Helpful Score: 2
Do you want to have the scare of your life? Do you love being scared out of your wits? Then you'll love this book. You won't be able to put it down. But don't read it late at night -- you'll hear noises and think some evil being is under your bed waiting to nab you.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my all-time favorite creepy-crawly reading experiences. Seldom does an author catch me up so completely in the story as Tryon did with this one. I remember reading it alone when my husband was working at night, and finding it necessary to turn on lights in every room. Over and over I would come to a realization of what was really going on just a paragraph or two before the author made it really obvious---I must have said "Oh, my God" a half dozen times, and I couldn't wait for my husband to read it so I could watch his reactions and see whether he figured things out in all the same places. If you've missed this, you have a treat in store. Stephen King has nothing on Tryon at his best.
Helpful Score: 1
There was a movie based on this book, which came out in 1972.
In the summer of 1935, 9-year-old twins Niles and Holland Perry live with their family on a Connecticut farm. Their loving grandmother Ada has taught them something called "the game." A number of accidents begin happening, and it seems to Niles that Holland is responsible. It is Ada who begins to see the truth, and she is the only one who can stop this macabre game of murder.
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This crime thriller with occult overtones puts a spine-tingling twist on the Jungian psychological notion of "the shadow." In the '30s, Holland and Niles Perry are 10-year-old twins growing up on an idyllic farm in the Connecticut countryside. Niles is a wholesome, outgoing lad, loved by the whole family. Holland's brooding mischief causes untold trouble. Eventually, the Perry family experiences a series of tragic accidents which may not be accidents. Unraveling the circumstances of these tragedies is a fascinating and subtle business.
In the summer of 1935, 9-year-old twins Niles and Holland Perry live with their family on a Connecticut farm. Their loving grandmother Ada has taught them something called "the game." A number of accidents begin happening, and it seems to Niles that Holland is responsible. It is Ada who begins to see the truth, and she is the only one who can stop this macabre game of murder.
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This crime thriller with occult overtones puts a spine-tingling twist on the Jungian psychological notion of "the shadow." In the '30s, Holland and Niles Perry are 10-year-old twins growing up on an idyllic farm in the Connecticut countryside. Niles is a wholesome, outgoing lad, loved by the whole family. Holland's brooding mischief causes untold trouble. Eventually, the Perry family experiences a series of tragic accidents which may not be accidents. Unraveling the circumstances of these tragedies is a fascinating and subtle business.
So powerful! I have vivid memories of reading this as a young teen some forty years ago! The story of twin 13-year-old boys, Holland and Niles Perry, who share telepathic gifts and a family history of madness and tragedy is a hair-raising, creepy read. "Accidents" start to happen on their family's idyllic Connecticut farm and we're off and running on a suspenseful ride with Tryon at the wheel. He keeps the reader guessing (and dreading) what's around the corner...I couldn't put it down. I've read the masters-Hitchcock, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe- and Tryon at his best is as impressive. This book is a masterful psychological thriller of seldom-read originality with macabre twists and turns. I dare you to guess the ending.
P.S. Tryon's "Harvest Home" is equally chilling.
P.S. Tryon's "Harvest Home" is equally chilling.
What a classically creepy book! Reminiscent of the film, _The Bad Seed_, this story of twins, Niles and Holland, absolutely enraptured me. Despite being written in 1971, it felt modern and had such an ominous atmosphere! It wasn't terribly unpredictable, but more in the way that foreshadowing hints at events than the plot being worn or tired. And, obviously, the twins aspect was a nice twist on the "Bad Seed"-esque plot. My only real complaint came from the edition that I read - it was a first edition that had not been well cared for - it was very musty and just smelled terrible! Though I suppose that the olfactory horror rather added to the horror found within the pages themselves. I am very curious to see the film version. Honestly, I am surprised that this book isn't better known - the atmosphere, plot and characters all stand out so much from the modern psychological thrillers.
One of the best horror, suspense stories ever; truly unique plot and point of view.
Very creepy...I stayed awake all night reading it.
SPOOKY, Bettter than the movie.
This paperback is well worn... but still readable!
This paperback is well worn... but still readable!
Thomas Tryon, actor turned author, made his spellbinding debut with the novel the other. "The most memorable chiller-thriller to come along since rosemary's baby," said the national obserber. His other best-selling fiction, Harvest Home, Lady, and Crowned Heads, have confirmed Tryon's place among the great storytellers of our day.
Decent plot, but tedious writing style
possibly the scariest, creepiest book I've ever read.
Very creepy novel, many twists and turns. I enjoyed it a lot.
