False Idols

by Betty Ferm

Set in a Jewish (New York) household where a mezuzah rather than a crucifix seems to work better -- after the hiring of a South American maid, after the death of Fran's good friend (heart attack? Fran knows otherwise), after the friend's husband decamps and twelve-year-old son vandalizes their house, after Dave's old mother Bubba is charred to death, and finally after their mutual friend -- a psychiatrist whom Fran consults -- is no more immune to the diabolism which goes by the strange word Taguapica. . .

Genres: Horror

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[mark monday · Rating 2 out of 5]

hyperventilating tale of a South American demon cult finding its prey within an upper-middle class Jewish enclave. although this is a largely forgettable novel, the milieu was interesting and unusual. I'm not sure I've read about such a specifically depicted neighborhood in a horror novel before. Jewish faith & culture aren't explored per se, they are more of a given in this setting. makes for a very stark (but, as the kids say... problematic?) culture clash of a rarified society versus a barbaric one. the writing is at times strikingly and at other times annoyingly impressionistic - Betty Ferm is an author with flair in her prose. the book's very narrow focus on the confused, increasingly hysterical heroine's perspective was likewise both striking and annoying. climax was rushed and bizarre but certainly vivid.

[Adrienna]

I started to read a copy in C Library from a past donation. It is not hard back, and definitely not 200 pages, it is like 80 pages or so. It started off too dry and old-fashion for my tastes, after a few pages, I was done. I am not sure if it is fair to rate it since it will be-- didn't like, but did not give it a fair chance either.

Leisure read 2018