The Funhouse (novel)

Infobox Book |
name = The Funhouse


image_caption = Cover of "The Funhouse"
author = Dean Koontz
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Suspense, Mystery novel
publisher = Berkley Publishing
release_date = 1980
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 333 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-425-14248-5
preceded_by =
followed_by =

The Funhouse is a novel by the best-selling author Dean Koontz, released in 1980. It is the novelization of a Larry Block screenplay, which was directed by Tobe Hooper.

Plot summary

The Funhouse begins with the story of Ellen Straker. Ellen, who is 20, has fled her overly religious family and married a carnival worker named Conrad Straker. Ellen became pregnant shortly after the marriage, and has given birth to a hideous creature. The child scares Ellen but Conrad takes pride in their child who he names Victor. After several shots of bourbon, Ellen gathers the strength to kill baby Victor. When Conrad discovers that his son is dead he beats Ellen until she loses consciousness and throws her out of their home. While Ellen is leaving Conrad makes a vow to locate her in the future, and kill her children.

Twenty five years later Ellen has a new life and a new family. Amy Harper is Ellen's oldest child, and the main character in the story. Amy becomes pregnant during her senior year in high school. Worried about the impact the baby will have on her strict Catholic family and her future college plans, Amy decides to have an abortion. Not being aware of her mother's past, Amy is surprised when she agrees to allow the abortion. Ellen is afraid that her daughter's child could be evil, and is constantly questioning if her own children are good or evil. After getting the abortion Ellen no longer forces Amy to attend religious services or follow old rules. The following summer Amy spends most of her time with best friend, Liz Duncan. Liz is opposite of the goal-focused and hard working Amy, but they both share an interest in boys.

In late June, the carnival and Conrad come to town. Amy has recently been seeing a boy named Buzz and they agree to a carnival double-date with Liz and her boyfriend Richie. Despite being warned by the fortune teller, the young couples decide to ride through the the funhouse. Conrad shuts off the ride midway through, trapping the group inside. He then unleashes his second son Gunther, another monstrous child similar to Victor. Gunther has recently matured and contains a strong desire for the smell of women. Not able to control his strength, however, he often disembowels and obliterates women in the process of following his desires. Gunther kills Liz and her boyfriend Richie, while Conrad comes into the ride to take care of Ellen's daughter Amy. Amy's brother Joey has gotten captured by Conrad and takes him inside of the funhouse. After shooting Buzz, Conrad confronts Amy. Amy stabs and kills Conrad, and tries to escape through a trap door only to find Gunther guarding the exit. Using a gun she obtained from Conrad, Amy fires several shots and kills Gunther. With Gunther dead, Amy and Joey are able to exit the funhouse.

Characters

Ellen

Ellen comes from a very religious background, where her mother ruled the house with strict Catholic traditions. After killing her first baby and fleeing from her husband, she begins a new life in Royal City by marrying Paul Harper. Ellen raises her two children, Amy and Joey, with the same stringent rules that her mother used on her. She is haunted by the image of her first child and is constantly worried that her children may contain some of the evil qualities found in Victor. She drinks constantly to avoid these fears, and her habit increasingly effects her family's life.

Conrad

Conrad is the owner of the carnival funhouse and was married to Ellen in his early twenties. After she murdered his first son, he vowed revenged with the death of any future children she might have. With every new town the carnival arrives in, he looks out for any children resembling his wife Ellen. Later he married and had a child with Madame Zena, the carnival fortune teller. They divorced due to his unpredictable temperament, but she helps with his search by obtaining information on children he suspects could be Ellen's. Conrad believes the evil found in his second son Gunther is a sign that the devil is helping him achieve revenge against God for taking Victor. After he obtains his revenge, he believes a new Dark Age will begin.

Amy

Amy Harper is Ellen's first child with Paul Harper and her only daughter. The beginning of the novel is concerned with Amy's decision to have an abortion after finding herself pregnant during her senior year of high school. Amy resents her overprotective mother and the lack of authority found in her father, but has become a popular and intelligent student regardless. She works at a local teen hangout where she often meets with her best friend Liz. Amy is very concerned about the consequences of her actions, and often questions her mother's accusations that she is evil.

Joey

Joey Harper is Ellen's second child with Paul Harper and Amy's younger brother. He attends the local elementary school, and is fascinated by scary stories and movies. Amy is the only positive family member for Joey, and he constantly seeks her approval. Joey decides to run away after his mother throws away his monster models and orders him to take down his movie posters. She occasionally comes to his room after drinking heavily and mumbles to herself while thinking he is asleep. Joey has heard her talk of killing someone named Victor, and is afraid that she will kill him as well. It is Joey's goal to become a carnival worker and leave Royal City for good.

External links

* [http://www.allreaders.com/Topics/Info_866.asp The Funhouse Book Review]