The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


As one might notice by the date, I read this book more than thirty years ago when I was fourteen years old. I have no plans to re-read it, so offer a brief review now with the caveat that your reviewer is likely untrustworthy.

In short, the book claims to be the true story of a house possessed, which overtakes the personalities of its inhabitants. I recall Stephen King crediting the popularity of the book to "economic unease," postulating at some point that it is a commentary on struggling families, purchasing a house they could not really afford, and the destructive nature of capitalist society. Well, okay. I am sure I did not get any of that from it when I read it.

In fact, I vaguely recall that it scared me. But to my memory it is not a great work of horror, but rather vulgar and exploitative. I have so many books to read before I die, I can't imagine taking the time to read this one again. So if you choose to go there, have at it and take anything I say, due to faulty memory and general prejudices with a grain of salt.



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