Island [Mass Market Paperback]

Richard Laymon (Author), Dean R. Koontz (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2002

When eight people go on a cruise in the Bahamas, they plan to swim, sunbathe and relax. Getting shipwrecked is definitely not in the script. But after the yacht blows up they're stranded on a deserted island, and there's a maniac on the loose.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Laymon was born in Chicago in 1947 and grew up in California. Four of his books have been shortlisted for the Bram Stoker Award, which he won in 2001 with THE TRAVELLING VAMPIRE SHOW. Among his many acclaimed works of horror and suspense are THE STAKE, SAVAGE, AFTER MIDNIGHT and the four novels in the Beast House Chronicles: THE CELLAR, THE BEAST HOUSE, THE MIDNIGHT TOUR and FRIDAY NIGHT IN BEAST HOUSE. He died in February 2001. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843949783
• ISBN-13: 978-0843949780
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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#70 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

#70 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 120 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and suspenseful April 11, 2002

By FloozyFlapper1926

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Obviously, this one is not for everyone. For a big book, I read this in almost two days. Its the story of a boating trip gone awry when a group of people are having a picnic on a supposedly deserted island. When the boat blows up, they are all stranded there. This one is narrated by a horny teenage boy named Rupert, who is trying to survive, save his women and sneak peeks at them. I found this one to be suspenseful, spooky and funny at the same time. I have known guys like Rupert so I didn't find his sex-obsessed mind to be all that unbelievable.

If you want to read Laymon novels, you must be warned that the narrator is always horny, the women always end up naked and there is campy fun elements that add to the book. In Island, everyone ends up in the nude including the guys, the plot is strange and its one heck of a ride. A lot of people didn't like this, but I did. If you are into the more literary horror, you won't enjoy this, but if you like horror that is funny and you don't offend easily you'll love it.

Richard Laymon was one of the funnest writers in horror. Island reminds me of one of those late night Cinemax films, but at the same time, it draws you in.

Good, campy fun, but frightening and spooky at the same time.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laymon does it again! July 19, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I've read about 5 of Laymon's books and I loved them all. Island is no exception. I LOVED this book. The world lost a literary great when Laymon passed away.

Rupert Conway is the teller of this story. He's thought that when his girlfriend asked him to come on a family vacation, he'd have a time of his life, an adventure he'd never forget. He was right about that. After the boat explodes, the girl's family and Rupert swim to an island. There's plenty of fresh water and food...and a killer. The killer plans to kill off one by one so the killer can put his sick and twisted plan into action.

Laymon is such a talented writer. He had the ability to keep the reader glued to the page with many plot twists and turns. Many times I'd tell myself that I'd just read to the end of the chapter, then go to bed. Well, that didnt' work. I read this 504 page book in just two days. I dare anyone to start this book and try to put it down. Guess what, ya can't.

Laymon also can create characters you care about and want to read about. Laymon created wonderful characters in Rupert and Connie. What's typical in Laymon's writing, is that you even care about the chatacters that are bad. The reader will want to get to know all of them, want to know everything about them.

I know people who like to skim through a book to get the "feel" of it. Don't do this with that book. If you do, you may run into spoilers and ruin the book.

I can't say enought good things about this book. If you start it, I know you'll love it. You won't be sorry.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Laymon Does It Again July 21, 2006

By Keith J. Kraemer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

It's a shame we won't see more classic horror novels like "Island" penned by the late Richard Laymon. He's in true form here, doing what he does best ~ piling on the suspense (one layer after another), assaulting us with a series of gory killings, enticing us with juvenile sexual fantasies, misleading us at every turn, and, ultimately leaving us shocked in the end.

Laymon writes this novel through the perspective of Rupert Conway, a college freshmen and castaway on a tropical island, surrounded by a quartet of beautiful women whose partners are disappearing one by one. Rupert's voice is fresh and young, and although his fascination with the nude female form may seem a bit repetitive at times (perhaps even repulsive to some), it soon becomes aparent that sexual desire is the true theme of this book. This story explores the animalistic sexual urges of man, and the danger of unbridaled power and lust.

As in any good Laymon book, the author has a morbid talent for violently abusing the characters we've come to love at the points when we'd least expect it. Rarely can one expect a happy ending to one of his books, and this one should leave you just as shocked as any other.

If ever you've enjoyed a Laymon novel, don't let this one pass you by.