Robert Bloch’s Psycho captivates with its psychological depth and chilling narrative. The novel excels in building tension and delivering twists, earning high praise for its suspense and intricate character development. However, some critics find parts of the prose dated and pacing uneven. Overall, it remains a seminal work in horror fiction.

A reader who enjoys psychological thrillers and horror with intricate, suspenseful plots will find Psycho by Robert Bloch captivating. Fans of Stephen King's The Shining or Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House will appreciate Bloch's masterful blend of terror and psychological complexity.

In Psycho by Robert Bloch, a timid, middle-aged man named Norman Bates runs the Bates Motel, where he lives under the oppressive influence of his domineering mother, Norma. When a woman named Mary Crane, fleeing with stolen money, checks into the motel, an increasingly sinister series of events unfold, revealing dark secrets about Norman's past and mental health. The novel contains depictions of trauma, abuse, and outdated mental health practices.

Mysterious / Dark / Unnerving / Suspenseful / Gritty

- Psycho was inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, a notorious murderer and body snatcher, whose gruesome exploits fascinated the nation in the late 1950s.
- Robert Bloch wrote Psycho in 1959 while residing only about 35 miles from where Ed Gein's horrific crimes took place in Wisconsin, a fact that added a chilling authenticity to the horror novel.
- The book's success and its adaptation into Alfred Hitchcock's iconic film of the same name helped establish Bloch's reputation as a master of horror and thriller genres.

Robert Bloch

Adult

Novel

Psycho

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Psycho and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Psycho Summary

Background

Psycho Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Psycho Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-9

Psycho Chapters 5-9 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 10-12

Psycho Chapters 10-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-15

Psycho Chapters 13-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-17

Psycho Chapters 16-17 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Psycho Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Psycho Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Psycho Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Psycho Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Psycho Essay Topics

Psycho

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Psycho?

Reading Age

Book Details