All the good themes and motifs from your favorite horror movies, all rolled into one original psychological thriller.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this book when I randomly chose it as a listen on Audible. “Just another scary story,” I thought. And in a sense, it is just that, but not from the reasons you would think. Even though “A Head Full Of Ghost” is heavily inspired by the great exorcism and ghost stories, what it mainly delivers is a psychological insight into family dynamics and individual struggles.
The characters are beautifully constructed, each in a world of their own, trying to make sense of what is happening – in their home, to their house, and to them.
If you’ve watched and enjoyed “The Exorcist,” “The Amityville Horror,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” or “Paranormal Investigation,” you will definitely love “A Head Full Of Ghosts,” as you will constantly recognize similar elements. In fact, it will work better because the difference regarding the psychological layers will be even more striking.
*Oh, and it will also work if you’ve watched at least an episode of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” Don’t ask why. Read, and you will see.
**And if you’ve read “We Have Always Lived In The Castle” by Shirley Jackson. 😉
Synopsis
Strange things are happening in the Barretts’ house. Most of them are linked to 14-year-old Marjorie, who suffers from a form of schizophrenia that does not respond particularly well to classic approaches of therapy. So, the family looks for answers elsewhere: They reach out to Father Wanderly, a Catholic priest who suggests an exorcism might be the solution. From the moment they accept his approach, things spin out of control, affecting everyone in the house, but mainly changing life forever for 8-year old Merry, Marjorie’s sister, who witnessed it all.
My Favorite Quote:
“On the morning of the exorcism, I stayed home from school.” – Merry Barrett.
Book Data
Title: A Head Full of Ghosts
Author: Paul Tremblay
Narrated by: Joy Osmanski
Format: Audio.
Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Platform: Audible.com.
Year: 2015
Publisher: HarperAudio.
WHERE TO LISTEN TO “THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY”
Audible | Free with Audible Trial.
MY RATING
8/10 Pineapples
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