The Right Hand of Evil
by John Saul

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Book Reviews of The Right Hand of Evil

Book Review: Quite a Thrill
Summary: 5 Stars

Saul's style is entertaining yet simple. He does not add useless elements to his writing. He does, however, use some figurative language and devices. Foreshadowing is constantly presented through the characters' dialogue. Many of the characters hint future happenings to the Conway family before they move to St. Albans. Saul's writing is full of imagery. His descriptions of the characters and what happens to them bring the action to life for the readers. It is as if the reader is present during the action. Saul also uses symbolism. The characters speak of diffrent symbols throughout the novel. The characters, themselves, can be classified as symbols. Through the use of these devices, Saul brings to life a group of people who would otherwise be dull and one-dimensional. Saul's writing keeps the audience interested.

This novel presents many themes to its audience. However, one of the most obvious is that we should carefully evaluate our decisions. Change does not always bring better outcomes. We sometimes forever regret our actions. The Conways might have been in better situations if they thought about their decisions thoroughly.

Saul's novel is definitely a page-turner. Anyone would enjoy reading it. The novel leaves its audience walking away satisfied.

Summary of The Right Hand of Evil

The Conway family is in deep financial trouble. Ted Conway would rather knock back bourbon than support his family, and Janet Conway's career as an artist is going nowhere. Happily, the three Conway children--toddler Molly and 15-year-old twins Jared and Kimberley--seem well adjusted. Of course happy children to not make for good horror material, so dark times are just around the corner.

Ted receives an unexpected call from a Louisiana sanatorium, where his aged Aunt Cora is dying. Cora wants to convey a final message to her only surviving family members. She rasps out the ominous words, "I can see it. Stay away! Stay away from here!" Her words are futile--the financially strapped Ted moves his family into Cora's old house, a house deeded to them in a family trust.

Young Kimberley instantly feels a dark presence in the dilapidated Victorian house: "Suddenly her skin was crawling, as if a large insect were creeping across her neck." Tragedy upon tragedy strikes the family. Kim's beloved cat disappears and is sacrificed in a black-magic ceremony; an evil presence takes over Jared's mind--transforming him into the most rotten of bad seeds; the wails of a dead infant fill Kim's head, driving her to the edge of insanity. The family has fallen victim to a centuries-old curse--a curse that threatens to wipe out the Conway name.

Although there is nothing particularly original or earth shattering about this haunted-house story, The Right Hand of Evil is still a welcome piece of escapism. Read it at your peril. --Naomi Gesinger

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