Customer Reviews

Nathaniel

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For an author who has been called by some as a "wanna be Stephen King" this was definitely not what I expected. Sincerely chilling and disturbing I don't see how Mr. Saul's fanbase isn't much, much larger than it is. This is a serious case of critics being wrong, (and when I say wrong I mean they missed the freakin' moon on this one) A superb tale of supernatural intrigue in a small town setting. Hands down, if you like horror fiction (I'm not just talkin staples like Dean Koontz and Stephen King, I mean like John Farris and Peter Straub) then don't pass this one up.

I read this bk. for the 1st time over 20yrs. ago & few times since. Although, it's not quite as good as I remember it's still a good read... As an adult I have a problem w/ 1 thing, the main character - Michael Hall. One might think he is 6 or 7 at times by the way he acts when he is really suppose to be 11. That inconsistency drives me crazy (short drive). That IMO is the only real flaw & doesn't take away from the story itself. From the beginning John Saul hooks you in & the story has a surprise twist at the end. The characters are well developed & Saul describes everything in vivid detail which pulls you into the story. I think what chills me the most is I can relate to this tale growing up in the city & moving to the country. The Halls & Mr. Findley remind me of people around here which makes the story all the more creepy...

I was so excited to finally read a great ghost story! The way Saul introduces so many characters and themes and just ties them together at the end is truly awesome. I recommend this book to all ghost story lovers!

Johns Saul Nathaniel: Let me just say that i bought this book because of all the good reviews......It was a let down. I thought the beginning of the book was good. But the story starts to get confusing when Saul claims that Nathaniel is real and not a paranormal entity like he leads the viewer to believe. He also focused too much on the past of the town and included Nathaniel a little allowing the viewer to feel there was more hidden secrets, when in the end there was nothing but confusion. I reality i think he "Saul" for go a bit of writers block and changed the story like 100 times and then just gave up.

I have read just about all John Saul's horror novels. I found Nathaniel to be very intriquing. Small town mystery discovered by a big city lady, who dares to delve into her husband's past. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. This is not just for horror story lovers, it's very well written and it keeps you coming back for more.

I love Saul and I was not disapointed by this book either. He weaves a loose web through out the novel and just when you think you might have a handle on things...bam! Very cool and I do recommend it, especially if you liked RL Stine as a teen or Stephen King as an adult.

The ending was a let down. Saul brings the reader to believe on thing throughout the plot, but as revealed toward the end, the truth of the matter is different. However, the setting of Prairie Bend was captivating and realistic. Some characters such as Amos were believable, but others such as Janet and Michael were annoyingly two-dimensional. I found it hard to identify or root for any characters in this novel. However, Nathaniel was written well and the pacing was fast. There are several mysteries revealed with crafty subtlety throughout. I found that I needed to keep reading, especially past page 150. I would give Nathaniel 3 1/2 stars if I could.

I've read a few Saul books 3 newer ones and now 2 older ones. Black Creek Crossing, In the Dark of the Night and The Devil's Labyrinth were good, but Creature and Nathaniel are great.

This is a story of a wife and son who go out to a small town called Prarie Bend. Her husband died in an accident in his father's barn and as she talks to the in-laws she's never met she learns of a life that she never knew her husband had. At the same time her son Micheal is being strangely drawn to the barn on a neighbors property, he hears a voice that may belong to a ghost named Nathaniel. The story turns as you learn the family secrets, hidden deeds, diaries and a hushed mother. Great book, this should have been a movie back when it was written, I loved it.

characters were great, setting was especially creepy, and the entire book's body was well put together. I've met John Saul once and he seems as mysterious as his books. This is the best book of his to date for me. I haven't read all of his, but quite a few. I also suggest Black Lightning. Not as scary as Nathaniel, but a overall easy story to follow with some scary parts.

John Saul has done it again I have read just about every book ever written by Saul and I think he is in a league with King! I've have never read a story by him I have been disappointed in. Nathaniel has a clever dialogue that kept me guessing to the end of the book. There were characters in there you could identify with living in a small town!