Psycho

Better Than The Movie

Bring up 'Psycho' in a conversation and more often than not people rave about 'the shower scene' and how courageous Hitchcock was to kill his heroine in the first half-hour. Guess what folks? If it wasn't for Robert Bloch, Hitchcock wouldn't have had a chance to be so 'bold' and 'cutting edge'! Bloch's source material is just as important as Hitchcock's movie and Joseph Stefano's script (Stefano, by the way, considered Bloch's book to be just another throwaway, hardboiled, pulp story. Talk about gratitude!), and I think it is better than the movie. The book keeps you on your toes throughout. Granted, if you are familiar with the movie, it is hard to be surprised at the ending. But if you are new to Psycho...wow, are you in for a treat. Bloch is one of the masters at suspense, and he allows you to get into the character's heads. You come to know them and understand why they act the way they do. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. At the very least it will help you forget Gus Van Sant and that abomination of a 'remake'!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Bes movieever

I LOVED the movue and cant wait to read the book

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

won't down load !

dont buy!!! it didn't down load to my nook! i wasted my money and customer service was no help! couldn't even get a refund!!!!

Absolutely Disturbing!

Norman Bates. What does this name evoke for you? Perhaps a shower scene, blood, or a motel? Maybe Mother?

Norman lives in the house on the hill above his motel off the old highway. Travelers take the new highway that is a far distance away from the motel, so Norman rarely gets a guest to stop by and stay.

Except for Mary. Mary's escaping from her job, the boredom of her life, and with forty thousand in cash that she stole from her sexist boss. She's taking this money to see Sam, her fiance, and she's trading in one used car after another to throw the police and others off her tracks. It's not like her to do something like this -- after all, she's given up her own future to make sure that her sister, Lila, gets to go to college, and succeeds with more opportunities than Mary ever had.

Less than twenty miles from her fiance's town, Mary decides she'll stop to rest at a small motel. She'll get much needed sleep and freshen up. Tomorrow, she'll surprise her fiance with a made-up inheritance story and help to get him out of debt so they can marry. Unfortunately, she's picked Norman's motel to stay the night.

You may know the rest. There is the famous shower scene and screams of the beautiful young woman as she is literally hacked to pieces. The story then continues with Lila visiting Sam to see if he's heard from Mary as it's been over a week since her disappearance, and together they try to track her down.

It's a short story at around 175 pages, and in this short telling, it is without a doubt, utterly terrifying. Particularly when the story is told from Norman's perspective. He's quite an innocent, and his blackouts are written so genuinely that you truly do believe that Mother is really the problem. But the problem is that people think Mother's been dead for twenty years. An astute study in the question of when -- when does a person like this become who they are? Who shapes them to be this way? In several ways, it's a dated book, but overall, it feels strangely fitting even reading it today. Robert Bloch's tale of terror is frightening in its simplicity, and incredibly disturbing in several sections. Had I read this story (inspired by the true life of Ed Gein) during the creepy month of October, I daresay I would have slept much.

No wonder Hitchcock brought this story to a visual medium.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It's all in the title.

Psycho is a very well thought out and planned out story. Even as I write this I'm looking over my back.

A true clasic

Psycho, is the only book I've ever read where I knew the ending, and still expected more! Although it was written nearly 50 years ago, it is still fresh and alive!! It certainly evokes emotion. Never a dull moment. Robert Bloch is the guy who introduced the idea that monsters didn't have to be supernatural they could be right next door. He did that with this book, and brought in a whole new concept for horror fiction writers. If you love realistic horror read this book. I wanted to read the second part so bad, I bought it at a used bookstore today. I don't know how this part will end, as I have not yet seen the movie.

PSYCHO--Robert Bloch's brainchild, and the book that started it all!!

Robert Bloch's PSYCHO is a masterpiece of modern terror, and the book that spawned Alfred Hitchcock's film version. Characters brilliantly woven, settings vividly realistic, and a theme that is so creepy, it scared people out of taking showers everyday. Bloch is a master at his best. Norman Bates, proprietor of the Bates Motel, has a secret. And if you stop in for the night, you'll be dying to hear it-- literally. Stop in and see for yourself. Mary Crane did-- and she is one of the many satisfied customers who-- can't tell you anymore, you have to read it to believe it in this classic shocker that started it all!!

pretty good

I thought it was really good. Norman Bates was really weird. I thought it was more of a suspense novel than a murder novel. That tagline on the book has got to go! I wish it was longer

Nothing is as it seems

The book is very horrorable and spooky. It is as good as the film. Norman Bates is a very interesting person and during reading the book you sometimes must think longer about what happens. Strange things will happen you don't expect. Enjoy reading this book!

Five stars for Psycho

Psycho is so exciting that you even can´t stop reading. It´s full of surprises.You shouldn´t read it if your nerves aren´t the strongest!Maybe you get a nervous breakdown. The book is about a fad overgrown Mama´s Boy! Have fun reading it.We promise you won´t expect the ending!

Good book for loneley nights in old houses

We started to read the book in school, 3weeks ago. First we thought the book was boring. Now we know, it is a good one. It has a surprising end and the book is better when you don`t know the end before reading. You never know who the murderer is (instead of you look at the book-cover).

Best book I've ever read

Hi, this is Christopher. I want to tell you something about 'Psycho'. Bloch's novel is quite a good story. I've read it in some days, because it's a very exciting story. Norman Bates is a interesting character, which is easy to read. The story based on a real story. That's the reason why it's so interesting. But if you want to know, then read for yourself.

Psycho - you won't be able to stop reading

Psycho is one of the best english books I've ever read. It's exciting from the first chapter on 'til the end of the book. You will hardly recognice time passing by when you follow Norman Bates's absourd thoughts and fastcinating feelings. You will see through his eyes and feel like him while innocent people are killed in his motel. It is a story which seems to be real just because of the exiting way of writing. This book is easy to understand for German readers, too.

Great! A review by a 11th- class pupil

I think that 'Psycho' by Robert Bloch is a very good book for people with English as a foreing language. It's very easy to understand. Psycho is written in such a psychological way that you really don't expect the end. All in all it's a very good book but it's not so great to give five stars.

Psycho was the biggest thriller I read. I'll never forget it!

I read Psycho after watching the movie; though i knew what was going to happen I found it very frightening and and full of suspense. Norman Bates is definately one of the best horror villians ever created. And the way Robert Block is able to write throughout the story--oh, it just gives me goosebumps. And the shocking ending is really one of the most remembered moments in all of horror/literature. Block, King, and Stine are equal to me. If you like Stephen King, you'll love this book. I guaratee it!

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