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The Other Side
MAGGIE BRACE HAS LIVED THROUGH A NIGHTMARE...
She can still smell the acrid smoke from the sudden fire which claimed the lives of two of her children. Now she's trying to rebuild her life, surrounded by her loving husband, and by her young son, Jebbie, with his golden curls and piercing blue eyes. The only child she has left...
BUT THE TERROR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN...
Things are very different with Maggie's family now. The rambling old summer place no longer seems the safe, peaceful haven she remembers. And her husband has grown cold, distant. But it is young Jebbie who troubles Maggie most--Jebbie, who has turned into a stranger before her very eyes...
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MAGGIE'S LITTLE BOY?...
What is making him retreat for hours under the dark porch? Who is whispering to him at night, as he gazes spellbound at his image in a ghostly mirror? And why will no one believe her fears? Somehow, Maggie must save her child from the beckoning power that has lured him away from her life--and into the strange and fathomless world of...THE OTHER SIDE
She can still smell the acrid smoke from the sudden fire which claimed the lives of two of her children. Now she's trying to rebuild her life, surrounded by her loving husband, and by her young son, Jebbie, with his golden curls and piercing blue eyes. The only child she has left...
BUT THE TERROR HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN...
Things are very different with Maggie's family now. The rambling old summer place no longer seems the safe, peaceful haven she remembers. And her husband has grown cold, distant. But it is young Jebbie who troubles Maggie most--Jebbie, who has turned into a stranger before her very eyes...
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MAGGIE'S LITTLE BOY?...
What is making him retreat for hours under the dark porch? Who is whispering to him at night, as he gazes spellbound at his image in a ghostly mirror? And why will no one believe her fears? Somehow, Maggie must save her child from the beckoning power that has lured him away from her life--and into the strange and fathomless world of...THE OTHER SIDE
- GenresHorror
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 5, 2023
Henstell gives us here a go at the 'evil kid' trope so popular for a while, albeit with a twist. Our main protagonist, Maggie, starts the novel in her apartment in NYC when she wakes up smelling smoke. Her husband is off on business (a slimy corporate lawyer), leaving her home with their three kids. When Maggie leaves her room, she finds a raging inferno, and only manages to save her youngest, a little boy named Jeb. Traumatized about the loss of her two girls, and feeling extremely guilty, she breaks down and spends a year at a sanitorium.
The novel kicks off with Maggie being picked up by her hubbie and going to the old family estate of Four Oaks, near a quaint Connecticut village in the 'rich' part of the state. David, her husband, came to visit Maggie on occasion, but never brought along Jebbie, who is now six. Once home, however, the reunion is a little strange and awkward. Jeb pretty much keeps to himself, but does have an 'imaginary' friend in a hideous old floor mirror that was taken from their NYC apartment and now graces Four Oaks.
What is it about Jebbie? He comes off at first as a Jekyll and Hyde character, being a lovely little boy and next he is torturing frogs and bugs in his little hideaway under the porch. Worse, Maggie keeps seeing Jeb outside doing things when he is, for example, tucked away in bed. I had some sympathy for Maggie; she is worried she is still 'crazy' and just imagining things, at least that is what her asshole hubbie keeps telling her. And what is it with Jebbie's fascination with the mirror?
The Other Side is graced with almost poetic prose that seems breathless at times, capturing the raging emotions of Maggie quite well, although it takes a bit to get used to. Although there are a few nasty scenes, this reads more like a family drama, especially given the time Henstell takes in developing both parent's love affairs. A neat riff on an old trope, but really not a standout, except for the quality writing. My edition has the fun 'peekaboo' cover that reveals Maggie and Jebbie in front of the mirror during their rush from the burning apartment. 3 stars!!
The novel kicks off with Maggie being picked up by her hubbie and going to the old family estate of Four Oaks, near a quaint Connecticut village in the 'rich' part of the state. David, her husband, came to visit Maggie on occasion, but never brought along Jebbie, who is now six. Once home, however, the reunion is a little strange and awkward. Jeb pretty much keeps to himself, but does have an 'imaginary' friend in a hideous old floor mirror that was taken from their NYC apartment and now graces Four Oaks.
What is it about Jebbie? He comes off at first as a Jekyll and Hyde character, being a lovely little boy and next he is torturing frogs and bugs in his little hideaway under the porch. Worse, Maggie keeps seeing Jeb outside doing things when he is, for example, tucked away in bed. I had some sympathy for Maggie; she is worried she is still 'crazy' and just imagining things, at least that is what her asshole hubbie keeps telling her. And what is it with Jebbie's fascination with the mirror?
The Other Side is graced with almost poetic prose that seems breathless at times, capturing the raging emotions of Maggie quite well, although it takes a bit to get used to. Although there are a few nasty scenes, this reads more like a family drama, especially given the time Henstell takes in developing both parent's love affairs. A neat riff on an old trope, but really not a standout, except for the quality writing. My edition has the fun 'peekaboo' cover that reveals Maggie and Jebbie in front of the mirror during their rush from the burning apartment. 3 stars!!
April 19, 2023
This book unfolded very nicely and at a good pace. Had me on edge and didn't relent until the end. I plan to read her other book, Deadly Friend soon and hope it lives up to this one!
October 8, 2016
Maggie – being alone in the house with her three young children when it catches on fire ---two are killed and her youngest, Jeb, survives ---she has a nervous break down ---tries to re-build her life with her husband and son and yet the nightmare has just begun ---her son Jeb has become so very strange --- hard to believe a kid 4-6 years old, == at least four murders, 2 close murders -- could do what he did, if he did!
There’s some slow spots in the book, but once you get going in it ---you want to find out the answers to your questions and yet; when it ends --- your still in doubt!
There’s some slow spots in the book, but once you get going in it ---you want to find out the answers to your questions and yet; when it ends --- your still in doubt!
October 22, 2020
I found The Other Side at a thrift store many years ago. The story is your typical "evil child" plot that was in countless '80s horror novels. Yes, it's predictable and outdated. However, the late Diana Henstell was an excellent storyteller, and her detailed descriptions help saved this book from being a disaster.
Overall, The Other Side is a cliched but gripping horror thriller. Is it worth reading? It all depends on everyone's likes and dislikes. If you like '80s horror, then you will probably enjoy it. If you're not into horror, then you might find it a bit stale.
Overall, The Other Side is a cliched but gripping horror thriller. Is it worth reading? It all depends on everyone's likes and dislikes. If you like '80s horror, then you will probably enjoy it. If you're not into horror, then you might find it a bit stale.
September 26, 2021
Loved this book kept you on the edge of your seat
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews