- Paperback: 672 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books (Mm) (Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 034545121X
- ISBN-13: 978-0345451217
- Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 3.6 x 17.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,154,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Black House
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Black House is the second collaboration by Stephen King and Peter Straub, two of the most important writers in genre fiction, and the expectations of their first team-up were considerable. But despite its impressive sales, many were disappointed by The Talisman. Rather than a truly chilling epic, what we got was a rather derivative and by-the-numbers fantasy saga. So fans were reluctant to be too hopeful about their second collaboration... but we needn't have worried. Black House is much more like it, although even here King and Straub have not quite delivered the ultimate horror marathon--this is a psycho-thriller in the vein of Thomas Harris, but none the worse for that. And there are supernatural elements.
This is the tale of a small American town held in the grip of evil. Three children have vanished, abducted by a monster called The Fisherman (after a legendary murderer) with a craving for children's flesh. Ex-detective Jack Sawyer, dealing with his own personal problems (in which he is tormented by visions of another world), is keen to stay away from the horrors of this case, recognising how bad involvement will be for him. But--guess what?--Sawyer is soon supping full on the horrors, and the reader is in for an exhilarating (and highly disturbing) experience. Jack is a powerfully realised protagonist, and his journey into the dark world of The Fisherman is genuinely unsettling. Although more of King's fingerprints are on this one than Straub's (notably the conflicted hero, struggling with his own demons), the co-authors' individual styles merge indivisibly in this highly impressive chiller. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘One of the most brilliant and chilling thrillers of modern times. Black House is a thrill-a-minute ghost train ride of a novel, filled with astonishingly vivid characters. Reading it is like holding on to a live electric wire. You may want to put it down, but you find that you can’t.’
DAILY MAIL
‘Fabulous… It’s the best of the best. No argument… The ultimate in storytelling by two masters of the craft.’
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
‘A new horror epic… impossible to put down once you’ve started.’
SUNDAY EXPRESS
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a fan of King novels and have read and enjoyed Ghost Story by Straub. I read The Talisman and enjoyed it for the descriptive journey and the identifiable characters but found it lacking in any depth of story.
In my opinion, Black House is a bombastic powerhouse of descriptive content and lovable characters, as was The Talisman, but this sequel delivers a much appreciated bonus with its exciting storyline and laterally shifting narration.
In my opinion, Black House is a bombastic powerhouse of descriptive content and lovable characters, as was The Talisman, but this sequel delivers a much appreciated bonus with its exciting storyline and laterally shifting narration.
I had no trouble following the unusual style of story-telling found in this book unlike some of these other readers and I feel for those that were unable to enjoy the book because of this [refreshing] change.
I am sad to say that the final confrontation was a little disappointing (in my opinion King has never been able to finish a story as well as he begins) and I got the familiar feeling of a head-on collision ending a long pleasant drive. I didn't think the ending was poor enough to subtract a whole point from the 5 stars I am giving it though.
In conclusion I would heartily recommend this book to all King fans (if they are able to tear their hairy talons and blood-shot eyes from the horror section and snap their necks over into fantasy a little).
I also recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-told story with a few thorns in its spine. You would do well to read The Talisman first (and some Dark Tower if you have a couple of months to spare).
I am now just beginning the final book of The Dark Tower series... all my fingers are crossed in hope that the end justifies the means this time.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
From page one, through to the final sentence, this book had me enthralled.
"Black House" is the second collaboration between King and Straub, and is the sequel to their first novel, "The Talisman".
If you've read "Talisman" and if you're one of King's "Constant Readers", "Black House" answers lots of questions ("what happened next to the Talisman's characters ?" ; "who or what is the Crimson King ?") and it also, tantilisingly, raises lots of new ones, primarily relating to King's Dark Tower series.
However, if you're new to Stephen King, don't despair ! "Black House" is also rewarding in its own right, perhaps best described as a supernatural thriller, which keeps the reader turning pages as ex-cop Jack Sawyer races to find a young boy kidnapped by a serial killer. Sawyer must fight his personal demons, work with the town's residents and challenge a few bad guys (from this world and others), if he is to save the victim (turns out there could be a bit more at stake too...)
Set in a small Winsconsin town, the novel features some superb characterisation and truly great narration - with this latter perhaps originating from the pen of Mr Straub.
As a sequel, I believe "Black House" is superior to its predecessor (it's roots are not as firmly set in the fantasy genre). As a "stand alone" novel, the book has a great plot and fast paced storyline. As a Dark Tower book, King will have all his readers desperate for more - roll on Dark Tower V.....
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A welcome return to the fantasy world visited in the Talisman and Dark Tower series, because make no mistake these two tales are interwoven. The book shows Stephen King and Peter Straub's talent for writing in tandem (the seems are even harder to detect than in Talisman)and they produce a book that is impossible to put down. The story itself is disturbing and revealing of the ongoing saga of Dark Tower and the insights into the back ground of the aforementioned story, but this is not at the sacrfice of telling a horror story. The characters are superb, and I have no doubt that most people will fall in love with Jack Sawyer's innocence and determination (one of the heroes of the piece). I would fully recommend this to anyone whether they have read Talisman or not, it is a captivating tale in its own right. And to those who have read not only Talisman but the Dark Tower series this is the book for you, a lot of background information is divulged and the picture gets a lot clearer no doubt paving the way for another Dark Tower book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
chesterite
I was not impressed with this book Had read reviews and obviously other people had written good reports but I myself did n ot care for it
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. S. Lamble
Black House
Brilliant Read, Have read the other 2 books in this series and enjoyed them all, Strongley recommend it.
I'm a big Stephen King Fan but have also read books by Peter Straub. Read more
I'm a big Stephen King Fan but have also read books by Peter Straub. Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. Dunne
Great Book
Fabulous storytelling by the Master himself. Great storyline, grabs you from the first sentence -the characters are well drawn... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sue'sViews
A very worthy sequel
I first read Black House not long after it's release. I can't remember how I came into possession of it but I hadn't heard of it before, and given the title of the book does not... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Craig Skinner
This is Stephen King back to his very best!
This is Stephen King back to his very best! After years of mediocre offerings, this is very much on a par with The Shining and just as gripping right down to the very last page. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Suzie D
A fantastic read. Many unanswered questions...
I read this many moon ago, and it still remains one of my favorite books. I came on here off chance whilst buying the Talisman, and now realise why I didn't understand alot about... Read more
Published 21 months ago by L11VYK
A marmite book
A generally like the authors but this is not typical of the work they are capable of. I dislike the black tower dribble and this book seems to be the point at which King lost his... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Peter
Faint reflection of Stephen King's better works
The book comes nowhere close to the acclaimed works of Stephen King. It appears just a deplorable effort to bank on the ground laid out in 'The Talisman'. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by S. Siddhanta
A good book but could be better
After reading "The Talisman" (the first collaboration between Straub and King), I was thoroughly disappointed. Read more
Published on 6 July 2008 by ASax
Beautiful but Flawed!
I am a great fan of both Straub and King so I was surpised I had not read this and its sequel,"Black House" until now. Well I am glad I did! Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by S. Pesante
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