The Amityville Horror (Paperback)

by Jay Anson (Author)
Key Phrases: ceramic lion, Father Mancuso, Ocean Avenue, Long Island (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam; First Thus edition (1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553116606
• ISBN-13: 978-0553116601
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #690,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, June 26, 2002

By	Tami Brandt (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Amityville Horror (Hardcover)

On December 18, 1975, a young family of five moved into their new home, complete with finished basement, swimming pool, and boathouse. Twenty-eight days later, they fled in terror, leaving most of their belongings behind.

The fantastic story of their experiences was widely publicized on network television, newspapers, and national magazines. But the Lutz family never disclosed the full details to the media. Now, their own carefully-reconstructed memories -- and independent interviews with local clergy and police -- reveal their entire harrowing story.

George and Kathleen Lutz were aware that the house had been the scene of a mass murder -- Ronnie DeFeo, 23, was convicted of shooting his parents, brothers, and sisters. But it seemed an ideal home for them and their three children, and the price was right. On the day they moved in, a priest invited to bless the house was told by an unseen voice to "Get out!" At his rectory, he began to suffer a series of inexplicable afflictions. Meanwhile, alone in their new home, the Lutz family were embarking on the most terrifying experience of their lives. It began when their five-year-old daughter boasted of her new playmate, someone -- or something -- named "Jodie."

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR is an unforgettable book with all the shocks and gripping suspense of THE EXORCIST, THE OMEN, or ROSEMARY'S BABY -- but with one vital difference! As the author reports, "To the extent that I can verify them, all the events in this book are true."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting....., July 27, 2002

By	Scott Shirley (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amityville Horror (Paperback)

...some think that this is a true story and others, think that this isn't. Is it? Who know, but this is a pretty good read. Some parts were pretty scary, for example, the figure at the top of the stairs. Other parts seemed to drag a small bit. Sometimes that parts that dragged for me was in the way the author told the story. Perhaps an experienced author could have given more atmosphere to the story.

This is the story of the Lutzs and their experience in the haunted house the bought. Then 28 days later, they fled in terror, leaving most of their possessions. In this book, the reader will find out what made the Lutz's flee.

It all started when the priest went to bless the house and a voice said "GET OUT!" From that point time, the Lutz's lived in terror and nobody in that house was safe. Even the Priest that helped them was victim to the demonic forces that infested the house. The Lutz's went through a lot of horrific events before they left the house. Much more than I would have put up with. Even when the moved, the demonic forces followed them for a while.

The only problem I had with this book is the end. I wont' way what happened, but the way it ended....didnt' seem like a fit ending. There was more to tell and the author didn't tell it. I don't want to say the end was a let down, because it wasn't. However from the way it ended, it just wasn't a good place to end the story.

If you like true life ghost stories, then you need to read this book. Is it true? Who know, but it's a good story. If you start it, I don't think you'll be sorry.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so good I finished half the book in 1 sitting , June 7, 2006

By	Sparks (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amityville Horror (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked this up yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the storytelling and the lucid writing. Guess I was expecting something trashier. Some of the scenes got a bit repetitive but overall, this is an excellent novel: there are no boring parts, just fast paced chills. Read this alone on a rainy night :)