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74th out of 805 books
—
2,376 voters
The Omen
Jeremy Thorn, United States Ambassador to England, and his wife Katherine become the parents of a beautiful boy whose destiny is to fulfill the most horrible prophecy ever made.
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
June 6th 2006
by Signet
(first published January 1st 1976)
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This is what happens when you let others impregnate without checking their references, or even their DNA! One should always make sure to get at least 3 good letters of recommendation, preferably from a local parish, hospital, and a trusted friend. NOT, I repeat NOT from some foreign country where birds are known to attack in flocks and force people out onto roads where they are run over by vans!
References are also important when selecting nannies, maids, drivers, and chums for you otherworldly...more
References are also important when selecting nannies, maids, drivers, and chums for you otherworldly...more
Aug 09, 2011
Carles Granados
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
SOS
Shelves:
terror
Me gustó mucho.
La novela es muy entretenida, de lectura fácil y con una historia muy buena, dinámica y llena de acontecimientos.
El punto flaco es el estilo literario: pobre, senzillo y demasiado directo (sin mucha o nula ambientación). Ahora, el final del libro lo encontré genial!
La gran pega que le pondría es que como su adaptación cinematográfica fue muy literal, para quienes la hayan visto, no encotrarán casi ninguna diferencia. Este hecho no dejará lugar a ninguna sorpresa argumental (incl...more
La novela es muy entretenida, de lectura fácil y con una historia muy buena, dinámica y llena de acontecimientos.
El punto flaco es el estilo literario: pobre, senzillo y demasiado directo (sin mucha o nula ambientación). Ahora, el final del libro lo encontré genial!
La gran pega que le pondría es que como su adaptación cinematográfica fue muy literal, para quienes la hayan visto, no encotrarán casi ninguna diferencia. Este hecho no dejará lugar a ninguna sorpresa argumental (incl...more
I think I was in Class 8th when I read this,an all-nighter,had homework and Isha Namaz left but just started it after a late-night bath and was hooked-one of the rare few horror books that actually managed to scare me-the whole environment-afraid of getting a scolding from dad in the middle of the night while everybody was asleep,the photographs that showed weird signs,the gruesome deaths especially the one in which something heavy suddenly falls from the window and kills the passing-by characte...more
Contrary to its subsequent movies, which were enjoyable enough but still fairly average, this is a relentlessly good read, and it both thrills and scares the reader consistently through its fast-paced story about a boy conceived by Satan, and his father's desperate struggle to destroy him. I liked the fact that this book didn't succumb to mainstream morality and try to make the kid a sympathetic character. I was rooting for his destruction the whole time, but I won't say how the story ends. Anyw...more
Before I started reading this book, I saw another review that said this book was released at the same time as the movie. It was a turn off knowing the book was nothing but a marketing ploy.
The book itself was an easy read, the prose was simple, strait-forth and nothing special. There was a little more insight that wasn't in the movie- there is a little background on the people involved with killing the Thorn child and replacing him with Damien.
Overall, it wasn't that great. I am and always have...more
The book itself was an easy read, the prose was simple, strait-forth and nothing special. There was a little more insight that wasn't in the movie- there is a little background on the people involved with killing the Thorn child and replacing him with Damien.
Overall, it wasn't that great. I am and always have...more
I remember when the film The Omen (starring Gregory Peck) first aired on UK TV back in the early 1980s. My dad banned me from watching it because I was too young. Unperturbed, I vowed to beat this rather draconian dictum and got the book from the library. I was hooked...
Having watched the film many times since, I still think the book is better. The idea of an antichrist wielding so much power as a child is chilling and wonderfully horrific. A truly psychological chiller and rather disturbing as...more
Having watched the film many times since, I still think the book is better. The idea of an antichrist wielding so much power as a child is chilling and wonderfully horrific. A truly psychological chiller and rather disturbing as...more
I was actually disappointed with this book. I found it in a book store when I was out of town a while ago and because it is so thin, I put aside my current book and read this one. I saw the movie first, which probably didn't help, as that was great. (The original was the best, but the remake is ok-ish as well)
The writing style was uninspiring and not very descriptive. I had images in my head, but they were from the movie, rather than the book. The characters were all so unlikable, even the ones...more
The writing style was uninspiring and not very descriptive. I had images in my head, but they were from the movie, rather than the book. The characters were all so unlikable, even the ones...more
This book definitely spooked me at some parts. There were times when I had to set it down, just because I was getting a little to freaked out.
I liked the pace of the book. It was always very interesting for me, but it still went slow enough for me to catch everything. I liked the tone and the indecision that was described for Thorn. I could picture everything in my head, and I just love when books can actually do that for me.
Overall, this was a great book for me. The only part that got me was ho...more
I liked the pace of the book. It was always very interesting for me, but it still went slow enough for me to catch everything. I liked the tone and the indecision that was described for Thorn. I could picture everything in my head, and I just love when books can actually do that for me.
Overall, this was a great book for me. The only part that got me was ho...more
The book is always better than the film. David Seltzer exposes the reader to the possibilities that lie behind the typical view of religion. The idea of an "antichrist" being represented by a child is just wonderful. To be honest, I don't know what to say. Been a while since I last read it, and what I say probably sounds a bit pathetic. I think I'll just steal this: "A powerful, spell-binding story of a child who is not a child, and a man who must become less of a father and more than man.." - B...more
A racy read and a much awaited one at that. I could not get this book in India or in any of the Indian online bookstores. Finally got a second hand copy from Amazon. Though not disappointed, the book was not a revelation either. I feel that the portrait of the evil child was ill developed. The writer could also have mulled a little more on the feelings of the other protagonists. It appears that the author was content with just skimming over the top, with events taking place one after another at...more
The Omen / 0-451-21942-2
I thought the concept behind "The Omen" was quite frightening, in a subtle claustrophobic manner - there's something deeply scary about a changeling child destroying a family from within, and all the photographic death foreshadowing, and the ancillary "the staff is in the employ of Satan" aspects all serve to create a dizzying tailspin as the senator and his wife are almost inexorably destroyed.
In that respect, there is nothing terribly wrong with this novel - all the de...more
I thought the concept behind "The Omen" was quite frightening, in a subtle claustrophobic manner - there's something deeply scary about a changeling child destroying a family from within, and all the photographic death foreshadowing, and the ancillary "the staff is in the employ of Satan" aspects all serve to create a dizzying tailspin as the senator and his wife are almost inexorably destroyed.
In that respect, there is nothing terribly wrong with this novel - all the de...more
The Omen, by David Seltzer, was written after the film was produced. It focuses, of course, on the birth of a young boy to a successful diplomatic family who have immeasurable influence on the world. I would be surprised if you didn't know the plot already but just in case: Ambassador Robert Thorne and his wife Kathy have a child, Damien, who - at the age of 5 - begins to change. People start dying and weird warnings erupt from all sides. Robert begins suspicious and slowly begins to believe tha...more
This novel is the story of a couple, desperately in need of a kid, but everytime something or the other thing went wrong leaving them without the happiness of child. One fine day, 6 June at 6 O’clock Kathy gave birth to a child that was brutally murdered by the worshippers of Satan. And playing a dirty trick, the child born of Jackal was replaced (not exactly replaced but given to the husband, Mr. Thorn) with the one born of Mrs. Thorn. The child was the incarnation of Devil, and on the fourth b...more
Jan 31, 2008
Jantu rahim
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mithu
Recommended to Jantu by:
amit
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 16, 2013
Shane
added it
Look out!!! A seemingly sweet boy is actually the anti-Christ and is going to take over the world! I think this series single-handedly made folks look at the number "666" in a different way, or draw attention to said number.
Regardlest, this is a good example of the 'evil and/or possessed children' genre that was so popular once upon a time - ala "The Exorcist" and "Carrie" - and if one's into that sort of thing then this book is one of those.
Regardlest, this is a good example of the 'evil and/or possessed children' genre that was so popular once upon a time - ala "The Exorcist" and "Carrie" - and if one's into that sort of thing then this book is one of those.
Cristian supernatural genre series written by different authors, but feels as uninterrupted flow of the same story. Book one.
Serious horror novel, disturbing but interesting enough for repeated reading - if you are out of new good books for a moment.
Apart from other books in this series and "Rosemary's Baby", can you recommend similar by level and intensity books, with not much detailed blood- (and other body fluids) shed?
Serious horror novel, disturbing but interesting enough for repeated reading - if you are out of new good books for a moment.
Apart from other books in this series and "Rosemary's Baby", can you recommend similar by level and intensity books, with not much detailed blood- (and other body fluids) shed?
I loved this book. I had seen the movie first, but the book still held a sense of wonder in its storytelling. The only reason I give it a 'three' is because it did not stick to eschatological facts. In fact, it actually blatantly disregarded some things mentioned in the Scriptures. This is probably because Seltzer only read Revelation as opposed to researching throughout the Bible for Antichrist trivia.
I have never read horror fiction before but I burned through this pretty quickly. I found this book riveting and entertaining - even a little disturbing. Such to the point where I had trouble putting it down! It has definitely inspired me to watch the movie, which I hear is a classic for horror fans. So if that is your bag then I recommend it for a quick read. It definitely held my attention to the last page.
This wasn't a terrible book, there were some good moments while I was reading, but the writing style was sparse, and for the subject, this book simply did not have the thrills and chills that one would usually expect. It would have been better if this book was more descriptive and horrifying. I actually saw the movie first, and I have to say, the movie was better than the book, which is rare.
The Omen by David seltzer is a spine chilling novel. This book is much better than the famous movie based on it and is one of the best horror stories. The book features a little seemingly harmless boy named damien who is actually the spawn of Satan. This book is the ultimate horror novel and is recommended for anybody who wants a good scare.I recommend it for anyone who is 13 or above.
This was an alright read, creepy to an extent. Though I did not feel the real creepiness that was derived from the movies. There were several pieces that would remain with me, such as the description of the discovery of the jackal's crypt, the shaving of the child's head, the failure of Damien murder, and the slight at the end that the world was not safe from peril.
Seltzer provides a classic in the demonic subgenre of horror. It is clearly and concisely written, yet very detailed and rich. It also plays upon the "trust no one" philosophy of the 1970s (politics, religious institutions, etc.) In my opinion, it only rivals The Exorcist within the demonic subgenre. I highly recommend The Omen to all horror fans.
Read this of course after I saw the original film. Actually I saw the film "Damien Omen II" first then saw the original Omen.
David Seltzer took a very simple event from the bible and turned it into a very original story.
Interesting footnote...
David Seltzler wrote the screenplay for Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
David Seltzer took a very simple event from the bible and turned it into a very original story.
Interesting footnote...
David Seltzler wrote the screenplay for Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
The first horror genre I read, must have been in school. In-spite of the fact that I read it as a kid and might not have grasped the finer nuances of this book. I remember the chilling atmosphere throughout the book, the return of the Anti-Christ in the form of Damien and how the Devil goes about fulfilling Biblical prophesies through an elaborate set up of evil acts to support the venture. Great avant-garde pulp horror. Stephen King with class!
I hard a really hard time reading this book. While I initially thought the idea of a demonic child was interesting, it became harder and harder for me to believe that this wasn't a child. Needless to say, the ending was hard on me. I couldn't help but cuddle my daughter for extra long afterward.
This book too I read a long time back. I saw the film too.
Reading the book was a much greater experience than the film, Gregory Peck notwithstanding.
A must read for all those who believe in the existence of Devil and its ability to take an avatar in human form.
Reading the book was a much greater experience than the film, Gregory Peck notwithstanding.
A must read for all those who believe in the existence of Devil and its ability to take an avatar in human form.
it is a story of how the sun of the devil is gonna land on earth and how he will collect the people around him to convents them about him self .... it is very related to some masonic thoughts and believes so imagine the the horror
Saw the two movies before I read the book and like most books turned to movies, the book was better. great story that get's into Robert Thorn's internal struggles while maintaining a cool outward appearance. Definitely worth the read!
Good book! I was the movie first so I knew what to expect, but I would still consider it quite the thriller. It´s so spooky and sinister, at times you even get goosebumps. Well, I´ve even started to read Part II of the story!
Overall I have to say, I like it. The prose is simple, and though I found out that it was written at the same time as the movie, it motivated me to read it since I've never actually seen the movie. Looking at reviews, I feel like I would recommend this if you haven't seen the movie because it's easy to read and is paced more like a script than a book. I wish the author would have been more descriptive, though I feel that the author captures the rush of adrenaline one gets when there's something...more
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Jan 03, 2013 11:12pm
Feb 11, 2013 02:34pm