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Summary: "I think perhaps all of us go a little crazy at times."
Review: Psycho is a great read, made even greater by the fact that the book is 40 years old! Extremely groundbreaking in the use of a pathology for the killer, it seems that Norman Bates is as much a household name in American culture as Ronald McDonald. The Alfred Hitchcock film version seems to have used the book for the script, with only minor deviations. A short read, it's impossible not to finish this in one sitting. While reading I took down four pages of quotations from this book, it's that good and inspiring. I do think this book could have been longer and bloodier provided it had been written 10-15 years later. The ending was great and overall the book was awesome. Reading it was like watching the Hitchcock version of the movie, and vice versa. A must read Horror novel. On a scale from 1-10 I'd rate this novel a 10, for its historical significance, the intensity of the story, the quote factor, and characterization. Come on, everyone knows Norman Bates!
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Summary: PSYCHO is just as thrilling as the the 1960's movie. . . Onl
Review: PSYCHO moves along very quickly and presents the story as creepy as it is without langoriously adding un-needed details. Unlike other horror/thriller books, PSYCHO's author, Robert Bloch is able to let you slip into the reality of Mary Crane, and then violently steer your attention away from her. As in the movie, the plot is . . . In an attempt to run away with her lover, Mary Crane steals money from her boss. But on her way to her lover's place, she stops at the creepy BATES HOTEL. After chatting with the deranged hotel manager, Norman Bates, she decides to return home ...only to be butchered. Her worried sister and lover follow her trail to find the truth which shocks everyone, (especially the reader) to the bone.
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Summary: Fabulous!
Review: Robert Bloch is without a doubt the master of terror when it comes to books. Sure Stephen King has written many horror novels, but of what I have read none are even half as scary as 'Psycho.' Bloch deserves more credit, because while Hitch did the spine-tingling film, Bloch was the real mastermind behind it.
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Summary: Just another opinion
Review: Some people say the movie was better, some people say the book was better. I'd say in terms of quality, they're about equal. The book is a bit different (for example Norman being a fat sweaty nervous guy and not a tall, thin, nervous guy). There is a little less about Mary in the novel, but I think there is more about Sam and Mary's sister. Unfortunately, as I was born long after Psycho become engrained in our culture, the end didn't surprise me, or really even disturb me, though I liked the way it was presented in the book more than the movie. It's a good, quick read if that's what your looking for, but I admit that watching the movie gives you the same disturbed feeling.
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Summary: Just another opinion
Review: Some people say the movie was better, some people say the book was better. I'd say in terms of quality, they're about equal. The book is a bit different (for example Norman being a fat sweaty nervous guy and not a tall, thin, nervous guy). There is a little less about Mary in the novel, but I think there is more about Sam and Mary's sister. Unfortunately, as I was born long after Psycho become engrained in our culture, the end didn't surprise me, or really even disturb me, though I liked the way it was presented in the book more than the movie. It's a good, quick read if that's what your looking for, but I admit that watching the movie gives you the same disturbed feeling.
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Summary: Best book I have read in a long time
Review: The Book was great it was likeI was ther
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Summary: I hate to say it, but the movie was better.
Review: The cliche that "the book was better" doesn't always hold true. Even while maintaining that almost all of the important elements in the movie Psycho are found in the book, all the changes made for the movie are changes for the better. The film was right to start with Marion (Mary) instead of Norman. Anthony Perkins is more engaging that the fat, middle-aged Norman we are presented with in the book. And none of the horrific stuff is the same without Hitchcock's masterful direction and Bernard Herman's unforgettable score. But still, it is a great book and well worth the read - even if you have seen the movie first.
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Summary: I hate to say it, but the movie was better.
Review: The cliche that "the book was better" doesn't always hold true. Even while maintaining that almost all of the important elements in the movie Psycho are found in the book, all the changes made for the movie are changes for the better. The film was right to start with Marion (Mary) instead of Norman. Anthony Perkins is more engaging that the fat, middle-aged Norman we are presented with in the book. And none of the horrific stuff is the same without Hitchcock's masterful direction and Bernard Herman's unforgettable score. But still, it is a great book and well worth the read - even if you have seen the movie first.
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Summary: Beats the heck out of Straub, King, Blatty, or Levin
Review: THE EXCORCIST, THE SHINING, ROSEMARY'S BABY, GHOST STORY, WERE ALL EXCELLENT, BUT NO MATCH FOR "PSYCHO." There is no more suspence in a novel than this. In '59, who would've thought that Norman was Mother. Much more gruesome than the movie...I LOVED IT.
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Summary: AWESOME!
Review: The movie rocked the world of horror as we know it. Alfred Hitchcock's slasher film "PSYCHO" was based on this book. . .but Alfred never did this classic justice. READ THIS BOOK! An enjoyable book and easy read.
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