- Mass Market Paperback
- Language: English
- ASIN: B002J37MW0
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
May 17, 1980; a wonderful day, you would have said if you lived in Patchin County. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
May 17, 1980; a wonderful day, you would have said if you lived in Patchin County. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Bruce Rux
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Peter Straub has never written a bad book, only better and worse ones. This is probably his worst, but it's still readable and has a few things going for it.
The plot is confused. The "Floating Dragon" is - perhaps - partly supernatural, though primarily it is explained as a leaked Department of Defense gas, that drives people insane and eventually liquefies their bodies. While losing their minds, the unfortunate victims hallucinate - hence, the possibility that what is being perceived as a recurring supernatural evil is all in the mind of the beholder.
I really disliked this book when I first read it, but I decided it required a re-read in later years after overcoming my initial disappointment. It was much better than I remembered it, but its flaws still gravely weaken it. Really, it's all quite good until the last seventy-five pages or so, when the action becomes completely hallucinogenic and virtually impossible to follow, and the ending is terribly trite to the point of being laughable. Straub's worst trait is a tendency to go way over-the-top, and that is at its worst here. But his characters, as usual, are quite memorable, and his writing in every other regard in typically splendid form.
If you're a Straub fan, this one may or may not put you off him. If this is your first exposure to the author, pick a different title, something like Ghost Story or If You Could See Me Now, to get a better feel for Straub closer to the top of his game.
By "nytemar30"
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This was only my second Straub read. I can see now how he and King could blend so flawlessly for the Talisman and The Black House. They both seem to share my feeling that nothing is more frightening than what the human mind can do to itself. The ability of the evil doer to pick from our heroes' minds the situations which will most torment them is the perfect torture.
I've heard that this isn't even Straub's best book!! I can't wait read more!!
I've heard that this isn't even Straub's best book!! I can't wait read more!!
By papaphilly
Format:Mass Market Paperback
If I could give this book 4 1/2 stars, then I would. It is some of the best work Straub has produced. He should be wearing the mantle for gothic horror author master. Straub reminds me of Nathanial Hawthorne with this story. He tells the tale of an area dying into madness and the horror the various individuals have to face including people that are dissolving into water. The only complaint I have is that Straub writes in a very disjointed style that jumps around the plot and can be hard to follow. I think he chose this method to enhance the suspense. If you have read either Shadowlands or Ghost Story, then you will love Floating Dragon. It is a harder read, but it is ceratainly worth the effort. It is my personal favorite of his books.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 38 reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Peter Straub's best books!!
I have read this book three times since it was released in the early '80's. I think this is Peter Straub's best all-out horror novel. Read more
Published on April 3 2002 by Patrick m Tinney
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Straub's best
By far, my favorite work by Mr. Straub. The bizarre events of the story and interesting characters fill the reader with deep concern for the outcome of this tale. Read more
Published on Feb 24 2002 by allison k mangin
3.0 out of 5 stars
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
In 1995, I was in Manhattan at the Pennsylvania Hotel. While in the elevator traveling down to the lobby a man was standing in front of me. Turns out this was Peter Straub. Read more
Published on Feb 22 2002 by Daniel Vullo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Straub's 'final' horror tale is wonderfully over the top.
"I wanted to write a special effects show. Something that would make the reader's jaw drop and make them think 'I can't believe that I'm reading this. Read more
Published on Nov 20 2001 by Chadwick H. Saxelid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible
After reading the Talisman and Ghost Story, i was pretty sure that Peter Straub was a good writer, but now i am quite certain. Read more
Published on Aug 29 2001 by Dan Bjugstad
2.0 out of 5 stars
Plot really *does* matter in fiction
There's not much I can say that others haven't already said. Straub is an accomplished prose stylist and incredible at engaging, believable characters--and when that's hitched to... Read more
Published on Jan 31 2001 by "storgodar"
2.0 out of 5 stars
Floating Dragon sinks
Having read 'Ghost Story' and 'shadowland'I guess I'm on a downward slope with Mr Straub and this book proves it. Read more
Published on Nov 5 2000 by Mr. Robin J. Wisniewski
3.0 out of 5 stars
A decent, but flawed novel from Peter Straub.
The problem with Straub's novel is its level of ambiguity, brought on by the convergence of too many similar plot threads. Read more
Published on Sep 22 2000 by Lowell Yaeger
5.0 out of 5 stars
The siege of Heaven.
Hampstead, Connecticut, is almost like a sister community to [the also fictional but] heavenly Stepford: gracious homes, genteel people, all the happiness money can buy. Read more
Published on July 16 2000 by Miguel
2.0 out of 5 stars
Floating but dragging
Let me preface this by saying that I have read almost everything that Peter Straub has written and loved almost all of it. Read more
Published on July 3 2000 by Brian
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
