Robert R. McCammon - BAAL

[andydecker]

Robert R. McCammon - BAAL (Sphere 1979, 9th reprint (?), Original Avon, 1978, 251 p.)

Call me BAAL. A woman is ravished – and to her a child is born … unleashing an unimaginable evil upon the world! They call him BAAL in the orphanage, where he leads the children on a rampage of violence. BAAL in California, where he appears as the head of a murderous Manson-like cult. BAAL in the deserts of Arabia, where crazed millions heed his call to orgy and assassination.

There is another thread of this in the Sphere section, but without cover or blurb. Also some of the other McCammon covers are in the complete listung of Sphere. But a lot of his novels have no own listing, so I will put in what I have. Maybe our esteemed Dem can merge the threads of this one later.

I must have read this, but this was so long ago that have no recollection at all. Weird.

[Dr Strange]

These are the editions I remember, with that cross design on the covers. Back then (early to mid-80s), I read Mystery Walk first and then its predecessors (Baal, Bethany's Sin, The Night Boat, and They Thirst), but nothing by him after that. Not sure why I lost interest, but I also don't remember very much about the ones I did read now. I was quite taken with Mystery Walk at the time, but suspect I might not feel the same way about it if I read it again now.

[andydecker]

Mar 26, 2020 13:55:38 GMT Dr Strange said:

Not sure why I lost interest, but I also don't remember very much about the ones I did read now. I was quite taken with Mystery Walk at the time, but suspect I might not feel the same way about it if I read it again now.

Yes, I know what you mean. More often then not I am a bit surprised (and slightly disappointed) when I re-read something I liked and it just don't work. Mystery Walk I also have as quite good in memory, unfortunatly I never got the original edition back then when it still was widely avaiable. (Edit: Only have the translation) And I don't want a kindle of this. And I fear it can't held up.

[Alf]

Just finished this one after picking up a copy from local Oxfam

99p was just about worth it ....

Te author was obviously writing with a film version in mind. The 2nd act set in the school was OK, the rest was Enid Blyton with sweary bits. Felt very much like a step outline / treatment rather than a novel
3/10

[helrunar]

Enid Blyton with sweary bits--love it! "Five go Eldritch in Yorkshire."

cheers, Hel

[goathunter]

Jul 18, 2022 17:26:08 GMT Alf said:

Te author was obviously writing with a film version in mind. The 2nd act set in the school was OK, the rest was Enid Blyton with sweary bits. Felt very much like a step outline / treatment rather than a novel
3/10

It was his very first novel. Not just first published, but first written. FWIW.

[goathunter]

Lots more covers for this book can be found here:

Baal Cover Gallery @ RobertMcCammon.com