fiction..
Review: 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch would most certainly be long forgotten and probably out of print if it weren't for its brilliant film adaptation. Actually it is one of those unusual cases where the film is actually better than the book; the film's screenwriter (Joseph Stephano) did a great job. So what does the book offer?

While all the major elements found in the film 'Psycho' are also in Robert Bloch's original novel I found the book to be relatively poorly written. Great premise with a not-so-good execution. For much better psychological/criminal character studies I recommend 'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson, or one of the many early works of Patricia Highsmith. Robert Bloch simply doesn't have the same literary strength, and the characterizations are fairly thin.

However it is very interesting to note key differences between the film and the book, and so I believe fans of Hitchcock's film will enjoy reading Robert Bloch's novel. At least it's a short read, the perfect sort of book to carry on business trip.

Bottom line: the book that spawned Norman Bates. Somewhat disappointing but most will find some reading enjoyment from it.

Rating:
Summary: Tightly written book worthy of the Hitchcock classic
Review:

If you've seen the Hitchcock classic, you'll enjoy this little read from Robert Bloch. Written more from Norman's perspective than the movie was, this book builds the suspense without wasting a word.

Highly recommended, especially in conjunction with viewing the movie again.

Rating:
Summary: put yourself in the time frame
Review: After reading everyone else's reviews and seeing what mostly everyone else had to say, I want to agree that the film is better than the novel. But, I still loved the novel. I think the bet way to enjoy it is to put yourelf in the time frame. It's 1959, a time that when we look back on it we think of a better more peaceful time. And the people thought they were living basically in peace. Then word spreads the country of a small town man from Plainfield, Wisconsin, (a town you've probably never even heard of). A man who has killed 2 women and done horrendous things to them. A man who has dug up at least 9 graves at cemetarys in the area. You don't know all the facts, but you have heard rumors of cannibalism and other suh terrible things. You are disgusted and terrified, yet eager to know more. Then, Robert Bloch, a more or less unheard of author at the time writes a book and says it is based on the Gein case. You recognise the name Gein as the small town man from Plainfield, Wisconsin. Eager to get inside his head, you read Psycho. It gives you an insight into Ed Gein's head through the character of Norman Bates and this terrifies you. You did not think anyone could ever be *that* Psycho, and with everything that is going on, you know that it may not be just a book, but a reality. My point is, while, even though it is a good, fast, enjoyable read, it may not seem very terrifying to you. But If you think back to the time it was written, you may get a better perspective. If you are looking for a horror that reads fast, and just hppens to be true (except for the hotel and other fictional facts) read Psycho; if you are looking to be really truly scared, watch the movie. I recommend both.

Rating:
Summary: IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU'RE PSYCHO
Review: After seeing the movie for the second time I decided to read the book that inspired it. To be honest, I'd say that the movie is better overall. The book, however, is a dreadfully fast read. I could have finished it one sitting if it weren't for other chores--like cleaning the bathroom. Most impressive was how good the writing style was for 1959. It was one of the few TRUE page-turners that I've read. One thing that I didn't care about the book though was that Robert Bloch didn't handle things in chronological order like in the movie. For example: The part about the $40,000, car-switching, Mary's relationship with Sam, are only mentioned when Mary reminisces. I was also disappointed with how Sam tells how Norman Bates's mind works, instead of the psychiatrist. In short, this book is very well written and I probably would have liked it more if I'd read it first. One can easily see why it was made into a movie. So if this book is 5 stars, then I'd have to say that the movie is 6. But the book is still 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: intelligent, clever, and very scary!
Review: After watching all of the Psycho movies, I knew I had to read the book to feed my obsession with the story some more. I read it in about 3 hours, I could not put it down. It goes deep into Normans mind, explaining more than the movies did. It was the most intresting novel in the world, especialy if your obsessed with things like psychotic killers and what makes them do it like I am.

Rating:
Summary: Killing Her Not So Softly
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is so famous, that it has already been incorporeted into the international colective unconscious. Everybody -- even those who haven't seen the movie -- has seen the shower sequence. So that's why Robert Bloch's novel won't surprise many people. The film is the filmed novel. There are no virtual differences in the story, despite some changes in the order it is told.

Smartly Hitchcock started the movie with Mary Crane, instead of with Norman Bates, as in the novel. Using this resourse, he made the audience feel sympathetic for her and get interested in the movie -- something that probably wouldn't happen if Norman'd been the first contact the audience had. Whe the film begin, we develop feelings for her and star rooting for her plan work. Almost in the middle when we are introduced to Mr Bates, we'd already been with Mary for too long. When she is murdered the audience is left like an orphan, once their heroine is dead and they have no one to root for any more. Nobody expects the protagonist get murder in the middle of the film.

... Nowadays, as I mentioned, everybody knows at least a bit of the story, so hadly does it surprise the reader/viewer, but by that time, when the novel started to catch on the story was very frigthening.

To sum up, if you are looking for some more explanations, about Norman or his condition don't expect the novel to answer your questions. It is very descriptive, but it is not giving you answers. It is worth reading to learn a bit more about Norman et al, but don't expect a surprise ending.

Rating:
Summary: Very Entertaining Read
Review: Although I was already very familiar with the movie and all of the secrets and revelations the story contains, I still found this book highly enjoyable. The book does go into Norman's mind more so than the movie does, which makes it all the more interesting. I highly recomment it to anyone looking for an easy but worthwhile thrill ride. P.S. -- Who would have ever guessed that young, slim Anthony Perkins would be cast as heavy, middle-aged Norman Bates??

Rating:
Summary: One of The Best Fictional Books Ever Written
Review: Any and all talent Robert Bloch had went straight into Psycho. This book is so interesting, and it's definitely weird how it parallels the life of Ed Gein (a real murderer that Bloch based his Norman Bates character on). I've never read a novel that was so completely rich in the Oedipal Angle of psychology. It was so well written that I finished it in only a few hours.

Rating:
Summary: Still frightening, forty years later.
Review: Approximately 40 years ago I picked up a hardback copy of Bloch's "PSYCHO" and can honestly say it has been my favourite book of all time. Not long afterward I became an on-again, off-again correspondent with Robert Bloch that continued up until the late-eighties. He was very kind and responded regularly to my lettres and inquiries, affording me personal information about the genesis of "PSYCHO" as well as many anecdotes regarding his own interests. I have saved and bound the hundreds upon hundreds of of his handwritten lettres and will cherish them always. "PSYCHO" is, in my opinion, the ultimate "horror" story because of its unique handling of the grusome for its time (1959) and it is one book I never tire of re-reading. I highly recommend the tale to lovers of terror.