John Saul: A Critical Companion

by Paul Bail

Book Overview

This is the first book-length study of best-selling writer John Saul's psychological and supernatural thrillers. Author Paul Bail compares John Saul's novels to a cocktail: (mix) one part, one part The Exorcist, a dash of Turn of the Screw, blend well, and serve thoroughly chillingly. Bail traces John Saul's literary career from his 1977 debut novel Suffer the Children--the first paperback original ever to make the New York...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0313295751
• ISBN13: 9780313295751
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Literary Companion & Biography

John Saul has been one of my favorite authors since I was a child. His spine tinglers are set in sleepy towns near major cities (e.g. Eastbury in THE GOD PROJECT and HELLFIRE which is a fictional suburb of Boston) where weird and shadowy things take place. His characters often appear virtuous, yet have a shadow side. He is at no loss for presenting macabre scenes in a plausible way, which makes the story in question all the more delightfully frightening. Saul is different from Stephen King whereas King's stories, while scary are plainly works of fiction and the reader is aware of that at all times. Saul's spine tinglers on the other hand are subtle yet build in a literary crescendo. While his works are clearly fictional, they are plausible fiction and his characters remain in the minds of readers long after the last page is turned. This book gives excellent analyses of several of Saul's works. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, keep in mind that it is a companion to Saul's books. Read it WITH Saul's books and not INSTEAD of Saul's books.

A "must read" for any John Saul fan...

If you enjoy the thrill and horror, the excitement and the plot twists of the talented John Saul, then you should read this book. Not only is it intriguing and informative, but it gives you real insight to the man himself and where his inspiration comes from. The author, Paul Bail, has chosen a collection of Saul's work and has provided the reader with a real understanding of each selected novel. Not only is this book fascinating for Saul fans, it is a wonderfully written study for fans of the macabre.