A book a day: David Seltzer: The prophecy

Most lovers of the horror genre know the film The prophecy 1976. But few know that the year after this classic directed by Richard Donner was released, a novelization of it was also published, which at the time was just as successful.

Let’s focus on the book. The argument of The prophecy It is simple but effective, as easy to read as it is to forget. Robert and Katherine Thorn lose their son in a hospital in Italy. A priest offers Robert the newborn baby of a mother who died in childbirth, and he accepts without telling his wife about the impersonation. The American couple living in England (Robert works as a diplomat) experiences some years of happiness. However, strange things begin to happen around little Damien: his fear of churches, the suicide of his caregiver, the appearance of a new nanny, an eventful visit to the zoo, etc…

Although The prophecy It has terrifying scenes and elements of the religious horror subgenre, it could rather be considered a “thriller.” One in which Robert must discover Damien’s true nature and investigate a satanic conspiracy that aims to give the Antichrist access to his fortune and obtain his political influence.

The prophecy is the narrative debut of David Seltzer. The author’s background as a film and television scriptwriter is reflected in functional but literary stiff prose, a tendency to overexplanation through unnecessarily long descriptions, a lack of subtlety when revealing certain information and a crude introduction of certain relevant elements. for history.

So that you can see what I mean when prose tends to overexplanation, let me show you a passage on page 263 in which the frenetic rhythm that should permeate the scene is compromised due to the meticulous exposition of the action: « The head of that beast was getting closer and closer to Thorn. Leaning against the back of the seat, Thorn could already see the dog’s teeth a few centimeters from his face, snapping furiously at the air, when his fingers, buried in his jacket pocket, found one of the stilettos. He reached out, armed with the stiletto, raised it above his head, and thrust the weapon firmly and directly between the animal’s close-set eyes. The sharp blade sank to the hilt.

By Seltzer’s lack of subtlety I mean that he does not convincingly make us doubt Damien’s true nature at any point, despite the fact that it seems that the writer is trying in vain to sow doubt about whether or not there is really something supernatural about him. him on a couple of occasions. Although I admit that I was pleasantly surprised how the author leaves it unclear what has happened to suggest with the Hortons, the marriage of servants of Thorn manor, so that it is up to the reader to deduce if they have voluntarily resigned their employment or if Mrs. Baylock He has killed them.

Likewise, I reproach Seltzer for artificially inferring details that suit him. This is reflected in how he anticipates the inquisitorial nature of Thorn’s thought through two somewhat gratuitous speculations, or how he abruptly introduces in the climax that a light bulb hangs from the ceiling “suspended by a very worn cable” in the mansion’s service staircase. because later you will use it.

In my opinion, the novel presents some changes that improve the film. It’s true that Damien feels less intimidating than his film counterpart, but that’s a good thing, given his age. Likewise, Mrs. Baylock, the antagonist of this first installment, is much more threatening and sinister in the paper version. And certain scenes (like Katherine and her son’s visit to the zoo) far surpass their cinematic counterparts.

The characters in the novel are quite flat, and I would even dare to say that they feel wasted (especially in the case of Haber Jennings, a photographer who ends up allying himself with Robert). Be that as it may, they fulfill their mission, because they are credible and it is easy to empathize with them: Robert is a strong and decisive man overwhelmed by the situation; Katherine, a tragic character; Jennings helps the story progress; Mrs. Baylock, with her manipulation, insolence and grotesque appearance (especially after putting on makeup like a grotesque prostitute) stars in some of the best scenes of the set.

In short: the novelization of The prophecy It won’t add much to those who have seen the film. However, I recommend that fans of the cinematic classic take a look at the book, because it takes quite interesting plot licenses that even improve the original material. For the rest, it is still a work that is as entertaining as it is simple and forgettable, whose pedestrian work works against its good ideas and intentions.