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The Lords of Salem
"The book offers a different experience from the film since it can obviously go into much more detail," says Rob Zombie. "The book and the film really complement each other."
From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood...
The Lords of Salem
Heidi Hawthorne is a thirty-seven-year-old FM radio DJ and a recovering drug addict. Struggling with her newfound sobriety and creeping depression, Heidi suddenly receives an anonymous gift at the station-a mysteriously shaped wooden box branded with a strange symbol. Inside the box is a promotional record for a band that identifies themselves only as The Lords. There is no other information.
She decides to play it on the radio show as a joke, and the moment she does, horrible things begin to happen. The strange music awakens something evil in the town. Soon enough, terrifying murders begin to happen all around Heidi. Who are The Lords? What do they want?
As old bloodlines are awakened and the bodies start to pile up, only one thing seems all hell is about to break loose.
From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood...
The Lords of Salem
Heidi Hawthorne is a thirty-seven-year-old FM radio DJ and a recovering drug addict. Struggling with her newfound sobriety and creeping depression, Heidi suddenly receives an anonymous gift at the station-a mysteriously shaped wooden box branded with a strange symbol. Inside the box is a promotional record for a band that identifies themselves only as The Lords. There is no other information.
She decides to play it on the radio show as a joke, and the moment she does, horrible things begin to happen. The strange music awakens something evil in the town. Soon enough, terrifying murders begin to happen all around Heidi. Who are The Lords? What do they want?
As old bloodlines are awakened and the bodies start to pile up, only one thing seems all hell is about to break loose.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2012
About the author
Rob Zombie
50 books133 followersRobert Bartleh Cummings, better known by his stage name, Rob Zombie, is an American musician, film director, screenwriter, film producer and writer.
He founded the heavy metal band White Zombie, and as a solo musician sold a further 15 million albums. Five of his albums have been certified platinum and another two have been certified gold, making him the artist with the most gold and platinum discs on the Geffen Records label.
Zombie has also established a successful career as a film director, creating the movies House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects, as well as the 2007 remake of Halloween.
He founded the heavy metal band White Zombie, and as a solo musician sold a further 15 million albums. Five of his albums have been certified platinum and another two have been certified gold, making him the artist with the most gold and platinum discs on the Geffen Records label.
Zombie has also established a successful career as a film director, creating the movies House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects, as well as the 2007 remake of Halloween.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
May 22, 2019
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for ages and I must say, it absolutely does not disappoint! In fact, it’s probably one of the, if not THE best horror book I’ve read yet this year. It takes a lot to make me uncomfortable and I have a very strong stomach when it comes to violence and gore but this book takes it to a whole new level! There were a couple passages where I actually had to stop and collect myself because I felt sick to my stomach. In the best way possible of course! I’ve heard the movie isn’t so great (I haven’t watched it so I can’t say) but don’t let that deter you from reading this if you’re a horror fan. Read it and you’ll love it, I swear.
March 20, 2013
I love Rob Zombie's films, and I'm sure I'll like the movie of this story, but as far as the novel goes... Ugh. I love all of the elements present, such as Salem witch hunters and witches, scary Satanic rituals, mysterious figures in supposedly vacant rooms, a haunted protagonist struggling to stay on the straight and narrow, hidden messages, etc. But the execution was pretty poor. It's like he took his screenplay, or notes for his screenplay, and very hastily slapped it all together in vaguely narrative format. There were abundant repetitive word choices, and lots of clunky phrasing. There were some great set pieces described, and I could tell some of it would make some great freaky movie scenes, but as a novel it lacked the depth of character and story development to have the impact it should have. Despite all the violence and monsters and horrific visions, at the end I just kind of went, "Eh." I was very disappointed because I WANTED it to be the same kind of disposable fun as watching a slasher flick, it's not like I was expecting a lot. Hmph.
November 19, 2013
*Update: I watched the film and thought it was awful! Don’t let it put you off reading the book there two different things. I love Rob Zombie, Sheri Moon and House of a thousand corpses but L.O.S was just terrible. Bad film, awesome book!*
I really don't understand why this book has got such bad reviews, I loved it! It is what I've been searching for, for a while now a story about evil witches. Not the friendly misunderstood teenage girl witches that they all seem to be in every book I've looked at. No these are the totally crazy, dancing around a fire covered in blood kind.
I will say that I haven't seen the film yet it's on order and the book got here first, so I can't compare the two yet. But all the reviews I have seen for the book are really bad. A lot of them saying that it didn't make sense and that there were a lot of things that just happened for the sake of adding gore. I'm so glad that I just got the book anyway because I was drawn into this from page one.
I wasn't at any point board or confused it all made sense. And yes it was bloody but that's what I wanted, wouldn't be Rob Zombie otherwise. The book was very twisted and really did creep me out a few times! It has stuck in my head to the point where I’m having some pretty strange dreams now, which shows that some of the messed up things that happen in that book really where unsettling.
Really, really loved this book. I will post an update after I've seen the film, but for some reason I really don't think it’s going to be as good as the book. I think it got into my head more reading and imaging these things myself rather than seeing them.
I really don't understand why this book has got such bad reviews, I loved it! It is what I've been searching for, for a while now a story about evil witches. Not the friendly misunderstood teenage girl witches that they all seem to be in every book I've looked at. No these are the totally crazy, dancing around a fire covered in blood kind.
I will say that I haven't seen the film yet it's on order and the book got here first, so I can't compare the two yet. But all the reviews I have seen for the book are really bad. A lot of them saying that it didn't make sense and that there were a lot of things that just happened for the sake of adding gore. I'm so glad that I just got the book anyway because I was drawn into this from page one.
I wasn't at any point board or confused it all made sense. And yes it was bloody but that's what I wanted, wouldn't be Rob Zombie otherwise. The book was very twisted and really did creep me out a few times! It has stuck in my head to the point where I’m having some pretty strange dreams now, which shows that some of the messed up things that happen in that book really where unsettling.
Really, really loved this book. I will post an update after I've seen the film, but for some reason I really don't think it’s going to be as good as the book. I think it got into my head more reading and imaging these things myself rather than seeing them.
March 19, 2022
The town of Salem is haunted by a long history of witchcraft, satanic orgies and gruesome ritualistic murders. A vengeful curse looms over the fate of Heidi Hawthorne, a descendent of a witch hunter who once tortured and punished the evildoers of the past. A conspiracy emerges from a centuries-old vendetta to take revenge on the descendent of the man who once led a crusade against the monstrous coven of witches that ruled Salem long ago. Evil reemerges from the past with the arrival of a disturbed heavy metal band called the Lords of Salem, delivering chaos and misfortune through paranormally-charged music that drives its listeners to embrace the darkness within them.
Metalhead Heidi runs a radio show while battling a drug addiction. The plot plays out in a very similar manner as Rosemary's Baby, but with Rob Zombie's touch of metal weirdness. Everyone closes in on Heidi, seeking to use her for some sinister gain. She is the crucial piece in fulfilling a dark prophecy, but the line between reality, hallucination and relapse constantly drive the events of the plot into a chaotic downward spiral.
The story is good and it wears its influences on its sleeve without little subtly, but the prose and dialogue really dragged things down for me. The horror and gore were on point, but I never felt any true emotion or despair when something terrible happened to a main character because the writing felt like a movie script with no extra flair or style added to it. None of the characters were very compelling except for a writer named Francis who tries to piece together the wicked conspiracy haunting Salem. The main plot twist was also very obvious since it pretty much came out and told you the gist of it from the events of the prologue.
Lords of Salem wears its influences on its sleeve, but it never really surpasses any of them. At least not in book form. Contrary to the reviews, I thought the movie was much more thrilling, engaging and provocative than the book, which is rare for horror. I almost always love horror books more than their movie or television counterparts. Rob Zombie has such a flashy and visceral style though that the stilted prose and wooden dialogue in this book really takes away from his creative vision. I'd rather watch the movie or read Rosemary's Baby. Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box also has a similar plot but with a much better execution.
Metalhead Heidi runs a radio show while battling a drug addiction. The plot plays out in a very similar manner as Rosemary's Baby, but with Rob Zombie's touch of metal weirdness. Everyone closes in on Heidi, seeking to use her for some sinister gain. She is the crucial piece in fulfilling a dark prophecy, but the line between reality, hallucination and relapse constantly drive the events of the plot into a chaotic downward spiral.
The story is good and it wears its influences on its sleeve without little subtly, but the prose and dialogue really dragged things down for me. The horror and gore were on point, but I never felt any true emotion or despair when something terrible happened to a main character because the writing felt like a movie script with no extra flair or style added to it. None of the characters were very compelling except for a writer named Francis who tries to piece together the wicked conspiracy haunting Salem. The main plot twist was also very obvious since it pretty much came out and told you the gist of it from the events of the prologue.
Lords of Salem wears its influences on its sleeve, but it never really surpasses any of them. At least not in book form. Contrary to the reviews, I thought the movie was much more thrilling, engaging and provocative than the book, which is rare for horror. I almost always love horror books more than their movie or television counterparts. Rob Zombie has such a flashy and visceral style though that the stilted prose and wooden dialogue in this book really takes away from his creative vision. I'd rather watch the movie or read Rosemary's Baby. Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box also has a similar plot but with a much better execution.
April 22, 2013
I just wanted to start this review by saying I LOVE ROB ZOMBIE. However, i was very skeptical about reading this book after i read some of the reviews, but i just couldn't help myself.
I absolutely loved this book. Though the beginning started a little slow it morphed into one of the goriest, creepiest, and darkest books i have ever read. The main character (Heidi) was very likable and her past with her addiction as well as her struggle with her recovery was very easy to relate with. Even the supporting characters (Herman, Whitey, Francis, Chip, Lacy, etc) were all great.
The book combined some of the past with the present when it came to the Salem Witch Trails, which when combined with some of the situations and characters made this one creepy book. The detailing of the rituals and the "nightmares" were so well written that they kept me not only immensely involved in the book but i was on the end of my seat the whole time.
All in all i recommend this book to anyone that likes a truly disturbing story with a lot of gore. It was a good read with the ability to make you double check your surrounding when you are alone and think twice about your nightmares.
I absolutely loved this book. Though the beginning started a little slow it morphed into one of the goriest, creepiest, and darkest books i have ever read. The main character (Heidi) was very likable and her past with her addiction as well as her struggle with her recovery was very easy to relate with. Even the supporting characters (Herman, Whitey, Francis, Chip, Lacy, etc) were all great.
The book combined some of the past with the present when it came to the Salem Witch Trails, which when combined with some of the situations and characters made this one creepy book. The detailing of the rituals and the "nightmares" were so well written that they kept me not only immensely involved in the book but i was on the end of my seat the whole time.
All in all i recommend this book to anyone that likes a truly disturbing story with a lot of gore. It was a good read with the ability to make you double check your surrounding when you are alone and think twice about your nightmares.
March 22, 2013
I was pretty excited to get an inside look into Rob Zombie's new film in novel format. What we get is predictably dark stuff, with all the juicy bits of gore laid out in graphic detail for anyone who likes reading about how a chest wound wheezes air when a lung is punctured. The first few chapters delve deep into some dark territory, starting the book off with a Satanic sacrifice to get things flowing. This is a novel adapted from one of Rob Zombie's screenplays, so I assume the reader has some idea what they're getting into here.
The main story is fairly simple on the surface: a group of guilty (very guilty: see Satanic sacrifice in previous paragraph) women accused and put to death for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 vow their revenge upon their executioners' descendants. Cut to present day, and we are introduced to a rock radio DJ named Heidi and her funky band of co-workers. Heidi has a few problems, not least among them a dormant heroin addiction that constantly threatens to resurface. Unfortunately for her (and the residents of Salem), things are about to get a lot worse. An antique wooden box mysteriously shows up at the radio station, seemingly out of thin air. The box is addressed to Heidi--a gift from The Lords, which they all assume is a local band looking to get airplay. Their suspicions are only aided when the box is opened, revealing a thick vinyl record. But once the record is played, all hell breaks loose.
This is where the novel lost some of its punch for me. The record sets loose a flurry of disturbing activity that whittles away at Heidi's sanity day by day. She keeps having nightmarish visions that sound like an acid trip from hell. She isn't sleeping. And something is very wrong in the apartment down the hall. These events slowly start taking their toll as we witness Heidi slowly slip into a state of complete delirium as the madness around her only continues to grow. The main problem with these segments is that they were obviously meant to be a visual experience in the form of film, so trying to describe them in book format eventually gets rather tedious, like reading a book about a painting. What's the point? I'm not convinced that such a hallucinatory screenplay was the best choice to adapt into novel format.
As the novel goes on, we learn that, predictably, Heidi is a descendant of one of the original Salem witch trial executioners. Things don't go well for the residents of Salem, either, as the other remaining relatives of the executioners are driven to insane acts of murder every time the record from The Lords plays on the radio, which is apparently the only station anyone in Salem listens to. Trying to piece it all together is a local author and Salem witch trial historian who begins to see a connection between the victims, the record, and his book research. Rounding out the book is Heidi's landlord and her "sisters", who bring pleasant flashbacks of Rosemary's Baby. Creepy, always lurking, and brimming with false politeness, these three are always a highlight in any chapter.
Once the madness sets in, the only parts that still resembled a traditional novel were the bits where the historian tries to piece the puzzle together. Unfortunately, with most of the story told through Heidi's perspective, these bits come few and far between. But when they do, they are a welcome relief from all the insanity.
The story culminates in an abandoned theater, where, instead of becoming clearer, the intentions of The Lords become even murkier. I have a feeling the finished film is going to be amazing during this segment, but as a novel, sadly it fails. I'm tempted to compare this book to trying to put a film like Suspiria in novel form.
All in all, I think The Lords of Salem was probably best left as a film. In book format, there's nothing to entice the reader but long, descriptive passages of events that were obviously meant to be seen rather than read.
The main story is fairly simple on the surface: a group of guilty (very guilty: see Satanic sacrifice in previous paragraph) women accused and put to death for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 vow their revenge upon their executioners' descendants. Cut to present day, and we are introduced to a rock radio DJ named Heidi and her funky band of co-workers. Heidi has a few problems, not least among them a dormant heroin addiction that constantly threatens to resurface. Unfortunately for her (and the residents of Salem), things are about to get a lot worse. An antique wooden box mysteriously shows up at the radio station, seemingly out of thin air. The box is addressed to Heidi--a gift from The Lords, which they all assume is a local band looking to get airplay. Their suspicions are only aided when the box is opened, revealing a thick vinyl record. But once the record is played, all hell breaks loose.
This is where the novel lost some of its punch for me. The record sets loose a flurry of disturbing activity that whittles away at Heidi's sanity day by day. She keeps having nightmarish visions that sound like an acid trip from hell. She isn't sleeping. And something is very wrong in the apartment down the hall. These events slowly start taking their toll as we witness Heidi slowly slip into a state of complete delirium as the madness around her only continues to grow. The main problem with these segments is that they were obviously meant to be a visual experience in the form of film, so trying to describe them in book format eventually gets rather tedious, like reading a book about a painting. What's the point? I'm not convinced that such a hallucinatory screenplay was the best choice to adapt into novel format.
As the novel goes on, we learn that, predictably, Heidi is a descendant of one of the original Salem witch trial executioners. Things don't go well for the residents of Salem, either, as the other remaining relatives of the executioners are driven to insane acts of murder every time the record from The Lords plays on the radio, which is apparently the only station anyone in Salem listens to. Trying to piece it all together is a local author and Salem witch trial historian who begins to see a connection between the victims, the record, and his book research. Rounding out the book is Heidi's landlord and her "sisters", who bring pleasant flashbacks of Rosemary's Baby. Creepy, always lurking, and brimming with false politeness, these three are always a highlight in any chapter.
Once the madness sets in, the only parts that still resembled a traditional novel were the bits where the historian tries to piece the puzzle together. Unfortunately, with most of the story told through Heidi's perspective, these bits come few and far between. But when they do, they are a welcome relief from all the insanity.
The story culminates in an abandoned theater, where, instead of becoming clearer, the intentions of The Lords become even murkier. I have a feeling the finished film is going to be amazing during this segment, but as a novel, sadly it fails. I'm tempted to compare this book to trying to put a film like Suspiria in novel form.
All in all, I think The Lords of Salem was probably best left as a film. In book format, there's nothing to entice the reader but long, descriptive passages of events that were obviously meant to be seen rather than read.
February 13, 2016
Your opinion of this book should not be swayed by my review. I'm incredibly biased, as I've been a fan of Zombie's (both solo and with White Zombie) since I was about eleven.
That being said, this book was the shit.
Salem, Mass. Sept. 16th, 1692.
John Hawthorne, Samuel Mather and the brothers Magnus, Dean and Virgil, have spotted a coven of witches led by Margaret Morgan. Her coven has kidnapped a young pregnant girl and reaped her of her child, killing her and it in the process, in a sacrifice to Satan.
Hawthorne, Mather and the brothers Magnus take the witches into custody, 'try' them, and execute them, the majority by merciful fire, but ringleader Margaret Morgan by slow, agonizing torture.
It is done. The witches are gone.
But, as Hawthorne speculates as the bodies burn, are they truly doing the work of their Lord, killing witches, one of whom was barely a teenager? Or are they only securing their own places beside the coven in hell?
Salem, Mass. Now.
Heidi Hawthorne, recovering heroin addict and popular local DJ of Salem's rock station.
She and her fellow DJs are having their usual fun on the air, but a carved wooden box suspiciously appears in the lobby downstairs, addressed to Adelheid Elizabeth Hawthorne.
Heidi.
Inside the box is a vinyl record, marked only as 'The LORDS'.
Confused, but far from worried, Heidi and her friends play the record on their station.
It sucks.
When they play it for 'trash or smash' (like Download or Delete) they get a rousing fanbase for the strange music that, beyond 'scary metal' they have no category for.
But the strange thing is, that fanbase is all female.
Murders tagged as 'ritual' are starting to happen in Salem, committed by normal townswomen Maisie Mather and Virginia Williams (nee' Magnus).
Dark spirits are colliding in Salem, and Margaret Morgan and her coven are back, and the descendants of the men who saw fit to kill them are all at risk.
They need a new sacrifice.
Heidi begins to sleepwalk.
It's hard to figure how much Rob Zombie actually wrote and how much this coauthor, B.K Evenson did, but you know what? I don't care.
I personally don't think Rob Zombie just tacked his name onto this, I can see the influence he had on it. Just from being a huge fan of his music and films, I guess I can see what he would've put into it.
I do, however, side with those who say this was written with a film adaptation in mind. When you hear Heidi's description, it's hard not to picture Rob's lovely wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, who was cast as Heidi in the movie (not surprising, she's a great actress).
I really don't have a problem with that, though. Rob's a visionary, a director at heart. It comes through in this story a lot, and I guess if you're not into that, don't read it.
The story is horrifying and spectacular, though I can see how a lot of people would toss it off as a B-movie romp.
That's fine.
I just couldn't let Rob Zombie's horror book suck, you know? With that in mind, I might have glossed over anything I found dumb. A non-fan might interpret the book differently.
On a final note, this book demands to be accompanied by Rob's voice. I repeated White Zombie's La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1, Rob's Educated Horses (it has 'Lords of Salem' on it) and White Zombie's Astro-Creep 2000 at intervals while reading.
Makes for an excellent reading experience.
God hates... The Lords of Salem. No one... Can ever save them.
That being said, this book was the shit.
Salem, Mass. Sept. 16th, 1692.
John Hawthorne, Samuel Mather and the brothers Magnus, Dean and Virgil, have spotted a coven of witches led by Margaret Morgan. Her coven has kidnapped a young pregnant girl and reaped her of her child, killing her and it in the process, in a sacrifice to Satan.
Hawthorne, Mather and the brothers Magnus take the witches into custody, 'try' them, and execute them, the majority by merciful fire, but ringleader Margaret Morgan by slow, agonizing torture.
It is done. The witches are gone.
But, as Hawthorne speculates as the bodies burn, are they truly doing the work of their Lord, killing witches, one of whom was barely a teenager? Or are they only securing their own places beside the coven in hell?
Salem, Mass. Now.
Heidi Hawthorne, recovering heroin addict and popular local DJ of Salem's rock station.
She and her fellow DJs are having their usual fun on the air, but a carved wooden box suspiciously appears in the lobby downstairs, addressed to Adelheid Elizabeth Hawthorne.
Heidi.
Inside the box is a vinyl record, marked only as 'The LORDS'.
Confused, but far from worried, Heidi and her friends play the record on their station.
It sucks.
When they play it for 'trash or smash' (like Download or Delete) they get a rousing fanbase for the strange music that, beyond 'scary metal' they have no category for.
But the strange thing is, that fanbase is all female.
Murders tagged as 'ritual' are starting to happen in Salem, committed by normal townswomen Maisie Mather and Virginia Williams (nee' Magnus).
Dark spirits are colliding in Salem, and Margaret Morgan and her coven are back, and the descendants of the men who saw fit to kill them are all at risk.
They need a new sacrifice.
Heidi begins to sleepwalk.
It's hard to figure how much Rob Zombie actually wrote and how much this coauthor, B.K Evenson did, but you know what? I don't care.
I personally don't think Rob Zombie just tacked his name onto this, I can see the influence he had on it. Just from being a huge fan of his music and films, I guess I can see what he would've put into it.
I do, however, side with those who say this was written with a film adaptation in mind. When you hear Heidi's description, it's hard not to picture Rob's lovely wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, who was cast as Heidi in the movie (not surprising, she's a great actress).
I really don't have a problem with that, though. Rob's a visionary, a director at heart. It comes through in this story a lot, and I guess if you're not into that, don't read it.
The story is horrifying and spectacular, though I can see how a lot of people would toss it off as a B-movie romp.
That's fine.
I just couldn't let Rob Zombie's horror book suck, you know? With that in mind, I might have glossed over anything I found dumb. A non-fan might interpret the book differently.
On a final note, this book demands to be accompanied by Rob's voice. I repeated White Zombie's La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1, Rob's Educated Horses (it has 'Lords of Salem' on it) and White Zombie's Astro-Creep 2000 at intervals while reading.
Makes for an excellent reading experience.
God hates... The Lords of Salem. No one... Can ever save them.
April 21, 2013
I'm of two minds concerning Mr. Zombie; on one hand I respect him as a genuinely devoted fan of the horror genre, but on the other I more or less loathe the films he's made in said genre. However, there are also two reasons why I'll read this book; the local library's got a copy on pre-order, and Brian Evenson, one of today's most innovative writers of dark fiction, has co-written (ghostwritten?) it.
October 13, 2013
I kept wondering where this story was going as it was fast paced and had a decent plot. Then the book just ended. I knew going into it that this was an adaptation for the upcoming movie and now my expectations for said movie have been lowered. The book reads like a amateur English assignment at times with things stated strangely and repeated. All in all I enjoyed the story but it could have been less predictable and actually had an ending.
February 14, 2015
I have no clue what I just read. I will be honest. I DNF this. I got a little half way through it and thought it was blahhhhh. Really had high hopes for this.
October 10, 2024
It’s no secret that I’m completely obsessed with Rob Zombie and all of his works. The novelization of his movie The Lords of Salem is no different. It has such an eerie atmosphere and so much more detail within it. It’s the perfect blend of witches, gore and demonic forces.
June 14, 2021
Fino alla fine sono stata indecise se dare 3 stelle o 3 stelle e mezza.
Credo che mi fermerò a 3 stelle.
Direi un titolo senza infamia né lode. Come lo definisco io - letteratura da supermercato - senza nessuna pretesa. L'idea è molto buona, il tema interessante ma sembra privo di mordente. Mi ha lasciato con un sacco di domande in sospeso, prima fra le quali: "perché?"
Al di là di tutto, la lettura è stata spensierata e piacevole.
Cosa mi è piaciuto:
- il tema, i rimandi alla musica metal (con tanto di citazioni di artisti che adoro come Alice Cooper e gli Einsturzende Neubauten).
- i diversi POV dei protagonisti, soprattutto perché narratori interni. Alcune azioni o motivazioni sono estranee al personaggio che le racconta ed il lettore le scopre grazie al punto di vista dell'altro.
Cosa non mi è piaciuto:
- personaggi un po' superficiali.
- le tante domande lasciate in sospeso alla fine del libro.
Sarebbe stato un'ottima b-novel in stile ottantoso, ma anche qui sembra che manchi qualcosa.
Credo che mi fermerò a 3 stelle.
Direi un titolo senza infamia né lode. Come lo definisco io - letteratura da supermercato - senza nessuna pretesa. L'idea è molto buona, il tema interessante ma sembra privo di mordente. Mi ha lasciato con un sacco di domande in sospeso, prima fra le quali: "perché?"
Al di là di tutto, la lettura è stata spensierata e piacevole.
Cosa mi è piaciuto:
- il tema, i rimandi alla musica metal (con tanto di citazioni di artisti che adoro come Alice Cooper e gli Einsturzende Neubauten).
- i diversi POV dei protagonisti, soprattutto perché narratori interni. Alcune azioni o motivazioni sono estranee al personaggio che le racconta ed il lettore le scopre grazie al punto di vista dell'altro.
Cosa non mi è piaciuto:
- personaggi un po' superficiali.
- le tante domande lasciate in sospeso alla fine del libro.
Sarebbe stato un'ottima b-novel in stile ottantoso, ma anche qui sembra che manchi qualcosa.
April 22, 2013
I have been a big fan of Rob Zombie for a very long time. I started with his music and when he started making movies I was very excited. I have liked all of his movies so far and I am very excited to see this one as well. When I saw that there was a novelization of the movie I put my name on the list at the library right away. As excited as I was to read this I came to realize that after reading this book I expected more.
The plot and story of the book I think will make a great movie, but the writing was not very good. Now I am not sure who to blame for this, Rob Zombie or BK Evenson. The plot and story is clearly Zombie’s vision down to the cheesy horror references and trippy dream sequences; but the writing was not very skilled, and the adaptation from screen play to novel was not very well done. The biggest problem I had with the way this was written is the amount of detail of the surroundings. It read just like a technical guide for stage design. I can see these being amazing visuals being great in the movie, but when reading it, I felt like he was trying to describe the scene to someone with no imagination. I don’t need to know each crack and line in the stairs leading to the second level. I have seen stairs before, run down was all I needed to know. This could have been a much shorter book if I wasn’t constantly beaten over the head with detail.
When it comes to Zombie’s films I expect cheese and gratuitous violence and this was clearly present here. Only part of the opening sacrificial scene was a little much to read, but once I got past that I was fine with the rest of the story. I have read several of the reviews of the movie who have said it is just a huge acid trip. There are scenes like that in the book, but I felt there is more substance than that. Since I haven’t seen the movie I can only speak to the book so things may be different. I liked the story about the witches, and how they have lived quietly waiting for their revenge. I felt this was a very thought out and developed idea for Rob Zombie.
Overall, I liked this book. It took awhile to get going, and I did struggle with it at first. Now that I have finished it, I am more interested to see the movie. Of course as a fan, I was planning on seeing it anyway. Even with the abrupt ending, it was an enjoyable book. Not the best book I have read this year, but I did like indulging my cheesy horror side for a little while.
The plot and story of the book I think will make a great movie, but the writing was not very good. Now I am not sure who to blame for this, Rob Zombie or BK Evenson. The plot and story is clearly Zombie’s vision down to the cheesy horror references and trippy dream sequences; but the writing was not very skilled, and the adaptation from screen play to novel was not very well done. The biggest problem I had with the way this was written is the amount of detail of the surroundings. It read just like a technical guide for stage design. I can see these being amazing visuals being great in the movie, but when reading it, I felt like he was trying to describe the scene to someone with no imagination. I don’t need to know each crack and line in the stairs leading to the second level. I have seen stairs before, run down was all I needed to know. This could have been a much shorter book if I wasn’t constantly beaten over the head with detail.
When it comes to Zombie’s films I expect cheese and gratuitous violence and this was clearly present here. Only part of the opening sacrificial scene was a little much to read, but once I got past that I was fine with the rest of the story. I have read several of the reviews of the movie who have said it is just a huge acid trip. There are scenes like that in the book, but I felt there is more substance than that. Since I haven’t seen the movie I can only speak to the book so things may be different. I liked the story about the witches, and how they have lived quietly waiting for their revenge. I felt this was a very thought out and developed idea for Rob Zombie.
Overall, I liked this book. It took awhile to get going, and I did struggle with it at first. Now that I have finished it, I am more interested to see the movie. Of course as a fan, I was planning on seeing it anyway. Even with the abrupt ending, it was an enjoyable book. Not the best book I have read this year, but I did like indulging my cheesy horror side for a little while.
April 7, 2013
The question of whether or not you should read this book lies in this statement: "The book is by Rob Zombie."
I haven't listened to his music (except for what's been put on the soundtracks to his movies) but I've seen most of his movies. I didn't see the most recent one, but I own the others and I will definitely be seeing this one as soon as I can.
His movies are weird and twisted, definitely pushing the bounds of good taste (especially you, House of 1,000 Corpses!) and they are definitely not something for most people.
This book was basically the same thing: very dark, very unusual, very bizarre and very, VERY creepy. I can't wait to see how it's adapted into a movie and I'm very interested in seeing how toned down it will have to be to get an R rating. I'm guessing there will be a lot of shadowy shots, especially toward the end.
This book was definitely for me. It may not be for you. Proceed with caution.
I haven't listened to his music (except for what's been put on the soundtracks to his movies) but I've seen most of his movies. I didn't see the most recent one, but I own the others and I will definitely be seeing this one as soon as I can.
His movies are weird and twisted, definitely pushing the bounds of good taste (especially you, House of 1,000 Corpses!) and they are definitely not something for most people.
This book was basically the same thing: very dark, very unusual, very bizarre and very, VERY creepy. I can't wait to see how it's adapted into a movie and I'm very interested in seeing how toned down it will have to be to get an R rating. I'm guessing there will be a lot of shadowy shots, especially toward the end.
This book was definitely for me. It may not be for you. Proceed with caution.
May 28, 2013
i wanted to read the book first before i actually seen the movie. this is the first book that I have ever read about witches and just even horror in general and man was I hooked. I couldn't put this book down! I love the way robs imagination ran with the characters. it makes you feel like you are one with them. I loved the way the book started and I loved the way it ended. I loved how this creature just consumed you and took control of your body. I loved the way it spoke to you in your head. its a really deep book mentally. I loved it from start to finish!!
hats off to rob zombie! :)
hats off to rob zombie! :)
April 19, 2014
Lords of Salem recounts the tale of the descendant of a Colonial-era witchhunter who has been targeted for revenge by some of his victims.
I will admit that firstly I'm a long-time horror fan, and secondly that I don't that highly of Rob Zombie's cinematic efforts (Devil's Rejects aside). Despite that, I figured I would try his attempt at a novel out. The book starts out promisingly enough, but ultimately failed to entertain. If this had simply been a book tie-in for the movie as once was popular, I might have judged the book less hardly. But when Zombie plasters his name at the top and then tries to charge almost $10.00 for an ebook, I'm not going to be as forgiving.
Firstly, I will give credit where it's due. The writing itself is generally good, though the dialogue feels a little creaky at times. The book is also a quick read, so it will not take long for readers to finish. I will also say that some of the dream sequences, though there are way too many, are quite effective - particularly those involving the TV.
The characters are so-so. None of them are particularly textured or vivid, and their traits are "meh" at most. Herman is stuck in the 70's and smoke cigars. Whitey is lazy and likes Heidi. Heidi is an ex-drug addict and loves her dog. The drug addiction angle is fleshed out more, but frankly it felt like a crutch to allow Heidi to explain away all the insane things happening to her that a typical person would be scared by. Furthermore, none of them are really given enough time on the page that you're really rooting for them.
Most annoying though is Zombie's typical glorification of evil. I root for Jason Vorhees just as much as the next guy, so that does not automatically bother me. But as with many of his stories, the evil seems to be glorified simply for an anti-authority, alternative, counter-culture aesthetic based solely around shock value. Yes, it's shocking when nice/good-hearted characters die, but automatically not satisfying from a narrative point of view. Creating a reason that good and evil are not as far apart as we think (which they hint at in the book with the cruelty of the witchhunter and his assistants) would have been a more nuanced and interesting idea, but the characters who are punished are so removed from the original crime that their punishment carries no sense of fairness or even commiseration with the bad girls for wanting revenge. As it is the "evil is more interesting and powerful than good" theme is tired at best, and eye-rollingly "edgy" at worst.
There are a number of contrivances that make the book unsatisfying as well. In a book where the Devil is real and helping his disciples, it stands that the converse would be true. Nope, just the bad guys get any help, which is convenient. It's also convenient that all the ancestors of the witchhunters just happen to be women, which are the only gender affected by the spell of revenge. It's convenient that only one character in the book seems to question all the bizarre stuff going on. Also, what was the point of the two nuns in the story?
As is evident, I cannot recommend this book. It's overpriced, undersatisfying, and displays a typical Zombie penchant for "evil is better" which doesn't really float my boat. If you are a Zombie fan, I have no doubt you'll like it as it is something different than his usual psychopathic serial killer plot, but familiar enough to enjoy. Anyone who has not like Zombie's other efforts and are thinking of giving him a second chance like I did - save your time and money.
I will admit that firstly I'm a long-time horror fan, and secondly that I don't that highly of Rob Zombie's cinematic efforts (Devil's Rejects aside). Despite that, I figured I would try his attempt at a novel out. The book starts out promisingly enough, but ultimately failed to entertain. If this had simply been a book tie-in for the movie as once was popular, I might have judged the book less hardly. But when Zombie plasters his name at the top and then tries to charge almost $10.00 for an ebook, I'm not going to be as forgiving.
Firstly, I will give credit where it's due. The writing itself is generally good, though the dialogue feels a little creaky at times. The book is also a quick read, so it will not take long for readers to finish. I will also say that some of the dream sequences, though there are way too many, are quite effective - particularly those involving the TV.
The characters are so-so. None of them are particularly textured or vivid, and their traits are "meh" at most. Herman is stuck in the 70's and smoke cigars. Whitey is lazy and likes Heidi. Heidi is an ex-drug addict and loves her dog. The drug addiction angle is fleshed out more, but frankly it felt like a crutch to allow Heidi to explain away all the insane things happening to her that a typical person would be scared by. Furthermore, none of them are really given enough time on the page that you're really rooting for them.
Most annoying though is Zombie's typical glorification of evil. I root for Jason Vorhees just as much as the next guy, so that does not automatically bother me. But as with many of his stories, the evil seems to be glorified simply for an anti-authority, alternative, counter-culture aesthetic based solely around shock value. Yes, it's shocking when nice/good-hearted characters die, but automatically not satisfying from a narrative point of view. Creating a reason that good and evil are not as far apart as we think (which they hint at in the book with the cruelty of the witchhunter and his assistants) would have been a more nuanced and interesting idea, but the characters who are punished are so removed from the original crime that their punishment carries no sense of fairness or even commiseration with the bad girls for wanting revenge. As it is the "evil is more interesting and powerful than good" theme is tired at best, and eye-rollingly "edgy" at worst.
There are a number of contrivances that make the book unsatisfying as well. In a book where the Devil is real and helping his disciples, it stands that the converse would be true. Nope, just the bad guys get any help, which is convenient. It's also convenient that all the ancestors of the witchhunters just happen to be women, which are the only gender affected by the spell of revenge. It's convenient that only one character in the book seems to question all the bizarre stuff going on. Also, what was the point of the two nuns in the story?
As is evident, I cannot recommend this book. It's overpriced, undersatisfying, and displays a typical Zombie penchant for "evil is better" which doesn't really float my boat. If you are a Zombie fan, I have no doubt you'll like it as it is something different than his usual psychopathic serial killer plot, but familiar enough to enjoy. Anyone who has not like Zombie's other efforts and are thinking of giving him a second chance like I did - save your time and money.
November 25, 2022
REVIEW: The Lords of Salem by Rob Zombie & B.K. Evenson (3 Stars)
Rob Zombie is divisive to say the least. Most people either love his movies or hate them. I tend to fall in the former category with the exception of his previous three outings (31, 3 From Hell, & The Munsters). Although The Devil's Rejects is his masterpiece, House of 1000 Corpses established his aesthetic, and his two Halloween contributions brought an original vision to the franchise, The Lords of Salem is arguably his most original film. I would also argue that it's the one that challenges even his most devoted fans. Personally, I love it. Its cinematography, score, creepy mood, and quiet tone were all refreshingly unique. He even draws out a decent performance by Sheri Moon Zombie.
Having said all that, I had no idea he wrote a Lords of Salem book. Even after learning this, I assumed it was a novelization of the film. Turns out it's not. The book was written first and actually informs a lot of the behind-the-scenes motivations that were unclear in the film. Even though it compliments the movie, I would by no means say that it's better.
Yes, with the book you do understand more of the story; however, you miss the stunning visuals and music that the film provides. And because Zombie is praised more for his direction than his scripts, taking away the imagery leaves a less engaging narrative. Zombie's prose has much room for improvement, mostly because he has no distinctive narrative voice. The blazing originality that he shows from the director's chair just doesn't translate to the page. Even in the hands of a more competent novelist, I just don't think there's much of a story here. You can get away with that on the screen but not in the literary arena.
Rob Zombie is divisive to say the least. Most people either love his movies or hate them. I tend to fall in the former category with the exception of his previous three outings (31, 3 From Hell, & The Munsters). Although The Devil's Rejects is his masterpiece, House of 1000 Corpses established his aesthetic, and his two Halloween contributions brought an original vision to the franchise, The Lords of Salem is arguably his most original film. I would also argue that it's the one that challenges even his most devoted fans. Personally, I love it. Its cinematography, score, creepy mood, and quiet tone were all refreshingly unique. He even draws out a decent performance by Sheri Moon Zombie.
Having said all that, I had no idea he wrote a Lords of Salem book. Even after learning this, I assumed it was a novelization of the film. Turns out it's not. The book was written first and actually informs a lot of the behind-the-scenes motivations that were unclear in the film. Even though it compliments the movie, I would by no means say that it's better.
Yes, with the book you do understand more of the story; however, you miss the stunning visuals and music that the film provides. And because Zombie is praised more for his direction than his scripts, taking away the imagery leaves a less engaging narrative. Zombie's prose has much room for improvement, mostly because he has no distinctive narrative voice. The blazing originality that he shows from the director's chair just doesn't translate to the page. Even in the hands of a more competent novelist, I just don't think there's much of a story here. You can get away with that on the screen but not in the literary arena.
November 15, 2017
Like probably everybody else, I read this because Brian Evenson, a usually interesting writer, "co-wrote" it with Zombie, an at first interesting director who has long since outstayed his welcome in the horror movie genre.
Frankly, if it DIDN'T end with Satan raping the main character I would have been surprised. There's so much padding and passivity in this book that should by its very genre (a book) be more ambitious than its source material (a movie) because there's no budget constraints and there's interiority. Instead we get a lot of backstory about the characters but who needs more backstory? Give me a plot! Give me characters who may be eternally fucked but at least struggle with being fucked! Don't give me a story where the main character is introduced waking up and the next three chapters are her making coffee! This book ends JUST when it's getting interesting, just when it should have started. The only charm it has comes with the befuddled Francis and his wife. I kinda want to corner Evenson at some Brown party and ask him what the deal is.
Two days after finishing the book I watched the movie and in a lot of ways it's better: a Ken Russell fan film with dollops of Fire Walk with Me and Rosemary's Baby. It cuts out all the bullshit that fills up the book and has a pretty good cast. It's still not very... informative, but at least it's visually pleasing.
Frankly, if it DIDN'T end with Satan raping the main character I would have been surprised. There's so much padding and passivity in this book that should by its very genre (a book) be more ambitious than its source material (a movie) because there's no budget constraints and there's interiority. Instead we get a lot of backstory about the characters but who needs more backstory? Give me a plot! Give me characters who may be eternally fucked but at least struggle with being fucked! Don't give me a story where the main character is introduced waking up and the next three chapters are her making coffee! This book ends JUST when it's getting interesting, just when it should have started. The only charm it has comes with the befuddled Francis and his wife. I kinda want to corner Evenson at some Brown party and ask him what the deal is.
Two days after finishing the book I watched the movie and in a lot of ways it's better: a Ken Russell fan film with dollops of Fire Walk with Me and Rosemary's Baby. It cuts out all the bullshit that fills up the book and has a pretty good cast. It's still not very... informative, but at least it's visually pleasing.
January 24, 2014
I honestly am not sure why I read this--I did not love the movie and I could have guessed I was in for more of the same. I will give it the credit that it gives more information than the movie but that is not really a great thing here. Honestly, while the Salem witch hunts are certainly amazing fodder for fiction, the story just seems to circle around and then land exactly where you thought it would. I have to say I am a bit surprised to see Zombie come down on the side of the "witches are evil" thing--in fact I would say I don't think he feels that way--and that makes all this traditional witch bullshit stuff pretty uninspired. I get the concept of revenge for the innocent witches (read:women) that died and maybe even grabbing a horror story from that--but the idea that the women during the burning times were actually summoning the devil, eating babies and generally just being awful does not really represent the truth or do anything but make the witch hunters look like not so bad dudes just looking to keep the peace. The truth is that Zombie has a fantastic visual sense and is great showman and musician. He's still struggling to find his voice in other artistic areas and I like to support that--but he's gonna have to do waaay better.
December 8, 2020
Conosco Rob Zombie come Musicista e regista e lo apprezzo molto, ma dopo questa lettura inizierò a rispettarlo anche come scrittore. Non so sino a che punto è stato aiutato da Svenson, ma quello che è venuto fuori è un romanzo gradevole, oscuro, ma allo stesso tempo frizzante. Non sono mai stato un grade appassionato di stregoneria e satanismo, ma quest'opera mi ha catturato dalla prima all'ultima pagina con il suo incedere costante verso il poderoso finale.
Una lettura che consiglio a tutti gli amanti dei libri che tengono con il fiato sospeso dalla prima all'ultima pagina.
Metto quattro stelline perchè avrei gradito sapere qualcosa in più su qualche personaggio e un finale più chiuso.
Una lettura che consiglio a tutti gli amanti dei libri che tengono con il fiato sospeso dalla prima all'ultima pagina.
Metto quattro stelline perchè avrei gradito sapere qualcosa in più su qualche personaggio e un finale più chiuso.
April 12, 2013
I'm left with mixed feelings over this one. I enjoyed how different and graphic it was but in areas it felt forced. To me it seemed a lot like reading a movie script as a lot of it consisted of visual concepts that weren't described very well. The visual aspects took up the main bulk of the book and did get rather tedious. There wasn't much depth provided regarding characters or background. Also the book didn't flow very well and was rather jumpy. The book has got me looking forward to the film and I think it will do better on screen.
April 14, 2013
Ugh. What a disappointment. The premise and concept were interesting, but the execution was awful. I can handle graphic depictions of violence, gore and horror, but only when it serves the plot. Unfortunately after the first part the plot got lost in the shock horror value. I think Rob Zombie should stick to music and movies because he is definitely not a writer. ETA: I should clarify that I lovelovelove horror movies and novels and I wasn't expecting amazing writing. I also wasn't expecting plotless crap especially when the plot had promise.
April 25, 2015
Im sure that if I read the book first before watching the movie, it would have made more sense. However, I still found myself bored at times with the story. With such a rich and interesting premise, I feel that it was done rather lazily.
September 6, 2016
It's been a long time since I've read a horror book that genuinely creeped me out the whole way through. I was seriously looking at the shadows in the corners of my house suspiciously while reading it. Deliciously gory from the first chapter to the end.
January 25, 2022
1,5 Sterne
Mag als Film funktionieren, im Buchformat aber einfach nur unausgereift und ernüchternd.
Mag als Film funktionieren, im Buchformat aber einfach nur unausgereift und ernüchternd.
December 20, 2022
Sadly this was so boring. It's a slow burn horror with very little horror. The opening and the concept are great, but the delivery was weak.
Lots of repetition. Usually I won't even notice, but it was quite obvious in this book. I wasn't expecting the writing to be amazing, but I wasn't expecting to be bored.
I will say I liked the way the ending went, but I almost DNF'd with five pages left because I was STILL bored.
So good concept, poor delivery.
Lots of repetition. Usually I won't even notice, but it was quite obvious in this book. I wasn't expecting the writing to be amazing, but I wasn't expecting to be bored.
I will say I liked the way the ending went, but I almost DNF'd with five pages left because I was STILL bored.
So good concept, poor delivery.
January 20, 2021
SE ci si aspetta un horror sottilmente inquietante si resta profondamente delusi. Splatter, trash, a volte scontato ma davvero una lettura godibile, ci riporta ai bei tempi di Lamberto Bava e di alcuni film di Dario Argento
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October 31, 2023DNF. Again.
January 12, 2021
Non sono abituata a leggere horror (il mio riferimento ad oggi è solo Stephen King) e ho un pò faticato durante le descrizioni più sanguinose.
Mi è piaciuto il ritmo.
Mi è piaciuto il ritmo.
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