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Audrey Rose #1
Audrey Rose
Suppose a stranger told you your daughter was his daughter in another life? Suppose you began to believe him? Suppose it was true?
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
156 people are currently reading
8921 people want to read
About the author
Frank De Felitta
27 books93 followersFrank's latest book, "L'Opera Italiano," is now available as an ebook on Amazon.com and BN.com.
Best known for Audrey Rose and The Entity, De Felitta has also made a name for himself in the theatrical world as a producer, writer, and director.
De Felitta also briefly experimented with song writing, with one of his songs appearing in his son Raymond De Felitta's film "Two Family House".
Best known for Audrey Rose and The Entity, De Felitta has also made a name for himself in the theatrical world as a producer, writer, and director.
De Felitta also briefly experimented with song writing, with one of his songs appearing in his son Raymond De Felitta's film "Two Family House".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
April 25, 2021
Iconic classic from the 70s (1975 to be precise) also made into a movie. Is the soul of Audrey Rose (died in a terrible car accident together with her mother) really reincarnated in Ivy Templeton? Audrey's father tracked Ivy down and follows the Templeton family until it comes to a confrontation. We see some eerie scenes with Ivy haunted by never ending nightmares (other girls dreams). When Mr Hoover (Audrey Rose's father) kidnaps Ivy we enter a lengthy trial episode (nearly half the book) where the lawyers make their points. The characters are absolutely first class. It's rather a philosophical and psychological novel: is reincarnation possible and what about Jung's archetypes? What about religion (great chapter on the crowning of the snowman!)? In my opinion the main character was Janice and to what conclusion she finally stated in court. The novel is about prejudices, the fascination of India, the possibility of reincarnation and psychological topics with a shot of horror. Really worth it but at parts a bit tedious. A real classic though and therefore highly recommended!
September 3, 2017
Back in the late 70's I guess, maybe the early 80's, I read this book and I loved it. I was very excited when I saw that Valancourt Books was bringing it back into print, but had trouble working it into my reading schedule. When I was offered a chance to review the audiobook, I jumped at it and I'm glad I did.
It turns out that I had forgotten a lot of this story. Not only that-I think a lot of its social commentary went over my head because I was only a young teen at the time and didn't know half the things I thought I did.
Janice and Bill Templeton have a young daughter, Ivy, who has bouts of severe nightmares. Asleep, she runs about in a panic, yelling for her parents and screaming "Hot, hot, hot." The first time the nightmares occurred, a psychiatrist seemed to help the situation. This time around nothing seems to help.
Meanwhile, a strange man is spotted recently hanging around Ivy's school and standing nearby the beautiful apartment building where the Templetons live. How is this man related to Ivy and her nightmares? You'll have to read this to find out!
This story takes place in the 70's with all that that entails. Scientology and other cults are becoming popular. Hypnotism and psychology fascinate the general public. Casual sex, (before AIDS), is becoming a thing and the social fabric of life in the US is changing. Bill and Janice Templeton seem to want to change with the times, (they get sex manuals and try to keep things fresh, for instance), but in other respects, Bill especially is set in his ways. His world view is not flexible and anything that challenges it cannot be tolerated. If only for a slightly more adaptable point of view, much of what happened later might have been prevented.
Audrey Rose held up for me, after all these years. There was much I didn't remember so it seemed almost like an entirely new story. Some of it is dated, of course, (remember looking for a working payphone?), but its observations of human behavior are still spot on and sharp. This isn't a perfect story and perhaps the courtroom drama could have been trimmed a bit, but I never lost interest.
The narration by Matt Godfrey was also spot on and helped to cement some scenes clearly in my mind. "Mommy, daddy, hot, hot, hot..." gave me a serious case of the creeps every time I heard it.
I'm glad this story from the golden time of horror held up and maybe even exceeded my vague memory of it. This tale supports the idea that you should always appreciate fully what you have, but you should also keep an open mind. Don't be so stubborn that you allow no room for the unexplained. You may avoid a lot of heartache and tragedy if you can do that-just ask Bill Templeton.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of 70's and 80's horror!
You can buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Audrey-Rose/dp...
*I received a free review copy of this audio in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
It turns out that I had forgotten a lot of this story. Not only that-I think a lot of its social commentary went over my head because I was only a young teen at the time and didn't know half the things I thought I did.
Janice and Bill Templeton have a young daughter, Ivy, who has bouts of severe nightmares. Asleep, she runs about in a panic, yelling for her parents and screaming "Hot, hot, hot." The first time the nightmares occurred, a psychiatrist seemed to help the situation. This time around nothing seems to help.
Meanwhile, a strange man is spotted recently hanging around Ivy's school and standing nearby the beautiful apartment building where the Templetons live. How is this man related to Ivy and her nightmares? You'll have to read this to find out!
This story takes place in the 70's with all that that entails. Scientology and other cults are becoming popular. Hypnotism and psychology fascinate the general public. Casual sex, (before AIDS), is becoming a thing and the social fabric of life in the US is changing. Bill and Janice Templeton seem to want to change with the times, (they get sex manuals and try to keep things fresh, for instance), but in other respects, Bill especially is set in his ways. His world view is not flexible and anything that challenges it cannot be tolerated. If only for a slightly more adaptable point of view, much of what happened later might have been prevented.
Audrey Rose held up for me, after all these years. There was much I didn't remember so it seemed almost like an entirely new story. Some of it is dated, of course, (remember looking for a working payphone?), but its observations of human behavior are still spot on and sharp. This isn't a perfect story and perhaps the courtroom drama could have been trimmed a bit, but I never lost interest.
The narration by Matt Godfrey was also spot on and helped to cement some scenes clearly in my mind. "Mommy, daddy, hot, hot, hot..." gave me a serious case of the creeps every time I heard it.
I'm glad this story from the golden time of horror held up and maybe even exceeded my vague memory of it. This tale supports the idea that you should always appreciate fully what you have, but you should also keep an open mind. Don't be so stubborn that you allow no room for the unexplained. You may avoid a lot of heartache and tragedy if you can do that-just ask Bill Templeton.
Highly recommended, especially for fans of 70's and 80's horror!
You can buy your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Audrey-Rose/dp...
*I received a free review copy of this audio in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
August 28, 2019
4.5 Stars.
Well.Well.Well.Wow.Wow.Wow. What do I say.......
...Totally absorbing read....from beginning to end.
...Disturbing....Audrey Rose and the mysterious man.
...Unsettling....tragedy and finale.
...Creepy....each nightmare.
I love classic horror, well really paranormal in this case, and in this 1975 work by Frank De Felitta, AUDREY ROSE a first time read and nice surprise.
Something happened in 1967....something bad that causes one desperate man to seek answers from the beyond to give peace to his 5 year old daughter's tormented soul while leaving parents of a sweet 10 year old desperate to save their daughter's life.
AUDREY ROSE is something special. Great story and Great writing....even if you don't believe in reincarnation (no spoiler here)....even if a tiny bit dated. You'll find an abduction that results in a jury trial with plenty of courtroom drama and a narrative that, in part, will break your heart and make your blood run cold..........
"Mommydaddymommydaddyhothothotmommydaddymommydaddy."
Some books you read and forget, but not this one....at least for me.me.me.
June 7, 2023
With all the changes and departures from the artists’ original concepts, the one thing no tenant could ever alter was the inherent charm and grandeur of the building. Like the superb restaurant off the main lobby, the original atmosphere remained intact.
Audrey Rose
by Frank De Felitta
I didn't join the fans of this one. Another reviewer said it best. It is not a horror novel. It is more a drama with many a super natural overtone.
This book was so morose. For those of you who do not know of this book which is, to many, a horror classic, it is the story of a man who becomes convinced that his dead daughter has become alive again in the form of another family's baby.
I did not hate this but I sure did not like it. It contains not one moment of light. The whole thing is torture as the family battles the guy and you do not know what is going to happen to the kid. Or I should say baby. Not much fun. There is a huge court battle, attempts to prove Ivy and Audrey Rose are one in the same. It was quite gloomy and draggy and to this day, I am baffled as to why it is considered such a classic.
If you want to really depress yourself..read this book. Oh..movie's not much better.
Audrey Rose
by Frank De Felitta
I didn't join the fans of this one. Another reviewer said it best. It is not a horror novel. It is more a drama with many a super natural overtone.
This book was so morose. For those of you who do not know of this book which is, to many, a horror classic, it is the story of a man who becomes convinced that his dead daughter has become alive again in the form of another family's baby.
I did not hate this but I sure did not like it. It contains not one moment of light. The whole thing is torture as the family battles the guy and you do not know what is going to happen to the kid. Or I should say baby. Not much fun. There is a huge court battle, attempts to prove Ivy and Audrey Rose are one in the same. It was quite gloomy and draggy and to this day, I am baffled as to why it is considered such a classic.
If you want to really depress yourself..read this book. Oh..movie's not much better.
January 5, 2018
Courtesy of Valancourt Books & Audiobookboom, thanks!
I have vague memories of being afraid of this movie when I was a kid and that was all I remembered so when the chance came around to listen to the audio I grabbed it. I’m terribly impulsive like that.
The Templeton’s have a lovely home in Manhattan, a beautiful young daughter and an all-around perfect life. You know that’s all blessedly coming to crashing halt right now, don’t you? One day a strange man starts lurking about, sending gifts and doing other strange stalkery things. Who is this weirdo and why is he tarnishing their perfect world with his pestering? He eventually reveals that their beautiful daughter Ivy is the reincarnation of his deceased little girl Audrey Rose and he wants to be a part of her life!
Oh no.
That’s scary stuff for any parent, even these two. I say that because in one of the most disturbing scenes for me, they both ignored the fact that their adult neighbor/friend looked at Ivy’s blossoming bosom and made a lewd comment (she’s 10 or 11, btw) and then they all continued on with their festivities. Are you kidding me? I’d like to think that things weren’t that different in the 70’s. That pedo should’ve been stabbed in the manparts and unwelcomed forever. This didn’t give me hope for the well-being of poor Ivy.
Moving along . . . the stalker-man thinks it a wise idea to kidnap dear Ivy who is suffering from terrible night terrors and a courtroom drama consumes the plot for way too long. This is where the book pretty much lost me. No fault to the book but courtroom dramas are one of my least favorite things in the world. Seeing as I didn’t particularly care for any of the parents and the woo-woo wasn’t that interesting to me, I started to wish I were reading something else.
The only thing keeping me going, and I do not exaggerate here, was the narration by Matt Godfrey. I swear that man and Will Patton could read their grocery lists and I would be enraptured. Godfrey’s voice is comforting and calming to me and he does great work with all of the characters. I know for an almost fact that I would’ve DNF’d this book had I tried to read it in paperback/Kindle form because I have no tolerance for books that bore me and that’s what this one did.
If you want to revisit the 70’s with this book, make sure you grab the audiobook!
I’d give the story a 2 but the narration a 5 which averages out to a three (hey, my review, my math!).
I have vague memories of being afraid of this movie when I was a kid and that was all I remembered so when the chance came around to listen to the audio I grabbed it. I’m terribly impulsive like that.
The Templeton’s have a lovely home in Manhattan, a beautiful young daughter and an all-around perfect life. You know that’s all blessedly coming to crashing halt right now, don’t you? One day a strange man starts lurking about, sending gifts and doing other strange stalkery things. Who is this weirdo and why is he tarnishing their perfect world with his pestering? He eventually reveals that their beautiful daughter Ivy is the reincarnation of his deceased little girl Audrey Rose and he wants to be a part of her life!
Oh no.
That’s scary stuff for any parent, even these two. I say that because in one of the most disturbing scenes for me, they both ignored the fact that their adult neighbor/friend looked at Ivy’s blossoming bosom and made a lewd comment (she’s 10 or 11, btw) and then they all continued on with their festivities. Are you kidding me? I’d like to think that things weren’t that different in the 70’s. That pedo should’ve been stabbed in the manparts and unwelcomed forever. This didn’t give me hope for the well-being of poor Ivy.
Moving along . . . the stalker-man thinks it a wise idea to kidnap dear Ivy who is suffering from terrible night terrors and a courtroom drama consumes the plot for way too long. This is where the book pretty much lost me. No fault to the book but courtroom dramas are one of my least favorite things in the world. Seeing as I didn’t particularly care for any of the parents and the woo-woo wasn’t that interesting to me, I started to wish I were reading something else.
The only thing keeping me going, and I do not exaggerate here, was the narration by Matt Godfrey. I swear that man and Will Patton could read their grocery lists and I would be enraptured. Godfrey’s voice is comforting and calming to me and he does great work with all of the characters. I know for an almost fact that I would’ve DNF’d this book had I tried to read it in paperback/Kindle form because I have no tolerance for books that bore me and that’s what this one did.
If you want to revisit the 70’s with this book, make sure you grab the audiobook!
I’d give the story a 2 but the narration a 5 which averages out to a three (hey, my review, my math!).
November 24, 2012
Wow, where do I start? You saw the five stars. Let me add to that the fact that I spent all day today, Thanksgiving day, sitting on the couch reading while my daughter played with her dollhouse on the rug and my wife made preparations for our festivities tomorrow. It was a perfect day to read, and read I did. I tore through the last 275 pages of the 460-page book today. That's probably the most I've ever read in one day. It's also likely the most I've ever been gripped by a book. Ever.
Seriously, this is one of the best books I've ever read. I don't, for the record, believe in reincarnation. But I did in the book. Does that make sense? The author was able to suspend my disbelief so that while actively engaged in the story, I believed it. He presented the case in a superior and professional direction, which left little to doubt.
My sister read this book when she was a young girl, and has always spoken of it being a good book. My sister has read more books than I can ever dream to get my hands on. So the ones she says are really good, are at least worth adding to my TBR list. I finally got my hands on a copy of this one and read it in a little over two sittings.
The first hundred-and-change pages turned pretty easily. I was anxious to get back to it, of course, when I did finally have to put it down. But the last half of the book, wherein the bulk of it takes place in a courtroom, I absolutely could not stop reading. The way the author was able to cover all the bases - to think of everything, as it were - was striking and powerful. He really did convey a sense of knowledge about something none of us really knows anything about. Very effective.
The way the characters made heartfelt and believable decisions; the way the stress got the best of them and made them behave like real people; the way they were overcome by grief, exhaustion and fear to the point where they began to act out of character - questioning their beliefs and what they thought was best for their daughter... It was all done so masterfully well that I would present this book as one of the best ever written. Again, I'm a religious - or at least very spiritual man - and do not believe in reincarnation. It goes strictly against my beliefs. But I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a great read. Its premise is terrifying and fascinating; sickening and painful. And its inevitable end is haunting and disturbing while yet completely believable.
Yes. Go find a copy of this book and read it. Bravo, Mr. De Felitta. Five stars in all categories.
I think I am going to start adding a new section to the end of certain select book reports. It will be called HHIWHEI - Here's How I Would Have Ended It, if I think the end was weak or could have been better. Well this book didn't have a weak ending, but I think as an alternate, this one would have been even more terrifying. Check it out:
Seriously, this is one of the best books I've ever read. I don't, for the record, believe in reincarnation. But I did in the book. Does that make sense? The author was able to suspend my disbelief so that while actively engaged in the story, I believed it. He presented the case in a superior and professional direction, which left little to doubt.
My sister read this book when she was a young girl, and has always spoken of it being a good book. My sister has read more books than I can ever dream to get my hands on. So the ones she says are really good, are at least worth adding to my TBR list. I finally got my hands on a copy of this one and read it in a little over two sittings.
The first hundred-and-change pages turned pretty easily. I was anxious to get back to it, of course, when I did finally have to put it down. But the last half of the book, wherein the bulk of it takes place in a courtroom, I absolutely could not stop reading. The way the author was able to cover all the bases - to think of everything, as it were - was striking and powerful. He really did convey a sense of knowledge about something none of us really knows anything about. Very effective.
The way the characters made heartfelt and believable decisions; the way the stress got the best of them and made them behave like real people; the way they were overcome by grief, exhaustion and fear to the point where they began to act out of character - questioning their beliefs and what they thought was best for their daughter... It was all done so masterfully well that I would present this book as one of the best ever written. Again, I'm a religious - or at least very spiritual man - and do not believe in reincarnation. It goes strictly against my beliefs. But I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a great read. Its premise is terrifying and fascinating; sickening and painful. And its inevitable end is haunting and disturbing while yet completely believable.
Yes. Go find a copy of this book and read it. Bravo, Mr. De Felitta. Five stars in all categories.
I think I am going to start adding a new section to the end of certain select book reports. It will be called HHIWHEI - Here's How I Would Have Ended It, if I think the end was weak or could have been better. Well this book didn't have a weak ending, but I think as an alternate, this one would have been even more terrifying. Check it out:
March 19, 2021
First, this book, though widely touted as a HORROR novel, is not horror. I would definitely think some supernatural work is here, but not horror. I wonder if it is the time period in which the book was written...before sci-fi/fantasy and supernatural thrillers were the norm, so, Horror was the closest genre to what it was.
Second, it DRAGS. It repeats itself over and over. It could have been much shorter.
Third, the trial is worth reading, but you don't get that until the last 100 pages of the book. Everything before is the set up...an awful long set-up if you ask me.
Ok, so overall I didn't HATE the book, but, um, not really all that fun to read either. It is a supernatural crime drama -- or court drama. And the ending was, um, while not predictable, not really a surprise either. Audrey Rose needed to pass on -- she came back too soon, and so, Ivy must die. Sad, but -- even Ivy's mom came to understand.
(completely a side note...this is the 1000 book I have added to Goodreads :-)
Second, it DRAGS. It repeats itself over and over. It could have been much shorter.
Third, the trial is worth reading, but you don't get that until the last 100 pages of the book. Everything before is the set up...an awful long set-up if you ask me.
Ok, so overall I didn't HATE the book, but, um, not really all that fun to read either. It is a supernatural crime drama -- or court drama. And the ending was, um, while not predictable, not really a surprise either. Audrey Rose needed to pass on -- she came back too soon, and so, Ivy must die. Sad, but -- even Ivy's mom came to understand.
(completely a side note...this is the 1000 book I have added to Goodreads :-)
March 8, 2009
It's strange that so many of the reviewers here have said the same thing, but I -- too-- read this book when I was probably much too young to do so. I was 12, and I remember the book not scaring me, but definitely intriguing me.
I re-read it a few years ago and found that it was better as a memory.
Still, I have to give it five stars because of the impression it first left.
Just as a side note...I HATED the movie.
October 22, 2017
I wasn't a huge fan of this. The premise never really grabbed me but my love for seventies horror made me check it out anyway. It lacked the intensity of contemporaries like The Exorcist or Rosemary's Baby. The pacing is slow and the plot isn't very interesting.
I received a free copy from audiobookboom. The narration was top notch.
I received a free copy from audiobookboom. The narration was top notch.
February 11, 2022
Lang geleden gelezen en ik vond het een topboek!
February 24, 2022
I have never been more frustrated while reading a book. And that's saying a lot. I am not frustrated out of high expectations for this book; I bought it for 5 bucks at a used bookstore, fully aware of the fact that it was written by a white man in the 70s. I was hoping for the cheesy horror that the cover art and tagline promised. Instead, I was mired down with annoying characters that make dumb decisions, an offensive and boring plot, and an ending that makes me want to tear my hair out. Oh yeah, folks, we're going all-in on this one; I'm fucking pissed.
****SPOILERS AHEAD FOR AUDREY ROSE**** (although why do you care this book is so bad don't read it please)
Audrey Rose is the story of a 10-year-old girl named Ivy Templeton and her two parents, Bill and Janice. Over a month, Bill and Janice both notice a man following them and lurking around their school when they're picking up their daughter. This man is sus, 1. because he's always at drop-off even though he doesn't have a kid at the school, and 2. because he's wearing a fake mustache and sideburns, clearly meant to hide his identity. This man reveals himself to be Elliot Hoover and claims that Ivy is the reincarnation of his daughter Audrey Rose who died in a car crash. Ivy starts having horrible night terrors, Elliot moves into an apartment below them and then kidnaps her. There is then a trial for kidnapping that ends with the Janice agreeing that her daughter is the reincarnation of Audrey Rose (AR for short). There is a hypnosis session to prove that Ivy isn't the reincarnation of AR, the session kills Ivy; El Fin.
Let's start with the most egregious part of the book, Elliot Hoover. Putting aside (for now) the man is a total creepo who follows around and harasses an unsuspecting family, his entire character is so annoying. I think that we're supposed to be rooting for this man but I would never root for him because he is the most snobbish, insufferable, little sh*t I have ever had the misfortune of reading about. When he first approaches Janice and Bill, in their first meeting he asks for visitation rights. For what, I ask, for why? He has no claim to Ivy and doesn't even know that the soul of his daughter is trapped in purgatory; he just wants to creep on this 10-year-old. The author could have made his character more likable by having him know something is wrong with Ivy and then coming to help the family but the problems with Ivy appear when he shows up and the author doesn't do a good job of convincing the reader that Hoover isn't the cause of Ivy's distress. When he shows up her nightmares start and, at the beginning of the book, when she goes away from him the nightmares go away. Although Hoover tells Janice (and thus the reader) that him going away wouldn't stop AR's soul from being trapped; it seems his selfish presence kickstarted the problem in the first place. The author gives us absolutely no pet-the-dog moment with him, his attitude towards Bill and Janice is borderline offensive, and his idea that kidnapping this child was ok because she "needed his help" is so arrogant it's breathtaking. I hate men like this and I hate that basically, his whole plan was to insert himself in the unsuspecting family and destroy their dynamic. ALSO, he is the one at the end that pushes for the hypnosis session that ends up killing Ivy, he's supposed to be the expert on this stuff but at the end of the day, his insistence kills Ivy. I am unclear if the author wants us to root for this man cause he is horrible but he drives the plot and gets his way in the end (in a sense) I don't know if we're supposed to be wanting Janice to side with him but by the end, I was so frustrated with her for doing that I wanted to slap her.
Another problem with this book is its use of the Hindu religion and reincarnation. Now I am not an expert on Hinduism in any way shape or form but I don't think you have to be a genius to call out a racist old white man when you see one. I would have been fine with this story if maybe instead of being AR reincarnated, perhaps Ivy could have been possessed with her spirit, then we don't get any of this association of Hinduism being evil and tortuous. But the author directly references Hinduism and even has Hoover live in India for 7 years to learn about reincarnation, this isn’t ignorance this is explicit. There is this trend with horror to associate all the supernatural with people of color (the native American graveyard in Pet Symetary comes to mind) and this book is no exception. The inclusion of Indian culture and Hinduism also seems to be a response to current events that were happening when this book was written. The Children of Krishna make an appearance in the book and cause a commotion during a trial by repeatedly chanting Hare Krishna, something the real Children of Krishna did in America in the 70s. The whole thing feels so icky; like "look at this strange and exotic culture that's so different from ours, it must be evil!" The 70s was a time when a lot of people were traveling to India and other South Asian countries to "achieve enlightenment" (the Beatles went on one such retreat) and it was a time rampant with cultural appropriation. Not only does the book appropriate the culture (I don't trust a white man from the 70s to get anything right about any other culture that's not distinctly white, and western) it also demonizes the culture, making Hinduism the thing responsible for all of the characters ills. Thanks, I hate it.
Now those are the things I don't like because they are offensive to me as a modern woman, but even if these things didn't exist the book would just be boring. The beginning was actually very engaging, these mysterious dreams and this creepy man following the family, but the middle section was dry as hell. I think I've discovered that I don't like reading court scenes in books because these are just soooooo boring. This isn't a horror novel for a good chunk of it, the creepy moments where Ivy is being possessed by the soul of AR are sparse and far between and the court scenes are boring because you can guess that Hoover is going to come out on top at the end and that makes me angry because I don't want Hoover to win. The last 10 pages of the book are truly frightening but at that point, I was so done with this book I skimmed through them just to finish it. Also, there is an epilogue that includes a medical examiners report of Ivy and a letter from Janice to Hoover but I couldn't read any of that because the report was super small and the writing was in cursive and the letter was also hard to read cursive that I couldn't understand. So I have no idea what happens there but I get the gist that Janice doesn't blame Hoover for agreeing to the hypnosis session even though he should have known it was dangerous. And that makes me angry, this whole book makes me angry.
There is a lot of stuff that I didn't touch on (like the way that the author describes a 10-year-olds mouth as "sensuous" and mentions her boobs not once but twice) but this review is long enough and tbh no one is going to read this. I just needed to get all of this off my chest. If you're still reading this, thank you. F*ck the male gaze and f*ck men.
****SPOILERS AHEAD FOR AUDREY ROSE**** (although why do you care this book is so bad don't read it please)
Audrey Rose is the story of a 10-year-old girl named Ivy Templeton and her two parents, Bill and Janice. Over a month, Bill and Janice both notice a man following them and lurking around their school when they're picking up their daughter. This man is sus, 1. because he's always at drop-off even though he doesn't have a kid at the school, and 2. because he's wearing a fake mustache and sideburns, clearly meant to hide his identity. This man reveals himself to be Elliot Hoover and claims that Ivy is the reincarnation of his daughter Audrey Rose who died in a car crash. Ivy starts having horrible night terrors, Elliot moves into an apartment below them and then kidnaps her. There is then a trial for kidnapping that ends with the Janice agreeing that her daughter is the reincarnation of Audrey Rose (AR for short). There is a hypnosis session to prove that Ivy isn't the reincarnation of AR, the session kills Ivy; El Fin.
Let's start with the most egregious part of the book, Elliot Hoover. Putting aside (for now) the man is a total creepo who follows around and harasses an unsuspecting family, his entire character is so annoying. I think that we're supposed to be rooting for this man but I would never root for him because he is the most snobbish, insufferable, little sh*t I have ever had the misfortune of reading about. When he first approaches Janice and Bill, in their first meeting he asks for visitation rights. For what, I ask, for why? He has no claim to Ivy and doesn't even know that the soul of his daughter is trapped in purgatory; he just wants to creep on this 10-year-old. The author could have made his character more likable by having him know something is wrong with Ivy and then coming to help the family but the problems with Ivy appear when he shows up and the author doesn't do a good job of convincing the reader that Hoover isn't the cause of Ivy's distress. When he shows up her nightmares start and, at the beginning of the book, when she goes away from him the nightmares go away. Although Hoover tells Janice (and thus the reader) that him going away wouldn't stop AR's soul from being trapped; it seems his selfish presence kickstarted the problem in the first place. The author gives us absolutely no pet-the-dog moment with him, his attitude towards Bill and Janice is borderline offensive, and his idea that kidnapping this child was ok because she "needed his help" is so arrogant it's breathtaking. I hate men like this and I hate that basically, his whole plan was to insert himself in the unsuspecting family and destroy their dynamic. ALSO, he is the one at the end that pushes for the hypnosis session that ends up killing Ivy, he's supposed to be the expert on this stuff but at the end of the day, his insistence kills Ivy. I am unclear if the author wants us to root for this man cause he is horrible but he drives the plot and gets his way in the end (in a sense) I don't know if we're supposed to be wanting Janice to side with him but by the end, I was so frustrated with her for doing that I wanted to slap her.
Another problem with this book is its use of the Hindu religion and reincarnation. Now I am not an expert on Hinduism in any way shape or form but I don't think you have to be a genius to call out a racist old white man when you see one. I would have been fine with this story if maybe instead of being AR reincarnated, perhaps Ivy could have been possessed with her spirit, then we don't get any of this association of Hinduism being evil and tortuous. But the author directly references Hinduism and even has Hoover live in India for 7 years to learn about reincarnation, this isn’t ignorance this is explicit. There is this trend with horror to associate all the supernatural with people of color (the native American graveyard in Pet Symetary comes to mind) and this book is no exception. The inclusion of Indian culture and Hinduism also seems to be a response to current events that were happening when this book was written. The Children of Krishna make an appearance in the book and cause a commotion during a trial by repeatedly chanting Hare Krishna, something the real Children of Krishna did in America in the 70s. The whole thing feels so icky; like "look at this strange and exotic culture that's so different from ours, it must be evil!" The 70s was a time when a lot of people were traveling to India and other South Asian countries to "achieve enlightenment" (the Beatles went on one such retreat) and it was a time rampant with cultural appropriation. Not only does the book appropriate the culture (I don't trust a white man from the 70s to get anything right about any other culture that's not distinctly white, and western) it also demonizes the culture, making Hinduism the thing responsible for all of the characters ills. Thanks, I hate it.
Now those are the things I don't like because they are offensive to me as a modern woman, but even if these things didn't exist the book would just be boring. The beginning was actually very engaging, these mysterious dreams and this creepy man following the family, but the middle section was dry as hell. I think I've discovered that I don't like reading court scenes in books because these are just soooooo boring. This isn't a horror novel for a good chunk of it, the creepy moments where Ivy is being possessed by the soul of AR are sparse and far between and the court scenes are boring because you can guess that Hoover is going to come out on top at the end and that makes me angry because I don't want Hoover to win. The last 10 pages of the book are truly frightening but at that point, I was so done with this book I skimmed through them just to finish it. Also, there is an epilogue that includes a medical examiners report of Ivy and a letter from Janice to Hoover but I couldn't read any of that because the report was super small and the writing was in cursive and the letter was also hard to read cursive that I couldn't understand. So I have no idea what happens there but I get the gist that Janice doesn't blame Hoover for agreeing to the hypnosis session even though he should have known it was dangerous. And that makes me angry, this whole book makes me angry.
There is a lot of stuff that I didn't touch on (like the way that the author describes a 10-year-olds mouth as "sensuous" and mentions her boobs not once but twice) but this review is long enough and tbh no one is going to read this. I just needed to get all of this off my chest. If you're still reading this, thank you. F*ck the male gaze and f*ck men.
August 9, 2020
I "borrowed" this book in 1986 from a friend, after finding it in the back seat of her ugly yellow AMC Gremlin. I never gave it back. I have read it multiple times since, until it unfortunately fell apart from years of use. I wouldn't call it horror, but it is definitely suspense and paranormal. It reads almost as if it was non-fiction rather than fiction and it really made me think about reincarnation. I won't go into the premise of the book since others have done so, but I will say.....
One of the best books I ever read!
One of the best books I ever read!
May 26, 2019
Audrey Rose is a well-known 70’s horror novel which I have always wanted to read as it is touted as a classic. It was also made into a film which I have not seen.
The book introduces the Templeton family, Bill, Janice and their daughter Ivy who live in New York City. Ivy suffers from severe nightmares which entail her running around shouting and screaming “hothothot” as she pushes against windows. This is scary, nerve shredding and heart breaking not just for the Templeton’s but for the reader as well.
There is also a creepy male hanging around Ivy’s school and home. This is Elliot Hoover whose wife and daughter, Audrey Rose, died in a horrific car crash fire. However, Elliot believes that Audrey’s soul and spirit lives on through reincarnation. He just has to find the physical host.
The 3 main characters are very well written, and none are nasty or evil. Each has their own reasoning for their behaviour and beliefs. The story revolves around the adults and little is told from Ivy’s perspective.
The story starts to drag when it moves to the courtroom drama, introducing 3 more characters in the form of prosecution, defence and judge. All 3 have their selfish reasons for keeping the case going on and on without any concern for Ivy. The supernatural aspect disappears, and the book reads like a courtroom thriller rather than a horror.
The ending brings the pace back up and moves back to the horror of the situation. There was a sequel, For Love of Audrey Rose, which I am going to read now.
The book introduces the Templeton family, Bill, Janice and their daughter Ivy who live in New York City. Ivy suffers from severe nightmares which entail her running around shouting and screaming “hothothot” as she pushes against windows. This is scary, nerve shredding and heart breaking not just for the Templeton’s but for the reader as well.
There is also a creepy male hanging around Ivy’s school and home. This is Elliot Hoover whose wife and daughter, Audrey Rose, died in a horrific car crash fire. However, Elliot believes that Audrey’s soul and spirit lives on through reincarnation. He just has to find the physical host.
The 3 main characters are very well written, and none are nasty or evil. Each has their own reasoning for their behaviour and beliefs. The story revolves around the adults and little is told from Ivy’s perspective.
The story starts to drag when it moves to the courtroom drama, introducing 3 more characters in the form of prosecution, defence and judge. All 3 have their selfish reasons for keeping the case going on and on without any concern for Ivy. The supernatural aspect disappears, and the book reads like a courtroom thriller rather than a horror.
The ending brings the pace back up and moves back to the horror of the situation. There was a sequel, For Love of Audrey Rose, which I am going to read now.
July 22, 2025
De Felitta made a big splash in the 70s with this and The Entity. In Audrey Rose, De Felitta gives a 'modern' (circa 1970s) tale of reincarnation. The Templetons, Janice and Bill, along with their 10 yo daughter, live in NYC. Things seem pretty well for the couple, with Bill having a good job (never did figure out what is was; advertising?) and Janice a homebody. Things start getting a bit strange when a man starts dogging Bill and Janice around town. Who is this guy? Well, one day he introduces himself, stating that his dead daughter's soul (Audrey Rose) lives in Ivy, their daughter...
De Felitta provides some backstory to Ivy. When she was 2 1/2, she starting having horrible nightmares, walking around in her sleep shouting things like "Daddydaddy HotHotHot!" After several months working with a child phycologist, the nightmares go away. Yet, recently they starting happening again. Little Ivy clearly has some issues! The walking nightmares (of which she never remembers when she wakes up) cause her to bloody herself as she dashes around wherever trying to get to a window, only to recoil from them. Anyway, during one of her 'fits' Eliot Hoover, the guy who claims Audrey Rose resides in their daughter, stops by and manages to calm her down.
I will not say much more on the plot to avoid spoilers, only that Bill takes exception to Eliot and eventually he gets arrested and the second half of the book involves a long court case, where the defense argues that Ivy really is the incarnation of Audrey Rose...
Audrey Rose oozes the 1970s vibe, with long liquid lunches, lots of boozing (J&B of course!), and oh so 70s depictions of outfits and such. I did not find any of the main characters very likable; Bill rapidly turned into an obsessive drunk, Janice coming apart at the seams, and Eliot Hoover something like a saint. The course case for me was the highlight. 3 generous stars!
De Felitta provides some backstory to Ivy. When she was 2 1/2, she starting having horrible nightmares, walking around in her sleep shouting things like "Daddydaddy HotHotHot!" After several months working with a child phycologist, the nightmares go away. Yet, recently they starting happening again. Little Ivy clearly has some issues! The walking nightmares (of which she never remembers when she wakes up) cause her to bloody herself as she dashes around wherever trying to get to a window, only to recoil from them. Anyway, during one of her 'fits' Eliot Hoover, the guy who claims Audrey Rose resides in their daughter, stops by and manages to calm her down.
I will not say much more on the plot to avoid spoilers, only that Bill takes exception to Eliot and eventually he gets arrested and the second half of the book involves a long court case, where the defense argues that Ivy really is the incarnation of Audrey Rose...
Audrey Rose oozes the 1970s vibe, with long liquid lunches, lots of boozing (J&B of course!), and oh so 70s depictions of outfits and such. I did not find any of the main characters very likable; Bill rapidly turned into an obsessive drunk, Janice coming apart at the seams, and Eliot Hoover something like a saint. The course case for me was the highlight. 3 generous stars!
February 9, 2016
Man muss sich die Templetons als glückliche Familie vorstellen: Bill und Janice führen ein privilegiertes Leben in New York und sind mit einer hübschen Tochter gesegnet, Ivy. Die Zehnjährige litt als Kleinkind unter furchtbaren Alpträumen, die schließlich aufhörten. Doch nun beginnt der Schrecken von neuem und zugleich tritt ein Fremder in das Leben der Templetons. Dieser Mann, Hoover ist sein Name, behauptet, dass in Ivy die Seele seiner Tochter Audrey Rose wiedergeboren sei, die als Fünfjährige bei einem tödlichen Verkehrsunfall im Auto verbrannte.
Die Templetons tun alles, um den Kontakt mit Hoover zu unterbinden, aber die Situation eskaliert und Hoover zieht schließlich sogar ins gleiche Haus ein und entführt Ivy.
Der Roman gliedert sich in zwei gleichlange Teile. Im ersten beschreibt de Felitta, wie sich Hoover ins Leben der Templetons drängt und schließlich sogar Ivy entführt. Im zweiten Teil steht die Gerichtsverhandlung im Mittelpunkt, in der zu klären ist, ob Ivy tatsächlich die Reinkarnation von Audrey Rose ist oder ob sich Hoover der Entführung schuldig gemacht hat.
Der Unbekannte, der den Templetons nachstellt, Ivys schreckliche nächtliche Anfälle und schließlich die Enthüllung, in Ivy stecke auch die Seele der verbrannten Audrey, das alles sorgt im ersten Teil für Spannung und Schauer.
Im zweiten Teil geht es in gewisser Weise "weltlicher" zu, wir erleben, wie über den Prozess und die Sorge um Iyv die Templetons sich entfremden und wie die Gerichtsverhandlung zum Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeiten wird, auf dem sich Verteidiger, Ankläger und Richter in einem äußerst medienwirksamen Verfahren einen Ruf machen wollen, gibt es doch keinen Präzedenzfall.
Und tatsächlich haftet der Idee etwas skurriles an, gerichtlich feststellen lassen zu wollen, dass es die Reinkarnation gibt und Hoover als quasi Vaterrechte hat.
Auch wenn AUDREY ROSE als "ein Roman voller Schrecken" untertitelt ist und die Klappentexte die Reinkarnation als gegeben annehmen, hat es mir gefallen, den Roman wie Henry James "The Turn of the Screw" so zu lesen, dass beide Erklärungen möglich sind: ein paranormales Phänomen genau so wie ein Kind, dass unter einer psychischen Störung leidet.
Und gerade das Drumherum bietet so viele Möglichkeiten; die Schilderung der Verzweiflung der Eltern, die die Familie zerreißt und Bill Zuflucht beim Alkohol suchen läßt; die bizarre Gerichtsverhandlung, in der es mehr darum geht, sich einen Namen zu machen, als die Wahrheit festzustellen und Recht zu sprechen (eine Wahrheit, die gar nicht feststellbar sein kann, so wenig, wie es einen Gottesbeweis gibt, wird sich die Wiedergeburt der unsterblichen Seele nachweisen lassen).
Über 400 Seiten nimmt sich de Felitta Zeit, die Geschichte zu erzählen, und hätte sie nicht so viel Potenzial, das dann leider nicht zur Gänze ausgeschöpft wird, wäre ich sehr zufrieden. So aber bleibt ein Gefühl milder Enttäuschung und der Wunsch, de Felitta hätte noch genauer hinsehen mögen, hätte alles ausschöpfen mögen, was in diesem Roman von ihm angerissen wird, hätte noch genauer die Befindlichkeiten der Templetons ergründen mögen und detaillierter auf die religiöse Vorstellung der Reinkarnation eingehen mögen.
Im Fazit trotzdem ein lesenswerter übernatürlicher Thriller, der sich vom Gros der Genrekost erfreulich abhebt.
Die Templetons tun alles, um den Kontakt mit Hoover zu unterbinden, aber die Situation eskaliert und Hoover zieht schließlich sogar ins gleiche Haus ein und entführt Ivy.
Der Roman gliedert sich in zwei gleichlange Teile. Im ersten beschreibt de Felitta, wie sich Hoover ins Leben der Templetons drängt und schließlich sogar Ivy entführt. Im zweiten Teil steht die Gerichtsverhandlung im Mittelpunkt, in der zu klären ist, ob Ivy tatsächlich die Reinkarnation von Audrey Rose ist oder ob sich Hoover der Entführung schuldig gemacht hat.
Der Unbekannte, der den Templetons nachstellt, Ivys schreckliche nächtliche Anfälle und schließlich die Enthüllung, in Ivy stecke auch die Seele der verbrannten Audrey, das alles sorgt im ersten Teil für Spannung und Schauer.
Im zweiten Teil geht es in gewisser Weise "weltlicher" zu, wir erleben, wie über den Prozess und die Sorge um Iyv die Templetons sich entfremden und wie die Gerichtsverhandlung zum Jahrmarkt der Eitelkeiten wird, auf dem sich Verteidiger, Ankläger und Richter in einem äußerst medienwirksamen Verfahren einen Ruf machen wollen, gibt es doch keinen Präzedenzfall.
Und tatsächlich haftet der Idee etwas skurriles an, gerichtlich feststellen lassen zu wollen, dass es die Reinkarnation gibt und Hoover als quasi Vaterrechte hat.
Auch wenn AUDREY ROSE als "ein Roman voller Schrecken" untertitelt ist und die Klappentexte die Reinkarnation als gegeben annehmen, hat es mir gefallen, den Roman wie Henry James "The Turn of the Screw" so zu lesen, dass beide Erklärungen möglich sind: ein paranormales Phänomen genau so wie ein Kind, dass unter einer psychischen Störung leidet.
Und gerade das Drumherum bietet so viele Möglichkeiten; die Schilderung der Verzweiflung der Eltern, die die Familie zerreißt und Bill Zuflucht beim Alkohol suchen läßt; die bizarre Gerichtsverhandlung, in der es mehr darum geht, sich einen Namen zu machen, als die Wahrheit festzustellen und Recht zu sprechen (eine Wahrheit, die gar nicht feststellbar sein kann, so wenig, wie es einen Gottesbeweis gibt, wird sich die Wiedergeburt der unsterblichen Seele nachweisen lassen).
Über 400 Seiten nimmt sich de Felitta Zeit, die Geschichte zu erzählen, und hätte sie nicht so viel Potenzial, das dann leider nicht zur Gänze ausgeschöpft wird, wäre ich sehr zufrieden. So aber bleibt ein Gefühl milder Enttäuschung und der Wunsch, de Felitta hätte noch genauer hinsehen mögen, hätte alles ausschöpfen mögen, was in diesem Roman von ihm angerissen wird, hätte noch genauer die Befindlichkeiten der Templetons ergründen mögen und detaillierter auf die religiöse Vorstellung der Reinkarnation eingehen mögen.
Im Fazit trotzdem ein lesenswerter übernatürlicher Thriller, der sich vom Gros der Genrekost erfreulich abhebt.
Read
April 6, 2016I have such fond memories of the days when everyone was obsessed with reincarnation.
February 17, 2013
I enjoyed this AUDREY ROSE a great deal when I first read it as an adolescent. I enjoyed reading it just as much as an adult. However the perspectives were much different. As a child, I enjoyed what was a fascinating tale. I was particularly taken with the creepy autopsy notes at the end. I had never read a tale whose resolution was presented in such an unconventional manner.
My perspective as an adult was more emotional. As a middle-aged man, I am the father of a nine year old daughter. My attachment to the emotional turmoil of the parents, and of Hoover having lost a daughter to such tragic circumstances transfixed me more than the unconventional ending.
What makes this book interesting is that there are no real villains. The Templetons love their daughter. Bill, acting with the male instinct to protect, is trying to shield his family from this unpleasantness, even when the evidence clearly demonstrates the truth of Hoover’s belief. Janice acts with the maternal instinct of doing anything, no matter how desperate to protect her daughter. Hoover has no desire to wreck the Templetons’ lives. He is a grief stricken father who is certain he has found a way to reconnect with his lost daughter and will risk his life to make that connection.
What emerges from the story is the selfishness of all those involved. Although the story revolves around Ivy Templeton, her character is not developed. It is never told from her point of view. DeFelitta uses her and her actions to advance the story. But she is not a central character in the narrative. The story is told from the point of view of the adults, each acting to satisfy their own independent needs.
Bill allows his daughter to die because his resolve to have Hoover put away forever motivates him. Hoover would have been found guilty, jailed for life, and been out of Ivy’s life forever had Janice not testified. Since it was Hoover’s presence that triggered Ivy’s nightmares, had she not acted, her family’s life would have returned to normal.
Then there are the judge and the defense attorney who were the most selfish. The attorney puts forward his fantastic case to defend his client. But more important to him is the headlines and reputation he will garner. The judge, bitter about having a nondescript judicial career, allows the dramatic theater of the case to proceed, not because he thinks it is sound jurisprudence, but because he will finally be able to make a name for himself.
All of this goes on while the life of an 11 year old girl hangs in the balance. Other than Janice, none of the characters in the story pause to think of Ivy and her fate.
My only criticism of the writing is DeFelitta’s need to show us what a snob he apparently was. His description of the apartment’s architecture and artwork read like a marketing brochure and was entirely overlong as was his descriptions of the various meals and liquors consumed by the characters. These were but minor distractions however. DeFelitta otherwise told a riveting tale with seldom a lull in the tension.
As an author, Frank DeFelitta had an obscure career. He published this book and a 1982 sequel entitled FOR THE LOVE OF AUDREY ROSE, and THE SENTINEL which was also made into a movie. This is a shame. For a first book by an author, Audrey Rose is a stellar effort.
DeFelitta was a screenwriter by occupation. The dust jacket says he was the writer on a number of television documentaries. His IMDB entry lists several movie scripts he penned along with numerous television scripts and directorial credits.
The book, movie, and author may be lost to the ages now, but if you can lay your hands on a copy, the book is well worth reading.
My perspective as an adult was more emotional. As a middle-aged man, I am the father of a nine year old daughter. My attachment to the emotional turmoil of the parents, and of Hoover having lost a daughter to such tragic circumstances transfixed me more than the unconventional ending.
What makes this book interesting is that there are no real villains. The Templetons love their daughter. Bill, acting with the male instinct to protect, is trying to shield his family from this unpleasantness, even when the evidence clearly demonstrates the truth of Hoover’s belief. Janice acts with the maternal instinct of doing anything, no matter how desperate to protect her daughter. Hoover has no desire to wreck the Templetons’ lives. He is a grief stricken father who is certain he has found a way to reconnect with his lost daughter and will risk his life to make that connection.
What emerges from the story is the selfishness of all those involved. Although the story revolves around Ivy Templeton, her character is not developed. It is never told from her point of view. DeFelitta uses her and her actions to advance the story. But she is not a central character in the narrative. The story is told from the point of view of the adults, each acting to satisfy their own independent needs.
Bill allows his daughter to die because his resolve to have Hoover put away forever motivates him. Hoover would have been found guilty, jailed for life, and been out of Ivy’s life forever had Janice not testified. Since it was Hoover’s presence that triggered Ivy’s nightmares, had she not acted, her family’s life would have returned to normal.
Then there are the judge and the defense attorney who were the most selfish. The attorney puts forward his fantastic case to defend his client. But more important to him is the headlines and reputation he will garner. The judge, bitter about having a nondescript judicial career, allows the dramatic theater of the case to proceed, not because he thinks it is sound jurisprudence, but because he will finally be able to make a name for himself.
All of this goes on while the life of an 11 year old girl hangs in the balance. Other than Janice, none of the characters in the story pause to think of Ivy and her fate.
My only criticism of the writing is DeFelitta’s need to show us what a snob he apparently was. His description of the apartment’s architecture and artwork read like a marketing brochure and was entirely overlong as was his descriptions of the various meals and liquors consumed by the characters. These were but minor distractions however. DeFelitta otherwise told a riveting tale with seldom a lull in the tension.
As an author, Frank DeFelitta had an obscure career. He published this book and a 1982 sequel entitled FOR THE LOVE OF AUDREY ROSE, and THE SENTINEL which was also made into a movie. This is a shame. For a first book by an author, Audrey Rose is a stellar effort.
DeFelitta was a screenwriter by occupation. The dust jacket says he was the writer on a number of television documentaries. His IMDB entry lists several movie scripts he penned along with numerous television scripts and directorial credits.
The book, movie, and author may be lost to the ages now, but if you can lay your hands on a copy, the book is well worth reading.
January 20, 2016
Este libro, es una de esas joyitas antiguas que, de vez en cuando, me agencio en mercadillos o tiendas de segunda mano. En esta ocasión lo conseguí, como os conté hace tiempo en un "Compras y regalos", en la feria del libro antiguo que se celebró en mi ciudad, aunque sin saberlo lo tenía por partida doble porque también estaba entre una montaña de libros antiguos que me regaló un amigo que hizo limpieza en sus estanterías. El librero de la feria me lo recomendó fervientemente y con ese aire vintage y esa portada no me pude resistir, yo, que soy fan incondicional del terror, misterio y suspense, ya lo sabéis. Bueno, no me enrollo más y vamos con la reseña...
Estamos ante una historia que nos atrapa desde el principio. Debido, en primer lugar, a su ambientación, porque el autor comienza haciéndonos partícipes de la vida cotidiana de nuestros protagonistas: su casa, preciosa y exquisitamente decorada, sus costumbres diarias, sus amistades, el edificio y el barrio donde viven, etc. Pequeños detalles, a priori, sin importancia pero que nos envuelven y nos situan de un modo magistral en el centro del escenario de la historia, creando una buena base sobre la cual comienza a desarrollarse la trama.
Un poco más adelante, evidentemente, comienza el suspense y lo que va a ser el centro argumental de la historia. Poco a poco se van desarrollando los hechos llevados de la mano, sobre todo, de Janice, pero rodeada de un elenco de personajes, tanto principales como secundarios, realmente estupendos y bien trabajados. No hay muchos personajes en la historia e incluso algunos secundarios pasan de puntillas pero son todos muy carismáticos e interesantes.
Durante esta parte central de la historia nos encontramos con un juicio del cual no puedo revelar nada porque no quiero estropearos la historia, pero que es la única pega que puedo sacarle a la novela, si es que le tengo que sacar alguna, porque en mi opinión le sobraban algunas páginas, pero nada realmente importante que haga desmerecer el libro ni la lectura.
Finalmente, nos encontramos con el desenlace que a algunos puede sorprender, porque desearíamos que fuera de otra manera, pero bien mirado es acertado y coherente para mi gusto. Digamos, que si lo analizamos bien, tal vez no pudiera ser de otro modo. A mí personalmente no me sorprendió porque me lo olí y me lo vi venir, pero no quiere esto decir que sea un final predecible para nada.
Por lo tanto una historia de gran calidad narrativa, con todos sus aspectos muy bien trabajados, con ese sabor de las buenas novelas setenteras que tanto me gustan y con su toque de misterio.
Tiene adaptación cinemátográfica que yo vi hace mil y que casi ni recordaba, tal vez esto es lo que me hizo suponer el final porque me vinieron a la memoria pinceladas de imágenes que creía olvidadas. La verdad es que considero, y me gustaría, que fuese una novela más conocida porque es totalmente genuina y tras su lectura te deja la sensación de que quién no la lea se pierde algo bueno.
Estamos ante una historia que nos atrapa desde el principio. Debido, en primer lugar, a su ambientación, porque el autor comienza haciéndonos partícipes de la vida cotidiana de nuestros protagonistas: su casa, preciosa y exquisitamente decorada, sus costumbres diarias, sus amistades, el edificio y el barrio donde viven, etc. Pequeños detalles, a priori, sin importancia pero que nos envuelven y nos situan de un modo magistral en el centro del escenario de la historia, creando una buena base sobre la cual comienza a desarrollarse la trama.
Un poco más adelante, evidentemente, comienza el suspense y lo que va a ser el centro argumental de la historia. Poco a poco se van desarrollando los hechos llevados de la mano, sobre todo, de Janice, pero rodeada de un elenco de personajes, tanto principales como secundarios, realmente estupendos y bien trabajados. No hay muchos personajes en la historia e incluso algunos secundarios pasan de puntillas pero son todos muy carismáticos e interesantes.
Durante esta parte central de la historia nos encontramos con un juicio del cual no puedo revelar nada porque no quiero estropearos la historia, pero que es la única pega que puedo sacarle a la novela, si es que le tengo que sacar alguna, porque en mi opinión le sobraban algunas páginas, pero nada realmente importante que haga desmerecer el libro ni la lectura.
Finalmente, nos encontramos con el desenlace que a algunos puede sorprender, porque desearíamos que fuera de otra manera, pero bien mirado es acertado y coherente para mi gusto. Digamos, que si lo analizamos bien, tal vez no pudiera ser de otro modo. A mí personalmente no me sorprendió porque me lo olí y me lo vi venir, pero no quiere esto decir que sea un final predecible para nada.
Por lo tanto una historia de gran calidad narrativa, con todos sus aspectos muy bien trabajados, con ese sabor de las buenas novelas setenteras que tanto me gustan y con su toque de misterio.
Tiene adaptación cinemátográfica que yo vi hace mil y que casi ni recordaba, tal vez esto es lo que me hizo suponer el final porque me vinieron a la memoria pinceladas de imágenes que creía olvidadas. La verdad es que considero, y me gustaría, que fuese una novela más conocida porque es totalmente genuina y tras su lectura te deja la sensación de que quién no la lea se pierde algo bueno.
November 16, 2023
First let me start by saying, since I’m still in shock by it, this book had one of the best endings I’ve ever read! The last 100-150 pages were riveting and hard to put down. If I was rating only that part of the book, five stars for sure. I think I’m getting ahead of myself though - let’s start at the beginning...
Janice and Bill Templeton had each noticed the strange man lurking about their daughter Ivy’s school, but they never shared with each other the uncomfortable feeling they got when he was around. That changed when the man finally approached them with a story too strange to believe: that their little girl, Ivy, is living with the reincarnated soul of his daughter, Audrey Rose.
This man is relentless in his beliefs, having spent a large chunk of time in India learning the Hindu faith after his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident. Through prophetic guidance, he was told his daughter’s soul had jumped into another child, born in New York, named Ivy. He tracked down the Templetons and tried to convince them that they should raise Ivy together, so Audrey Rose’s soul could be at peace. The Templetons, as you may imagine, were not so keen on that idea, so begins a fight for one girl that goes all the way to court.
The court case was the best part of the book - the first half had a little cheese in it (but it’s a horror novel from the ‘80s so I think that’s mandated by law) but as I said, towards the end it really changes into something thoughtful and riveting. The most interesting thing is that the author wrote this after his young son sat at a piano and played perfectly, without ever having played before. Someone mentioned it could have been a talent that came from a past life, and this book was born.
There is a movie adaptation that I might check out, but it may come off a little cheesy, too. I’m also on the fence about reading the second story in this series. Maybe in my next life? 🙃
Janice and Bill Templeton had each noticed the strange man lurking about their daughter Ivy’s school, but they never shared with each other the uncomfortable feeling they got when he was around. That changed when the man finally approached them with a story too strange to believe: that their little girl, Ivy, is living with the reincarnated soul of his daughter, Audrey Rose.
This man is relentless in his beliefs, having spent a large chunk of time in India learning the Hindu faith after his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident. Through prophetic guidance, he was told his daughter’s soul had jumped into another child, born in New York, named Ivy. He tracked down the Templetons and tried to convince them that they should raise Ivy together, so Audrey Rose’s soul could be at peace. The Templetons, as you may imagine, were not so keen on that idea, so begins a fight for one girl that goes all the way to court.
The court case was the best part of the book - the first half had a little cheese in it (but it’s a horror novel from the ‘80s so I think that’s mandated by law) but as I said, towards the end it really changes into something thoughtful and riveting. The most interesting thing is that the author wrote this after his young son sat at a piano and played perfectly, without ever having played before. Someone mentioned it could have been a talent that came from a past life, and this book was born.
There is a movie adaptation that I might check out, but it may come off a little cheesy, too. I’m also on the fence about reading the second story in this series. Maybe in my next life? 🙃
May 10, 2012
There was quite the trend for horrifying book covers in the 70s -- lots of creepy children with blank, staring eyes, or faces distorted with terror, dripping blood or gouting flames. I used to dread standing in line at the supermarket with my mom, because invariably there would be some gruesome John Saul novel in the racks that would later compel nightmares of glowing-eyed waifs coming to get me. I also remember the cover of Audrey Rose scaring the bejayzus out of me when I first saw in on the couch at my friend's house. Her mom was reading it, and it was an object of horror and fascination. But I was maybe 10, and I liked being scared (still do), so of course my friend swiped it and we read it.
Obviously the book made an impression on me, but I don't think the story was nearly as scary as the cover. More supernatural family drama that horror. I can't really give an honest review because I've long since seen the awful movie, and I can't unsee it.
Still, that was a pleasant rush of nostalgia.
Obviously the book made an impression on me, but I don't think the story was nearly as scary as the cover. More supernatural family drama that horror. I can't really give an honest review because I've long since seen the awful movie, and I can't unsee it.
Still, that was a pleasant rush of nostalgia.
July 16, 2009
I read this as a tween - and what stuck with me most was the idea of reincarnation. I think I knew about it before I read this book - but this was the first book I had read where the idea was really pushed - and I found that really interesting. I think the book pushed my little mind open a little more than it was at the time - and that makes me remember it more fondly than I probably should.
July 17, 2022
Two people, a Don Draper nightmare and a hysterical male fantasy figure, have a child. She is perfect, which apparently means physically attractive and thus constantly sexualised. Then some lunatic who has been to India once turns up and starts shouting about reincarnation and saying that she is really his daughter. This somehow takes 462 pages to resolve. And even then there is, somehow, a sequel.
Questions raised by this book:
1. Why are all the male characters paedophiles / sexual predators?
2. Why is nobody concerned by this?
3. Why is the wife keeping it a secret from the husband that she and the daughter are being stalked?
4. Why does no one care that one of the aforementioned shameless paedophiles is also a public domestic abuser?
5. Why is the husband keeping it a secret from the wife that he and the daughter are being stalked?
6. Why if some man with fake sideburns was stalking you would you immediately think “The FBI must be after me?”
7. Would a middle-class American man in the 70s really change into a red velvet smoking jacket to have dinner with his wife and daughter?
8. Are this couple aware that they both have serious alcohol problems?
9. Why do I have to keep hearing about their adventurous sex lives? (“adventurous” is here used to mean “existing at all”)
10. Did Estée Lauder really have a donation programme replacing playground equipment with “awkward surrealist play forms?”
11. Was there a required word-count for this book? It would explain the repetitious details of interior decor, meals, clothes, women/girls’ bodies and irrelevant weather conditions.
12. Who becomes a hermit by refusing to update his biography in ‘Who’s Who’?
13. Who uses the word ‘garments’ 3 times in a page and a half? Do a re-read with a thesaurus next to you Frank
14. A big clue to the reincarnation thing is that Girl 2 was born exactly the same time as Audrey Rose died. However in the same breath Original Dad admits that he knows that this isn’t actually how reincarnation works. So…why?
15. Does Frank know the difference between reincarnation and possession? It sure doesn’t seem like it…
16. Is it possible for a baby to be born already showing her ‘awesome beauty?’
17. Does anyone really think that feeling pain when you kneel in church is a sign of apostasy?
18. Was it really necessary to bring Christ into this? *eyeroll*
19. “the [Catholic] church has reacted wisely for 2000 years - the only human institution to have withstood” Right, but that isn’t true, is it? Not even close.
20. Over 1/3 of the way in, why is the most notable occurrence 2 drunk, negligent parents letting their kid fall down the stairs?
21. How come, despite the above, the mother has totally lost her shit and commenced to running about hysterically screaming about the Holy Virgin, and letting a stalker strip her unconscious child and do as he pleases with the body…?
22. And now she’s letting said stalker rub her legs with baby oil. What is happening?
23. Half way through. Whilst I am glad than anything at all is happening, is the rest of the book really going to be a man on trial, defending himself from charges of kidnapping by arguing that the victim is actually his reincarnated daughter? What court would allow that?
24. Am I really going to have to read all the events (such as they are) of the book re-hashed as courtroom speeches, and then again as news reports? Please, I can’t bear it…
25. Would anyone really call a restaurant the Clam Box?
26. “Janice…hungrily bent to conclude her obeisant and purifying ritual” Guess what Janice is doing? Yes, it is indeed a sex act, being described in the most excruciating manner possible. Come on, Frank. For fuck’s sake. Am I not suffering enough? And TBH, isn’t poor Janice?
27. What kind of court lets the defendant pass secret notes to the alleged victims mid-trial?
28. Why does Frank think that all 10-year-olds talk about is which of their friends has one boob bigger than the other, and who is menstruating?
29. Why is so much of the court case just a circus of racist stereotypes and random nonsense?
30. Why is the little girl naked again Frank? And why are you talking about her budding breasts for what isn’t even the first time? I’m glad you’re almost certainly dead, so I don’t have to worry about alerting the authorities.
31. Is the best way to exchange secret documents with a detective for you both to sit in adjoining toilet stalls with your pants around your ankles “for the sake of appearances?”
32. Is there any way to remove the following phrase from my memory: “Is a pig’s pussy pork?”
33. Is it reasonable to be well over 3/4 of the way through writing the book and just decide to completely change how the whole reincarnation/possession thing works, just because nothing was happening?
34. Why is Audrey Rose the Little Dead Girl evil now?
35. Why do I care about the outcome of the court case? It seems that it’s going to be the denouement (along with the last minute evil thing(?)) but…it’s just to decide if Original Dad is gonna be done for kidnapping or not. He’s not gonna get the girl back. Nothing is gonna change. There is no actual jeopardy. I guess that’s why Audrey Rose the LDG had to go evil- otherwise what point is there reading to the end?
36. Why, so close to the end, would you make me read more of Original Dad’s diaries? They’re nothing but the insanely dull ramblings of a White Tourist. Please, stop.
37. “INFINITY. INDIA. INSIDE. All these words begin with IN. INCARNATION.” But - Not in any of the many, many Indian languages as far as I know. And certainly not as far as you know. Do you really think that works as some kind of revelation, Frank?
38. Oh. My. God. Have the Scientologists just been introduced as enlightened good guys? Could this book have aged any worse?
39. If Chapter 23 is just going to be a witness statement summarising the entire book so far, why did I read Chapters 1-22?
40. Is a child having a cold which then clears up a clear sign of them being possessed? I would say not.
41. Why is the mother being allowed to just chat on incessantly on the stand, telling loads of irrelevant nonsense stories and generally messing up everyone’s case? She’s basically just gossiping now, and at length.
42. Are they seriously going to hypnotise a child and introduce it into court as evidence? Even though they know she has already heard enough info about LDG to fake being her? Why? Who would agree to that? Where are the CPS, or whatever they have in the USA?
43. Sorry, did the child just die of hypnosis? In court? And they’re still continuing the case? What the fuck, Frank? Is this a joke?
44. And why was the Epilogue the lawyer for the prosecution visiting his parents’ grave? Who cares? Certainly not me.
Well, this might be the worst thing I’ve ever read. In terms of reincarnation or suchlike, nothing happened to the little girl that couldn’t be explained by trauma due to being raised by two dipsomaniacs in an environment crawling with sexual predators. The people are all vile idiots, the plot is thin nonsense, and it is at least three times as long as necessary. It’s riddled with smug misogyny and orientalist. And worst of all, it’s boring. Truly a cardinal sin for a trash book.
Questions raised by this book:
1. Why are all the male characters paedophiles / sexual predators?
2. Why is nobody concerned by this?
3. Why is the wife keeping it a secret from the husband that she and the daughter are being stalked?
4. Why does no one care that one of the aforementioned shameless paedophiles is also a public domestic abuser?
5. Why is the husband keeping it a secret from the wife that he and the daughter are being stalked?
6. Why if some man with fake sideburns was stalking you would you immediately think “The FBI must be after me?”
7. Would a middle-class American man in the 70s really change into a red velvet smoking jacket to have dinner with his wife and daughter?
8. Are this couple aware that they both have serious alcohol problems?
9. Why do I have to keep hearing about their adventurous sex lives? (“adventurous” is here used to mean “existing at all”)
10. Did Estée Lauder really have a donation programme replacing playground equipment with “awkward surrealist play forms?”
11. Was there a required word-count for this book? It would explain the repetitious details of interior decor, meals, clothes, women/girls’ bodies and irrelevant weather conditions.
12. Who becomes a hermit by refusing to update his biography in ‘Who’s Who’?
13. Who uses the word ‘garments’ 3 times in a page and a half? Do a re-read with a thesaurus next to you Frank
14. A big clue to the reincarnation thing is that Girl 2 was born exactly the same time as Audrey Rose died. However in the same breath Original Dad admits that he knows that this isn’t actually how reincarnation works. So…why?
15. Does Frank know the difference between reincarnation and possession? It sure doesn’t seem like it…
16. Is it possible for a baby to be born already showing her ‘awesome beauty?’
17. Does anyone really think that feeling pain when you kneel in church is a sign of apostasy?
18. Was it really necessary to bring Christ into this? *eyeroll*
19. “the [Catholic] church has reacted wisely for 2000 years - the only human institution to have withstood” Right, but that isn’t true, is it? Not even close.
20. Over 1/3 of the way in, why is the most notable occurrence 2 drunk, negligent parents letting their kid fall down the stairs?
21. How come, despite the above, the mother has totally lost her shit and commenced to running about hysterically screaming about the Holy Virgin, and letting a stalker strip her unconscious child and do as he pleases with the body…?
22. And now she’s letting said stalker rub her legs with baby oil. What is happening?
23. Half way through. Whilst I am glad than anything at all is happening, is the rest of the book really going to be a man on trial, defending himself from charges of kidnapping by arguing that the victim is actually his reincarnated daughter? What court would allow that?
24. Am I really going to have to read all the events (such as they are) of the book re-hashed as courtroom speeches, and then again as news reports? Please, I can’t bear it…
25. Would anyone really call a restaurant the Clam Box?
26. “Janice…hungrily bent to conclude her obeisant and purifying ritual” Guess what Janice is doing? Yes, it is indeed a sex act, being described in the most excruciating manner possible. Come on, Frank. For fuck’s sake. Am I not suffering enough? And TBH, isn’t poor Janice?
27. What kind of court lets the defendant pass secret notes to the alleged victims mid-trial?
28. Why does Frank think that all 10-year-olds talk about is which of their friends has one boob bigger than the other, and who is menstruating?
29. Why is so much of the court case just a circus of racist stereotypes and random nonsense?
30. Why is the little girl naked again Frank? And why are you talking about her budding breasts for what isn’t even the first time? I’m glad you’re almost certainly dead, so I don’t have to worry about alerting the authorities.
31. Is the best way to exchange secret documents with a detective for you both to sit in adjoining toilet stalls with your pants around your ankles “for the sake of appearances?”
32. Is there any way to remove the following phrase from my memory: “Is a pig’s pussy pork?”
33. Is it reasonable to be well over 3/4 of the way through writing the book and just decide to completely change how the whole reincarnation/possession thing works, just because nothing was happening?
34. Why is Audrey Rose the Little Dead Girl evil now?
35. Why do I care about the outcome of the court case? It seems that it’s going to be the denouement (along with the last minute evil thing(?)) but…it’s just to decide if Original Dad is gonna be done for kidnapping or not. He’s not gonna get the girl back. Nothing is gonna change. There is no actual jeopardy. I guess that’s why Audrey Rose the LDG had to go evil- otherwise what point is there reading to the end?
36. Why, so close to the end, would you make me read more of Original Dad’s diaries? They’re nothing but the insanely dull ramblings of a White Tourist. Please, stop.
37. “INFINITY. INDIA. INSIDE. All these words begin with IN. INCARNATION.” But - Not in any of the many, many Indian languages as far as I know. And certainly not as far as you know. Do you really think that works as some kind of revelation, Frank?
38. Oh. My. God. Have the Scientologists just been introduced as enlightened good guys? Could this book have aged any worse?
39. If Chapter 23 is just going to be a witness statement summarising the entire book so far, why did I read Chapters 1-22?
40. Is a child having a cold which then clears up a clear sign of them being possessed? I would say not.
41. Why is the mother being allowed to just chat on incessantly on the stand, telling loads of irrelevant nonsense stories and generally messing up everyone’s case? She’s basically just gossiping now, and at length.
42. Are they seriously going to hypnotise a child and introduce it into court as evidence? Even though they know she has already heard enough info about LDG to fake being her? Why? Who would agree to that? Where are the CPS, or whatever they have in the USA?
43. Sorry, did the child just die of hypnosis? In court? And they’re still continuing the case? What the fuck, Frank? Is this a joke?
44. And why was the Epilogue the lawyer for the prosecution visiting his parents’ grave? Who cares? Certainly not me.
Well, this might be the worst thing I’ve ever read. In terms of reincarnation or suchlike, nothing happened to the little girl that couldn’t be explained by trauma due to being raised by two dipsomaniacs in an environment crawling with sexual predators. The people are all vile idiots, the plot is thin nonsense, and it is at least three times as long as necessary. It’s riddled with smug misogyny and orientalist. And worst of all, it’s boring. Truly a cardinal sin for a trash book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 25, 2016A classic that is slightly dated.
De Felitta's classic Audrey Rose was one of those bestsellers that was on every bookshelf in the 70s and felt every household owned a copy. It was up there with Erica Jong's Fear of Flying, Blatty's The Exorcist to name a few.
The book starts out with the seemingly perfect existence of the Templeton family and the beautiful Ivy as they lead their day to day lives. It all starts to go south when a man starts following the Templeton family. The cracks start to show and things spiral out of control from there.
As the story begins carrying you through the plot of reincarnation and the horrible death of Audrey Rose, you are lead through a minefield of male egos and putting the major focus away from protection and one towards their own selfish gain.
As the story turns darker, you find yourself in a man's world where women are fanciful creatures with no distinct voice. Now this maybe a product of its time, but Mrs Templeton's voice is seldom heard or comprehended creating a time warp away from today's audience.
As the book was written in 1972, I guess I was expecting a more active strong voice instead of the subservient voice that lists off the pages. Although, out of everyone within the pages, she is the one with the strongest in need strength.
The book is very well written and it flow from scene to scene with the foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal towards its dramatic conclusion.
This story does not have any real horror elements but plenty of paranormal aspects and metaphysical overtones that leads one to wonder and ponder the possibilities. This is where De Felitta really shines and prove himself as a truly respected writer. Everything is very real. Though the story is steeped into melodrama, the story itself is not overwrought with sentimentality.
Audrey Rose is a true 70's classic that should be revisited and discovered as this is the birth place of Modern Horror. Due to the popularity of this book, helped launch Stephen King to the masses as it should there was a market for the paranormal and one that can earn big bucks in publishing.
If you want a story to feed your soul and mind, Audrey Rose is the right ticket. I just wish Mrs Templeton was less subservient to the male counter part. This maybe more a product of the times. If this was written today, it would drop a star but as I am viewing this as a product of its time, it's a five star winner.
This is a true must read.
De Felitta's classic Audrey Rose was one of those bestsellers that was on every bookshelf in the 70s and felt every household owned a copy. It was up there with Erica Jong's Fear of Flying, Blatty's The Exorcist to name a few.
The book starts out with the seemingly perfect existence of the Templeton family and the beautiful Ivy as they lead their day to day lives. It all starts to go south when a man starts following the Templeton family. The cracks start to show and things spiral out of control from there.
As the story begins carrying you through the plot of reincarnation and the horrible death of Audrey Rose, you are lead through a minefield of male egos and putting the major focus away from protection and one towards their own selfish gain.
As the story turns darker, you find yourself in a man's world where women are fanciful creatures with no distinct voice. Now this maybe a product of its time, but Mrs Templeton's voice is seldom heard or comprehended creating a time warp away from today's audience.
As the book was written in 1972, I guess I was expecting a more active strong voice instead of the subservient voice that lists off the pages. Although, out of everyone within the pages, she is the one with the strongest in need strength.
The book is very well written and it flow from scene to scene with the foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal towards its dramatic conclusion.
This story does not have any real horror elements but plenty of paranormal aspects and metaphysical overtones that leads one to wonder and ponder the possibilities. This is where De Felitta really shines and prove himself as a truly respected writer. Everything is very real. Though the story is steeped into melodrama, the story itself is not overwrought with sentimentality.
Audrey Rose is a true 70's classic that should be revisited and discovered as this is the birth place of Modern Horror. Due to the popularity of this book, helped launch Stephen King to the masses as it should there was a market for the paranormal and one that can earn big bucks in publishing.
If you want a story to feed your soul and mind, Audrey Rose is the right ticket. I just wish Mrs Templeton was less subservient to the male counter part. This maybe more a product of the times. If this was written today, it would drop a star but as I am viewing this as a product of its time, it's a five star winner.
This is a true must read.
July 7, 2013
One word....DISTURBING. Not so much a horror, though.....something more, something that stirs some kind of ancient truth. It forces one to really consider belief systems that clings to the idea of reincarnation. The author managed to create a thought provoking, yet utterly enjoyable (not the right word, but close enough) read. This tale will stay with me, perhaps even haunt me, for a very long time.
October 23, 2014
Slow to start...but once into the meat of the story...the pages were turning fast......I had read this when I was 14....no telling what happened to my original copy. I got another at www.abesbooks.com for $3.50, and no shipping fee. I am glad I read it again. You know how you're worried it won't be what you remembered?? The thrill won't be the same? I really enjoyed this one. Get a copy,and set it back to read next October. It's that good.
August 29, 2014
My grandmother loved reading cheesy seventies horror books. This is one of those covers that stared at me for most of my life, so I finally decided to read it.
It was a book much improved by skimming.
It was a book much improved by skimming.
February 29, 2016
Bill and Janice Templeton live a life of luxury with their daughter Ivy in the hustle and bustle of New York City. For Janice, their apartment is a fortress away from the crazies that live outside their door. The day that Janice finds a strange man waiting for Ivy outside the school, she quickly grabs her daughter and hurries home, hoping to put distance between her and the fear that something terrible is about to tear her family apart. But when Mr. Hoover, the stranger, shows up on the Templeton's doorstep with a far-fetched story of reincarnation, Bill and Janice find themselves thrown into a nightmare that seems bent on having only one terrifying outcome.
Published in 1975, this book seemed to be one of the top books of horror for the day. However, I believe that the modern-day tag would fall under 'supernatural' due to the beliefs of reincarnation. There really wasn't anything horrifying in the book other than Mr. Hoover's stalking of the Templeton's. 'Drama' was one word that keep coming to my mind, both for the situation between the Templeton's and Mr. Hoover and the courtroom drama, which was one of the highlights of the book.
A lengthy read but not a disappointment.
Published in 1975, this book seemed to be one of the top books of horror for the day. However, I believe that the modern-day tag would fall under 'supernatural' due to the beliefs of reincarnation. There really wasn't anything horrifying in the book other than Mr. Hoover's stalking of the Templeton's. 'Drama' was one word that keep coming to my mind, both for the situation between the Templeton's and Mr. Hoover and the courtroom drama, which was one of the highlights of the book.
A lengthy read but not a disappointment.
June 29, 2017
Ok, so I got really creepy vibes from this. Why is Hoover a protagonist? He's creepy, the judge and jury's reaction is creepy, and so is Janice's. The weird spiritualism along with the pedo-y vibes made me think of the possibility that the author had temporal lobe epilepsy and the resulting spiritual/hypersexual changes that can happen with seizures/surgery. Just saying. This was scary because it made no sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2015
I liked this book but I think it spent too much time going over Hoover's Journal entries.
November 28, 2017
My original Audrey Rose audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Audrey Rose is a serious and well written story about a small child who died in a fiery crash and has come back reincarnated as Ivy Templeton. Audrey father, Elliot Hoover has spent years learning about reincarnation and Hinduism and more to find peace and determine if a psychic’s words that Audrey is alive and well, living in New York is true.
Hoover becomes a weird stalker type trying to convince the Templeton’s that he needs to be in Ivy’s life as she is his Audrey Rose. As good parents, the Templeton’s try to stop Hoover but ultimately during the court case, psychiatrists are called in and there discover the truth – the horrifying truth.
As a parent whose son was born within minutes of the Space Shuttle exploding in 1986 (I was grateful he was born first!), I understand the fears that parents can experience. Frank De Felitta plays on those fears and many more. Detailed descriptions of the painful and terrifying death of Audrey and the melting ceremony at the boarding school with Ivy – I know my heart came near to stopping several times!
Although written in 1975, Felitta knows the fears of parents well and plays those fears and emotions to perfection. The narrator, Matt Godfrey performed the story well. His "Hoover" voice was adequately creepy and his "Mr. Templeton’s" voice was perfect as the father.
I enjoyed the book – Ok, enjoy is not quite the word; I was terrified, creeped out and sitting on pins and needles until the end – so, ... yes … I enjoyed the book! The fears of parents don't really change over time so although written in 1975 the fears of parents are very similar then and now. This is a timeless book!
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
Audrey Rose is a serious and well written story about a small child who died in a fiery crash and has come back reincarnated as Ivy Templeton. Audrey father, Elliot Hoover has spent years learning about reincarnation and Hinduism and more to find peace and determine if a psychic’s words that Audrey is alive and well, living in New York is true.
Hoover becomes a weird stalker type trying to convince the Templeton’s that he needs to be in Ivy’s life as she is his Audrey Rose. As good parents, the Templeton’s try to stop Hoover but ultimately during the court case, psychiatrists are called in and there discover the truth – the horrifying truth.
As a parent whose son was born within minutes of the Space Shuttle exploding in 1986 (I was grateful he was born first!), I understand the fears that parents can experience. Frank De Felitta plays on those fears and many more. Detailed descriptions of the painful and terrifying death of Audrey and the melting ceremony at the boarding school with Ivy – I know my heart came near to stopping several times!
Although written in 1975, Felitta knows the fears of parents well and plays those fears and emotions to perfection. The narrator, Matt Godfrey performed the story well. His "Hoover" voice was adequately creepy and his "Mr. Templeton’s" voice was perfect as the father.
I enjoyed the book – Ok, enjoy is not quite the word; I was terrified, creeped out and sitting on pins and needles until the end – so, ... yes … I enjoyed the book! The fears of parents don't really change over time so although written in 1975 the fears of parents are very similar then and now. This is a timeless book!
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
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