Stir of Echoes: The Screenplay/The Novel

by Richard Matheson

Tom Wallace lived an ordinary life, until a chance event awakened psychic abilities he never knew he possessed. Now he's hearing the private thoughts of the people around him--and learning shocking secrets he never wanted to know. But as Tom's existence becomes a waking nightmare, greater jolts are in store when he becomes the unwilling recipient of a compelling message from beyond the grave!

• ISBN10: 1887368582
• ISBN13: 9781887368582
• Publish Date: 1 July 2002 (first published 15 August 1999)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Gauntlet Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 332
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cameron Trost]

Like many of you, I loved the film inspired by this book. The plot and Kevin Bacon's acting made for a truly chilling experience. Richard Matheson's novel didn't achieve that for me. The premise is intriguing, starting off with a spot of casual hypnosis between friends which awakens Tom Wallace's psychic powers. The first-person narrative works, although there are some annoying and repetitive observations that detract from it, like constantly noticing how women are wearing clothes that are too tight. For a ghost story, though, the tension wasn't enough. The tone is often too lighthearted and the atmosphere not haunting enough. Richard Matheson is, of course, a highly regarded American author, and while this novel was enjoyable, I wouldn't recommend it as one of his "must-reads". If you haven't already, I'd suggest discovering his short fiction.