A review by bookbelle5_17
Psycho by Robert Bloch

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Review of Psycho
By: Robert Bloch
            This is another classic horror story that out lived its original and probably more known by its movie predecessor, the Hitchcock film, not the remake with Vince Vaughan. I don’t know how accurate the adaptation is as I have never truly watched the whole movie, but I’m sure it’s pretty close, because the story isn’t complicated.  You don’t need to change a lot, or really anything for that matter. The only difference I know for sure is Norman is described as fat and the actor who played him was skinny.  Maybe they didn’t want to offend anyone or maybe that actor gave the best performance. I don’t know.
            If you aren’t familiar with the plot, Mary Crane is traveling with stolen money to help her boyfriend and she arrives at the Bates Motel, run by a mother and son. Things aren’t right with Norman Bates and Mary might not be safe with him and his mother. When her sister Lila, her boyfriend Sam, and her boss don’t hear from her for week, they all decide to investigate.  Lila is determined to find her sister, thinking something happened at the motel, and that the odd Norman Bates might be involved her disappearance.
            Now, I was already spoiled for this, because even though I have never watched the movie fully, I know the plot, so it wasn’t really a surprise.  Still, this was good, and I was eager to read more as the plot progressed.  It was morbidly intriguing and disturbing to be inside Norman’s head, though I doubt every female reader would want to be.  He and his mother have very hateful thoughts, especially about women and have a toxic relationship.  His relationship with his mother was quite unhealthy and I pitied him for it.  He needed to get away from her, but he would probably never leave her. He needed help, clearly. Like a lot of horror story antagonists, he was the most interesting character and half the book you were inside his head.  I think that helped with the mystery of Norman and his mother.  You didn’t know if you could trust him and what is going on between him and his mother remains confusing throughout, but in fascinating way.  Mary Crane wasn’t around long enough for me to get to know her, but she came off as kind and nurturing, while Lila came off as more openly passionate., and I was on her side about how to handle things.  Sam Loomis was okay.  I didn’t hate him but didn’t love him either.  I wish he had been on Lila’s side, but I think it proved he didn’t love Mary or have enough time to love her.  The atmosphere Bloch created was perfect. The motel was isolated, and the two most important scenes took place in the rain adding to the atmosphere.  When we get to see the inside of the house with its antiquarian aesthetic gave me chills. This was a modern-day Oedipus complex.
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