Nathaniel

The cover of this book creeped me out and haunted my mind when I first saw it as a child. Years later I remembered the book and decided to finally read it and see if it lived up to its ominous illustration. "Nathaniel" tells the story of the recently-widowed Janet Hall and her son, Michael. When Janet's husband dies in an accident while visiting his parents, the in-laws selflessly offer to help Janet and Michael by relocating them to their hometown of Prairie Bend and setting them up to live in their old house. But something is not right in this new town. Janet's parents-in-law have some ideas about raising her son that clash with her own, and Michael is beginning to act very strangely. The town also has a local legend about a terrifying entity known only as Nathaniel, and it's connection to the Hall family is about to come much too close for Janet's comfort...This is a solid horror novel. It is not the most terrifying thing every written, but its characters and locale are all memorable and the pacing is good. Janet acts a bit "horror movie dumb" at times, trusting people that she obviously shouldn't and refusing to believe things that she obviously should, but it doesn't feel forced for the sake of the plot: it just feels like she's a normal person who thinks this way and doesn't catch on quickly. This is rare. It seems like it's going to be a typical "town with a dark secret story" involving cults or what not, but there is quite a twist at the end of the book that really throws expectations on their ear. If you like horror novels about strangers getting more than they bargain for when they move to a too-friendly Midwestern town, then Nathaniel is a book you will love.

this was an excellent and creepy mystery. There was qlot of backstoeiwz going on, but eyes tied together really neatly

I might have enjoyed the story more if there had been any sympathetic characters, but I didn't care much for any of them. An interesting story well written. I always have enjoyed reading John Souls Saul's books.

I absolutely loved John Saul as a kid, and this novel displays his strengths. He’s a fantastic writer, and his way with words is a subtle, slow burn–aside from the opening scene, things start out normal and ordinary, but slowly build up into a terrifying conclusion, with the true nature of events making itself known over time.The “true nature” of events in this story, though, is…kinda weird. I was able to figure out what was going on in most other Saul stories, like Creature, Brain Child, and Shadows, but by the end of Nathaniel I wasn’t exactly sure what was up with the titular “ghost”–and, to avoid spoilers, all I’ll say is that he’s not quite a ghost, at least not exactly. In fact, the revelations concerning him seemed strange and entirely out of left field. So in the end, I’ll give it 4 stars, but you may want to give the story 3 if an incongruous plot point will really stick in your mind.

Always a good read, John Saul is a master storyteller. He and Dean Knoofz are two authors that deserves more recognition.

A mother and child move to her late husband’s family’s very rural country location. The way of life is alien to them, as are the very strange goings-on happening in the past and present.The premise for the story is good. Unfortunately, its related to the reader at a snail’s pace. The dialogue basically revisits the same events, only using different verbiage.While reading “Nathaniel” I nodded off a few times. Oh, the ending and epilogue? Not too good at all. Its an earlier book best left on the shelf.

Enjoyable, but did not like the ending.

I was on a quest to own all the John Saul books. I can't remember if I actually did or not. This one was kind of weird. Not as good as I was hoping.

One of the best writers I've come across in a long time. I,ve read about 6 so far, but will be reading more.

Great book, been a fan for years.

Good read, as expected from the author

John Saul never lets you down. He hasn't with this one either. Gripping stuff.

Good read