The Sentinel

This was a page turner. I owned it decades ago so I bought another copy because I seem to have misplaced my other copy. This book builds rather quickly. Just when you think it's reached its peak, it builds some more until by the time you reach the end, you are turning on all the lights in your house and if you live in an old apartment building, you're calling the movers. Great book!

It's a lot of fun to compare this classic 1974 novel to the semi-popular film version---at the end of the day, you want the book!

Pretty good, somewhat forgotten '70's horror gem. It starts with a troubled model who gets a deal on an apartment in an old brownstone that is too good to be true. The other tenants are nice enough, if a little eccentric. And what is the deal with the old, blind priest that never leaves his attic apartment? Before long she's hearing strange noises and seeing things. heavy footsteps pace back and forth all night long in the apartment above hers. A little digging by her lawyer fiance reveals there's more to her neighbors than meets the eye. It turns out the brownstone is actually owned by... well, you'll have to read the book to find out. The Sentinel is a cross between a haunted house story and the religious shockers that were so popular back in the disco era. Very, very well done. Atmospheric and spooky. Followed up by The Guardian which I don't remember so well, but I do remember it was a step down from this one. The Sentinel was also adapted pretty faithfully as a movie. If the story sounds good, but you don't feel like investing the time in the book, check it out.

Originally I read this book about thirty years ago. This week, I re-read it. Why? Because it's one of my favorite thrillers. If you enjoy books with a religious twist and believe in heaven and hell, this is right up your alley. A grotesque blind priest sits by a door, watching, not allowing anyone by. A young model wonders: why? The creative tension mounts as Konvitz brings you to hell's gate. I don't want to give away the ending, so, suffice to say ... if you liked ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, or apocalypse thrillers, you'll have one fine read. This book is NOT for scholarly individuals who expect perfect grammar and ten-letter words. If you're the average Joe or Jane and enjoy religious thrillers, buy a copy today. Don't forget to leave the lights on at night and make sure you don't let the demons out.

New York City, 1974: Allison Parker has had a difficult life, but things are really looking up for her. After presiding over her father's funeral, she returns to her life in the big apple to start anew. She has a handsome boyfriend who is a succesful lawyer, a growing career as a model, and she has just moved in to the perfect apartment in an old brownstone. But Allison soon finds that her life is being controlled by unseen forces. The brownstone seems to reside between two worlds; one of light and one of darkness. And an old blind priest who lives in the apartment above her holds a secret that will shatter her world and could unleash the forces of hell on to all of humanity... This is a classic horror novel. It was made into an exceptional movie years ago and it's been on my reading list for ages. I wasn't sure if it would stand the test of time, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is genuinely creepy and has real fear in it. Highly recommended for horror fans.

I first read this book when I was a teenager, and now years later, I still find myself haunted by it. It sucks you in, and the end, is just wonderful...a very fitting ending to such a creepy book. I will never forget this book as long as I live.