The Amityville Horror

By: Jay Anson

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home on suburban Long Island. George and Kathleen Lutz knew that, one year earlier, Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers, and sisters in the house, but the property - complete with boathouse and swimming pool - and the price were too good to pass up.

Twenty-eight days later, the entire Lutz family fled in terror.

This is the spellbinding, best-selling, true story that gripped the nation - the story of a house possessed by evil spirits, haunted by psychic phenomena almost too terrible to describe.

Jay Anson began as a copy boy on the New York Evening Journal in 1937 and later worked in advertising and publicity. With more than 500 documentary scripts for television to his credit, he was associated with Professional Films, Inc. He died in 1980.

©1977 Jay Anson; published in arrangement with Lesia Anson (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A fascinating and frightening book." ( Los Angeles Times)
"This book will scare the hell out of you." ( Kansas City Times)

Solid and unsettling

It's hard to say for certain since I never read the text myself, but I felt like the writing was a bit dry.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the narration here. It gave me a sense of the steady escalation of horror experienced by those in the house. It was eerie in the methodical terrorizing of family and visitors. Like they must have, I felt like maybe it wasn't really happening -- as if maybe it was all just a misinterpretation of events as they slowly unfolded.

"The devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist!" - Baudelaire

Narrator was a little dry.

The narrator was a little dry and felt somewhat monotone. For a horror book there could have been more emotion in the reading. It felt more like this was a documentary vs a story. I have read the book before and when reading it, you get lost in the story. Many audio books I have listened to I felt part of the story. Not this time. The book is a good book though.

No

People are ridiculous. The dog was smarter. Just leave. They portray this as a true story, however I think that's been debunked. I wouldn't read it again.

VINTAGE STORY DON'T MISS OUT ON IT.

This book brought me back to the original movie made in the 80's. I remember watching when I was a little girl. This is a vintage story that I think everyone should hear at least once in their lives. Ray Porter did a good job narrating.

On edge with this one

I don’t want to complain because it was free and as far as free ones go this wasn’t bad a all and was very insightful had a decent amount of information but nothing I hadn’t heard before or could have gotten out of the movies. The reality is I guess what I’m getting at is … I could have written it. I expected more.

Frightening

This was a good read and truly frightening, but having grown up reading and watching horror classics this wasn’t that bad. But with the basis of many of these things being fact, that makes it all the more terrifying. Because it was penned in the late 1970’s, I do consider it scary. It’s not a 5 star book, but it’s a quick read. If you are a horror fan, you’ll like it.

Couldn't put it down..

I was not disappointed. I couldn't put it down listened straight through! Left me wondering about the family, about the house. Are things happening there 40+ years later?

A good story but the narration lacks feeling

The tone of the book is great. It’s well written. The narrator could stand to be more energetic. His voice makes me tired when the actions lulls.

This book is utterly fantastic

The perfect haunted house story
The narrator gives a very good portrayal of a very haunting scene

The Amityville Horror

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes why?It's a well written acct of what happened to this family

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kathy

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Kathy

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I started this book in my teens.It was taken away from me due to 'religious' reasons.That was over 30 years ago and I just got back to read it.It doesn't seem as ascrey now as it was then.I liked the 'factual' reporting of the book.