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The Nursery
Mike Folsom returns to his hometown of Butler, Louisiana, and ignores warnings to leave town after witnessing strange, disturbing events
- GenresHorrorParanormalFiction
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1983
5 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,054 books1,423 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2024
***Spoiler ***
Ok, first, this really has nothing to do with a nursery. Maybe about all of 4 pages cover the nursery angle, so the title and description on the back are very, very misleading. Now what you do have is an excellent satanic horror/thriller from the earlier 80’s written be the master of the genre, Johnstone. This could easily have been another entry in his Devil series. A small group of people in an isolated town besieged by evil beyond their imagination and choices must be made between God and the Devil over who will claim their souls. There is mention of an evil nursery but it is not integral to the plot whatsoever.
Ok, first, this really has nothing to do with a nursery. Maybe about all of 4 pages cover the nursery angle, so the title and description on the back are very, very misleading. Now what you do have is an excellent satanic horror/thriller from the earlier 80’s written be the master of the genre, Johnstone. This could easily have been another entry in his Devil series. A small group of people in an isolated town besieged by evil beyond their imagination and choices must be made between God and the Devil over who will claim their souls. There is mention of an evil nursery but it is not integral to the plot whatsoever.
July 18, 2023
Totally gonzo, OTT trash by Johnstone, but if that is what you are looking for, this really hits the spot. Johnstone serves up another of his typical protagonists in Colonel Mike Folsom. Recently retired/fired from the military after 25 hard years, Mike returns to his hometown, Butler, Louisiana, a place he has not seen in over a decade. Boy have things changed! His parents house (now his) needs some work, but inside is spotless. WTF? He quickly hooks up with an admirer from his high school; another typical Johnstone character, farm girl, super sexy, and divorced with a teenager.
What passes for plot in The Nursery consists of a tale of good versus evil, or rather, Satan's minions versus the new holy warrior Mike Folsom. Over the last decade or so, a man named Brecker moved to town, opened a spanking new hospital, a new church and even a social center. Brecker we quickly find out has for hundreds of years worked for the Old One, some kind of devil, spreading evil wherever they go. In Butler, they have been brainwashing/inducing the kids to love Satan and enjoy pleasure, which basically means sex, and lots of it.
So, Mike and his new squeeze Rana find themselves basically trapped in Butler, surrounded by kids having group orgies, family incest orgies, lots of anal sex, and also being harrassed by the sheriff, one 'Stinky', a putz Mike knew from high school. Toss in some AK-47s and other assorted military hardware, a few vampires and other undead creatures, and get ready for a showdown! Oh, don't forget the deputy with a few cases of plastique and timers that seems to have a hotline to the man upstairs! Fun, totally insane read and one that had me laughing; not sure what that says about me. 3.5 gonzo stars, rounding up!
What passes for plot in The Nursery consists of a tale of good versus evil, or rather, Satan's minions versus the new holy warrior Mike Folsom. Over the last decade or so, a man named Brecker moved to town, opened a spanking new hospital, a new church and even a social center. Brecker we quickly find out has for hundreds of years worked for the Old One, some kind of devil, spreading evil wherever they go. In Butler, they have been brainwashing/inducing the kids to love Satan and enjoy pleasure, which basically means sex, and lots of it.
So, Mike and his new squeeze Rana find themselves basically trapped in Butler, surrounded by kids having group orgies, family incest orgies, lots of anal sex, and also being harrassed by the sheriff, one 'Stinky', a putz Mike knew from high school. Toss in some AK-47s and other assorted military hardware, a few vampires and other undead creatures, and get ready for a showdown! Oh, don't forget the deputy with a few cases of plastique and timers that seems to have a hotline to the man upstairs! Fun, totally insane read and one that had me laughing; not sure what that says about me. 3.5 gonzo stars, rounding up!
January 25, 2020
Where do I start...? This is a classic story of good versus evil. Plus anal sex. Lots of it.
Army veteran Mike returns to his home town and finds that a lot has changed. Satan and his minions are trying to take over the town and have brainwashed most of the townsfolk. What Mike doesn't realise is that he's been chosen by God and he's the only one who can save the day.
The titular nursery doesn't actually feature much in the novel but it is part of the Evil One's plan for taking over the town. Plus they get to call it the Womb Room so that seems reason enough.
There is quite a lot of graphic sexual content including the aforementioned anal sex, also incest, rape, torture, you name it.
I will say while the writing isn't great it is certainly readable and this ended up being quite a pageturner. It's cliched and predictable, some of the characters are interchangeable and I lost track of who was who in a few cases but, as long as you don't take it too seriously, overall this is a pretty entertaining read if you're looking for something trashy.
Army veteran Mike returns to his home town and finds that a lot has changed. Satan and his minions are trying to take over the town and have brainwashed most of the townsfolk. What Mike doesn't realise is that he's been chosen by God and he's the only one who can save the day.
The titular nursery doesn't actually feature much in the novel but it is part of the Evil One's plan for taking over the town. Plus they get to call it the Womb Room so that seems reason enough.
There is quite a lot of graphic sexual content including the aforementioned anal sex, also incest, rape, torture, you name it.
I will say while the writing isn't great it is certainly readable and this ended up being quite a pageturner. It's cliched and predictable, some of the characters are interchangeable and I lost track of who was who in a few cases but, as long as you don't take it too seriously, overall this is a pretty entertaining read if you're looking for something trashy.
August 4, 2016
Apparently ol' grampa Johnstone had a hair up his ass when he wrote this one, either that or his paranoid psychosis was flaring up. The hero, in the stereotypical post-war mold, is a military veteran returning to his hometown after thirty years of service. In the military he learned how to organize a battle (something that normally does not come in handy, but it will here), he learned how to kill a man 500 different ways with an ordinary stapler, and how to get laid by the hottest blonde chick with the tightest ass immediately upon arriving in any town.
The author's self-aggrandizement knows no bounds, as GOD himself chose this hero to battle Satan's minions. The only thing I could think of when I was reading this book was that this author could give William Shatner a run for his money.
Upon learning that the town has been infiltrated by Satanists, the only thing Johnstone's manly man can think of is to say, "Those goddamn liberals." Upon learning that the very souls of his loved ones may be at risk of being eternally sodomized by Satan himself, we are treated to, "Fucking liberals!" And at random times throughout the book the character just sputters incoherently, "Fucking cocksucking liberals! Fuck!" You get the point.
The book is a strange experience in unrestrained bad taste. It was written by someone who, like the main character, had his brain frozen somewhere in the 1950s and thawed in the 1980s, and couldn't figure out how shitty the sexually-repressed, racist, violent 1950s really were.
The author's self-aggrandizement knows no bounds, as GOD himself chose this hero to battle Satan's minions. The only thing I could think of when I was reading this book was that this author could give William Shatner a run for his money.
Upon learning that the town has been infiltrated by Satanists, the only thing Johnstone's manly man can think of is to say, "Those goddamn liberals." Upon learning that the very souls of his loved ones may be at risk of being eternally sodomized by Satan himself, we are treated to, "Fucking liberals!" And at random times throughout the book the character just sputters incoherently, "Fucking cocksucking liberals! Fuck!" You get the point.
The book is a strange experience in unrestrained bad taste. It was written by someone who, like the main character, had his brain frozen somewhere in the 1950s and thawed in the 1980s, and couldn't figure out how shitty the sexually-repressed, racist, violent 1950s really were.
July 21, 2013
E- Evil
V- Villainous children
I- Infiltrate the town spreading a satanic message creating a
L- Living Hell
by Nikki
1 1/2 stars
This is a story of a town take over by a rich Satan-worshiper who is all about the sex and taking care of his master, The Dark Prince.
This book was crazy and not very well written. One of the characters sounded like a reporter asking question for the six-o'clock new and another told the whole story (instead of showing) like a storyteller at a noon library reading.
It had potential, but missed the mark. I'm feeling generous today, so I won't say I hated it.
V- Villainous children
I- Infiltrate the town spreading a satanic message creating a
L- Living Hell
by Nikki
1 1/2 stars
This is a story of a town take over by a rich Satan-worshiper who is all about the sex and taking care of his master, The Dark Prince.
This book was crazy and not very well written. One of the characters sounded like a reporter asking question for the six-o'clock new and another told the whole story (instead of showing) like a storyteller at a noon library reading.
It had potential, but missed the mark. I'm feeling generous today, so I won't say I hated it.
November 5, 2024
'His face and eyes were too eastern European to make him truly handsome'
'Rock and roll music blasted from the dozens of speakers. The young began to dance, slowly at first. The dancing was obscene'
grabbed a copy of this via ebay after reading some reviews. a paperback from hell with satanism and anal sex? 'based and worth the steep price' - i might have thought to myself. maybe i can warn the next person who stumbles upon this, though: this book is utter shit.
as a horror novel, it is completely useless. the prose is barely functional (it literally starts with a sentence about how 'fetuses were in a fetal position' which could be a garth marenghi opener). the titular nursery doesn't matter, and it doesn't enter the plot until page 280-ish. 90% if the book takes place in a single location where various characters provide exposition for the protagonist through dialogue, while nothing else happens. the finale is rushed and dull. there are 20+ characters with first and last names interchangeably entering the story, and none of them are interesting. there is occasional sex and violence but they are extremely one-note.
however, i would make the argument that 'the nursery' is interesting as a document of christian conservative psychosis. i may make some assumptions about johnstone being a lunatic here, but that is because the novel reads as a completely earnest wish fulfilment power fantasy. you couldn't make this up: a (LIGHT SPOILERS) proud vietnam vet killing machine instantly idolised and saluted by everyone, getting christian tradwife pussy, literally being chosen by god, and punishing those who stray away from His light! fighting against an evil global conspiracy which brainwashes teenagers into disobeying their parents, being bisexual, and worshipping satan! mindblowing stuff. by the second half the evil characters are constantly saying stuff like 'god is shit, satan is the best'. very wacky. it's also a good reminder that, though the MAGA variant of conservative brainrot of the past decade has been notably colourful, some things have not changed since the 80s.
at the heart of it, the book is about the panic of conservative parents losing control of their children. there's an incredibly funny/fucked chapter where our hero takes the satanist ideology-possessed teenage daughter of the love interest down into the basement to whip her ass with his belt (after knowing her for a single day, mind you). the evil fifteen-year-old resists the effects of corporal punishment - since she is under satan's control, you know - and is actually turned on by the beating. his subsequent disillusioned evaluation of this event to her mother is, to quote, 'i think if she was a horse, i'd shoot her'.
the irony is that, while johnstone really wants to protect the children, he also can't help writing non-stop pedo fantasies about them. in the very same scene i just mentioned, the mc admits that he was tempted by the sexy daughter. she is also featured in multiple sex scenes. both the author and the protagonist regularly stop and marvel at the tits and asses and vaginas of children. johnstone's fascination with butt stuff is also quite sad and miserable. the depiction of out-of-wedlock, evil sodomy is pointed equally at the sin of homosexuality and the sin of general non-procreative sex. but you can also tell he fucking loved writing about it. of course, our hero never partakes in degeneracy so our self-insert fantasy can stay intact, but johnstone will jump at any opportunity to talk about dripping cavities. it's almost like christian fundamentalism and unhealthy psychosexual frustrations are related??
'Rock and roll music blasted from the dozens of speakers. The young began to dance, slowly at first. The dancing was obscene'
grabbed a copy of this via ebay after reading some reviews. a paperback from hell with satanism and anal sex? 'based and worth the steep price' - i might have thought to myself. maybe i can warn the next person who stumbles upon this, though: this book is utter shit.
as a horror novel, it is completely useless. the prose is barely functional (it literally starts with a sentence about how 'fetuses were in a fetal position' which could be a garth marenghi opener). the titular nursery doesn't matter, and it doesn't enter the plot until page 280-ish. 90% if the book takes place in a single location where various characters provide exposition for the protagonist through dialogue, while nothing else happens. the finale is rushed and dull. there are 20+ characters with first and last names interchangeably entering the story, and none of them are interesting. there is occasional sex and violence but they are extremely one-note.
however, i would make the argument that 'the nursery' is interesting as a document of christian conservative psychosis. i may make some assumptions about johnstone being a lunatic here, but that is because the novel reads as a completely earnest wish fulfilment power fantasy. you couldn't make this up: a (LIGHT SPOILERS) proud vietnam vet killing machine instantly idolised and saluted by everyone, getting christian tradwife pussy, literally being chosen by god, and punishing those who stray away from His light! fighting against an evil global conspiracy which brainwashes teenagers into disobeying their parents, being bisexual, and worshipping satan! mindblowing stuff. by the second half the evil characters are constantly saying stuff like 'god is shit, satan is the best'. very wacky. it's also a good reminder that, though the MAGA variant of conservative brainrot of the past decade has been notably colourful, some things have not changed since the 80s.
at the heart of it, the book is about the panic of conservative parents losing control of their children. there's an incredibly funny/fucked chapter where our hero takes the satanist ideology-possessed teenage daughter of the love interest down into the basement to whip her ass with his belt (after knowing her for a single day, mind you). the evil fifteen-year-old resists the effects of corporal punishment - since she is under satan's control, you know - and is actually turned on by the beating. his subsequent disillusioned evaluation of this event to her mother is, to quote, 'i think if she was a horse, i'd shoot her'.
the irony is that, while johnstone really wants to protect the children, he also can't help writing non-stop pedo fantasies about them. in the very same scene i just mentioned, the mc admits that he was tempted by the sexy daughter. she is also featured in multiple sex scenes. both the author and the protagonist regularly stop and marvel at the tits and asses and vaginas of children. johnstone's fascination with butt stuff is also quite sad and miserable. the depiction of out-of-wedlock, evil sodomy is pointed equally at the sin of homosexuality and the sin of general non-procreative sex. but you can also tell he fucking loved writing about it. of course, our hero never partakes in degeneracy so our self-insert fantasy can stay intact, but johnstone will jump at any opportunity to talk about dripping cavities. it's almost like christian fundamentalism and unhealthy psychosexual frustrations are related??
Read
August 7, 2011You will never think about setting up a baby's nursery in the same way after reading this book!
April 11, 2017
I read this when I was young and curious. I've never read anything like it since. I think it emotionally scarred me for life. It's pretty raunchy. I don't even know how to rate this one.
August 12, 2023
Um … I LOVED THIS CRAZY BOOK
Seriously, this book isn't for everyone - but holy shit it was def for me. Honestly it's not even remotely scary or disturbing - even though it is filled with basically wall to wall rape and incest. And there are so many laughable lines - esp ridiculous dialogue that I laughed out loud multiple times.
It is just so freaking off the wall and bonkers, and I loved it.
Seriously, this book isn't for everyone - but holy shit it was def for me. Honestly it's not even remotely scary or disturbing - even though it is filled with basically wall to wall rape and incest. And there are so many laughable lines - esp ridiculous dialogue that I laughed out loud multiple times.
It is just so freaking off the wall and bonkers, and I loved it.
July 12, 2024
This is Johnstone at his most unhinged. Absolutely insane schlock horror from beginning to end. By the wrap up, you will be extremely confused and have almost no idea what is going on. Johnstone throws everything he possibly can at your face, leaving you stunned by the end.
This is an extremely distasteful novel, full of disgusting, lurid sex and extreme ultraviolence. It is amazing to think that this book was sitting on drugstore shelves in 1983, waiting for just anybody to pick it up. No trigger warnings back then!
If you are a fan of grade Z, balls to the wall schlock horror, you may get some enjoyment out of this. I found it just a little too confusing by the end to give it a higher score, but you can bet I was entertained throughout.
This is an extremely distasteful novel, full of disgusting, lurid sex and extreme ultraviolence. It is amazing to think that this book was sitting on drugstore shelves in 1983, waiting for just anybody to pick it up. No trigger warnings back then!
If you are a fan of grade Z, balls to the wall schlock horror, you may get some enjoyment out of this. I found it just a little too confusing by the end to give it a higher score, but you can bet I was entertained throughout.
December 17, 2025
Just forget about the title and you will have a good time!
My second Johnstone book. I found it hillariouse the ammount of pages spent on two characters exposition dumping for page after page after page just so we can get to the good stuff. And oh boi is there good stuff!
Anal sex! Lots of it. And why? Well to quote a 14 year old ex satanist girl "Because its tight, i have heard" xD
Biggest laugh out moment is when they all break out in a hymn. Wtf.
Lots of Wtf in this one. Not as entertaining and action packed as Cats Eye, but man im vibing with this ridicules Johnstone shit! Cant wait to read Toy Cemetary now!
My second Johnstone book. I found it hillariouse the ammount of pages spent on two characters exposition dumping for page after page after page just so we can get to the good stuff. And oh boi is there good stuff!
Anal sex! Lots of it. And why? Well to quote a 14 year old ex satanist girl "Because its tight, i have heard" xD
Biggest laugh out moment is when they all break out in a hymn. Wtf.
Lots of Wtf in this one. Not as entertaining and action packed as Cats Eye, but man im vibing with this ridicules Johnstone shit! Cant wait to read Toy Cemetary now!
April 4, 2020
Super Twisted and messed up shit happens int his book, but I still loved the story and it was really well written. This is definitely not for the faint of heart.
When I say twisted, I mean it. but I still enjoyed it and I thought it was super creepy. It has stayed with me ever since. I read it back in HS, so it's been a while.
When I say twisted, I mean it. but I still enjoyed it and I thought it was super creepy. It has stayed with me ever since. I read it back in HS, so it's been a while.
August 16, 2021
Holy shit! This novel goes THERE! Totally messed up and disgusted and hard to put down! Not for sensitive and weak minds!
November 2, 2011
This book is very sex and satan driven, so beware. I liked it, but I am a morbid person. Hey, at least I am honest!
June 24, 2019
This was perhaps the most insane horror novel I have read. Not scary, just crazy.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews