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Product Description
Review
'A thrilling Gothic 2.0... paying homage to a genre that [Kelly] clearly knows intimately and loves dearly.' --Times, May 14 2011
'In The Possessions of Doctor Forrest, Richard T Kelly has put his own original stamp on the [gothic horror] genre.'
--Financial Times, May 21 2011
'Richard T. Kelly's new novel is a rattlingly good yarn that wears a bloody Gothic heart on its sleeve.' --Metro, June 2 2011
'A very satisfying thriller... marshalled with a real feel for pace [and] character.' --The List, May 28 2011
'In The Possessions of Doctor Forrest, Richard T Kelly has put his own original stamp on the [gothic horror] genre.'
--Financial Times, May 21 2011
'Richard T. Kelly's new novel is a rattlingly good yarn that wears a bloody Gothic heart on its sleeve.' --Metro, June 2 2011
'A very satisfying thriller... marshalled with a real feel for pace [and] character.' --The List, May 28 2011
Book Description
Dr Jekyll meets Dr Faustus in this spine-chilling modern-day Gothic fable.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This book was chosen for me to read by my local book club.
The overall opinion of the club was that this book wasn't a good read, and I was the only one to have a different opinion. I did enjoy it.
But, I have to admit that I haven't read any of the other books which this was compared to, such as Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Dorian Grey, Dr Faust. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it, as I couldn't compare it to the other works.
There were two downsides to this book, the first being the reason why I could only score it a 3/5. This was the diary entry style of writing. It didn't work for me. I really couldn't imagine people writing in that style in modern day. I doubt anyone would write multiple pages every day on what had happened to them. Also, as the writing style was exactly the same for each character, it sometimes become confusing which doctor was talking.
The second downside relates to Doctor Forrest and what actually happended to him. The rest of my book club had worked out what the twist was within pages of the book, some even by simply reading the blurb on the back of the book. I avoided reading it in case it spoilt the surprise, and as I was reading I tried not to work things out, and let the book tell me as we went along.
Overall, I don't think I would recommend this book to other people who have read the classics, but it could be good for someone to read that is new to this genre.
The overall opinion of the club was that this book wasn't a good read, and I was the only one to have a different opinion. I did enjoy it.
But, I have to admit that I haven't read any of the other books which this was compared to, such as Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Dorian Grey, Dr Faust. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it, as I couldn't compare it to the other works.
There were two downsides to this book, the first being the reason why I could only score it a 3/5. This was the diary entry style of writing. It didn't work for me. I really couldn't imagine people writing in that style in modern day. I doubt anyone would write multiple pages every day on what had happened to them. Also, as the writing style was exactly the same for each character, it sometimes become confusing which doctor was talking.
The second downside relates to Doctor Forrest and what actually happended to him. The rest of my book club had worked out what the twist was within pages of the book, some even by simply reading the blurb on the back of the book. I avoided reading it in case it spoilt the surprise, and as I was reading I tried not to work things out, and let the book tell me as we went along.
Overall, I don't think I would recommend this book to other people who have read the classics, but it could be good for someone to read that is new to this genre.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a book that makes you check that you've locked the front door. And then, when you've turned off the lights, and you're ready to turn in, you go downstairs (somewhat nervously) just to be extra certain that you're safe. This is not because Richard T. Kelly's second novel is gory, explicit and soaked in blood: in fact its power lies in its restraint, in what's missing - but then consider the cliched truth that Hitchcock's "Psycho" grips and terrifies precisely because of its restraint. I've never been this scared by a book: it got into my head and hasn't shifted - and I can only recommend that you give it some space too.
It's a homage to, and an update of, the Victorian Gothic novel - and much more. The title suggests "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde", but it also suggests "Doctor Faustus" and Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" (or "The Devils", as it's often translated), and the novel is as rich in allusion and reference as the title, taking in Dante, Baudelaire, David Cronenberg and (it sometimes seems) every point in between. But this is no dry, academic pastiche - it is a proper page-turning thriller and horror story about friendship, love and the forces that control and "possess" us.
I can't do justice to Kelly's prose style: it's steeped in muscular, nineteenth century construction, but it's unfussy, clear and direct. His ear for dialogue is bang on and (unusually for this genre) his female characters are every bit as compelling and vivid as the men.
It's a thriller, so I won't go into the plot,other than to say that it twists and turns as satisfyingly and as unpredictably as one could wish. And it is properly frightening: this isn't campy horror cliches - this is Evil with a capital "E" and it's as irresistible, compelling and unforgettable as that sounds.
So: I can only urge you to read it. However the above might read, "The Possessions of Doctor Forrest" wears its learning lightly, and creates something dark, modern and terrifying from it. Brilliant.
It's a homage to, and an update of, the Victorian Gothic novel - and much more. The title suggests "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde", but it also suggests "Doctor Faustus" and Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" (or "The Devils", as it's often translated), and the novel is as rich in allusion and reference as the title, taking in Dante, Baudelaire, David Cronenberg and (it sometimes seems) every point in between. But this is no dry, academic pastiche - it is a proper page-turning thriller and horror story about friendship, love and the forces that control and "possess" us.
I can't do justice to Kelly's prose style: it's steeped in muscular, nineteenth century construction, but it's unfussy, clear and direct. His ear for dialogue is bang on and (unusually for this genre) his female characters are every bit as compelling and vivid as the men.
It's a thriller, so I won't go into the plot,other than to say that it twists and turns as satisfyingly and as unpredictably as one could wish. And it is properly frightening: this isn't campy horror cliches - this is Evil with a capital "E" and it's as irresistible, compelling and unforgettable as that sounds.
So: I can only urge you to read it. However the above might read, "The Possessions of Doctor Forrest" wears its learning lightly, and creates something dark, modern and terrifying from it. Brilliant.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'd not heard of this book or its author but the synopsis was interesting enough for me to make a purchase. I'm glad I did; the story is an excellent take on the Faust legend and a very entertaining (if disturbing!) read. The way the story is structured (largely consisting of journal entries of the various main characters) really builds the mystery and tension, right up until the final section, 'The Confession of Dr Forrest,' where all is revealed. I would recommend this to anyone who likes gothic horror, strange stories or just ripping good yarns!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing
I am afraid I did not enjoy this book at all. I did not find it scary or thrilling in the least. I have not read Dracula, Faust etc and still would not recommend it. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Rosie
Captivating
The Possessions of Doctor Forrest was a good read. It lead you off on lots of twists and turns and only in the later stages did you start to think what was really happening.
Published 17 days ago by bookworm
a book I may never finish and possibly regret possessing
I have kept on trying to get into this book and am coming to the conclusion that it may be one of the very rare novels I don't finish. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brian Swinton
Gothic 2.0??
I am afraid I cannot recommend this book. I am currently 30 pages from the end, but I do not think I will finish it (I will exercise my reader's right to stop, as the French writer... Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. N.
Nothing new in this book
I read this book for a book group otherwise I would have given up. I found the plot tedious as it merley regurgitates older, more accomplished gothic novels. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ms. M. Moffat
Excellent thrills in The Possessions of Doctor Forrest, By Richard T...
Great review in the Independent doesnt do justice to great book!
"Not the least of Kelly's achievements is to have used intrigues, brutal murders and the supernatural as a way... Read more
"Not the least of Kelly's achievements is to have used intrigues, brutal murders and the supernatural as a way... Read more
Published 10 months ago by middleway
Fiendishly brilliant
I had been looking out for Richard T. Kelly's new novel after being mightily impressed with his first, Crusaders, which was published several years ago. Read more
Published 10 months ago by STC
Possessed by Dr Forrest and his pals
I've been having a bit of a one-woman gothic horror revival for a few months now. So imagine my delight when I discovered the gripping novel The Possessions of Dr Forrest,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by eMusing
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