Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Julia by Peter Straub ISBN: 0-345-43865-5 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 05 July, 2000 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.43 (14 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: OK, not great.
Comment: This early book by Peter Straub is in one way very different from his later novels: It is very, very short. Just over 200 pages, making for a quick read. After his first two novels which I found really, really bad (Marriages and Under Venus, check reviews there) this was clearly an improvement. The problem with this novel is: Straub couldn't decide whether to write a ghost story (no pun intended) or a psychological drama. If you want to see how you mix these genres in a brillant way, check out Shirey Jackson's masterpiece "The Haunting of Hill House". Back to this book. It's an ok ghost novel, although the haunting scenes could be a little bit more eerie and the drawing of the characters is much better in Straub's later novels. I'm not quite sure why this novel kicked off his career, although I'm glad: Maybe he wouldn't have written GHOST STORY if JULIA had flopped. BTW, the film version "The Haunting of Julia" aka "Full Circle" is worth watching if you have read the book. It is rather faithful to it, although it kills off one of the main characters who "survives" the novel. See, a lukewarm review for a lukewarm novel. If you have better stuff to read, read that first, but check it out if you like the books of Peter Straub. Review by Oliver Naujoks, Marburg/Germany.
Rating: 5
Summary: Suspenseful and Terrifying
Comment: The book begins with a seemingly innocent scene: Julia Lofting, an attractive American in London struggling to reclaim her independence and begin a new life away from her domineering husband, catches a glimpse of a little, blond-haired girl. What normally would be an unremarkable moment has deep meaning for Julia, as this child resembles Kate, Julia's deceased daughter. Kate's death has never ceased to haunt Julia and it is also from this memory that she wishes to flee.
Almost immediately, Julia has very strange experiences in her new home as well as with the mysterious blond child. Julia attempts to make meaning of these events and at times doubts her sanity. Her struggle to understand it made more difficult by accidentally discovering the details of a gruesome murder of the past which took place in her new home. A murder, which parallels horrifyingly close to Julia's own life. As Julia learns more, she discovers a presence of evil which is determined to destroy her.
Readers of the author's previous work will find the action in this book to be higher paced, which is suitable to the story. The plot never drags and is always interesting. The characters are strong and very real. The author has also done an excellent job of creating an eerie and, at times, surrealistic atmosphere which adds to the terror of the story.
This is by far one of the best horror novels ever published. I recommend it to anyone interested in a frightening tale.
Rating: 3
Summary: Confusing but Captivating
Comment: I first encountered Peter Straub while in college. I read Ghost Story on a whim and WOW! Was I scared! Julia being the second Straub book I've read I expected the same horror. In some ways the horror was recreated but in the same sense Julia the main character was extremely weak and almost pathetic. I found myself disliking her and became as confused as she was by the end of the book. What carried me along was the sense that I needed to see if it would all be explained. The last few chapters of the book left me lost and slightly annoyed. I must have re-read them at least three times trying to see if in fact I missed something -- sadly after reading the reviews from other readers I guess I didn't. Maybe that is the point of Julia: the story is strange and leaves all of the characters puzzeled and unsure of the reality that surrounds them. I felt the same way and perhaps that is the true horror of the story.
 |
Title: If You Could See Me Now by Peter Straub ISBN: 0345438671 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 05 July, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Lost Boy, Lost Girl by PETER STRAUB ISBN: 1400060923 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 07 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: Ghost Story by Peter Straub ISBN: 0671685635 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 1989 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Mystery by Peter Straub ISBN: 0451168690 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: January, 1997 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: Throat by Peter Straub ISBN: 0451179188 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
