Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Quick Compelling Read!
Review: This was my first Matheson novel and I was greatly impressed with his story telling and writing style. Stephen King is quoted on the back of the paperback copy of Matheson's book; stating Matheson was a great influence on him as a writer. It shows-Matheson's descripton of characters put me instantly in mind of Stephen King when he describes characters, escpecially those identified as husband and wife. Although some may find the horror elements of this novel tame, it is none the less a creepy story in the realm of the dead and the living. The film can't compare and it is a true shame that more elemens of Matheson's book (the "twist" ending, the seductive neighbor, Anne's struggle as a wife to understand Tom's condition) weren't used. Definately an author whose work I want to read more of.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Quick Compelling Read!
Review: This was my first Matheson novel and I was greatly impressed with his story telling and writing style. Stephen King is quoted on the back of the paperback copy of Matheson's book; stating Matheson was a great influence on him as a writer. It shows-Matheson's descripton of characters put me instantly in mind of Stephen King when he describes characters, escpecially those identified as husband and wife. Although some may find the horror elements of this novel tame, it is none the less a creepy story in the realm of the dead and the living. The film can't compare and it is a true shame that more elemens of Matheson's book (the "twist" ending, the seductive neighbor, Anne's struggle as a wife to understand Tom's condition) weren't used. Definately an author whose work I want to read more of.
Rating:
Summary: This was a fantastic Book
Review: This was one of my favourite Richard Matheson novels. It kept me guessing for the entire novel. I recommend it to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Stir of Echoes
Review: Very compelling. Don't let the movie trailers fool you this is not a scary horror story. It's not a mushy love story either. It's a great mix of suspense with a good cast of characters. I was turning pages so fast I didn't want it too end as quickly as it did -- wanted more of the story to read. As always, Matheson's characters seem to portray a deep sense of what love means to a relationship.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Sent Me On A Hunt For All Things Matheson!!
Review: When the movie "Stir of Echoes" came out, I discovered it was based on a book by Richard Matheson. I know Matheson Sr. is always listed among the top 100 Horror Writers of all time, but for some reason I never got around to reading any of his books except "I Am Legend." "Stir Of Echoes" was an outstanding surprise. Although the book was originally copyrighted in 1958, it can fit any time period. I AM glad I read the book before I saw the movie though. There were just too many things in the movie that were different, although the movie wasn't bad.The subject of hypnotism and the "possibilities" it entailed in this book fit right in with the thinking at the time it was published. In the late '50s - early '60s, hynotism was being used on women in labor and delivery to prevent the use of anesthetic and it's dangers, along with the still used stop smoking, stop drinking, stop whatever, post-hypnotic suggestion. However, "Stir Of Echoes" takes hypnotism to a new realm. Are there really ghosts? In an altered state of mind, can a person be contacted by a ghost? Can a person figure out what a ghost wants from the symbolism used to communicate? All these questions and more are examined in the book and it's a real page turner. To say more would spoil the excitement, but as an avid horror fan I highly recommend this book. Ghost stories have been around forever, but this is one of the most intelligently written, suspense filled ghost story I've read in ages. I also highly recommend any other Richard Matheson books you can find. "I Am Legend" (Movie: "The Omega Man") and "Hell House" are outstanding horror novels, but Matheson was all over the map genre wise as evidenced by "Bid Time Return" (Movie: "Somewhere In Time) and "What Dreams May Come" (Movie by same name), "The Incredible Shrinking Man" and many others that I'm still searching for. I've loved every book by Matheson that I've read!
Rating:
Summary: Almost as fresh as the day it was written
Review: While "Stir Of Echoes" is not as emotionally compelling as Matheson's classics "I Am Legend" or "What Dreams May Come," this is still one hell of a good read. It's a tribute to Matheson's skill as a writer that this novel is almost as fresh as the day it was written - there are only two or three items throughout the entire book that might give away the fact that it was penned over four decades ago. The "horror" in this novel will probably be as discomfitting as a hangnail for fans of the in-your-face "slice & dice" gore of a Clive Barker or a Robert McCammon. "Stir Of Echoes" doesn't rely on a steadily rising body count to draw you along - it keeps your interest by demonstrating just how fragile "normality" can be. Not just among your friends and neighbors, but also within your own family, within your own mind. The increasing sense of isolation in the main character, Tom Wallace, is what drives "Stir Of Echoes". This fast-paced novel is a very pleasant diversion for a Saturday afternoon at the beach or an evening at home.
Rating:
Summary: Almost as fresh as the day it was written
Review: While "Stir Of Echoes" is not as emotionally compelling as Matheson's classics "I Am Legend" or "What Dreams May Come," this is still one hell of a good read. It's a tribute to Matheson's skill as a writer that this novel is almost as fresh as the day it was written - there are only two or three items throughout the entire book that might give away the fact that it was penned over four decades ago. The "horror" in this novel will probably be as discomfitting as a hangnail for fans of the in-your-face "slice & dice" gore of a Clive Barker or a Robert McCammon. "Stir Of Echoes" doesn't rely on a steadily rising body count to draw you along - it keeps your interest by demonstrating just how fragile "normality" can be. Not just among your friends and neighbors, but also within your own family, within your own mind. The increasing sense of isolation in the main character, Tom Wallace, is what drives "Stir Of Echoes". This fast-paced novel is a very pleasant diversion for a Saturday afternoon at the beach or an evening at home.
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