From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up?A thorough, comprehensive study of the horror writer and his body of work. Beginning with an overview of Saul's life and the literary genre, Bail then provides a detailed analysis of Saul's 10 novels, from Suffer the Children to Black Lightning. Each book is analyzed according to plot, characters, and theme, as well as other pertinent elements, such as suspense, irony, and humor. Finally, the titles are discussed according to a particular point of view. Brainchild, for example, is given a sociopolitical reading, while The God Project is analyzed from a feminist perspective, and Black Lightning is given a deconstructionist reading. These interpretations should add a new dimension of understanding of and appreciation for the author's works for his many readers. And even though the discussions are rather sophisticated, the text is engaging and interesting. Hand this book to any student trying to convince a skeptical English teacher that horror fiction is suitable for book reports or research papers.?Marilyn Makowski, Greenwood High School, SCCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
Provides detailed analyses of eleven of Saul's psychological and supernatural thrillers from his 1977 debut novel Suffer the Children to his 1995 novel Black Lightning. Includes biographical material drawing on an interview with Saul and a complete bibliography of his writing. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


Review
A thorough, comprehensive study of the horror writer and his body of work. Beginning with an overview of Saul's life and the literary genre, Bail then provides a detailed analysis of Saul's 10 novels, from Suffer the Children to Black Lightning. Each book is analyzed according to plot, characters, and theme, as well as other pertinent elements, such as suspense, irony, and humor. Finally, the titles are discussed according to a particular point of view...These interpretations should add a new dimension of understanding of and appreciation for the author's works for his many readers...the text is engaging and interesting. Hand this book to any student trying to convince a skeptical English teacher that horror fiction is suitable for book reports or research papers.School Library Journal


Book Description
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 Psycho, 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 Times best seller list--to his most recent novel, Black Lightning (1995). It features never-before-published biographical information, drawing on an original interview with John Saul, and a chapter on the history of tales of horror and the supernatural and how these genres have influenced Saul's fiction.


About the Author
PAUL BAIL teaches graduate courses on the psychology of crime at Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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 Psycho, 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 Times best seller list--to his most recent novel, Black Lightning (1995). It features never-before-published biographical information, drawing on an original interview with John Saul, and a chapter on the history of tales of horror and the supernatural and how these genres have influenced Saul's fiction.

SYNOPSIS

The first book-length study of best-selling writer John Saul's psychological and supernatural thrillers.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 10 UpA thorough, comprehensive study of the horror writer and his body of work. Beginning with an overview of Saul's life and the literary genre, Bail then provides a detailed analysis of Saul's 10 novels, from Suffer the Children to Black Lightning. Each book is analyzed according to plot, characters, and theme, as well as other pertinent elements, such as suspense, irony, and humor. Finally, the titles are discussed according to a particular point of view. Brainchild, for example, is given a sociopolitical reading, while The God Project is analyzed from a feminist perspective, and Black Lightning is given a deconstructionist reading. These interpretations should add a new dimension of understanding of and appreciation for the author's works for his many readers. And even though the discussions are rather sophisticated, the text is engaging and interesting. Hand this book to any student trying to convince a skeptical English teacher that horror fiction is suitable for book reports or research papers.Marilyn Makowski, Greenwood High School, SC

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