A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay book review

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Book details/Content warnings
Title: A Head Full of Ghosts | Author: Paul Tremblay | Publisher: Titan Books | Pages: 336 | Publication date: 2nd June 2015 | ISBN: 9781785653674 | Source: Purchased
Content Warnings: gaslighting, child abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide
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Music: Who's Afraid of Halloween by Alfred Grupstra from Pixabay

[BookBlather]

I probably already told you this, but I loved this book so much. In my view, this book is not just a great horror novel, but is a great piece of literature, period. This book has so many elements that were executed so well. Most significant IMO was the many ways in which he contrasted different perspectives of all different types. I thought this was a masterpiece. Glad to see you enjoyed it as well!

[manue]

I love Trembley's writing style. Just when you think you got it figured out, he throws a curve ball at you. After finishing the book, I kept wondering if the main character is really telling the truth, or is she just demented. I give this one 8 out of 10.

[anotherbooktubechannel]

Adore this book. I was working at Barnes & Noble at the time and the ARC for this came in one day. ARCs were just left out on the break room table and any bookseller can claim any of them. The title caught my attention and I brought it home and nearly finished it in a single sitting I was so enthralled. As soon as it was formally released it was my Go-To Recommendation for customers, and I had several come back to the store to thank me for recommending it.

Couple years later Paul Tremblay did a signing at New York Comic Con and I was first in line for it. He was out front for a few minutes prior to the official start time, so he and I chit chatted for a good 10 minutes. Really nice guy and very smart. He signed the ARC for me and it's one of my favorite collection pieces.

Highly recommend Survivor Song and Cabin at the End of the World!!!

[paranormalauraa]

My first Paul Tremblay, too, and I didn't have high expectations because I've seen a lot of people dislike his books. I loved this, though! The Exorcist is one of my favourites, it's so good to see a possession story done well.

[troytradup]

I think my favorite possession novel is probably Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco. Doesn't get nearly enough love for its place in horror history.

[HorrorReads]

This was my first Paul Tremblay book and it made me a fan. Loved this review!

All of his books feature that "is it real or not" aspect and I, personally, really dig that!

[michaelk.vaughan]

This is one of my absolute favorites. I think this is probably his best but Tremblay’s books are always worth reading. Great review!

[morebirdsandroses]

This is a good one! It's complex enough to keep you on your toes, and even then I found my thoughts twisting and turning to fit what came up next. Really puzzle-box writing where everything may seem clear, until.... The end, he pulled one last thing that seemed surprising and clearly "the answer" at the same time. Phew! Outstanding.

[cmmosher]

In January 2021, I read The Exorcist, my Best Friend's Wedding and a Head Full of Ghost back to back to back.
I really enjoyed all three and it was interesting to see how Hendrix and Tremblay played with the tropes of the Exorcist in their own ways.

[katblack]

I loved this book - it got me over a serious reading slump (maybe 10 years). Since then, I have read everything he's written. As a scientist with a literature degree, I can see his mathematical background shining through in his novels. They are all so meticulously crafted, so perfectly plotted, that it amazes me every time. I can't wait for Knock At the Cabin. I also loved the book of this one. The Pallbearer's Club is a very divisive book though - many people did not enjoy this one.

[Kuyjac]

This is such a great review Olly. One of my top 5 novels of all time so I was super excited when you mentioned a while back that you were going to do a full review. Not sure if you are aware, Tremblay’s collection of Short stories (Growing Things and Other Stories) features another tale between the sisters, in the story world that Majorie used to tell Merry.


One thing I loved about AHFoG is that as terrifying as it could be in parts, seeing it from 8yo Merry’s pov gave it a childlike innocence too which juxtaposed the terror beautifully. I’m excited that Cabin will be available on Kindle soon thanks to the film coming out, as it’s one of his I still haven’t read and struggle to find his books here in South Africa. I miss the UK and Waterstones badly.

[Priscilla_Bettis]

The part about this book that scared me the most was the mob/media frenzy! Good review!

[kman]

Finished this yesterday after seeing it/hearing about in on your channel. I bloody loved the book and think it could be in my top 10 horror books of all time. I want to talk to everbody about it! 😅

[NP-Hunt]

I started with his short story collection 'Growing Things' which was really good. A couple of so-so stories, but mostly really good, so I'd definitely recommend it. Quite a few in there as well that also read that line of ambiguity between whether events are real or in the mind of the characters. Haven't gotten around to his novels yet, so I'll have to try them ASAP.

[eriebeverly]

As someone who collects watches I can see you appreciating this one and how it is put together and how it works. So much is going on. I really liked this book and have dutifully read all the Tremblay that has followed and haven't like any of them!

[sluper]

Head full of ghosts is the best horror novel I've read (along with Pet Semetary). I REALLY recommend his novel "The cabin at the end of the world" as well, that one is almost as good as Head full of ghosts.

[Kritz_Reads]

I loved all the references/name drops! He also has the girls writing a story together that references his other book "the growing things" (which I haven't read yet). I agree, it is often done well and usually feels gimmicky

[heidifogelberg]

So, yeah, I read this one recently and enjoyed it. Well-written, clever, creepy. Also liked the social commentary aspect. People have zeroed in on the Exorcist roots here, but to my mind the book is pervaded by its other ... I guess source inspiration? Which also includes a named check of sorts, and a massive spoiler, so I won't say more about it. But the ending didn't surprise me in the least.
Meanwhile, I just finished Experimental Film by Gemma Files. I looked back through your reviews and did not spot one on this title, but I can't remember if it's one you mention having read or not. Sorry. If you haven't read it, I recommend it highly. I think it hits a lot of notes you would appreciate, and its a very layered story set in a very close adjacency to reality ... And a place Files revisits frequently in her books and stories, with shared characters and snips of plotline migrating between books. In fact, I would suggest that before reading this novel, you hunt out Files' earlier short, written with her husband, called "everything I show you is a piece of my death, " since A) it's the perfect setup for the novel in mood, tone, and entry into the world, and B) it's creepy af and I think it's one of the more disturbing things I've read, based on the number of times it pops back into my head and gives me a quiver. The novel is similar in effect. But I have to say that the real long-running horror from Files (that I've encountered so far, anyway) is her short called "The Emperor's Old Bones." Which won her an International Horror Guild award, btw. That one has All The Horror and is also pretty damned disturbing. (She got her Shirley Jackson Award for Experimental Film. details of awards corrected in edit mode...)

[ineslopes]

Just reading this book and really enjoying it as well. Thank you for the review!

[paulflint]

I've got this book yet not read it yet. Will now. Great reviews dude.