Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York, Dodd, Mead [1970]
Description
Everywhere she turns, Linda Randolph hears voices: from empty dark corners and lonely rooms. But it is the house itself that speaks the loudest, telling Linda to run for her life. Her husband, Gordon, the noted statesman and scholar, suggests she's losing her mind. Linda almost hopes it's true, because the alternate explanation is too terrible to contemplate: that Gordon is intimately involved with dark, diabolical forces beyond the scope of the natural and rational. Either Linda Randolph is half-mad ... or her husband is pure evil.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
Oh my, where to start? This one was very spooky and gave me nightmares. I think it is because the novel is really about trust and misplaced trust. It is about manipulation and emotional abuse. The occult trappings are just a way to explore those themes.
The novel is certainly a product of the times.
It isn't a book I would read frequently, but it is one that will stick with me.
The novel is certainly a product of the times.
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Originally written in 1970, this book pulls upon the culture of the time. During that time period, more than one author used occult themes. Given the abilities of Barbara Michaels, it isn't surprising that she succeeded in producing a haunting book. It isn't a book I would read frequently, but it is one that will stick with me.
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LibraryThing member victorianrose869
January 23, 2000
The Dark on the Other Side
Barbara Michaels
Another early work of BM’s, still with that 70’s dark, insanity-tinged atmosphere. Must have been a popular theme then. The main character(s) are always deeply troubled and a little nutty - the predecessors, I suppose, of the more
Linda Randolph may or may not be going insane, and by all appearances seems to have tried to kill her filthy rich and handsome husband, Gordon. Gordon is the long-suffering mate, trying to bear his wife’s illness bravely. Hmmm.
Michael Collins gets involved when he’s asked to paint a portrait of Linda – one of those things rich people have done, I guess. All he can see at first is that for some reason, Linda Randolph drinks too much and more importantly, seems to really hate her husband. She also has a terrible fear of dogs. Even the word “dog” is enough to make her nearly keel over in a faint. You find out why that is later. She says she’s being haunted by a par of giant, black dogs – devil dogs. Proof of her nuttiness? Michael thinks so – at least at first.
Though it’s not too obvious in the beginning, the witchcraft / supernatural element comes out shortly – a subject that is fairly prevalent in quite a few of BM’s books, if not all. Things do unfold at a good pace, and learning “who is what” is scary and compelling. Again, as with Prince of Darkness, I just didn’t like the protagonists all that much, especially Linda. Though I don’t want them to be goody-goody (yuck), they need to at least be likable…
The Dark on the Other Side
Barbara Michaels
Another early work of BM’s, still with that 70’s dark, insanity-tinged atmosphere. Must have been a popular theme then. The main character(s) are always deeply troubled and a little nutty - the predecessors, I suppose, of the more
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traditional, “nice girl caught up in an extraordinary event” types.Linda Randolph may or may not be going insane, and by all appearances seems to have tried to kill her filthy rich and handsome husband, Gordon. Gordon is the long-suffering mate, trying to bear his wife’s illness bravely. Hmmm.
Michael Collins gets involved when he’s asked to paint a portrait of Linda – one of those things rich people have done, I guess. All he can see at first is that for some reason, Linda Randolph drinks too much and more importantly, seems to really hate her husband. She also has a terrible fear of dogs. Even the word “dog” is enough to make her nearly keel over in a faint. You find out why that is later. She says she’s being haunted by a par of giant, black dogs – devil dogs. Proof of her nuttiness? Michael thinks so – at least at first.
Though it’s not too obvious in the beginning, the witchcraft / supernatural element comes out shortly – a subject that is fairly prevalent in quite a few of BM’s books, if not all. Things do unfold at a good pace, and learning “who is what” is scary and compelling. Again, as with Prince of Darkness, I just didn’t like the protagonists all that much, especially Linda. Though I don’t want them to be goody-goody (yuck), they need to at least be likable…
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LibraryThing member EmpressReece
I read to Chapter 5 -pg. 82 and just decided I have other things I want to read more. It just wasnt keeping my attention especially after reading The Winter People which was an excellent "ghost" story. I may pick it up later but for now Im moving on.
Subjects
Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1971)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1970
Physical description
250 p.; 22 cm
ISBN
0396062458 / 9780396062455