A novel of horror that is all too realistic.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Ghost
Format:Paperback
My first encounter with Jack Ketchum's work was reading his novel 'Red'. A somewhat slim book, I finished reading it in one day. You know if a book is going to be worthwhile usually after the first couple of chapters, and the time spent reading 'Red' was thoroughly worthwhile. It still remains one of the best pieces of fiction I have encountered, which brings me to ...
... 'Only Child'.
Like 'Red', this novel is fairly slim. But that is as it should be. There is no room for wasted words in Jack's writing. He gets to the point quickly and effectively, inviting his readers into a nightmare journey - a mixture of fiction and reality. It is exactly this juxtaposition of taboo realism and carefully crafted fictional characters that lends Jack's writing its uniqueness. He deals with the cruelty and evil inherent in society, bringing such issues to the surface, almost as if he is attempting to release his anger by way of writing.
Violence in 'Only Child' is extreme and, at times, graphically depicted. In this way, the novel can be likened to Richard Laymon's work. But there is nothing supernatural about this book. Jack's horror is about the experiences some people suffer everyday of their lives - people who want to escape from their tormentors but are too terrified to take a stand, because of the consequences should they fail. Lydia McCloud, however, does make a stand.
Married to the fraudulently good-natured Arthur Danse, Lydia soon discovers his dark side. For Danse does not adhere to the rules of society. Undoubtedly disturbed, Danse believes he is here for a reason ... to ensure that he teaches humankind that both fear and pain are necessary, and that he has been chosen to inflict such pain on anyone who refuses his demands.... Read more ›
... 'Only Child'.
Like 'Red', this novel is fairly slim. But that is as it should be. There is no room for wasted words in Jack's writing. He gets to the point quickly and effectively, inviting his readers into a nightmare journey - a mixture of fiction and reality. It is exactly this juxtaposition of taboo realism and carefully crafted fictional characters that lends Jack's writing its uniqueness. He deals with the cruelty and evil inherent in society, bringing such issues to the surface, almost as if he is attempting to release his anger by way of writing.
Violence in 'Only Child' is extreme and, at times, graphically depicted. In this way, the novel can be likened to Richard Laymon's work. But there is nothing supernatural about this book. Jack's horror is about the experiences some people suffer everyday of their lives - people who want to escape from their tormentors but are too terrified to take a stand, because of the consequences should they fail. Lydia McCloud, however, does make a stand.
Married to the fraudulently good-natured Arthur Danse, Lydia soon discovers his dark side. For Danse does not adhere to the rules of society. Undoubtedly disturbed, Danse believes he is here for a reason ... to ensure that he teaches humankind that both fear and pain are necessary, and that he has been chosen to inflict such pain on anyone who refuses his demands.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ghost
Format:Hardcover
My first encounter with Jack Ketchum's work was reading his novel 'Red'. A somewhat slim book, I finished reading it in one day. You know if a book is going to be worthwhile usually after the first couple of chapters, and the time spent reading 'Red' was thoroughly worthwhile. It still remains one of the best pieces of fiction I have encountered, which brings me to ...
... 'Only Child'.
Like 'Red', this novel is fairly slim. But that is as it should be. There is no room for wasted words in Jack's writing. He gets to the point quickly and effectively, inviting his readers into a nightmare journey - a mixture of fiction and reality. It is exactly this juxtaposition of taboo realism and carefully crafted fictional characters that lends Jack's writing its uniqueness. He deals with the cruelty and evil inherent in society, bringing such issues to the surface, almost as if he is attempting to release his anger by way of writing.
Violence in 'Only Child' is extreme and, at times, graphically depicted. In this way, the novel can be likened to Richard Laymon's work. But there is nothing supernatural about this book. Jack's horror is about the experiences some people suffer everyday of their lives - people who want to escape from their tormentors but are too terrified to take a stand, because of the consequences should they fail. Lydia McCloud, however, does make a stand.
Married to the fraudulently good-natured Arthur Danse, Lydia soon discovers his dark side. For Danse does not adhere to the rules of society. Undoubtedly disturbed, Danse believes he is here for a reason ... to ensure that he teaches humankind that both fear and pain are necessary, and that he has been chosen to inflict such pain on anyone who refuses his demands.... Read more ›
... 'Only Child'.
Like 'Red', this novel is fairly slim. But that is as it should be. There is no room for wasted words in Jack's writing. He gets to the point quickly and effectively, inviting his readers into a nightmare journey - a mixture of fiction and reality. It is exactly this juxtaposition of taboo realism and carefully crafted fictional characters that lends Jack's writing its uniqueness. He deals with the cruelty and evil inherent in society, bringing such issues to the surface, almost as if he is attempting to release his anger by way of writing.
Violence in 'Only Child' is extreme and, at times, graphically depicted. In this way, the novel can be likened to Richard Laymon's work. But there is nothing supernatural about this book. Jack's horror is about the experiences some people suffer everyday of their lives - people who want to escape from their tormentors but are too terrified to take a stand, because of the consequences should they fail. Lydia McCloud, however, does make a stand.
Married to the fraudulently good-natured Arthur Danse, Lydia soon discovers his dark side. For Danse does not adhere to the rules of society. Undoubtedly disturbed, Danse believes he is here for a reason ... to ensure that he teaches humankind that both fear and pain are necessary, and that he has been chosen to inflict such pain on anyone who refuses his demands.... Read more ›
By vi
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is more a human horror tale, as nothing supernatural or paranormal happens here. This is the story of the sheer nastiness, brutality and depravity that one man is capable of.
We first meet Arthur Danse as a child, dodging the police, hiding behind his mothers blind love, he is already a twisted, horrible little soul and he gets no better with age. The character of Arthur is all the more chilling to read because to all appearances he seems so nice, so normal but we know there is a depraved sick monster lurking inside the slick and successful exterior that is liable to explode at any moment. So, when he meets a pleasant and beautiful nurse called Lydia, you fear for her safety from the off. Lydia is no fool, neither is she a victim waiting to be abused, she is a strong intelligent woman who is refreshing as the female heroine of this book, but even she is duped by Arthur. They soon get married, have a child called Robert and for a while everything seems fine. Happy families. Then the true Arthur begins to surface with strange expectations of Lydia in the bedroom and very short fuse anger. Then Robert starts exhibiting strange behaviour, he's nervous and clumsy,he messes the bed and stutters but Lydia although troubled, puts Roberts behaviour down to stress. This is when the books twists and what the reader has been fearing all along happens, Arthur beats Lydia to within an inch of her life. Usually, in books, this is when the woman crumbles but to Ketchum's credit he doesn't do this, Lydia is proactive and remains fierce.But, when she comes to the horrifying conclusion that Arthur has also been abusing Robert her whole existence is turned upside down.... Read more ›
We first meet Arthur Danse as a child, dodging the police, hiding behind his mothers blind love, he is already a twisted, horrible little soul and he gets no better with age. The character of Arthur is all the more chilling to read because to all appearances he seems so nice, so normal but we know there is a depraved sick monster lurking inside the slick and successful exterior that is liable to explode at any moment. So, when he meets a pleasant and beautiful nurse called Lydia, you fear for her safety from the off. Lydia is no fool, neither is she a victim waiting to be abused, she is a strong intelligent woman who is refreshing as the female heroine of this book, but even she is duped by Arthur. They soon get married, have a child called Robert and for a while everything seems fine. Happy families. Then the true Arthur begins to surface with strange expectations of Lydia in the bedroom and very short fuse anger. Then Robert starts exhibiting strange behaviour, he's nervous and clumsy,he messes the bed and stutters but Lydia although troubled, puts Roberts behaviour down to stress. This is when the books twists and what the reader has been fearing all along happens, Arthur beats Lydia to within an inch of her life. Usually, in books, this is when the woman crumbles but to Ketchum's credit he doesn't do this, Lydia is proactive and remains fierce.But, when she comes to the horrifying conclusion that Arthur has also been abusing Robert her whole existence is turned upside down.... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 7 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jack Ketchum - Horror God
Reading a Jack Ketchum book is like sticking your tongue into an electric output. Only Child was the first Ketchum book I read and as soon as I finished I went out to find as many... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2005 by Mr. M. W. Prendergast
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jack Ketchum: Blowen Away
What can one say about a Jack Ketchum book except once you start to read you cannot stop. His writing pulls you along like a strong currant and thou at times you want to turn away... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2005 by Mr. M. W. Prendergast
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
