Othersyde: 2 [Hardcover]

Michael J. Straczynski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 1990

A terrifying tale of malevolence unleashed as two ordinary boys are overcome by an uncontrollable evil.

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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite some moments straining for cosmic significance, Straczynski ( Demon Night ) delivers a generally compelling tale of malevolence unleashed. When 16-year-old Chris Martino moves with his mother to Los Angeles from New Jersey, he inadvertently befriends nerdy classmate Roger "Horseface" Obst. Chris writes Roger a note in lemon juice--"invisible ink"--but later a different message appears, and it becomes obvious that a terrifyingly omnipotent force is about to ensnare Roger in its net of darkness. While Roger senses an opportunity for revenge against his student tormentors, Chris resists this evil presence, which identifies itself as Othersyde; therein lies the book's most forceful conflict. As the terror escalates, a policewoman and a sympathetic teacher become involved with the evil around them--and with each other. When sticking to the demonic events and the increasing bewilderment of his recognizable characters, Straczynski holds us transfixed. Chilling scenes that accelerate the well-crafted narrative to its grisly conclusion compensate for occasionally overblown prose. These excesses aside, fans of horror yarns can look forward to this nonstop read.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First Edition edition (July 27, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525248730
• ISBN-13: 978-0525248736
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. Michael Staczynski was born in Paterson, NJ in 1954, from a lower-middle-class blue-collar family that moved 21 times in his first 18 years. He began writing in earnest and selling at the age of 17 and hasn't stopped since. He graduated San Diego State University with degrees in Psychology and Sociology.

As a journalist, he has written over 500 published articles for such periodicals as The Los Anglees Times, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Penthouse, Writer's Digest, San Diego Magazine, the San Diego and Los Angeles Reader and TIME, Inc. He has also published numerous short stories in Amazing Science Fiction Magazine, Pulphouse, and various anthologies.

As a television writer and producer, he has written over 200 produced episodes, including workj on The New Twilight Zone, Nightmare Classics and Murder She Wrote. He also wrote, created and produced the series Babylon 5, Crusade and Jeremiah.

Moving from TV to film, he wrote Changeling (directed by Clint Eastwood), Ninja Assassin (produced by the Wachowskis), provided the story for Thor (directed by Kenneth Branagh), wrote Underworld 4 (starring Kate Beckinsale), and has written numerous other films that are currently slated for production.

He has won the Hugo Award (twice), the Saturn Award, the Eisner Award, the Inkpot Lifetime Achievement Award, the E Pluribus Unum Award from the American Cinema Foundation, the Space Frontier Foundation award, the Ray Bradbury Award, the Christopher Award, and over a dozen others.

He was also nominated for a British Academy Award (BAFTA) for his screenplay for Changeling.

He writes ten hours a day, every day, except for his birthday, New Year's Day and Christmas Day.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of Print But Worth The Effort To Find..., July 9, 1999

By 

Postmodern Day Hero (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Othersyde: 2 (Hardcover)

My brother surprised me one day by handing me a copy of Othersyde. He found it at a library sale. It's a great read in the same creative vain as Stephen King. Fans of Babylon 5 will not be disappointed by the horror genre, and they will see some references to B5 as well. Frankly, I think the publisher is stupid by not re-releasing this book based on JMS' current popularity. Best of luck to You in Your search for The Othersyde.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting, Engaging Tale, November 3, 2000

By 

Troy A. Rutter "Author, Actor, Podcaster" (Ames, IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Othersyde: 2 (Hardcover)

Othersyde is a complex weave of teenagers trying to establish themselves in society and get the respect of their peers, but also the eerie tale of an unseen force trying to wreak havoc upon the world.

From the tick-tick-ticking of the telegraph key, to the foreshadowing of Babylon 5 (not yet a series or pilot at time of publish) - Straczynski has a way of pulling you in, locking you up, and then spitting you back out wanting more.

If you can find this book - you will not be disappointed!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitly my favorite book, July 5, 2006

By 

N. A. Rose "TheAlmightyGrapefruit" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Othersyde (Paperback)

Hands down, this is THE only book that I have ever recommended people to read. This book is so creepy in certain parts that i cried....(but lets not mention that to people)...I've read it twice and i bought it a year ago. I let my roomate read it and shes in love with it as well. If you want a good read then buy this! I bet you'll find it a hard book to put down!