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141st out of 805 books
—
2,375 voters
The Howling (The Howling #1)
When middle-class Karyn Beatty is attacked and raped in her Los Angeles home, she suffers a miscarriage and a nervous breakdown. She and her husband, Roy, leave the city and go to stay in the secluded Californian mountain village of Drago whilst Karyn recuperates. Although the town offers Karyn a quiet lifestyle and the locals are friendly, Karyn is disturbed when she cont...more
Mass Market Paperback, 215 pages
Published
June 12th 1986
by Fawcett
(first published January 1st 1978)
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***SPOILERS***
THE HOWLING is an antiquated werewolf novel, but it also is one of the mainstays of werewolf storytelling. Overall, this book was a fast-paced, gripping story of how the werewolf came into existence (according to Brander). That part was interesting. What wasn't interesting was the way the characters developed. Roy, the main male character, is characterized as a hardworking, loving, and loyal husband. Until, that is, his wife is raped. Then he turns into an asshole. I think if my wi...more
THE HOWLING is an antiquated werewolf novel, but it also is one of the mainstays of werewolf storytelling. Overall, this book was a fast-paced, gripping story of how the werewolf came into existence (according to Brander). That part was interesting. What wasn't interesting was the way the characters developed. Roy, the main male character, is characterized as a hardworking, loving, and loyal husband. Until, that is, his wife is raped. Then he turns into an asshole. I think if my wi...more
The Howling,
Gary Brandner's werewolf tale manages to create enough suspense to keep the pages turning, The setting is eerie, the werewolf's have enough bite to be interesting, but the characters are a bit flawed and tend to act outside their stereotype.
Karyn Beaty is a perfect example of an author losing focus of character trends. Karyn is a recent rape victim, emotionally and physically scarred, yet she is still willing to take chance's uncharacteristic of a person recovering from such a traum...more
Gary Brandner's werewolf tale manages to create enough suspense to keep the pages turning, The setting is eerie, the werewolf's have enough bite to be interesting, but the characters are a bit flawed and tend to act outside their stereotype.
Karyn Beaty is a perfect example of an author losing focus of character trends. Karyn is a recent rape victim, emotionally and physically scarred, yet she is still willing to take chance's uncharacteristic of a person recovering from such a traum...more
The movie is one of my all-time favorites, a very intelligent old horror movie with a great cast and great cinematography. I had to read the book. Apparently it's been out of print for a number of years, so I got a copy from Amazon.com, and the day it came, I read the thing from cover to cover. Couldn't put it down. The thing is, it's VERY different from the movie. It's less quirky and the themes are much less complicated. It's a pretty straight-forward story, written in a very straight-forward...more
I'm on a werewolf kick at the moment
so reading the Howling was a bit of a no brainer
I'd never read it, it was easy to get so....
I really liked the idea, a young couple recovering (badly) from trauma move into a bucolic town where either the young wife is going slowly mad or there are wolves in them there wood
however the book felt stulted, I didn't like the characters (nor could understand why Karyn had to be spelt with a Y, it was enough to put me right off her) and the initial description of he...more
so reading the Howling was a bit of a no brainer
I'd never read it, it was easy to get so....
I really liked the idea, a young couple recovering (badly) from trauma move into a bucolic town where either the young wife is going slowly mad or there are wolves in them there wood
however the book felt stulted, I didn't like the characters (nor could understand why Karyn had to be spelt with a Y, it was enough to put me right off her) and the initial description of he...more
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First published back in 1977 in paperback (the first hardback release of the novel wasn’t until 1986) US horror author Gary Brandner’s cult classic pulp werewolf novel ‘The Howling’ was the authors first tentative endeavour into the horror genre for which he later became widely known for. The book has seen a number of re-releases over the following years both in the US and the UK.
More recently the book has been re-released by MHB Press in October 2010 in three different limited edition formats:
C...more
More recently the book has been re-released by MHB Press in October 2010 in three different limited edition formats:
C...more
After living with the film version for so many years, I finally found a copy of the original novel for my kindle. It's strange looking back more than 30 years to see how a thing started. It's a good book and a solid horror story, yet I had a hard time relating to this version of Karyn Beatty because she seemed so helpless (and at times seemed unwilling or unaware how to help herself) and constantly looked for her husband or another "big strong man" to take care of her. I'm choosing to accept thi...more
The first novel in The Howling trilogy was published in 1977 and is considered by many to be an important part of the modern werewolf body of work. It's a quick read and by today's standards, fairly tame. The main characters, Karyn and her husband Roy decide to lease a house in a secluded mountain village of California after Karyn was raped in the first chapter of the book. You can probably guess most of the plot and nothing is particularly noteworthy but it was still fun to see it unfold. Both...more
While this lean and mean werewolf novel doesn't offer much in the way of new material in the pantheon of werewolf literature, it doesn't need to. Fans of the classic horror film (of which I am) will note the differences in the film and book, but the story still works, in my opinion. Young couple, Roy and Karyn Beatty, decide to temporarily move to the quiet and somewhat quaint California countryside town of Drago, after Karyn falls victim to rape. Once there, Karyn notices some odd things about...more
Karyn Beatty is attacked and raped in her condo by Max Quist, a gardener for the complex. Suffering a miscarriage and a breakdown, her husband Roy finds them a quiet house in the town of Drago, in the secluded California mountains, for her to recuperate. Life’s a lot slower there and, as Karyn gets better, she begins to hear the howling. A real blast-from-the-past, this was published in 1978 but still holds up for the most part today (though the opening rape scene is nasty). The characters are n...more
How did I forget that I read this book back in the late 70s? When I saw the title in a book that I was reading the other day, it jarred my memory and I thought, damn, that was a really good book! Unfortunately, I no longer have the book but I found it for under $5 for my Kindle (yay!). Now I'll reread it to see if it's as good as I remember. When the film had come out and I couldn't wait to see, I was a bit disappointed because it was way different than the book. Oh well.
Reread 2012
Having just f...more
Reread 2012
Having just f...more
I actually snuck took this book to girl scout camp when I was 9. I found it to be far more interesting than the other things people kept shoving at me to read. I loved to read, so I read whatever drivel people gave me (Nancy Drew for instance was not my cup of tea, though I did like the Hardy Boys). Sneaking Taking this book to camp was a dramatic shift in my reading life. It had drama, horror, non-Human creatures.. I had always liked Vampires and Werewolves in film (whenever I was able to catch...more
I really did enjoy this book. It was hard to rate this one because I didn't like the ending so much. It was how quickly it ended, it seemed rushed. The climax in the last chapter was great, but it stopped abruptly in my opinion. I've always been a fan of the original movie, and I did like some of the sequels and it was not til recently that I found out that they were based on books. I had to get the trilogy immediately and as usual, more dazzled by the book, lol.
As mentioned, the story was good,...more
As mentioned, the story was good,...more
Another one of those books that I managed to miss reading during my "every horror book I can get my hands on" phase.
I thought this was definitely a well-paced thriller, although it was definitely predictable at times. I remember seeing the movie back when it came out, but it's been so long ago, it really didn't have any impact on my reading of the book. I would have liked to have seen some more tragedy affect the main characters themselves, but hey, that's what sequels are for. :)
Overall, it's...more
I thought this was definitely a well-paced thriller, although it was definitely predictable at times. I remember seeing the movie back when it came out, but it's been so long ago, it really didn't have any impact on my reading of the book. I would have liked to have seen some more tragedy affect the main characters themselves, but hey, that's what sequels are for. :)
Overall, it's...more
The Howling was a very entertaining read. This book was a great introduction to the series and the end of the book leaves you wanting more. There are yet so many questions to be answered, and I will be turning to the second book in the series soon.
The Howling was turned into a movie in the early 80's. I remember watching the movie when I was a kid and it scared the crap out of me. For some reason, werewolves freak me out. While browsing on a used online bookstore, I came across this book and ha...more
The Howling was turned into a movie in the early 80's. I remember watching the movie when I was a kid and it scared the crap out of me. For some reason, werewolves freak me out. While browsing on a used online bookstore, I came across this book and ha...more
I read this novel before I saw the film and there really is no comparison. I was so disappointed by the movie because I was expecting it to be like the book, but they're nothing alike. It's like they took the werewolf concept, the name of the main character and that's it. But this isn't a review of the movie.
After an intruder breaks into her home and rapes her, Kayrn Beatty and her husband, Roy, decide to move to the rural community of Drago. But Karyn is unable to relax when she hears howling e...more
After an intruder breaks into her home and rapes her, Kayrn Beatty and her husband, Roy, decide to move to the rural community of Drago. But Karyn is unable to relax when she hears howling e...more
Classic old school werewolf story. I have to say it is MUCH easier for the baddies to get to you when live in the mountains and your only means of communication is a phone at the local mom and pop grocery store in town and you don't even know how to drive. What young adult person didn't know how to drive in the 70's? Lots of stereotypes from the time period. The hero even drives a suped up Camero. They don't mention the gold chains and the half open silk shirt but if you grew up in the 70's you...more
Being a werewolf nut, and loving this movie, I had to read the book. It was written very well, but had too many moments that felt weak to be rated a 5-star. Still, very good version of the story written by a very talented author. Worth the read
I realize it's thirty years old and that sensibilities have changed quite a great deal in the intervening time, but my God, what a dreadful book. It's hard to believe that such an excellent movie was even vaguely inspired by it.
I never could make it through the movie, "The Howling." Having no ties to the film(s), I could enjoy the novel for itself. However, I had a huge problem with the husband pressuring his newly-raped wife for sex. Ugh!
Being a big fan of the film, I bought a well-worn paperback of this book some years ago. Brandner writes fast-paced action, well-drawn characters and chilling moments of terror. A well-done, classic style horror novel.
First published in 1977. I was in 7th grade and a friend of mine Pam Dzurof lend me the book. Oh, the horror and the sex.... It was a really good re-read and funny because of how much I remembered (no not the sex).
I read this because I really, really wanted to read a good werewolf story. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but at least it was about werewolves.
I read this book, must be 31 years ago, in my teen years. Served as a good horror novel and pretty good soft porn which for any teen guy is a must.
This is one of the few books that really gave me chills down my back. This book is amazing. This is one of the best books that I have ever read!
I was the little girl who, when she was 12, went to Girl Scout camp and took this book with her.
I suppose it's impossible not to compare this to the film it spawned and while the latter might have its flaws its take on how werewolves and New Age psychology really don’t mix make it a personal favourite. It's unfortunate, therefore, that the book that inspired it really doesn’t hold up well. It has few thrills and fewer scares; the only thing it really has going for it is its brevity.
I think this was the first horror novel I read in late elementary school. LOVED IT!
iled the book but to me the movie is better
i did not win this book from good reads
i did not win this book from good reads
I can't remember whether I read this before or after seeing the movie, but they are two completely different creatures. The book was much better, with it being slightly more believable, although it still was a bit trashy. Still, it's a classic horror story, and I had to read it. I will not, however, watch or read every sequel (you have to stop somewhere, and it's going to be long before "Howling III: The Marsupials" (or even "Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf"--yes, these are titles of actua...more
Fairly short, and generic, but entertaining nonetheless.
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