So, I should not have to give a synopsis on this book. If you have never watched Hitchcock’s Psycho, then I don’t know what to say… As for the book, all I can say is WOW! I have always liked the movie (and the tv series Bates Motel) but didn’t even know there was a book. I thought Hitchcock created the script for the movie (didn’t realize the movie was based on the book). I also did not realize this story was based on Ed Gein (notorious serial killer). I did know that Silence of the Lambs and Texas Chainsaw Massacre were loosely based on Ed Gein but not Psycho.
So why did I like this book? I have always been interested (if that is even the correct word) in serial killers…not the morbid part but the psychology as to what drives human behavior. Is it nature or nurture? Although I knew the story of Psycho, the book is by far better than the movie because it gives more into the mind of Norman Bates. At the end of the book, it actually gives A LOT into the psychology as to what may have possibly driven him to do what he did (mainly theories by the psychologist in the state asylum where he was held). Also, whereas the movie is more the story/actions, the book is all about the mind…the thoughts of Norman Bates. Now, this leads me to the whole “nature v nurture” aspect. What I am about to write solely based on my beliefs and thoughts…
- Nurture – I think we can all agree that many people are who they are because of their childhood, either something that was experienced during childhood (like trauma), physical/emotional abuse, or just a lack of love between parent and child. I think this applies to all of us in some way. I think, though, this is very true to many serial killers. If you read about the background of some of the most serial killers, there was some kind of physical and emotional abuse inflicted upon that person during his/her most formative years.
- Nature – Are some people just born evil? I would say yes! Jean Jacques Rousseau once said that people are born good and the environment shapes them; fix the environment, you fix them. First, people are not born good. We are all born into sin. Second, environment can shape an individual; however, fixing the environment is not necessarily going to fix the individual. For example, LBJ’s Great Society was aimed at eradicating poverty; however, poverty has continued to go up. LBJ’s programs are basically Rousseau’s thought concerning the environment. If anything, culture and society have only gotten worse since the Great Society. I digress… the point I am making is that some people are just born evil. Period. Do you think Hitler would have been different if he grew up in a different household or environment? Some may say that Hitler’s dad was a little domineering but to the extent in murdering millions of people and invading sovereign nations? No. In the Old Testament (Exodus 7), God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (“I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,” “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened,” “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened,” “So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened…”). Romans 9:17-18 (New Testament) states, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I MIGHT SHOW MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED IN ALL THE EARTH.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and HE HARDENS WHOMEVER HE WILLS.” There are questions that we will never be able to answer as to why evil men do what they do; however, there are many testaments of faith that have emerged from some of the most horrible events (click on my nonfiction lists to find a few).
If you are like me, this book will leave you reflecting and thinking about the “whys.” Before I leave, if you like Psycho (the movie or the book), read Do Not Disturb by Frieda McFadden . It is loosely based on Psycho (the feel of the book). My saying that will not ruin the book for you.
Happy Reading!
(Psycho Amazon link)
