Resurrection Dreams

Laymon fluctuates with the plot of many of his books. There's the normal crazed killer stalks young coeds or teens for reasons that don't always make sense but then it's a crazed killer so it doesn't have to be that logical. There's the dual focus books where two incredible coincidences happen to the same person/group; for example, while running away from a mummy that is stalking her, our heroine escapes into a warehouse where a serial rapist is capturing and keeping his victims alive in metal cages. These books you kind of wish were separated into two books instead of combined into one. And the finally category is something supernatural happens to someone and has rippling effects upon others. RESURRECTION DREAMS falls into the last show more category barely missing the dual focus category.

Melvin Dobbs is the social outcast of his high school. And he only makes it worse when he uses a car battery to try to bring back a recently killed classmate. It's now years later. Dobbs is out of the mental institution, supposedly healed. And Vicki, the only girl who never picked on him and thus Dobb's biggest crush, is back in town. Dobbs is still trying to revive dead bodies and finally reaches success. Now he has big plans for Vicki.

While I wouldn't say that this was my favorite Laymon novel nor was it even near the top, it is still an enjoyable read. I've heard folks say it is violent but thinking back on it, I don't remember it being any more violent or sexual than some of his others. I would consider it a good read. Nothing overly amazing but still better than lots of other crap out there. show less

Melvin Dobbs is a social outcast with dreams of bringing the dead back to life. Not to bring back lost loved ones, but rather to have servants that will obey him unconditionally. Vicki Chandler, was cordial to Melvin in high school and when she returns to town to pursue being a small town doctor, Melvin has grand plans for her.

Richard Laymon does not hesitate when it comes to writing horror fiction. If a highly disturbing image escapes his pen, it is not edited out. In fact, it may be enhanced to bring the shock factor to the next level. If you do not like gruesome, taboo and gory horror fiction, do not read Laymon. Save him for us, those with a bit of a sick twisted side that enjoy a good scare.

People praise Laymon like he is the messiah of Horror; so far my experiences with him have been hit and miss.

The plot is cheesy, childishly simple, and mainly predictable. Predictable, cheesy, simple plots can be enjoyed, of course, but one usually expects a bit more from Laymon. The idea that Melvin can really do what he does is outlandish enough; a reader learns to suspend a certain amount of disbelief, but the way it came to play here seemed a bit overdone. Also, what was the purpose? You would figure he’d want to show the world now that he had proof.

The characters are real enough, likeable in their own way, even Melvin, who the author made sure you felt sorry for while still making sure you couldn’t help getting amused by his show more gawkiness. Laymon didn’t go overboard with the sexual lust and wanting here, but he did manage to anger me with the ending concerning a few of the characters. The beginning was fine, with some shocks and thrills, the middle held up well enough pacing wise and the ending, while strongly written, didn’t sit with me well.

Laymon’s writing style is direct, humorous, and dark when it’s meant to be. Regretfully he left any semblance of suspense and genuine horror out the door, instead opting for some cheaper gross out factors, not even dishing that out much.

This isn’t a Laymon book I’d recommend highly, but I wouldn’t tell Laymon fans to pass it up. It’s not bad, it’s more lukewarm – nothing to get excited and ga-ga over, but not something that would entirely spoil an evening either. show less

Laymon has times when he's an excellent writer--Island--at other times he's downright awful--The Woods Are Dark--and then there are books that are okay, such as Resurrection Dreams. It has an interesting premise, with a doctor returning to her old home and finding someone who she stuck up for in high school, but regrets due to his later actions. This same man has found a way to resurrect the dead, and has plans for her, plans that will place the people around her in grave danger.

Like I said before, this book isn't anything spectacular, but it's good fun, so I'd encourage Laymon fans to read it, and anyone curious about his works as well, but I wouldn't start with this one.

Haunted by memories of a deranged boy named Melvin, who attempted to bring a dead body back with power from a car battery, Vicki returns home years later and encounters Melvin, who, just released from the institution, has special--and horrifying--plans for her.

Vicki was the only one to stand up for Melvin, but even she had to admit he'd gone to far when he dug up a body and then tried to bring it back to life with the aid of a car battery. Years later, and now released from a mental institution, Melvin is back and after Vicki - or rather her body.