Haunted (David Ash)

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Stephen King gushes over James Herbert; I don't see why. Herbert is a decent writer and storyteller, to be sure; but, I found nothing fascinating about HAUNTED. For a haunted-house story, it was pretty clear from the beginning that Herbert never intended to do anything different from the already established sub-genre of horror fiction (how can a writer expect to top THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE?). With that said, it does have an interesting protagonist, an anti-hero named David who is battling his own personal demons while trying to debase the supernatural. But the supporting cast in this novel is laughable. The "medium" who succumbs to what can best be described as stage-fright is one of the sorriest ends to a character I have ever read. Overall, this is a fast read that suits the Halloween atmosphere. Perhaps because it was written in the early 80s some of the pizzazz has been lost. Perhaps. You could do worse for a "fright" read. That being said, I am still going to read some of Herbert's other titles, they just won't be moving to the top of the TBR pile any time soon. It's so contrived it left me cringing at times. It's not touching or moving in any way, the only emotion it evoked in me was frustration. I don’t think this book was James Herbert’s best, but it also wasn’t exactly terrible. It’s just that when he has a big hit, his books are next level and better than anything that most other authors can come up with. When he doesn’t connect, they’re just pretty average. But I kind of like that, because it makes his skill level seem more attainable and doesn’t leave me feeling as though I’ll never be anywhere near the writer that he is. His Girlfriend is of course super sexy, super intelligent and super in love with him after just laying eyes on him. Sure, he is a ghoooostbuuuussteeeer after all. And of courser after a day chased by the 20 wild cats and 3 or 4 times getting laid she goes in the middle of the night to her office to do some paperwork, who wouldn't? It actually felt as if J.H's editor had told him the next book he wrote would be paid by the word. So much stuffing and so little substance.

With suggestive bursts of ghostly appearances that become more and more frequent as the tale progresses, the old cliché of "am I going insane" is thrown into the equation, until finally the horrifying truth is revealed in an almost explosive manner. a b Plint, Alec (21 March 2013). "20 things you didn't know about James Herbert". The Daily Telegraph. London . Retrieved 21 March 2013. And do NOT even get me started on the antagonist (of sorts) and "The Boy". The person who invited the haunting was HITLER'S DAUGHTER. The Boy was Louis, son of Charles and Diana, born ridiculously early with serious health issues. Also, big freaking reveal - as soon as they say early on that he's a hemophiliac, you know it's going to be a royal with the way this has been going so far. And Diana's GHOST get's involved and helps them, then takes her son when he dies. HONESTLY. I nearly threw the book then, but it's on my Kindle. Story wise, this has everything. Conspiracy, gore, deviancy, paranormal activity and ample amounts of intrigue to keep his readers enchanted. The book starts off a little slowly; there is a gradual introduction to the major characters and an opportunity to get to know the castle and its surroundings, before unrelenting horror is unleashed. As always, David Ash is an interesting protagonist, he’s as deeply flawed as ever, but no less brilliant because of it, and his ability to deal with terrible events, makes for compelling reading. The slow build up of terror is well done, and as you read, almost without realising, you start to look into shadows before you turn off the bedroom light!

But where it really does itself no favours atall in my opinion, is the bloody love story that runs pretty much all the way through the book. And it's not even believable due to the extremely unconvincing nature of the dialogue. This is a typical James Herbert book. The characters, the story, events, love affair (and there always has to be a love affair, no matter how far-fetched/implausible) and ending - all classical in his writing style. David Ash is a renowned Parapsychologist who is asked to investigate the seemingly supernatural murder of a guest in a remote castle in the farthest reaches of Scotland. The whole premise being pre-empted by signing a contract of utmost secrecy about all his findings. Something which is utterly unheard of in the society he works for. The only somewhat odd thing was the sudden switch to sex-scenes about halfway trough the book. For most of the story, any reference of intercourse was pretty tepid. The kind of sleazy stuff you expect from a guy like Creed. But all of a sudden there are like multiple chapters of detailed sex, with different people in various locations.

No, no, and no. And, lest we forget, the entire plot resolves around the Messiah trope, played absolutely straight and by the numbers. Right down to being loved by the birds and bees, and dear gods, he’s a carpenter! If that weren’t enough, it’s explicitly stated that he is just like Jesus. James Herbert. He was well aware of the dark, shadowy, esoteric world that runs parallel to the one in which we live. In ASH we get an insight to this very world...All wrapped up in his last ever book. A fictional horror tale. (Tongue in cheek). 🐯👍 Il romanzo ha una scrittura molto scorrevole ed emana una forza evocativa tale da rendere il lettore parte integrante della storia, si è lì al fianco di Ash e si cerca di districarsi tra gli innumerevoli colpi di scena e il ritmo incalzante poi rendono tutta la narrazione al cardiopalma. David begins to perform forensic examinations of the house, trying to detect evidence of paranormal activity. Complicating the investigation is Christina's continuous flirtation with David, and his own infatuation with her. However, older brother Robert is against their friendship, and the two have a suspiciously close relationship. David begins having paranormal experiences. Christina, who had originally told David both her parents died in India, admits that in fact her mother drowned herself in the lake and Nanny Tess was the one who discovered the body. David believes it is the trauma of this which is causing Nanny Tess to see the ghost of Mrs. Mariell.

Christmas Gifts

The plot, while it has neat little twists, is nothing new, but it's just a framework that Herbert hangs his inventive nastiness on. And it does get seriously nasty towards the end, so the faint of heart should read something else. It is quite simplistic in its writing but very effective. The very first chapter was captivating, petrifying and fabulous. I think the only thing wrong with this book was the pacing at times, it seemed to bounce around the timeline a little too often for me personally.

Some truly dire graphic sex scenes as a result. Sex scenes I actually skipped over whole paragraphs of because they were so goddamn boring. Everything is unusual… Everything is unexpected and unpredictable… And with every elapsed hour things turn more and more mysterious…Speaking of which, the book does a pretty good job of blending the biblical and the supernatural with our own world, creating a story in which it feels as though almost anything could happen. The stakes are pretty high, but perhaps not as high as they are in books like The Rats where the future of humanity itself is at stake, and the plot keeps on plodding along towards the finish line with an unstoppable momentum. This book was way too long and full of absolutely nothing. The first half of the book was the main character walking to his old house. There was so much repetition, as well as contradictory statements. Also the storyline was just...pointless. The rest of this review will contain some kind of SPOILERS, so if you are serious about reading this book with no prejudice, I suggest you turn to my great buddy Edward Lorn's review instead. Not that he hid his spoilers either, but his review will bring much more entertainment and literary value than this book, and it may persuade you to give it a miss! With his naturally heightened perceptive ability, he detects from very early on that this castle is one hell of a spooky and troubled place, and that he himself is likely to get drawn into that trouble.