Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Psycho by Robert Bloch

20 reviews

m4rtt4's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

the plot twist (and the whole of the plot) is very predictable if you are familiar with serial killer stories, but the reading experience was enjoyable nonetheless — especially considering when this was written!

haven't seen the movie (yet), but this made me curious :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

itmegreg's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A titan of classic horror for good reason, Psycho is an compelling character study that manages to unnerve and petrify still to this day. An atmosphere of unease permeates every page and the story and setting feel almost out of time. 
While Bates is a fascinating villain who set the mold for many horror classics to follow, in the moments that the reader is in Bates' head, we find a surprisingly human, sympathetic individual. The exploration of Bate's mental illnesses aren't as explored as thoroughly as a modern story might, but the glimpses we get into his world are still rife for contemplation.
 
Tense, shocking and unsettling, this book will remain a classic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

gentle_garbage_baby's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Not as exciting as I thought it was going to be. Figured out the plot twist a fair while before it was revealed. Not the most engaging horror I've ever read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Violence and Blood

Minor: Sexism

add_a_little_spook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder

greenan26's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Incest

abbyluvsfrogs444's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is just genius. Terrifying, but genius.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Confinement and Toxic relationship

Minor: Transphobia

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

caidyn's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Finally, I've read this book. I didn't even know the movie was based on a book. But, this was a good read! I didn't like the ending as much, but still a good read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Mental illness

Moderate: Forced institutionalization

draven_deathcrush's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this, then watched the movie, and the book is so much better that I bumped it up to a 5 star (the movie is still great). I'm glad I finally got to read and watch Psycho; I've definitely been missing out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny and Blood

Minor: Death of parent and Sexual harassment

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis