Earthbound (Paperback)

by Richard Matheson (Author) "They reached the cottage a little after four that afternoon..." (more)
Key Phrases: dining alcove, Logan Beach, Mister Cooper, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In 1982, before Matheson achieved the cult-and-grandmaster status he enjoys today, Playboy Press published a version of this erotic ghost story that was so severely edited that the author took his name off the book, which was presented as by "Logan Swanson." In this "approved and restored" version, David and Ellen Cooper's 21-year marriage is nearing the rocks, so they decide to leave L.A. for a honeymoon on Long Island. Soon after they arrive at their beach cottage, a strange woman, Marianna, appears to David, who's immediately entranced. Matheson adeptly explores David's growing fear and guilt, which becomes intensified after he and Marianna make love in a secret room in the house. Although Marianna is portrayed as an "earthbound spirit" (a ghost who rejects the afterlife, appears real to all senses, believes she is alive and, through psychic attack, sucks life from the living) she's really more or less just another succubus, gussied up in Caspar-the-friendly-ghost clothing. With each graphically detailed sexual rendezvous, Marianna pushes David to deeper levels of obsession, loss of will and irrationality. When the evil ghost threatens Ellen, however, he comes to his senses just in time for a literally cliff-hanging ending. Though the author injects some excellent suspense into this tale, he also veers into unabashed bathos and outright titillation; anyone who's been waiting for a new--or even revised--Matheson on the level of I Am Legend or The Shrinking Man will have to keep marking time.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Matheson, master of both horror and suspense, here gives us a picture of a man obsessed, then possessed, by the ghost of Marianna, a beautiful, depraved woman. David and Ellen have come to a cottage on the East Coast near their honeymoon cottage (since destroyed), trying to restore their marriage. Inside the cottage both feel preternaturally cold and enervated. When Marianna appears and thrusts herself on David, he makes no attempt to resist. When he is told by Marianna's sister what is going on, he at first refuses to believe it. When he does believe and tries to escape, Marianna takes over Ellen's body, and only desperate measures can save the couple. While the first half of this book is not entirely convincing, the second half is incredibly powerful. This belongs in any horror fiction collection.
Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Ia.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (March 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765311712
• ISBN-13: 978-0765311719
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #937,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much more than an erotic ghost story..., May 11, 2005

By	Edward Alexander Gerster "miamibooks" (South Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Matheson has had a long and distinguished career as a writer of speculative fiction -- sometimes fitting better in the science fiction category, and sometimes more in horror, but always solid, imaginative fiction. EARTHBOUND is another of his tales that truly defies easy genre classification as it effortlessly blends elements of suspense and horror in a tale that is both a supernatural chiller and suspense filled tale of obsession. Unholy desires fill the beautiful and mysterious Marianna that comes to visit David, the protagonist, whenever his wife is away. This leads to a spiral of depravity, fear and guilt for David--and a chilling conclusion that exposes secrets that lie deep in the past. Truly a tortuously entertaining tale that is highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great, quick read - not his best but still has some unique qualities, April 21, 2008

By	Mad Max (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a recent fan of Richard Matheson, and this my recent Matheson discovery. This story is about a couple trying to re-ignite the flame of their marriage by revisiting their original honeymoon. A bizarre story quickly unfolds at that point, with some suspense and twists/turns.

I do agree with some of the criticism of this book - it was short, it wasn't as "depthy" as some of his other work. And this is understandable - not a lot of people realize this, but this book started out as a short story written very early in Matheson's career, over 25 years ago. But Matheson revisted it, added to it, and the final product is still a great story with some unique twists. Besides, sometimes I prefer reading "leisurely", and being able to tackle the whole thing in just a day or two. (Call it a guilty pleasure?)

I'm not rating this based on a comparison of his other books, rather, I'm just giving a rating based on how much I enjoyed reading it. Be warned - it does have some erotic moments.

Who would I recommend this book to? I suspect you would like this if you like Matheson's other books/movies, or if you like the TV shows Fallen, New Amsterdam, Moonlight, Heroes, etc.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, Great Read, December 16, 2004

By	Michael Beveridge (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Earthbound (Hardcover)

This is the latest Richard Matheson book Ive read, it was a great fast read, finnished it all in one day. Its a well written story of a troubled marriage with the couple trying to recapture their honeymoon by returning to the same place their original one was..... Then some crazy things start happening.
I was worried about the ending, but just when you think you know whats going on.... think again!
All in all, I liked the book, not one of Mathesons best books, but a great read none the less