The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane

I read this decades ago and loved it. All these years later it still holds a special place among books I’ve read. Having lost or donated the hardback over the years, I was astonished to discover this out of print book available on Kindle, albeit far too pricey. Reading this again after so much time has passed I find it just as mesmerizing as I did when younger. While the protagonist is a 13 year old girl of striking intelligence, this is definitely not a book for younger children. In essence, it is about the restrictions of society, the absurdity of conformity, and paints with sympathy a young English girl named Rynn who lives in a rural area with her father, a poet. Or does she?

That question is at the heart of this fabulous tale of show more isolation, and refusal to let others tell us how to live our lives. Laird Koenig brilliantly puts us in Rynn’s corner from the outset, as the first two “adults” we encounter are hideous human beings. One is the shrew-like owner of the cottage in the woods Rynn’s father has leased, the other her grown son, who very much likes little girls. As Rynn thwarts their intrusions, we too begin to suspect that something odd is behind the poet’s absence. Once we discover what it is, because Rynn must take drastic action in order to protect her secret and live a life of her own choosing, we find ourselves rooting for her. To reveal much more than that is to ruin this wonderful reading experience.

The introduction of Mario, the young boy whose magic tricks come in handy, adds just the right touch, because it further softens the readers’ view of Rynn, showing her to be as vulnerable as all of us, reminding us that she is indeed a 13 year old girl. This is a unique, wonderful book that time hasn’t diminished. The film, starring a 13 year old Jodie Foster, and Martin Sheen, is a minor cult classic, and the book is beloved by nearly everyone who’s ever read it. Five stars aren’t enough for a read this wonderful. The only thing that could make this book better is if Koenig had written a smile by Rynn into the final scene.

However, while the book itself is a minor masterpiece, the Kindle version I purchased is a train wreck. Not because of a few typos, which creep into all books, mainstream and independent, but the sloppiest proofing job I have ever encountered. Periods suddenly appear in the middle of sentences, quotation marks are missing at the beginning of dialog, yet appear occasionally within narrative with no dialog, and when italics are used to emphasize a word, no space occurs between the new italicized word and the previous word. Oddly, and fortunately, because these aren’t jarring, and the story is so involving, you just keep reading. It isn’t on rare occasion, however, it’s constant throughout the entire text of the book, as if someone hastily threw this together without bothering to do any proofing at all. For a novel as engrossing as this, of which a film has been made, it is almost mind-boggling that no more care was given to the Kindle version than this.

A wonderful story, a five star read decades ago, a five star read in 2016, when I posted this review. Picking up a used copy of the actual book, however, is definitely preferable to the Kindle version, which should definitely be a last resort. show less

OMG!!! Are you serious?
What an adorable quirky horrific story this was. Such impeccable thrilling writing.
I couldn't put this down at all, I tore right through it.
I also caught the scent of almonds dripping from the pages.
Unreliable adolescent narrator, but I promise, you are going to adore her! She is 13 years of age, English and lives in a big beautiful sparkling clean house, with a mysterious famous poet as a father. Somehow this charming teen has formed enemies although she has always kept to herself.
And let me tell you, this child is a FORCE to be reckoned with.
This story isn't catered to young adults, it has very dark squeamish undertones, and will be darkly pleasing for all ages above 18 due to mature adult content.

Pardon show more me, while I prepare morning tea and browse through every last thing this author has ever published.

*Trigger warning, there is an adult male attempting sexual advances towards adolescent female** show less

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane by Laird Koenig is a 1974 Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Inc. publication.

A spine tingling, edge of your seat thriller-

Recently I picked up a book called Paperbacks from Hell, which explored horror novels written in 1970s and 80s. The book spoke of various popular horror novel tropes, with the 'Evil Child' being one of enormous popularity.

This novel may be one of the best to come out of that boom. While often placed in the horror genre, this book is not a supernatural thriller. But, it is one wickedly tense and scary story! Despite the lack of paranormal elements, it is still a fitting Halloween read. After all, the opening sequence is set on Halloween night, which also happens to be Rynn's show more birthday.

Rynn is a thirteen -year old girl living in a house at the end of a lane with her father. However, Rynn’s landlord seems to regret renting out the house when her creepy son takes an interest in Rynn, a situation that does not go unnoticed by a local police officer, or the teenage boy who forges a very strong, but sinister bond with Rynn.

From here, it soon becomes apparent that Rynn’s father is never around, that she never attends school, or goes into the village, but she receives vistors often, most of them unwelcome.

I had just begun to take an interest in edgier reading and viewing material when this book was first released. But, it was the movie version that caught my attention back in the mid-seventies. Heavily marketed as a terrifying chiller, I remember feeling really excited about being allowed to watch the movie, only to come away from it feeling let down. At that age, I had yet to develop a strong appreciation for understated suspense and was expecting something far more overt. Mostly, I remember the adults discussing the controversial scenes, which was what I remembered most about the movie, in the years to come.

I never realized the movie was based on a book until many, many years later. By that time, book stores seldom stocked it and over time I forgot all about this little gem. But, one day, my husband happened across a hardcover copy in a used bookstore we frequent. Although the book is in excellent condition, sadly, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a price clipped book club edition, which seldom appeals to collectors, but, I still seized on my chance to finally read this cunning and, in my opinion, under- appreciated and ‘terrifying chiller’.

This novel is so twisted and the suspense is often nearly unbearable. While Rynn could easily be tossed into the ‘evil child’ mode, her character is much more complex. She’s wily, clever, and very intelligent. She’s not nearly as sociopathic as some might think. There is a method to her madness, I think. She’s exposed to danger, and not just by having her secrets revealed, which prompts her to do whatever she has to, not just to protect her way of life, but to keep from becoming a victim herself.

Rynn embraces her solitude, and is okay with her own company, but she is also lonely, and feels a rush of very intense emotions for Mario the Magician. Their relationship made me squirm and is just as controversial to me now as it was back when this book was first published.

The story is very atmospheric and agonizingly tense. Every time a visitor appeared my heart hammered in my chest. Was I afraid Rynn was going to get caught, or was I afraid she would be harmed? Did I, in some small way root for her, or did she scare me to death? The truth is – a little of both.

Ultimately, this book is pure genius. The understated quality of it, is part of what makes it so good. The conflicting emotions it evokes left me feeling somewhat unsettled.

Our society is much more desensitized than it was in the early to mid-seventies, so this one may not seem as insidious now as it was back then, but I can tell you, I found it downright alarming.

I am so glad I found a copy of this book, especially since my much older self really appreciates the fine art this book really is.

Overall, this made a perfect Halloween read. Even if you have seen the movie- it goes without saying that the book captures the dread and foreboding much more effectively. show less

In 1976 Jodie Foster starred in a movie that scared the crap out of me. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane. A thriller about a little girl who knew how to survive....how to take care of herself...no matter what. I had no idea that this creepy-cool film was based on a book by Laird Koenig until a few days ago. Remembering the movie that seriously creeped me out, I had to read the book. Luckily, a quick check of openlibrary.org turned up a scanned copy available online.

This book is a serious creep-fest just like the movie. Even better than the movie (of course).

Rynn lives in the large, old house at the end of the lane with her poet father. People who stop by seem to always arrive when her father is busy translating, writing or show more sleeping -- he is ill, you know. The house was leased for 3 years from Mrs. Hallet -- a pushy, wealthy real estate agent that is used to controlling everything around her. But Rynn won't allow Mrs. Hallet to bother her father. She won't allow her to see him. She also turns away her son, Frank....the neighborhood policeman that stops by....basically everyone. Only when she makes a new friend, Mario, does Rynn allow anyone to get close to her, to learn her secrets.

I had the BEST time reading this book! Awesomely creepy and suspenseful. I have to watch the movie again now as well. Jodie Foster was soooo good in it. Good enough to make me sleep with my light on for days afterwards. :) This story is subtle, psychological. There is no spurting blood or even blood-curdling screams. It's all a mind game.....a kid's game. Well....a kid who isn't really childlike in any way.

Awesome read for anyone who likes thrillers or suspense. The movie version changed the story a bit here and there, but it's a good movie. For those wanting to watch it -- the full movie is available on youtube: https://youtu.be/8z0zRAPBHuk show less

This was a surprising and terrific read. It reminded me a bit of a more sinister ‘Lets’s Kill Uncle’. It doesn’t hold anything back.

I am HUGE fan of the movie. I was watching it again, when I saw that it was based on the story. I got the story and was shocked to find out that it was a play. I read the play and it filled in the gaps that I may have missed from watching the movie. As I kept reading it, I could not believe that this was a play. It is wonderful. Kudos to the author from a seamless transition from play to screen.

I really loved this book as a teen. I recently shared it with my step daughter,who is 12 yrs old. She loved the book! She enjoyed the mystery aspect of it.