Originally Posted by Daemonia (Post 174978)

I agree that Smith's earlier novels aren't literary masterpieces, but it's unfair to dismiss his entire body of work as rubbish. Books like Doomflight, Satan's Snowdrop and Warhead are quite good. Not everything he wrote was poor, he did write some very good stuff. But, at the end of the day, it's pulp horror. It was never going to win any awards. They're cheap and tacky and very gory. In other words, I find them very enjoyable. Not everything Laymon has written has been good either. I found Blood Games and Dark Mountain very dull and uninspired - nothing actually happens and so end up being boring.

I think it's down to the individual reader as to what they enjoy and what they don't.

Nevertheless, I'll always consider Eat Them Alive! by Pierce Nace an unsung genre classic. :lol:

Originally Posted by it'smebilly (Post 254876)

I got his very rare autobiography 'A Writers Tale' sent to me via email in PDF form recently. Fascinating and typical of Laymons no nonsense approach to writing. He offers great advice and wisdom to any wannabe writers out there as well.

It has made me want to purchase more of his back catalogue but it's nigh on impossible to find his works on the high street these days, unlike the 90's when he seemed to be up there with Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Originally Posted by keirarts (Post 254899)

Now I wonder if any film maker is brave enough to adapt one of his books?

Originally Posted by Demdike (Post 254940)

Just read Island.

Really enjoyed it until the action shifted to the mansion and it seemed to lose all the tension and just become run of the mill porn. Well fetish porn anyway.

Originally Posted by nordicdusk (Post 255084)

I agree totally with that. It was moving along nicely up until that point. He can get a bit carried away with his sexual content sometimes.

Originally Posted by it'smebilly (Post 255044)

I don't think I'd want to see a film of one of his books to be honest. Can you imagine how watered down it would have to be? A book like 'Endless Night' if adapted would have to be cut to shreds. Though there has apparently already been a film made from his book 'In the Dark' which was never released but can be found on ebay as a bootleg. Not seen it myself to judge it.