'Island' by Richard Laymon is a psychological thriller that follows the story of eight people who find themselves stranded on a tropical island after a boating accident. As they struggle to survive, a crazed murderer begins hunting them down one by one in gruesome ways. The book is narrated from the perspective of a teenage boy named Rupert, who not only describes the terrifying events unfolding but also delves into his own sexual fantasies and obsessions with the female characters. The writing style is described as fast-paced, filled with suspense and shocking twists, making it a page-turner for readers.

Characters:

Characters are largely one-dimensional, focusing on their sexual attributes and reactions to peril, with the main character exhibiting juvenile behaviors.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by its sensationalist tone and a focus on the juvenile thoughts of the teenage narrator, creating an eye-rolling yet engaging style.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a group marooned on an island due to an exploding yacht, leading to their struggle against a lurking killer.

Setting:

The isolated tropical island setting plays a crucial role in heightening the survival horror aspects of the plot.

Pacing:

The book is initially fast-paced but later drags, with some readers feeling it would benefit from tighter editing.

On February 14, 2001, at far too young an age, Richard Laymon left this world for another. Within a large community of suspense, horror, mystery, and fantasy writers, news of his death was received wi...

Notes:

Island is written from the perspective of an 18-year-old boy named Rupert.

The book features a mix of horror, sex, and violence, typical of Richard Laymon's style.

Characters often engage in inappropriate and unrealistic behavior throughout the story.

Rupert obsessively describes the female characters' bodies, often causing annoyance to readers.

The premise involves a group stranded on an island after their yacht explodes, only to be hunted by a murderer.

The book's length (over 500 pages) has been criticized as being too long, with repetitive elements.

There are elements of dark humor, as readers often find the absurdity of situations amusing.

The ending includes a significant and surprising twist that leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Readers have mixed feelings, with some finding it compelling yet disturbingly juvenile.

One reviewer compared it to a bad movie that you just can't look away from despite its flaws.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include sexual violence, graphic violence, and depictions of rape.

From The Publisher:

When eight people go on a cruise in the Bahamas, they plan to swim, sunbathe, and relax. Getting shipwrecked is definitely not in the script. But after the yacht blows up they're stranded on a deserted island... and there's a maniac on the loose.

Ratings (4)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (1)

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Island

Richard Laymon