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Skull Session
SKULL SESSION
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 1998
15 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hecht
14 books170 followersI was born into an artist's community founded in 1946 by my parents and their friends in the wilds of Westchester County, N.Y. Surrounded by these individualistic yet communalistic bohemians, I saw artists in every discipline working their magic, and could not help but follow in their footsteps.
I've lived all over the U.S. and have worked at every kind of job to make ends meet, and I enjoy the labor of body and hands as much as the effort of the mind. Mailman, logger, carpenter, musician, musical instrument builder, graphic designer, apple picker, farmhand, nonprofit organizational director, college administrator, educator -- the great thing about a checkered past is that you see the world from a lot of perspectives. This is the best education for a writer!
I have lived in Vermont for many years, have three kids and several cats, am active on behalf of environmental causes, and am highly reclusive.
I've lived all over the U.S. and have worked at every kind of job to make ends meet, and I enjoy the labor of body and hands as much as the effort of the mind. Mailman, logger, carpenter, musician, musical instrument builder, graphic designer, apple picker, farmhand, nonprofit organizational director, college administrator, educator -- the great thing about a checkered past is that you see the world from a lot of perspectives. This is the best education for a writer!
I have lived in Vermont for many years, have three kids and several cats, am active on behalf of environmental causes, and am highly reclusive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
February 12, 2021
Un auténtico despropósito. Enfermedades neurológicas, casa tétrica y un protagonista más raro que un perro verde. Me he aburrido, mucho.
May 29, 2024
Beetje te langdradig en sommige hoofdstukken hadden wat mij betreft prima weggelaten kunnen worden. Doordat het verhaal zo langzaam voortkabbelde, miste ik veelal de spanning. De invalshoek voor dit verhaal is wel erg boeiend en tegen het eind was er ineens heel veel actie, waardoor het laatste stuk ietsje sneller las dan de rest van het boek.
April 2, 2010
Honestly, I didn't expect to like this book. I definitely didn't expect to become completely engrossed in it. This is some type of bizarre cross-genre novel; medical mystery, haunted house horror, psychological thriller & semi-supernatural urban fantasy. Whatever you want to call it, it was a great read.
Hecht dives into the concepts surrounding abnormal psychology and how much we still don't know about the human mind. With tons of info and (what seems like) personal accounts of Tourrets and Autism, we also have dark family secrets, brutal murders, a spooky giant house, and... well, you'll see.
Hecht dives into the concepts surrounding abnormal psychology and how much we still don't know about the human mind. With tons of info and (what seems like) personal accounts of Tourrets and Autism, we also have dark family secrets, brutal murders, a spooky giant house, and... well, you'll see.
June 25, 2013
One thing I liked about this book was the fact that the copy I got was a proof book, so it had a bunch of amusing little typos in it. The sister's name was different fr a whole chapter, for example. The main character refers to his aunt's 'horse' instead of house at one point. Things like that.
The rest of the book, though? Meh. A lot of the plot hinged on people not communicating with each other and being purposefully vague. 'I guess you'll just have to figure it out on your own'. Yeah, or you could just tell me and save your pointlessly cryptic crap. 'Oh look at this interesting thing that the cop found out that I'm not going to tell you about for another three chapters.' Um, yeah, cool.
While I'm glad that the author went through and did research into Tourette's to make sure that he didn't go making a mockery of the disease on accident, the amount of information about it that made it into the book ended up being excessive and dragged the pace of the book down a lot. Considering I read almost 200 pages (198 exactly, I remember commenting on it) before we got the first whisper of plot, so much of that could have been trimmed. I'm reading a thriller here, not a research textbook.
Another thing that got old fast was the way the women in the book were described. Her perfect hair, the way the sweater clung to her perfect waist, the perfect curve of her breasts, the sweet curve of her ass, the tight line of her thigh, her perfect heartshaped face. Yes, we get it, all the women in the book, even the ones who have been declared 'too thin' or 'not his type' are perfect. PERFECT. And the cop has a raging boner for pretty much every single one he meets (except the one that's game, of course). Meanwhile, the main character? Um...he had a mustache. And...hair. I honestly can't remember anything more about him than the mustache and the fact that he wasn't a dough ball. Yet his girlfriend, and her rampant perfection on every front, is burned into my skull for life.
The twist at the end (thankfully) didn't end up being what I thought it was going to be, but it left me with a pretty severe case of 'yeah, okay then' once I got to it. All in all, the book was okay. Not one I'd read again, but okay. I guess.
The rest of the book, though? Meh. A lot of the plot hinged on people not communicating with each other and being purposefully vague. 'I guess you'll just have to figure it out on your own'. Yeah, or you could just tell me and save your pointlessly cryptic crap. 'Oh look at this interesting thing that the cop found out that I'm not going to tell you about for another three chapters.' Um, yeah, cool.
While I'm glad that the author went through and did research into Tourette's to make sure that he didn't go making a mockery of the disease on accident, the amount of information about it that made it into the book ended up being excessive and dragged the pace of the book down a lot. Considering I read almost 200 pages (198 exactly, I remember commenting on it) before we got the first whisper of plot, so much of that could have been trimmed. I'm reading a thriller here, not a research textbook.
Another thing that got old fast was the way the women in the book were described. Her perfect hair, the way the sweater clung to her perfect waist, the perfect curve of her breasts, the sweet curve of her ass, the tight line of her thigh, her perfect heartshaped face. Yes, we get it, all the women in the book, even the ones who have been declared 'too thin' or 'not his type' are perfect. PERFECT. And the cop has a raging boner for pretty much every single one he meets (except the one that's game, of course). Meanwhile, the main character? Um...he had a mustache. And...hair. I honestly can't remember anything more about him than the mustache and the fact that he wasn't a dough ball. Yet his girlfriend, and her rampant perfection on every front, is burned into my skull for life.
The twist at the end (thankfully) didn't end up being what I thought it was going to be, but it left me with a pretty severe case of 'yeah, okay then' once I got to it. All in all, the book was okay. Not one I'd read again, but okay. I guess.
September 13, 2023
After the first 200 or so pages of this book I thought it would never and, I can't remember when I was last so bored by a book and I only persevered because I had bought a copy of the book. If I hadn't owned the dam thing I would not have ploughed through the other 200+ pages to reach the book's incredibly disappointing and unlikely conclusion. As I was making my sad journey through this lacklustre tale I started making a list of all the anomalies, bad plotting, unlikely events, hackneyed story lines, personalities with no personality, clichés etc. but then I stopped and decided the novel didn't deserve such attention. The overall problem with this novel and the reason I would advise anyone to steer well clear of it and everything else this author might produce is that it is badly written. The prose is pedestrian, the plot non existent, the pages full of inconsequential filler, it is just awful.
When the authors profile spends so much time promoting their previous fame as a musician all I can see is the reason why a writer with such a clear absence of talent was taken on by a major publisher. He had cross over name recognition and could thus guarantee publicity and hopefully sales. That the author's time at, and awards from, a college writing program is so prominently displayed and pushed reinforces my belief that you learn how to write from reading extensively from good writers. You can teach someone to write, I suppose, but you can't teach them how to write well, that is a talent. Unfortunately this dreadful novel amply demonstrates that Mr. Hecht can not write well. He can string sentences together, he has the ability like Stephen King or Frederick Forsyth to write voluminously about ever character and situation bulking up his novels with research notes and information but that is not writing. Describing every meal eaten and the décor of rooms accomplishes nothing. It is not scene setting, how many meals are detailed in Austen or Tolstoy? How many rooms or pieces of furniture? (I could have named many other novelists but I used the obvious) So often what matters is not what is left in but what is left out.
This novel is absurd, the story line ridiculous but more then anything else it is an insult to good novels of any genres
When the authors profile spends so much time promoting their previous fame as a musician all I can see is the reason why a writer with such a clear absence of talent was taken on by a major publisher. He had cross over name recognition and could thus guarantee publicity and hopefully sales. That the author's time at, and awards from, a college writing program is so prominently displayed and pushed reinforces my belief that you learn how to write from reading extensively from good writers. You can teach someone to write, I suppose, but you can't teach them how to write well, that is a talent. Unfortunately this dreadful novel amply demonstrates that Mr. Hecht can not write well. He can string sentences together, he has the ability like Stephen King or Frederick Forsyth to write voluminously about ever character and situation bulking up his novels with research notes and information but that is not writing. Describing every meal eaten and the décor of rooms accomplishes nothing. It is not scene setting, how many meals are detailed in Austen or Tolstoy? How many rooms or pieces of furniture? (I could have named many other novelists but I used the obvious) So often what matters is not what is left in but what is left out.
This novel is absurd, the story line ridiculous but more then anything else it is an insult to good novels of any genres
November 26, 2022
An angry, bitter sexagenarian aunt turns into the Incredible Hulk, a rare genetic condition which causes her to dismember trespassing teenagers at her hunting lodge in Westchester County, New York. Her nephew, who also has Tourette's Syndrome, discovers that he has the condition too, but he's able to harness it, using it only to kill her.
A very overlong novel, with lots of unnecessary descriptive detail and grody lovemaking scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2021
Hoewel het lijkt alsof het een horrorverhaal in een thriller is en bij vlagen ook spannend, vind ik het einde wat tegengevallen.
Toch wel een origineel verhaal, dus leuk om te lezen.
Toch wel een origineel verhaal, dus leuk om te lezen.
March 13, 2015
Another great book by Daniel Hecht! How did I not know about this author sooner???? His books are really detailed and the characters are wonderful. I have to admit that some of the horror in the books is a bit hockey (especially in this one), but the characters are so great it really makes no difference. I have two more of his to go and then it is time to pray that he writes another one. I have thoroughly enjoyed Hecht's books. All of them!!!!
March 20, 2014
Fairly interesting story of a man with Tourettes hired by his aunt to repair her badly vandalized mansion. While digging through her papers family secrets begin to be revealed. Interesting, likable characters! And while I liked the emphasis on the medical aspects, exploring the mind of Tourettes, it builds up to quite an unbelievable and unsatisfying ending.
December 12, 2018
Nada de lo que esperaba, un thriller que se enfoca más en la enfermedad del protagonista y su hijo. Mucho marear la perdiz y poca efectividad.
September 7, 2017
Was going to give this 4 stars until the last 30 pages ripped off my head & pooped down my neck. Hecht was a great guitarist, to end on a positive note.
May 17, 2015
This is an interesting book on many levels, and had me hooked from the first page and, as much as it may seem that this would be an automatic 5 thumbs review, there were parts of this novel that pulled it down to a 4 thumbs rating.
The main protagonist suffers from Tourette’s syndrome which in itself is an unusual choice of malady to use in a protagonist. However, it works well with the subject matter of the book and, through the struggles the main lead has with his condition the reader learns a great deal about this illness; and this is where the book lost its 5 thumbs, at times there is so much neurological information it slows the narrative down, and that really affects the novel overall, but it did make me wonder if the Author had not had personal experience in some way of Tourette’s. Back to the main character; it is safe to say that this man has his plate full dealing not only with his own problems but those of his son who also has issues, what kind I am not saying as it would spoil the experience of reading the book. The reader is often taken inside the mind of the main character and is able to experience the world he lives in and the events that happen to him through his eyes. This serves to make him a very real person with great depth and, at times, it feels as if the reader is right there with him in this world.
When I first started reading this I assumed it was going to be a purely neurological thriller, and was quite happy to accept this; as I soon found out I was totally wrong. With a skilful hand the Author turns this book into a cross-genre novel covering everything from horror to supernatural urban fantasy with stops at the psychological and medical arenas along the way. It may sound that this leads to what is a very disjointed read, but each of the genres are woven seamlessly together making this an easy, if not very fast paced, read. For the die-hard horror fan out there, the ‘scary’ portions of this book may seem a little tame, but with everything that this book has going for it, it really doesn’t matter in my opinion.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good thriller/mystery, and I will be reading more by this Author.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2015/05/15...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
The main protagonist suffers from Tourette’s syndrome which in itself is an unusual choice of malady to use in a protagonist. However, it works well with the subject matter of the book and, through the struggles the main lead has with his condition the reader learns a great deal about this illness; and this is where the book lost its 5 thumbs, at times there is so much neurological information it slows the narrative down, and that really affects the novel overall, but it did make me wonder if the Author had not had personal experience in some way of Tourette’s. Back to the main character; it is safe to say that this man has his plate full dealing not only with his own problems but those of his son who also has issues, what kind I am not saying as it would spoil the experience of reading the book. The reader is often taken inside the mind of the main character and is able to experience the world he lives in and the events that happen to him through his eyes. This serves to make him a very real person with great depth and, at times, it feels as if the reader is right there with him in this world.
When I first started reading this I assumed it was going to be a purely neurological thriller, and was quite happy to accept this; as I soon found out I was totally wrong. With a skilful hand the Author turns this book into a cross-genre novel covering everything from horror to supernatural urban fantasy with stops at the psychological and medical arenas along the way. It may sound that this leads to what is a very disjointed read, but each of the genres are woven seamlessly together making this an easy, if not very fast paced, read. For the die-hard horror fan out there, the ‘scary’ portions of this book may seem a little tame, but with everything that this book has going for it, it really doesn’t matter in my opinion.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good thriller/mystery, and I will be reading more by this Author.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2015/05/15...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
May 11, 2018
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Do you know the kind of book that starts out great, builds this wonderful, delightfully creepy plot, introduces you to these amazing characters with detailed, complex, three-dimensional personalities, all of them with their own quirks and characteristics? The suspense is so palpable you’re on the edge of your seat and you just can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Until it does play out, and the big reveal is so shocking you can barely believe what you’re reading – and unfortunately, not in a good way. The big climax is weird, out of place, and seemingly comes out of nowhere. It’s also utterly ridiculous, even within the bonds of the world described in this book.
So, basically, an amazing, atmospheric, eerie read… Up until the last thirty pages which, as one reviewer on Goodreads adequately described them: “the last 30 pages ripped off my head and pooped down my neck”. That’s the most adequate description I’ve found of that horrible, out-of-place, surreal ending.
Anyway, back to hte plot. Paul Skogland, our main character, has Tourette’s syndrom and struggles to cope with his symptoms, and with keeping a job. When his wealthy aunt wants him to repair the old family estate which she has left vacant for the past six months, Paul jumps at the opportunity. But the mayhem wrecked in the manor doesn’t seem like something that could be attributed to a regular person.The force seems almost too strong for that.
Then, when a local police detective investigates missing persons reports of several teenagers who disappeared in the past few months, and the traces lead him to the house Paul is renovating, Paul realizes that to face the monster inhabiting his ancestral home, he might first have to face the monster inside himself.
Worth a read especially if you like psychological horror / neurological thrillers, but I’m giving you a fair warning – you will probably either like the ending, or absolutely hate it.
Do you know the kind of book that starts out great, builds this wonderful, delightfully creepy plot, introduces you to these amazing characters with detailed, complex, three-dimensional personalities, all of them with their own quirks and characteristics? The suspense is so palpable you’re on the edge of your seat and you just can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Until it does play out, and the big reveal is so shocking you can barely believe what you’re reading – and unfortunately, not in a good way. The big climax is weird, out of place, and seemingly comes out of nowhere. It’s also utterly ridiculous, even within the bonds of the world described in this book.
So, basically, an amazing, atmospheric, eerie read… Up until the last thirty pages which, as one reviewer on Goodreads adequately described them: “the last 30 pages ripped off my head and pooped down my neck”. That’s the most adequate description I’ve found of that horrible, out-of-place, surreal ending.
Anyway, back to hte plot. Paul Skogland, our main character, has Tourette’s syndrom and struggles to cope with his symptoms, and with keeping a job. When his wealthy aunt wants him to repair the old family estate which she has left vacant for the past six months, Paul jumps at the opportunity. But the mayhem wrecked in the manor doesn’t seem like something that could be attributed to a regular person.The force seems almost too strong for that.
Then, when a local police detective investigates missing persons reports of several teenagers who disappeared in the past few months, and the traces lead him to the house Paul is renovating, Paul realizes that to face the monster inhabiting his ancestral home, he might first have to face the monster inside himself.
Worth a read especially if you like psychological horror / neurological thrillers, but I’m giving you a fair warning – you will probably either like the ending, or absolutely hate it.
August 24, 2009
Paul Skoglund hasn't had a permanent job in years, partly due to his Tourette's syndrom. He's asked by his Aunt Vivian to repair her nineteenth-century hunting lodge in the Hudson Valley.
The home has suffered severe damage. Paul had been attending college courses to improve his job prospects but knows he needs steady employment. His former wife, Janet, is attempting to gain custody of their son, Mark, because of Paul's condition.
Paul agrees to the repairs. While he's at it, he asks his aunt if there's someone who had a grudge who may have damaged the home so completely. He feels that he doesn't want to do all the work only to have someone wreck the home again.
At the same time, Mo Ford is transferred to the New York State Police barracks in Lewisboro. He's inherited a number of cases. One is of a hit and run where 23 year old Richard Mason was killed. Also there are a number is missing high school kids who disappeared from the area within the last few months.
When Mo interviews Richard Mason's 14 year old schizophrenic sister, she sends him a note that it would happen again, soon.
Mo finds a connection between the Highwood Lodge and the missing teens. He's told that some kind of satanic rituals have occured there. He works with Paul and Paul's girlfriend, Lia McLean to learn the cause of the damage. While doing this, a subplot is that Paul is seeking information of why his father, Ben, may have committed suicide and how that realates to the Lodge and Paul's aunt.
This is an intricate story with much information on Tourettes. More information than the reader needs but still interesting.
The plot moves along, somewhat slowly during the first portion of the book but the reader is rewarded for sticking to it.
I recommend the book as a lesson for dealing with the disabled and for watching Paul, a strong character, do what he must to overcome his handicap and maintain his social life.
The home has suffered severe damage. Paul had been attending college courses to improve his job prospects but knows he needs steady employment. His former wife, Janet, is attempting to gain custody of their son, Mark, because of Paul's condition.
Paul agrees to the repairs. While he's at it, he asks his aunt if there's someone who had a grudge who may have damaged the home so completely. He feels that he doesn't want to do all the work only to have someone wreck the home again.
At the same time, Mo Ford is transferred to the New York State Police barracks in Lewisboro. He's inherited a number of cases. One is of a hit and run where 23 year old Richard Mason was killed. Also there are a number is missing high school kids who disappeared from the area within the last few months.
When Mo interviews Richard Mason's 14 year old schizophrenic sister, she sends him a note that it would happen again, soon.
Mo finds a connection between the Highwood Lodge and the missing teens. He's told that some kind of satanic rituals have occured there. He works with Paul and Paul's girlfriend, Lia McLean to learn the cause of the damage. While doing this, a subplot is that Paul is seeking information of why his father, Ben, may have committed suicide and how that realates to the Lodge and Paul's aunt.
This is an intricate story with much information on Tourettes. More information than the reader needs but still interesting.
The plot moves along, somewhat slowly during the first portion of the book but the reader is rewarded for sticking to it.
I recommend the book as a lesson for dealing with the disabled and for watching Paul, a strong character, do what he must to overcome his handicap and maintain his social life.
September 4, 2007
SKULL SESSION (Neurological Thriller-NY-Cont) – VG
Daniel Hecht – 1st book
Viking, 1998 - Hardcover
Paul Skoglund, unable to keep a job due to having Tourette’s, agrees to clean up and start repairs on the vandalized house owned by his estranged aunt. But when he sees the extent of destruction and learns from a local policeman that a number of young people have gone missing or died in that area, it’s clear there is more going on than simple vandalism.
*** This book caught me up from page one and held me with rapt attention. I learned a lot about Tourette’s, which I found interesting, but be aware the author crosses from the book being a neurological thriller into psychological horror toward the end. There was one scene toward the end I would prefer to have seen done differently, but overall felt this was a very good book with some very interesting characters. I shall definitely read more by Mr. Hecht.
Daniel Hecht – 1st book
Viking, 1998 - Hardcover
Paul Skoglund, unable to keep a job due to having Tourette’s, agrees to clean up and start repairs on the vandalized house owned by his estranged aunt. But when he sees the extent of destruction and learns from a local policeman that a number of young people have gone missing or died in that area, it’s clear there is more going on than simple vandalism.
*** This book caught me up from page one and held me with rapt attention. I learned a lot about Tourette’s, which I found interesting, but be aware the author crosses from the book being a neurological thriller into psychological horror toward the end. There was one scene toward the end I would prefer to have seen done differently, but overall felt this was a very good book with some very interesting characters. I shall definitely read more by Mr. Hecht.
May 22, 2017
Dit boek viel wat tegen. Ik had er meer van verwacht. Het begint wel goed. Maar op een gegeven moment zakt het verhaal wat in en dat blijft eigenlijk zo. Ik heb het uitgelezen, omdat ik graag wilde weten hoe het mysterie in elkaar zat. Echter, ook dat viel wat tegen. Het was niet voorspelbaar. Wat een pluspunt is. Maar het was ook niet zo eng als ik verwacht had. Het hele verhaal door wordt duidelijk dat er een duister geheim is. Hetgeen mij nieuwsgierig maakte. Maar als je bij de ontknoping komt, valt het iets tegen. Al vind ik het idee achter het boek wel interessant. Vandaar dat ik het boek toch drie sterren heb gegeven. Omdat er ook het een en ander over allerlei medische zaken wordt verteld, leest het verhaal niet echt vlot. Dat is een van de redenen waarom ik vrij lang over dit boek heb gedaan vergeleken met andere boeken.
June 10, 2020
Twee sterren eigenlijk wat te weinig, maar drie zou zeker teveel zijn.
Klassieke thriller met bovennatuurlijke elementen, waar ieder belangrijk personage wel zijn of haar geheimen meedraagt en zo een potentiële dader is. Tot op het einde de aap uit de mouw komt natuurlijk.
De meeste stukken zijn tamelijk vlot geschreven, maar er was geen moment dat ik echt gegrepen werd door het verhaal. Zelfs tijdens de ontknoping van het plot kon ik halverwege het boek langs de kant leggen om de dag erna verder te lezen. Bij dit soort boeken zou dit niet het geval mogen zijn.
De uitwerking van het mannelijk hoofdpersonage vond ik dan wel weer sterk.
Klassieke thriller met bovennatuurlijke elementen, waar ieder belangrijk personage wel zijn of haar geheimen meedraagt en zo een potentiële dader is. Tot op het einde de aap uit de mouw komt natuurlijk.
De meeste stukken zijn tamelijk vlot geschreven, maar er was geen moment dat ik echt gegrepen werd door het verhaal. Zelfs tijdens de ontknoping van het plot kon ik halverwege het boek langs de kant leggen om de dag erna verder te lezen. Bij dit soort boeken zou dit niet het geval mogen zijn.
De uitwerking van het mannelijk hoofdpersonage vond ik dan wel weer sterk.
October 10, 2018
This is a terrifying book. It's Gothic at its darkest. Disturbing and perfect for October dank overcast rain-filled bleak aura.
I have read Daniel Hecht's books in the past and enjoyed them more. This one left me feeling odd while reading it. I had to keep reading but I didn't want to. But I had to know.
If you like the kind of book that has you looking over your shoulder to see what's causing the hair on your neck to stand on end as you read...then this is the one for you.
I have read Daniel Hecht's books in the past and enjoyed them more. This one left me feeling odd while reading it. I had to keep reading but I didn't want to. But I had to know.
If you like the kind of book that has you looking over your shoulder to see what's causing the hair on your neck to stand on end as you read...then this is the one for you.
February 5, 2021
Unputdownable and highly recommended!
May 4, 2024
Een belediging voor de lezer. Wat een pulp, met een plot zo ridicuul dat het leentjebuur speelt bij Naruto of een andere anime voor angsty tieners die hun woede kanaliseren door te fantaseren over een alter ego dat iedereen kapotmaakt. Met een schrijver die geilt op zijn hoofdpersoon en Tourettes en die bij letterlijk alle vrouwelijke personages moet benoemen hoe hun tieten of heupen er in deze of gene blouse of broekjes spannen. De (veel te veel) seksscènes zijn te genant om te lezen, de gesprekken een slecht verhulde manier voor Hecht om te laten zien hoe slim en wijs hij wel niet is. 1 ster is nog te veel.
April 20, 2013
So many things to digest when reading(listening) to this novel. Hecht educates the reader to some of the hardships/problems that people with some psychological disabilities face on a day-to-day basis. But, even though his characters deal with either Turrets, or an aggressive form of Autism, it doesn't take away from the terrific story he is telling.
At the heart, it concerns Paul, who is an over-educated, unemployed person who happens to suffer from Turrets. He is in the middle of a custody battle for his child, Mark, who also deals with his own disabilities. When his rich ecsentric Aunt offers him a job fixing up her home, which has been vandalised many times, Paul reluctantly agrees.
The novel goes from Psychological thriller, to outright horror with each flip of the page, then backtracks to a family drama, before returning to a fullblown mystery. Excellent characters, and humourous anecdotes make it seem like you are reading a memoir of sorts. Paul has serious problems with his past, present, and future, and the reader wants to protect him because it is universally recognized that he is trying his godforsaken best to deal with everything life has thrown at him, and you just want him to succeed. Please!
Makes for an interesting read. Only complaint would be the way things wrapped up too neat, and very quickly at the end. Especially, after a climax that I didn't see coming. That being said: I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and look forward to reading more of Daniel Hecht's novels.
Recommend? Oh yeah! More so if the reader has had any experience with Turret or Autism firsthand.
4 stars
At the heart, it concerns Paul, who is an over-educated, unemployed person who happens to suffer from Turrets. He is in the middle of a custody battle for his child, Mark, who also deals with his own disabilities. When his rich ecsentric Aunt offers him a job fixing up her home, which has been vandalised many times, Paul reluctantly agrees.
The novel goes from Psychological thriller, to outright horror with each flip of the page, then backtracks to a family drama, before returning to a fullblown mystery. Excellent characters, and humourous anecdotes make it seem like you are reading a memoir of sorts. Paul has serious problems with his past, present, and future, and the reader wants to protect him because it is universally recognized that he is trying his godforsaken best to deal with everything life has thrown at him, and you just want him to succeed. Please!
Makes for an interesting read. Only complaint would be the way things wrapped up too neat, and very quickly at the end. Especially, after a climax that I didn't see coming. That being said: I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and look forward to reading more of Daniel Hecht's novels.
Recommend? Oh yeah! More so if the reader has had any experience with Turret or Autism firsthand.
4 stars
April 6, 2021
Het is uit. Ik vond het een intrigerend boek, maar ik vond eigenlijk geen enkel persoon in het boek leuk. Wat mij ergerde was onder andere dat het erg vaak ging over vrouwenlichamen. Hoe kledingstukken vallen bij hun borsten en billen (gespannen rondom). Een of ander vaag stuk over de lijn tussen bil en schaamstreek en dat was dan aanbidding ofzo. Daar ging het dus heel vaak over in de gedachten van Mo en Paul. Ondertussen weet ik werkelijk helemaal niets over het uiterlijk van de mannen zelf. De seksscenes interesseerden me ook niet zo veel. Hoe de mannen helemaal in de gloria waren over het vrouwenlichaam of de seks. Dat ze er zoiets verhevens en semifilosofisch van maakten. Beetje pretentieus.
Mo als rechercheur die zich constant zwak voelde in de aanwezigheid van zo'n beetje elke vrouw, behalve die ene vrouw die wel beschikbaar is. Dat hij een moeder van een slachtoffer ontmoet en dan filosofisch mijmert over die vrouw, hoe prachtig ze wel niet was.
Lia die een constante drang voelt om 'het gevaar' op te zoeken. En daarmee Paul ook dwingt om hetzelfde te doen om iets onder ogen te zien. Psychologie van de koude grond.
Dat onderdeel van het boek vond ik erg pretentieus, gezemel, en duidelijk door een man geschreven.
Het einde (na de climax) was ook reuze onrealistisch. Ik kan er niet veel over kwijt hier, want spoilers, maar de reactie van een zeker jonger iemand is in de gegeven situatie natuurlijk compleet onrealistisch.
Het mysterie zelf was wel reuze interessant. Maar andere hoofdpersonen en een ietwat ander einde was wel erg fijn geweest.
Mo als rechercheur die zich constant zwak voelde in de aanwezigheid van zo'n beetje elke vrouw, behalve die ene vrouw die wel beschikbaar is. Dat hij een moeder van een slachtoffer ontmoet en dan filosofisch mijmert over die vrouw, hoe prachtig ze wel niet was.
Lia die een constante drang voelt om 'het gevaar' op te zoeken. En daarmee Paul ook dwingt om hetzelfde te doen om iets onder ogen te zien. Psychologie van de koude grond.
Dat onderdeel van het boek vond ik erg pretentieus, gezemel, en duidelijk door een man geschreven.
Het einde (na de climax) was ook reuze onrealistisch. Ik kan er niet veel over kwijt hier, want spoilers, maar de reactie van een zeker jonger iemand is in de gegeven situatie natuurlijk compleet onrealistisch.
Het mysterie zelf was wel reuze interessant. Maar andere hoofdpersonen en een ietwat ander einde was wel erg fijn geweest.
March 16, 2022
Skull Session is a good book and there is a lot to enjoy in it. I liked it. With that said, there is a lot that could have been left out.
For instance, a couple of subplots felt really unnecessary and superfluous once finishing and getting the full picture. So much so that a good portion of the book seemed like filler extending the length of the novel. Maybe you could chalk it up to character development. But it was to the detriment to the momentum of the story. Which for a psychological/thriller-type novel is kind of important.
The other side of that coin is that the writing is great. It's rich and descriptive and proves how much thought the author put into the subject matter. The gloomy atmosphere of Highwood Lodge and the tense interactions between two characters at odds is especially well done, in my opinion. I will definitely read more of this author just because of care he gives his characters - their motivations, flaws, backstory etc.
For example, I almost want to read more about Royce. As repulsive as he was.
Plus, the ending was explosive. So look forward to that.
For instance, a couple of subplots felt really unnecessary and superfluous once finishing and getting the full picture. So much so that a good portion of the book seemed like filler extending the length of the novel. Maybe you could chalk it up to character development. But it was to the detriment to the momentum of the story. Which for a psychological/thriller-type novel is kind of important.
The other side of that coin is that the writing is great. It's rich and descriptive and proves how much thought the author put into the subject matter. The gloomy atmosphere of Highwood Lodge and the tense interactions between two characters at odds is especially well done, in my opinion. I will definitely read more of this author just because of care he gives his characters - their motivations, flaws, backstory etc.
For example, I almost want to read more about Royce. As repulsive as he was.
Plus, the ending was explosive. So look forward to that.
September 22, 2009
“Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?” - Friedrich Nietzsche
At first glance Daniel Hecht's Skull Session is a path through the woods that you've walked down many times. You can glance around as you walk and see that there is the familiar fallen tree, its gnarled roots grasping at the air; and here is the swampy area where the frogs like to hang out. Yes, it's all familiar territory and you can anticipate the place where the path ends exactly. It's a beautiful walk, and your attention may have a tendency to wander... Except. Except that somewhere along the way the path changes and when you come to the end you will find that you have ended up somewhere unfamiliar and totally unexpected.
You may or may not enjoy the place at the end of the path (I did) but you will have to admire the way it leads you on into unexpected territory.
At first glance Daniel Hecht's Skull Session is a path through the woods that you've walked down many times. You can glance around as you walk and see that there is the familiar fallen tree, its gnarled roots grasping at the air; and here is the swampy area where the frogs like to hang out. Yes, it's all familiar territory and you can anticipate the place where the path ends exactly. It's a beautiful walk, and your attention may have a tendency to wander... Except. Except that somewhere along the way the path changes and when you come to the end you will find that you have ended up somewhere unfamiliar and totally unexpected.
You may or may not enjoy the place at the end of the path (I did) but you will have to admire the way it leads you on into unexpected territory.
May 1, 2009
I just lost the whole review for the second time by accidentally hitting some unknown key--ugh!
Bottom line: this book is great. I don't usually read thrillers because sometimes they're not well written. Hecht's book, however, struck the perfect balance between fine writing and page-turning action suspense. The characters were all real and believable--even funny, sad, fascinating. I loved Paul's and Mo's close-third narrative; what wonderful, interesting minds! This narrative quality coupled with the book's exploration of abnormal psychology and anatomical science makes it compulsively readable.
It might not be 'literature' but it'll probably keep you up at night. You'll *have* to read just one...more...chapter!
Bottom line: this book is great. I don't usually read thrillers because sometimes they're not well written. Hecht's book, however, struck the perfect balance between fine writing and page-turning action suspense. The characters were all real and believable--even funny, sad, fascinating. I loved Paul's and Mo's close-third narrative; what wonderful, interesting minds! This narrative quality coupled with the book's exploration of abnormal psychology and anatomical science makes it compulsively readable.
It might not be 'literature' but it'll probably keep you up at night. You'll *have* to read just one...more...chapter!
April 3, 2017
Although I enjoyed it, this book was not quite what I expected. When you have a protagonist with Tourette's Syndrome, you expect this to play a more key part - or at least, I did - but this was just a springboard for a fantasy / horror thriller. That said, it was well-written and I didn't see the end coming or how the final confrontation would take place. The other threads to the plot were well-written, there is no divine justice to the finale (meaning death doesn't necessarily come to those who most deserve it), and I never felt bored. My only complaint is that I expected one thing and got another but that's life for a reader and probably my own damn fault.
November 26, 2009
I picked up this book based on my enjoyment of Daniel Hecht’s Cree Black series. I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. An unemployed teacher, who happens to have Turret’s, takes on the job of renovating his aunt’s large home. In the renovation process he uncovers many family secrets. Reading this book I never really got to like any of the characters, so those horrible family secrets didn’t mean a lot to me. Finished the book only because I felt I should.
December 11, 2012
As thrillers go this is a pretty good one. The protagonist has Tourettes Syndrome and as he tries to solve the mystery about his past and his mind he gets caught up in the murder/disappearance of some local youth.
Who killed them? Was it a demon, a crazed cop, a psychotic family member, an alien life presence? The book does a good job keeping the reader off balance and guessing.
Who killed them? Was it a demon, a crazed cop, a psychotic family member, an alien life presence? The book does a good job keeping the reader off balance and guessing.
March 22, 2019
"Geestdrift" van Daniel Hecht was twee jaar geleden een zomerthriller bij Het Belang Van Limburg. De bomma van Nele heeft me die toen cadeau gegeven. 500 klein gedrukte pagina's met smalle marges van een genre waar ik al een paar jaar een mindere affiniteit mee heb. Vroeger las ik niets anders, en nu lijken dit soort verhalen zo gefabriceerd, ongeloofwaardig, en totaal niet spannend. Gelukkig kreeg ik een intrigerend hoofdpersonage voorgeschoteld.
Paul lijdt aan het syndroom van Gilles de la Tourette. Blijkt dat hij ook morbide fantasieën ziet als hij zijn medicatie niet neemt. Geen dromen die hij wenst uit te zien komen, maar eerder hallucinaties of waanbeelden, flitsen van imaginaire ideeën waarvan hij gelooft dat ze een profetische waarde hebben. Meestal betreffende zeer specifieke sterfgevallen. Dit op zich was voor mij al interessant genoeg om vol te houden.
Het is een trage thriller, met een psychologische focus. Het mysterie is een combinatie van factoren: een gevandaliseerd huis, tienerverdwijningen, en een dodelijke aanrijding met vluchtmisdrijf. Je wil heel graag weten hoe het allemaal uiteindelijk aan elkaar gelinkt wordt, maar alle puzzelstukken hebben tijd nodig om op hun plek te vallen.
De toevoeging van een tweede (hoofd)personage, politierechercheur Mo, maakt het nog interessanter. Mo wil zich bewijzen in zijn nieuwe korps, maar botst tegen de gevolgen van zijn recente scheiding waarbij hij veel vrouwen die hij ontmoet als mogelijke nieuwe liefdespartner ziet.
Wat me stoort is dat beide personages heel snel aan bovennatuurlijke elementen denken. Lijkt vreemd, want meestal hou ik van dat soort dingen. Gelukkig geven ze er snel een wetenschappelijke draai aan, en wordt het opnieuw interessant, met een gelijkaardig draai als in de film "Glass" van M. Night Shyamalan, met ook een soort genesis-verhaal bij de climax, die eigenlijk tegen valt: heel chaotische actie gevolgd door gemonoloog van de slechterik, hoewel diens identiteit toch een onverwachte onthulling blijkt.
Paul lijdt aan het syndroom van Gilles de la Tourette. Blijkt dat hij ook morbide fantasieën ziet als hij zijn medicatie niet neemt. Geen dromen die hij wenst uit te zien komen, maar eerder hallucinaties of waanbeelden, flitsen van imaginaire ideeën waarvan hij gelooft dat ze een profetische waarde hebben. Meestal betreffende zeer specifieke sterfgevallen. Dit op zich was voor mij al interessant genoeg om vol te houden.
Het is een trage thriller, met een psychologische focus. Het mysterie is een combinatie van factoren: een gevandaliseerd huis, tienerverdwijningen, en een dodelijke aanrijding met vluchtmisdrijf. Je wil heel graag weten hoe het allemaal uiteindelijk aan elkaar gelinkt wordt, maar alle puzzelstukken hebben tijd nodig om op hun plek te vallen.
De toevoeging van een tweede (hoofd)personage, politierechercheur Mo, maakt het nog interessanter. Mo wil zich bewijzen in zijn nieuwe korps, maar botst tegen de gevolgen van zijn recente scheiding waarbij hij veel vrouwen die hij ontmoet als mogelijke nieuwe liefdespartner ziet.
Wat me stoort is dat beide personages heel snel aan bovennatuurlijke elementen denken. Lijkt vreemd, want meestal hou ik van dat soort dingen. Gelukkig geven ze er snel een wetenschappelijke draai aan, en wordt het opnieuw interessant, met een gelijkaardig draai als in de film "Glass" van M. Night Shyamalan, met ook een soort genesis-verhaal bij de climax, die eigenlijk tegen valt: heel chaotische actie gevolgd door gemonoloog van de slechterik, hoewel diens identiteit toch een onverwachte onthulling blijkt.
July 6, 2018
See David S.' review.
Well, I heard much more about Tourette's and autism than my ears could take, but I guess it's a learning experience. Paul is fighting Tourette's, and his son Mark, has autism & several other "skull" problems; Paul is carefully fighting his ex for custody. Meanwhile, his aunt wants him to clean up her badly mauled house in Hudson Valley. He begins the job, but finds several missing persons and a gruesome murder(?). At first separately, he and Mo / Morgan (a breath of normalcy) begin the investigation. The portions of odd outbursts are italicized - the editor did a great job - so the reader can understand what's happening. The first 300 pages are indeed a "neurological thriller" / mystery, but the last pages are TOTALLY unexpected, and VERY satisfying, at least to me. GOSH!
There are a couple of gems that bear cogitation: "A library is a temple to Reason." . . . "The four functions of the reptile brain can be summed up as the four F's: fight, flight, food and fu__ing. . . The mammal brain added another, family."
Of course there are the four 'needs' of man: food, shelter, clothing and transportation.
I look forward to reading more by Mr. Hecht; the son, Mark shows much promise, the girlfriend, Lia, is strange but may have her own agenda, and I'm in Paul's corner! Also, there are enough other characters to keep it believable.
Well, I heard much more about Tourette's and autism than my ears could take, but I guess it's a learning experience. Paul is fighting Tourette's, and his son Mark, has autism & several other "skull" problems; Paul is carefully fighting his ex for custody. Meanwhile, his aunt wants him to clean up her badly mauled house in Hudson Valley. He begins the job, but finds several missing persons and a gruesome murder(?). At first separately, he and Mo / Morgan (a breath of normalcy) begin the investigation. The portions of odd outbursts are italicized - the editor did a great job - so the reader can understand what's happening. The first 300 pages are indeed a "neurological thriller" / mystery, but the last pages are TOTALLY unexpected, and VERY satisfying, at least to me. GOSH!
There are a couple of gems that bear cogitation: "A library is a temple to Reason." . . . "The four functions of the reptile brain can be summed up as the four F's: fight, flight, food and fu__ing. . . The mammal brain added another, family."
Of course there are the four 'needs' of man: food, shelter, clothing and transportation.
I look forward to reading more by Mr. Hecht; the son, Mark shows much promise, the girlfriend, Lia, is strange but may have her own agenda, and I'm in Paul's corner! Also, there are enough other characters to keep it believable.
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