Naomi's Room--Hrishika

 

Almost every person in the world interested in creepypasta and horror must have read Stephen King; I mean, he is one of the most famous authors who wrote literary pieces that churned our stomachs with anticipation and fear. Though he is one of the best, he isn't the only one to produce masterpieces that have us bite our nails. Some books disappear under the radar or didn't appeal to many audiences, and Naomi's room by Jonathan Aycliffe is one of those books.

Before reading this book, be warned that it has content that some may find disturbing. If you're

like me and love psychological horror and don't mind a little gore, go ahead and give this book a

try.

The story starts with Dr. Charles Hillenbrand, a professor from Cambridge University, London,

reminiscing about his four-year-old daughter's horrible death on Christmas eve. The setting was

in 1970, and Charles and his daughter Naomi are at a toy store in London. Charles takes his

eye off Naomi for a moment to look at a toy, and she disappeared into thin air. Police later found

her body, brutally dismantled, in a nearby alley. While Charles and his wife Laura are dealing

with the grief, Charles investigates the history of the house he is living in to explain the house's

unaccountable actions- especially in Naomi's room.

The story shifts from 1970 to 1990, when the couple is coping with their young daughter's death

when Lewis, a stereotypical welsh reporter, captures mysterious photos of Charle's house. The

photograph shows a picture of Naomi in her room, playing with her two imaginary friends. The

reporter and Charles team up together to investigate the mystery behind the ghostly photos and

the house.

Adding to the creepiness of the story, people involved in Naomi's case mysteriously wind up

dead. Just be warned that this book is not for everyone!!! As you dig deeper and deeper into the book,

it will reveal shocking and lingering images in your head. The imagery and diction were so gory

and thrilling that I had to get away from the book for over a month. Though I started reading

another book, The images keep lingering in my head for days. The book did a successful job of

making me sleep with the lights on at night and keep away from my attic. The sequence was so

good that you can feel the sadness and fear of every character. Aycliffe kept introducing is one

ghost after another- introducing their backstories and evilness.

Aycliffe creates a creepy ambiance using a fantastic sequence of imagery like eerie whispering

and doors shutting by themselves to portend an evil being haunting the couple. The audience

can tell that the couple is in constant danger, but they don't realize the evilness of what's

haunting them. Every chapter is filled with cliffhangers and revelations that fill the readers with

curiosity and anticipation. The second part of the story is where the plot is one full gear, and we

learn what really happened to Naomi.

Although the book was a fantastic read until the end, It had the same problem that every horror

book has. It lacked an explanation of some of the crucial parts of the plots and has some plot

holes. According to me, a Good horror explains every part of the climax and helps the reader

connect part of the story. Naomi's room, along with many other horror pieces, lacks that.

Despite that, Naomi's room is one of the best books I have read in a while. It doesn't rely only on

ghostly whispers and sighting but sidetracks to more psychological and gore. Because of the

subject matter being the worst fear of every parent, I will warn you once again before reading

the book. It is not for the faint-hearted or those searching for horror solely based on ghosts.