Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #179171 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

"The Bad Seed" is an incredible story of genetic horror!!
I would like all horror-readers to know that this is an awesome story, with a devilishly twisted , and disgusting plot. Rhoda, a sweet little blonde girl, loves the fact that adults hang on her every innocent word or expression. It really helps in convincing them that a cute third grader would never, ever commit a murder just for a something as silly as a penmanship award. When, in fact, she would. Her kind mother, loves her, but is scared when she finds out that her only daughter is a serial killer. First, Rhoda violently drags out the sickening and unecessary death (that she, of course, causes) of a classmate. When the house gardener suspects Rhoda did this, based on the fact that she came home on the day of the boy's "accidental and unexplained" death with not a tear of pain or fear to shed. She shows no feeling whatsoever, and is in such a good mood that she decides to rollerskate after having a hearty after-school snack. Our sweet Rhoda hates the gardener for this, and decides it is best to burn him down with the rest of the rotting basement. She does not succeed thanks to her mother (who had known Rhoda killed the young boy, when she found the medal for the writing award in Rhoda's "treasure box", while looking for a certain ring to have cleaned), who rescues the poor man from the basement. I'll leave the ending for you to read!! Anyway, this is a spectacular story that I would reccomend to anyone and everyone! Enjoy your reading!!

HE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST...
First published in 1954, this book, the last of the six novels written by the author, became a huge bestseller, a modern classic with well over a million copies sold to date. It spawned a Broadway show and an enormously successful film adaptation of the book. I am happy to report that time has not diminished the ability of this book to hold the reader's interest. It is certainly one of the most chilling stories ever written.

Written in clear, straightforward prose, it tells the story of Rhoda Penmark, an adorable eight year old girl with impeccable manners and poise not often found in one of her years. Yet, this same little girl is unable to make friends, and her own parents have had some misgivings about some of the terribly distressing events that have transpired around her. So much so, that they have pulled up stakes, relocating from Baltimore to a small town where no one knows them. There, Rhoda is enrolled is an exclusive school. It appears, however, that Rhoda, while bearing the countenance of an angelic little girl, has the cool, calculating, acquisitive nature of a true sociopath. While her parents have intuitively sensed something amiss about their little darling, they are somewhat in denial.

The reader is introduced to a host of memorable characters. Rhoda's mother, Christine, is a sensitive and attractive woman with an absentee husband who is trying to rebuild his career after his requested transfer. Christine is, therefore, left to handle Rhoda's transition in their new environs. Christine secretly fears the worst of the daughter whom she loves but suspects of not being quite like other little girls. Monica Breedlove, the upstairs neighbor and owner of the apartment building in which the Penmarks live, befriends Christine and adores Rhoda, seeing Rhoda as a perfect little angel. Leroy Jessup, the illiterate but cunning janitor of that apartment building, has a sense of what Rhoda is, but his clumsy attempts at playing a cat and mouse game with her results in Rhoda getting the better of him. Of course, there is Rhoda, as memorable and chilling a character as ever was created.

The book slowly involves the reader in the daily workings of Rhoda's life and the odd ways in which she approaches that which she desires. Her determination is relentless and unforgiving. When a school incident results in tragedy, Christine picks up the scent and from then on will not let go until she discovers who and what her daughter really is. Her voyage of discovery will give voice to mysteries of Christine's own past. It will also shed much light on Rhoda's behavior and on some of the disturbing and distressing events that seem to follow Rhoda wherever she goes. When Christine's worst fears are ultimately realized, she takes desperate measures. Her solution, however, does not work out quite as she expected.

This is a marvelous book, the author having written a cleverly crafted story that will grip the reader. At just over two hundred pages, the book is a relatively quick and easy read, but it certainly packs a big wallop. With its host of memorable characters and great storyline, it is little wonder that this book has emerged as a timeless classic in its genre. It is simply a must read book. Bravo!

Gripping..........
I read this book in a day - i found it just impossible to put down.
Initially the child seems little more than a mischievous brat, but very soon it becomes apparent that her childish psychological games wreak very real harm. This child is willing and able to go to ANY lengths to get her own way......