Shrine [Paperback]

James Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Alice, a deaf-mute, has a vision of a lady in white who says she is the immaculate conception. Suddenly Alice can speak, hear, and perform miracles. The visitation site becomes a shrine. But Alice is no longer the guileless child overwhelmed by her new saintliness. She has become the agent of something corrupt, a vile force centuries old.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Herbert is not just Britain's No 1 bestselling writer of chiller fiction, a position he has held ever since publication of his first novel, but is one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are widely imitated and hugely influential. worldwide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

English journalist Fen falls into an amazing story when he rescues a sleepwalking deaf-mute girl named Alice. After Alice is visited by an apparition, she is suddenly cured and works her own miracles. Narrator Sean Barrett splendidly presents the best and worst in people who are influenced by the "miracle." Each transition between characters and situations is perfectly translated by Barrett's controlled delivery. Particularly moving is the death of a beloved priest. Also, the weather and atmosphere become important characters as the story unfolds, and innocence and evil become one. Barrett's performance could hardly be more compelling. This is a must for those who like scary suspense. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 534 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan UK (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330376225
• ISBN-13: 978-0330376228
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,674,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read, February 14, 2000

By 

Colin Willey (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shrine (Paperback)

If you are a James Herbert fan, then I suggest you read this one A.S.A.P. This is classic Herbert, and my personal favorite from his works. The story centres around a journalist named Gerry Fenn and a little girl named Alice that is either blessed, or possessed- you don't find out 'til the bitter end! A really exciting read from cover to cover! Stephen King fans would be wise to give this one a go!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars SUPERNATURAL THRILLER..., August 23, 2007

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Shrine (Hardcover)

This is a book about evil masking itself as goodness. In the small English village of Banfield, a young, deaf mute girl named Alice Pagett is transformed by a vision, and her ability to speak and hear is miraculously restored to her. Alice claims that she was visited by the Immaculate Conception, and suddenly throngs of the ill begin to gather around the place of the visitation, awaiting other miracles. They are not long in coming, as those who are afflicted in some way find themselves restored to the good health that had been formerly denied them.

Yet, something is not quite right, as the parish priest suddenly feels himself unwelcome in his own church, and his health begins to falter. Moreover, local reporter, Gerry Fenn, with aspirations for the big time, senses that the story of the century is within his grasp. He, unlike many others, however, is somewhat cynical about the events that are unfolding, and he is determined to discover the truth. What that truth is may be more than that for which he bargained.

This is moderately entertaining supernatural thriller that could have used some tighter editing. Written by the British maven of the horror genre, it has some genuinely creepy moments.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars SUPERNATURAL THRILLER..., August 23, 2007

By 

Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: James Herbert Shrine Herbert Nhb (Hardcover)

This is a book about evil masking itself as goodness. In the small English village of Banfield, a young, deaf mute girl named Alice Pagett is transformed by a vision, and her ability to speak and hear is miraculously restored to her. Alice claims that she was visited by the Immaculate Conception, and suddenly throngs of the ill begin to gather around the place of the visitation, awaiting other miracles. They are not long in coming, as those who are afflicted in some way find themselves restored to the good health that had been formerly denied them.

Yet, something is not quite right, as the parish priest suddenly feels himself unwelcome in his own church, and his health begins to falter. Moreover, local reporter, Gerry Fenn, with aspirations for the big time, senses that the story of the century is within his grasp. He, unlike many others, however, is somewhat cynical about the events that are unfolding, and he is determined to discover the truth. What that truth is may be more than that for which he bargained.

This is moderately entertaining supernatural thriller that could have used some tighter editing. Written by the British maven of the horror genre, it has some genuinely creepy moments.