Publication
Amsterdam Anthos cop. 2004
ISBN
9041408886 / 9789041408884
Language
Collections
Description
A recurrent, unidentifiable noise in her apartment. A memo to her boss that's replaced by obscene insults. Amanda-a successful architect in a happy marriage-finds her life going off kilter by degrees. She starts smoking again, and one night for no reason, without even the knowledge that she's doing it, she burns her husband with a cigarette. At night she dreams of a beautiful woman with pointed teeth on the shore of a blood-red sea.
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Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member PirateJenny
It's about a woman who slowly becomes possessed by a demon. But it's such a good book that you won't find it under horror, oh no. It's in the fiction and literature section. It's interesting reading about someone slowly becoming unhinged. Back when I was the one becoming unhinged, I remember
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actually telling someone I understood how people could have easily seen depression and other mental illnesses as possession--I *felt* possessed. My actions didn't seem controllable. So the book really resonated with me. It's also one of those you want to (and can easily) finish in a single evening. Well, if you don't have a migraine. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Classified as part thriller and part horror, Come Closer is an enjoyable read for lovers of those particular genres. At 168 pages, it isn't going to take long to read, but the action starts on page one and does not let up until the last sentence. It is an intense psychological thrill ride that has
Amanda is discontent with her life, which is a huge reason (in my opinion) why certain events unfold as they do. She has changed everything for her husband and is ultimately not acting in accordance with her true self on a day-to-day basis. Because of her unconscious chafing at her life, the reader has sympathy for Amanda even as her actions and certain events spiral out of control One might argue then that possession is a metaphor for freedom - freedom from her self-imposed restraints she added to her life when she chose to settle down with her husband, freedom to be who she was truly meant to be,
The topic of possession is, in itself, quite interesting. Is it a metaphor for freedom, for insanity, for obsession, for the loss of control, or for all of the above? One could also argue that demonic possession is a real event. Regardless of one's beliefs, what occurs to Amanda creates some interesting questions. Just how far should loved ones go to saving someone from a downward spiral, for whatever reason? Do we fight it? Do we give up or give in to one's demands? Do we sit and watch it happened without batting an eye?
I cannot remember who reviewed this book initially that had me list it on my Wish List, but I definitely owe that person a note of thanks! Surprisingly difficult to find, Come Closer is delightfully creepy, engaging, extremely well-written, and surprisingly humorous. One would not think that the descent into madness could be funny, but Ms. Gran confirms that a story can be horrifying and funny at the same time. It is a combination that works well, making Come Closer a quick and compelling read at the same time providing food for thought on relationships and one's obligations in those relationships. Come Closer works because of these compelling questions and the hint of the macabre. This would make for an excellent read during Halloween!
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one questioning what it means to be happy or insane, self-possessed or demon-possessed.Amanda is discontent with her life, which is a huge reason (in my opinion) why certain events unfold as they do. She has changed everything for her husband and is ultimately not acting in accordance with her true self on a day-to-day basis. Because of her unconscious chafing at her life, the reader has sympathy for Amanda even as her actions and certain events spiral out of control One might argue then that possession is a metaphor for freedom - freedom from her self-imposed restraints she added to her life when she chose to settle down with her husband, freedom to be who she was truly meant to be,
The topic of possession is, in itself, quite interesting. Is it a metaphor for freedom, for insanity, for obsession, for the loss of control, or for all of the above? One could also argue that demonic possession is a real event. Regardless of one's beliefs, what occurs to Amanda creates some interesting questions. Just how far should loved ones go to saving someone from a downward spiral, for whatever reason? Do we fight it? Do we give up or give in to one's demands? Do we sit and watch it happened without batting an eye?
I cannot remember who reviewed this book initially that had me list it on my Wish List, but I definitely owe that person a note of thanks! Surprisingly difficult to find, Come Closer is delightfully creepy, engaging, extremely well-written, and surprisingly humorous. One would not think that the descent into madness could be funny, but Ms. Gran confirms that a story can be horrifying and funny at the same time. It is a combination that works well, making Come Closer a quick and compelling read at the same time providing food for thought on relationships and one's obligations in those relationships. Come Closer works because of these compelling questions and the hint of the macabre. This would make for an excellent read during Halloween!
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LibraryThing member dcoward
A woman is either going insane or becoming possessed by a demon. A quick read, although I'm not quite sure why this book was so highly praised. Good, but not great.
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
This very short book details the downward spiral that one woman’s life takes as she is slowly overcome by a demon. A chilling read that calls out for curling up on a sofa with a soft pillow and a blanket to snuggle into.
Stylish and concise, this book grabs you from the first sentence and pulls
I have a feeling that Come Closer will linger on in my mind for some time. I certainly will be on the lookout for more offerings by Sara Gran.
Stylish and concise, this book grabs you from the first sentence and pulls
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you into the dark and disturbing story of Amanda’s transformation from a normal young woman into a monster. I have a feeling that Come Closer will linger on in my mind for some time. I certainly will be on the lookout for more offerings by Sara Gran.
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LibraryThing member LeonardLinee
This is one of the most truly chilling books I have ever read. I found myself jumping at every small noise in my house for at least a week after I completed this novella and found myself scared of the dark for the first time since childhood.
If you are a fan of psychological horror, such as I am,
If you are a fan of psychological horror, such as I am,
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this book is HIGHLY recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member TFS93
Disappointing! I wish the author would have ran with the fact that the demon was Amanda's imaginary childhood friend. Now that would have made a good story. Amanda came across as more of a nutjob then someone suffering from possesion. There was potential here and some creepy moments, but ultimately
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it was a letdown. Show Less
LibraryThing member enemyanniemae
Super creepy! This is a surprising little book. It seems benign in the beginning but quickly becomes unsettling. It's a fast read and the suspense keeps building until the thrilling conclusion. I would recommend this to fans of horror. Very good.
LibraryThing member steadfastreader
This was a decent little novella. I would recommend it to people who enjoy demon possession books. It's not nearly as graphic as many books in this genre - which I liked. But at the same time I felt like it was a bit of a slow start and nearly DNF'ed it after 30 pages. If you're on an airplane or
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at the beach, push through - it has a fairly satisfying ending. Show Less
LibraryThing member beetlebub2000
Well written...an easy read and super-creepy.
LibraryThing member kimberwolf
This story of demonic possession had so much potential, but it fell flat. Good idea, bad execution. Still gave me the shivers a couple of times, though...
LibraryThing member sturlington
A short novella about a woman who's slowly being possessed by a demon. Creepy and psychological. I read this as a metaphor for mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and it how takes a person over.
LibraryThing member bookishjoxer
This was the lightest read I have had all year. It was short, quick, and simply written. I started it this morning and finished it in the afternoon. Enjoyable read.
A Woman who leads a normal life married to a great guy. She has everything going for her when she starts experiencing some weird
A Woman who leads a normal life married to a great guy. She has everything going for her when she starts experiencing some weird
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things. you get to see the transition she goes through as she becomes posessed by this Demon. Show Less
LibraryThing member KevinEldon
A quick intense read worth a few hours. The story is tight and well crafted. As a horror story it stands on its own as a fine work. (Spoilers ahead) The power in this story is in the questions you ask yourself about it. As a straightforward account of a demon possession the story is what it is;
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fine. This story poses questions about powers that can dominate our lives; loneliness, needs that we do not fully understand how to address, our subconscious mechanisms for coping with pain, and self amongst others. Fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carol420
This book is a very short, quick read...more of a novella. I have to say that it was fun, but predictable. It was engrossing… but seriously lacking in character development. It's very typical of it's genre. It was somewhat creepy because of Amanda's complete lack of control over her situation.
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However, most readers are going to need more. It had the potential to be a great little horror novel…but unfortunately it just wasn't long enough to really get very deep into the characters or their thoughts or feelings…not even for the demon herself. Show Less
LibraryThing member VhartPowers
A sad story of a woman who succumbs to demon possession.
It's not like anything I've read before and it was a quick read. (read it in a few hours, so that's another reason I liked it.)
It's not like anything I've read before and it was a quick read. (read it in a few hours, so that's another reason I liked it.)
LibraryThing member mhartford
Short and disturbing story of possession from the inside out; guaranteed nightmares ...
LibraryThing member JessicaReadsThings
I've never before met a book that was beautiful and terrifying at the same time; now I have. There are so many appeal terms that could be applied to this book: compelling (I read it in about 3 hours), frightening, thought-provoking, lyrical (I mean, seriously, a lyrically written horror novel, are
I picked this up as part of Women in Horror month, and I'm so glad I did. The only bad thing I have to say about it is that I wish I hadn't read it at night.
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you kidding me?!). It's just so many things. And then, of course, there's the demon possession thing. But it's so smoothly incorporated that you feel it slowly, much as the narrator does.I picked this up as part of Women in Horror month, and I'm so glad I did. The only bad thing I have to say about it is that I wish I hadn't read it at night.
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LibraryThing member starlight-glimmer
I am not someone who reads horror! But now... I am?! What is happening? That sense of uncertainty and displacement is at the core of this novel, which incorporates many elements of the domestic thriller. To my surprise, there are even some almost sapphic elements (I am always on the fence about
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sapphic characters/stories that depict violent or murderous figures, because it puts lesbianism firmly in the other category). But it was fascinating to witness the main character's relationship with the demon taking over her life/body/self. This is a quick listen (under 4 hours) and I actually found myself enjoying it! Show Less
LibraryThing member Luminous-Path
Dayum.
Okay, takes a little bit to get going. Too much telling instead of showing early on. I found myself impatient for some action. But it picks up, and picks up more, and by the time books were burning in the fireplace I was well and truly gone.
Wonderful narration too.
Okay, takes a little bit to get going. Too much telling instead of showing early on. I found myself impatient for some action. But it picks up, and picks up more, and by the time books were burning in the fireplace I was well and truly gone.
Wonderful narration too.
LibraryThing member caanderson
Creepy to the max. Story moves at a quick pace. Excellent characters. I would give it four stars but the stars are not working right now.
LibraryThing member BookNookRetreat7
Dark Demonic Twist!
Small Backstory:
Amanda starts doing things that make her wonder if she is crazy to the point where her husband Ed is worried about her, but she not only does things at home she also does weird stuff at the office and she is starting to hear voices in her head. Amanda is not sure
That is about all I can give without giving away spoilers so if that makes you curious then go read this book.
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and the way this author told about the possession was a different type of way than a slow buildup of the story. The author grabs the reader and slams them into the storyline leaving your head spinning (something close to the Exorcist spin) as you wonder how the character is going to come out of this story unscathed.
Very impressed with the writing style of the author too as I was drawn right away into the storyline and before I knew it I was almost 20% into the book as I just could not put the book down!
I even read the book during dinner time last night as I just could not break away from the storyline long enough to even eat dinner so I just decided to read and eat as the story picked up in intensity and I just found myself wrapped within its pages!
Now I will be hunting down other works by this author as this book just blew my socks off and kept them off during the whole story! Giving this book five "Frightening Possession" stars!
Small Backstory:
Amanda starts doing things that make her wonder if she is crazy to the point where her husband Ed is worried about her, but she not only does things at home she also does weird stuff at the office and she is starting to hear voices in her head. Amanda is not sure
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what is wrong with her as she ends up missing hours at a time and doesn't remember where she has been or what she has done - time becomes meaningless. Never does she realize that maybe her problem is because she is demon possessed and when she does find out it could be too late. That is about all I can give without giving away spoilers so if that makes you curious then go read this book.
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and the way this author told about the possession was a different type of way than a slow buildup of the story. The author grabs the reader and slams them into the storyline leaving your head spinning (something close to the Exorcist spin) as you wonder how the character is going to come out of this story unscathed.
Very impressed with the writing style of the author too as I was drawn right away into the storyline and before I knew it I was almost 20% into the book as I just could not put the book down!
I even read the book during dinner time last night as I just could not break away from the storyline long enough to even eat dinner so I just decided to read and eat as the story picked up in intensity and I just found myself wrapped within its pages!
Now I will be hunting down other works by this author as this book just blew my socks off and kept them off during the whole story! Giving this book five "Frightening Possession" stars!
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LibraryThing member xaverie
What a deliciously cruel read.
LibraryThing member Koralis
I would have probably read this in one sitting if I didn’t start it so late yesterday. A truly creepy read and I felt bad for Amanda and Ed. I plan on reading more of the authors work, I really enjoyed this!
LibraryThing member judithrs
Come Closer. Sara Gran. 2003. This book was billed as one of the “year’s scariest novel;” however I found it creepy, but not by any means as frightening as the reviewers did. It is a book about possession and very little else. That is the plot and there is very little character development.
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William Peter Blatty’s The Exorist and Legion were more scarier to me. It is short and suspenseful but obviously not for everyone. Show Less
LibraryThing member raspberrybee
This book was very strange and creepy. It was a quick read, as I think it was only about 160 something pages. It told the story of a woman, Amanda, who is slowly posessed by a demon. It's an odd, odd story.
Original publication date
2003