Title: Nathaniel
Author: John Saul
First published January 1, 1984
343 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780553262643 (ISBN10: 0553262645)
Rating: 3.84
Overview
The legend of Nathaniel has haunted the residents of Prairie Bend for generations. While some believe he is nothing more than a myth, others fear he is a vengeful spirit seeking retribution.
But the truth is even more terrifying: Nathaniel is very much alive, and his malevolent presence is felt by all. When young Michael Hall hears Nathaniel’s eerie voice calling to him one night, he is drawn into a world of darkness and fear.
With each step he takes, the voice grows louder, the shadows deeper, and the terror more intense. Nathaniel’s grasp is unyielding, and Michael must find a way to escape before he becomes another victim of the sinister legend.
About the Author
John Saul grew up in Whittier, California where he graduated from Whittier High School in 1959. He attended several colleges, majoring in anthropology, liberal arts, and theater, but didn’t obtain a degree.
After leaving college, he decided to become a writer and spent the next fifteen years working in various jobs while attempting to write a book. He collected unpublished manuscripts but not a lot of money.
Eventually, he found an agent who spent several years sending his manuscripts around, trying to make the rejection slips sound hopeful. Then, in 1976, one of his manuscripts reached Dell who asked if he’d be interested in writing a psychological thriller.
He put together an outline, and crossed his fingers. His agent decided the outline had all the makings of a best-seller, and Dell agreed.
They backed the book with television advertising, and the gamble paid off. Within a month, Suffer the Children appeared on all the best-seller lists in the country and made the #1 spot in Canada.
Subsequently, all 32 of his books have been published worldwide. In addition to his work as a novelist, John is also interested in the theater.
He has acted and as a playwright has had several one-act plays produced. One of his novels was produced by Gerber Productions Company and M.G.M. as a C.B.S. movie and currently one of his novels is in development.
John served on the Expansion Arts Panel of the National Endowment for the Arts. He is actively involved with the development of other writers and is a lecturer at the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference and the Maui Writers Conference.
He received the Life Time Achievement Award from the Northwest Writers Conference. John is also a trustee and Vice President of The Chester Woodruff Foundation, a philanthropic organization.
John lives part-time in the Pacific Northwest, both in Seattle and in the San Juan Islands. He also maintains a residence on the Big Island of Hawaii.
He currently enjoys motorhoming, travel, and golf. He is an avid reader, bridge player, golfer, and loves to cook.
Editoral Review
Nathaniel is a psychological thriller by John Saul, first published on January 1, 1984. Saul, a bestselling author of horror fiction, is known for his works that explore the darker aspects of human nature.
Nathaniel is no exception, and it delves into the depths of human psychology and the consequences of a disturbing childhood. The novel is set in a small Massachusetts town, where the protagonist Nathaniel lives with his parents, who are both psychiatrists.
From a young age, Nathaniel is subjected to psychological experiments by his parents, who are trying to raise a genius child. However, their methods are cruel and unethical, and Nathaniel’s childhood is filled with trauma and abuse.
The novel follows Nathaniel’s journey as an adult, as he struggles to come to terms with his past and make sense of the world around him. He is haunted by his childhood memories and strange hallucinations, and as he delves deeper into his past, he uncovers dark secrets about his family and the town he grew up in.
Saul’s writing style is fast-paced and suspenseful, and he builds tension throughout the novel, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters are well-developed, and Nathaniel’s gradual unraveling is both disturbing and compelling.
One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the effects of childhood trauma on an individual’s psyche. Nathaniel’s experiences are not just the product of his parents’ abuse, but also the result of a society that values intelligence and success above all else.
The novel raises important questions about the ethics of parenting and the societal pressure to succeed at all costs. However, the novel does have its weaknesses.
Some of Saul’s plot twists are predictable, and the writing can be overly dramatic at times. The novel also contains graphic descriptions of violence and abuse, which may be too much for some readers.
Overall, Nathaniel is a gripping and thought-provoking read that explores important themes about the nature of abuse and the psychological effects of trauma. Fans of horror and suspense fiction will enjoy Saul’s masterful storytelling, and those interested in psychology and social issues will find much to chew on.
However, readers who are sensitive to violence and abuse should approach the novel with caution. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
