TITLE: The Amityville Horror
AUTHOR: Jay Anson
PUBLICATION DATE: September 15th, 1977
PAGE COUNT: 300
TYPE: Non-fiction
BEGAN: August 17th, 2007
COMPLETED: August 25th, 2007
MY RATING: A-
PUBLIC RATING: B
BOOK SYNOPSIS QUESTIONS
Shayla Paige Llewellyn
1. Why did I decide to read this book?
Well, before I read the book, I saw the movie. The film was very interesting and I wanted to read the book to learn more about the topic. Also, everyone knows the books are always much better than the movies. I therefore decided to read the book because if its inferior form was so good, then the book would most likely be amazing. For the record, it most certainly was, in my personal opinion.
2. What was the general subject of the book?
The book is basically telling readers about a family and their horrific experience in a house possessed by evil spirits. The Lutz family spent 28 days in what they first thought was their dream home on 112 Ocean Avenue. In these 28 days, they did not experience one dull moment. The fact that this story is true is repeatedly emphasized in this book as well.
3. What were some of the main points made about the subject?
Well, the obvious first point is that the house is possessed. Jay Anson tells us in this story that one year before the Lutzes moved into 112 Ocean Avenue, Ronald DeFeo had murdered his entire family in their sleep. DeFeo claims he often heard voices telling him to harm his parents, or his brothers and sisters, and he assumed it must have been God speaking to him, and that he must obey him. The first resident of the house was a John Ketcham, an alleged devil worshipper. It is also brought to our attention that the property on which the house was built was also a mass Indian burial site where over 400 people were tortured and slaughtered.
4. What was the most interesting thing I learned about the subject? Why?
Well, what I found to be most interesting of all the happenings mentioned in this book, were the different psychological and parapsychological effects the house had on each member of the family, especially George Lutz. George Lutz became easily enraged and constantly had the feeling he was cold. Also, he began waking up every morning at exactly 3:15 a.m.(the time of the DeFeo family massacre) to check the boathouse.
5. Overall, was the information presented in an interesting way? How?
Yes it was. Instead of laying all of the information out on the table, Anson kept certain facts and aspects of the story from the readers until the opportune moment to create a feeling of suspense, making the book unable to walk away from. Anson tells the story in a way that makes every aspect of it fascinating and frightening. I have already read this book twice since I bought it in mid-August.
6. What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I change it to something else?
I think The Amityville Horror is a perfect title for this story. One obvious reason is that the setting takes place in the city of Amityville. Another is that the psychic phenomena that occurred creates a very terrifying and “horrific” experience. The title simply and accurately depicts the contents of the book. I would not change it.
7. What is my opinion of this book? Why (give specifics)?
The book serves the information involved justice. However, there are many other facts involved in the history of 112 Ocean Avenue that I feel should also be included. For instance, it does not say that the appearance of the front of the house, as well as the address, has been changed to protect the family that is currently living there (peacefully) from the regular visits by the curious and believers in the supernatural. In addition, many of the facts told by George and Kathy Lutz are false. Jay Anson wrote this book based solely on the information provided by the Lutzes and did not seek a second opinion nor did he personally study the background or history of the house and the previous residents which occupied it.
The house has not consistently brought devastation to its occupants and many families have lived peacefully in the house.

