book data
322 ratings,
3.71
average rating, 60 reviews
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published
June 28th 2005
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1954)
details
Paperback, 256 pages
isbn
0060795484
(isbn13: 9780060795481)
description
Now reissued – William March's 1954 classic thriller that's as chilling, intelligent and timely as ever before. This paperback reissue includes a new
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| The Bad Seed by William March | 3 | 34 | Oct 30, 2009 10:59AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 523)
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5 stars (64)
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4 stars (127)
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3 stars (109)
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2 stars (18)
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1 star (4)
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avg 3.71
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in April, 2007
This was the basis for one of my all-time favourite movies, a delirious and delicious camp classic. The novel differs quite a bit from the film – especially the ending. While the film concentrates on the evil and murderous little girl and her mother, the book goes into considerable detail about the mother’s own childhood and her own mother, and the true significance of the title becomes much plainer. Both movie and novel are wonderful examples of 1950s American paranoia, but this is not p...more
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Read in January, 1999
A breathless read. My fairy tales professor had a still shot from the movie, in which we see the girl's face as her mother hugs her: the smile on her face is just as frightening as, if not more than, the cover of this book. That little actress was a genius (or a monster).
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Read in January, 2002
As a 6th-grader I was placed in a class for "advanced" readers - we had a whole section of books to choose from to read, and I noticed that one book always seemed to be checked out: THE BAD SEED, by William March. Naturally my curiosity was tickled, and finally I got my hands on the book to find out what the fuss was about.
The result was my introduction to what is still one of my all-time favorite novels, one I've re-read about every five years or so since that first readi...more
The result was my introduction to what is still one of my all-time favorite novels, one I've re-read about every five years or so since that first readi...more
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Read in September, 2009
Young Mom Christine Penmark knows something isn't quite right with her eight year old daughter, Rhoda. Rhoda seems too perfect: too poised, too polite, too independent. While Christine's husband is working overseas, it becomes more and more clear that something is very wrong with Rhoda.
On a school picnic, a young boy drowns; and Rhoda was spotted near the spot where his body is found. Christine starts to wonder if Rhoda had anything to do with it. Then there's the old woman in the pl...more
On a school picnic, a young boy drowns; and Rhoda was spotted near the spot where his body is found. Christine starts to wonder if Rhoda had anything to do with it. Then there's the old woman in the pl...more
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Read in December, 2008
The Bad Seed is one of my all-time favorite films so, of course, I wanted to read the novel it was based on. William March’s The Bad Seed truly teaches readers not to judge a book by its cover and is even darker than the film adaptation. On the surface, the main character, Rhoda Penmark appears to be a polite, conservative eight-year old girl, but her mother soon realizes that her daughter is capable of horrible things. When Rhoda does not receive the Fern School’s annual Penmanship medal, s...more
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Potentially disturbing subject matter, but a decent read. What I find most interesting is that the author was able to illustrate antisocial personality disorder so well before the term was even coined. I enjoyed this book because it didn't make me have to think too much and I wanted a "light" read in between the classics.
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Read in November, 2009
This book was a really quick read which didn't make me think that much, because the author mostly spells it out for you. I found it interesting from a psychological point of view-- the idea that serial killers lack a certain something in them which doesn't allow for sympathy, and that this "something" could be inherited.
True to horror-movie style, this book left me with an odd, unsettling feeling. Though I know the serial killer case files in the book were made up, I'm sur...more
True to horror-movie style, this book left me with an odd, unsettling feeling. Though I know the serial killer case files in the book were made up, I'm sur...more
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Read in March, 2010
This book is disturbing and fascinating at the same time. The idea of a child serial killer who knows no difference between right and wrong sent chills down my spine as I read it. What was even more intriguing was reading about the mother's struggle once she learns about what her daughter is really like. The ending was frustrating because you could see the result coming and then your mind begins to think of all the evil things that are to come, almost like there should be a sequel. Sadly, Wi...more
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Read in January, 2004
recommended to Noran by:
my father, via the movierecommends it for: adults only
when i was growing up, my father referred to my older sister sister, as "the bad seed"--she was 10 years older than me. i did not understand the reference, until i was sat in front of the television one day, with father, and watch the movie, based on this novel. now, my sister did not kill anyone, but she did have many of the same mannerisms, and still does--to get her way. i went through a phase, where i read the books that my favorite classic films were based on. this book takes ...more
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Read in October, 2009
The Bad Seed was written in the 1950's and was considered to be a very "different" kind of book. It deals with issues of nature vs. nurture and was criticized for its stance on the nature side of the issue. If you just accept this premise (it's a work of fiction), the book will be much more enjoyable.
The ensemble of characters work well together & are all creepy in their own ways. The plot rules this book, so be prepared to not care about them so much. The reader gets t...more
The ensemble of characters work well together & are all creepy in their own ways. The plot rules this book, so be prepared to not care about them so much. The reader gets t...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
friends of Freud
I found a copy of this at Goodwill and I read most of it in a scalding bath at my mom's house. They really keep the water heater cranked at the old ancestral home. The TV is always warm to the touch, too, but this book was good enough to distract me from even the E! network.
And now I am ready to re-watch the movie. Maybe a double feature with Mommie Dearest? Any takers?
And now I am ready to re-watch the movie. Maybe a double feature with Mommie Dearest? Any takers?
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bookshelves:
books-i-own,
books-i-want-to-reread,
books-made-into-movies,
culture-social-commentary,
drama-the-opposite-of-comedy,
fiction,
girl-woman-feminine-tales,
horror,
modern-classics,
mystery-suspense,
the-fam-connection
Read in September, 1996
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Read in February, 2008
Besides looking like the movie actress (the old version, not the new), the doll on this book's cover looks very like a Kirsten American Girl. How scary.
It was fun to finally read this, and really it was quite remarkable how faithful the movie was to much of the book--with some key differences (the ending, for instance). Hard to assess the book on its own merits with the movie so embedded in my early memory.
March's depiction of Christine's depression felt true, his descr...more
It was fun to finally read this, and really it was quite remarkable how faithful the movie was to much of the book--with some key differences (the ending, for instance). Hard to assess the book on its own merits with the movie so embedded in my early memory.
March's depiction of Christine's depression felt true, his descr...more
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Read in June, 2009
This was campy retro fun, despite the lurid subject matter. The creepiness seemed tongue-in-cheek to me, although I'm not sure that's what the author intended (for instance, the repressed memory theme struck me as hilarious). I also loved the character of Leroy. Can't wait to see the movie.
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Read in January, 1986
ohh this book gave me the chills when i was a kid. The idea a child of my own age could be like this was totally gripping. The end in particular had me totally wide eyed with horror!
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I saw the movie a few times in my youth and while the book is good, the movie still holds its place in my head (if I had said heart, my friends may have worried).
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Read in November, 2009
I've never seen the movie but I knew the basic premise. I thought the book was fun. In fact, the premise was more believable than I expected.
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Read in February, 2010
Loved this book! The writing reminded me of The Awakening mostly because it's a look into troubles amongst wealthy people and families in "olden times." The Bad Seed is about a young girl who appears perfect, but is instead a serial killer. It's a quick read and very enjoyable.
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Read in October, 2009
This looks good and hopefully won't keep me up at night.
Finished, a fairly quick read. Lots of fun in a creepy 1950's way.
Finished, a fairly quick read. Lots of fun in a creepy 1950's way.
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