The Survivor

Title: The Survivor

Author: James Herbert

Published in: 1976

Date read: 31st May 2005

Score: 4/5

Genre: Supernatural, Psychological, Horror

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"The Survivor" by James Herbert, published in 1976, is a chilling supernatural horror novel that blends elements of psychological trauma, ghostly vengeance, and the aftermath of a catastrophic event. It explores themes of guilt, madness, and the inescapable consequences of the past.

The story opens with a horrific plane crash. A jumbo jet carrying 300 passengers and crew inexplicably plummets to the ground in a quiet suburban area. The devastation is absolute, with a massive loss of life and widespread destruction to the surrounding homes.

Miraculously, there is one sole survivor of the crash: David Keller. He is found amongst the wreckage, seemingly unharmed, but suffering from severe amnesia. He has no memory of the flight, the crash, or his life before the disaster. He is taken to a local hospital for recovery, but his ordeal is far from over.

As Keller struggles to regain his memory, he begins to experience terrifying and inexplicable phenomena. He is haunted by unsettling visions, disembodied voices, and the distinct feeling of being watched. He starts to believe that the spirits of the crash victims are clinging to him, demanding something. These manifestations grow increasingly vivid and malevolent, tormenting him both awake and in his dreams.

The paranormal activity extends beyond Keller himself, affecting the crash site and the surrounding area. Objects move, strange occurrences plague local residents, and a pervasive sense of dread hangs over the community. People who come into contact with Keller, or who are connected to the crash, begin to experience their own horrifying encounters with the spectral victims.

As the novel progresses, Keller is compelled to revisit the crash site and piece together the fragmented memories that slowly begin to return to him. He discovers that the crash was not an accident, but the result of a deliberate act. The spirits haunting him are not just passive victims; they are vengeful, seeking to reveal the truth of their deaths and exact retribution.

Herbert creates a powerful atmosphere of creeping horror and psychological torment. Keller's amnesia serves as a narrative device, slowly unveiling the horrific truth alongside the reader. The "survivor" is not only dealing with the physical aftermath of the crash but also the terrifying burden of being the sole living witness to a mass tragedy with a hidden cause.

The climax involves Keller finally confronting his suppressed memories and the terrifying truth behind the crash. He discovers a shocking secret about the plane's final moments and his own role, or the role of others, in the disaster. This leads to a desperate, and often violent, confrontation with the vengeful spirits, as Keller must either expose the truth or succumb to the overwhelming forces seeking to silence him forever. "The Survivor" is a chilling exploration of guilt, memory, and supernatural retribution.

Comments:
I can only remember little bits of this book, it has been 20 years since I read though.

Books that we've read by James Herbert (20):
The Rats (Rats, #1) (1974), The Fog (1975), The Survivor (1976), Fluke (1977), The Spear (1978), Lair (Rats, #2) (1979), The Dark (1980), Jonah (1981), Shrine (1983), Domain (Rats, #3) (1983), Moon (1985), Magic Cottage (1986), Sepulchre (1987), Haunted (David Ash, #1) (1988), The Ghosts Of Sleath (David Ash, #2) (1994), Others (1999), Once... (2001), Nobody True (2003), The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006), Ash (David Ash, #3) (2012)