The Woman In Black - Novel

(1983)

Not often I read something older then myself but since seeing the movie and really enjoying it I really wanted to read the novel and I was shocked to see how small the novel was, I was expecting something you could murder someone with, a big brick shaped book but it's pretty slim.

Now if you have only seen the movie you are in for a slightly different story. There are similarities in the book and the movie but it's good to not re-read the same thing as you watched.

I don't know how to review without killing the plot same with all reviews I guess haha so yes SPOILERS LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE COMING.

First biggest change it's told in first person, it's from the thoughts of Arther Kipp as he recalls his time dealing with Eel Marsh House and the horrible things that transpired there. The movie and the book both have Krekwick, Arther, Samual Daily and Mr Jermone but what happens for the most part is different. The chain of events and how it all flows are near enough the same.

He's sent from London to do a job, the people around him know why he is here and act funny about it but instead of being cold and trying to banish him from the village the Inn keeper is very kind and allows him to stay, instead of hating him and wanting him gone people treat him with an awkward kindness.

Also kids don't drop like flies in horrid ways in the book like they do the movie and Arther sees the Woman In Black in the village at Mrs Drablows funeral which never happens in the movie version. He then goes to Eel Marsh House but no one tries and stops him. Once there he also sees the Woman In Black but has a stubborn mind set to not believe in ghosts.

During his stay all manner of creeping ghostly hauntings happen to him, similar to the movie version and it's Arther's wits against the creepy and eerie land around him shut off from the rest of the countryside by the causeway which is subject to tide and how he deals with it while trying to work.

The story unfolds and we find out more about the horrid things that happened in that house and why it's so haunted. Arther gets away with nothing more then frazzled nerves and returns to London to be with his wife and new baby but soon he sees the Woman In Black and suffers an awful tragedy.

The book ends with Arther finishing his story which he never intends people to read during his life time but he hoped writing about his past would chase away the returning nightmares.

So he doesn't die we realise this from the start of the book when he has remarried and with a new family.

Now the story is still fantastic, the ghostly bits you can picture in your head everything is very well described and builds up a world. There is a bit where he is in the nursery and there is pretty much 3/4 of a page telling us in detail what is in the room.

My only really big issue with Susan Hill's writing style is she uses 'AND' a little too much it'll be something and something and something and something... Yes I've seen four ands in a row like that at one time. If you don't mind that slight display of sloppy writing then go for it.

The movie wasn't miles and miles apart just the start and end are different then in the novel.

Now I plan on seeing the theatre show and maybe this year there will be a review of that up by me!

Story: 4/5

Writing: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Over all: 5/5

A short, non taxing good old fashion ghost story.

X6XJigsawX6X

Ring

Ring

By Koji suzuki

I've been reading alot of horror recenlty as me and my other half have decided to read a book a month and Ring was my Jan book. This novel has three more in the seriers Sprial, LOOP and Birthday. This novel has manga versions which I have also read and enjoyed, thinking of getting them again and also Japanese movies, American re-do's of Japanese movies and also a Korean take on it.

I can't remember much of the movies other then the American ones were terrible and bad and I wish I could forget every trace of them.. but would like to re-watch the Japanese ones as I remember enjoying them.

Anyway, this book is awesome, it's well paced and his style makes it an easy read, he really puts you in the mind of the characters and you can picture them in your head so easy, the story is as we know it blah blah watch a movie, die in 7 days but so fleshed out compared to the movie versions, we find out the real way it kills you among Sadako's real secrets and issues.

This book is not scary but it is a good read, sometimes it looks like it might be dragging or veering off but just as it gets to the dragging moment it sorts itself out and comes along greatly. I won't go into too much in this review as I really don't want to ruin a killer read.

It's a good read and I plan on reading the others, in fact LOOP is on it's way and Spiral is a story for another day!

4/5

X6XJigsawX6X

Dr Dale's Zombie Dictionary: The A-Z Guide to Staying Alive

Kid's fucking love zombies and in 2010 it was pretty much 'year of the zombie' where everything got a zombie add on or a zombie version or something like that..  And what with the TV show created from the comic 'The Walking Dead' zombies were right up there with large foot faced looking vampires that all the teenagers would gush over.

I have a habit of buying anything remotely horror related no matter how bad it sounds to me if it's a good cheap price [Here's looking at you 'Skinned Deep' lure me into your web of poor plots and terrible production values by shaking that £1.50 sticker at me! never again CEX, never again..] So yes, while in HMV clutching more poor movie choices to my chest I spot this gem for £3 and decide, zombies... £3? well it's been a good few years since I picked up anything written that didn't have men in tights saving the world so I went for it.

So yes.. where as the 'Zombie Survival Guide' is funny cus you don't know if the guy was trolling us or he really, really believed in everything he said.. but this book is a total goof and he's loving the fact he's just taking the piss. The writing style is casual and easy to get on with  even if it does suffer block text walls in some places.

I also find that as amusing as his comments are and I utterly love all the Zombie game references [Dead Rising, L4D, Resident Evil etc] as well as just normal game references he does tend to ramble and go off on one, like if you were in a room with him it would start off like having a good conversation before he stands there like a crazy homeless person and yells things at you.

Like I said, it's funny, well written and is laced with horror popular culture references which I admit had me chuckling to myself on the bus and staff room causing many confused looks. It's also by a fellow brit and thus references to places/things in the UK hit home allot more then the good old 'Zombie Survival Guide' so massive enjoyment for me on that level.

I do feel he might have been trying too hard to be funny in some sections such as the need to add a section on 'Lorraine Kelly' of all people but hey, I don't have a novel what do I know right?

The art work is very poor but also adds allot to the amusement of the book and no need for good art in a book that's basically rambling about things and trying to make you laugh.

All in all Dr Dale's snarky and harmlessly funny book is a good read, I found myself skipping some sections but most the time I'd have a great big grin on my face!

4/5

X6XJigsawX6X