Others (1999 Novel)

Infobox Book |
name = Others
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author = James Herbert
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country = United Kingdom
language = English
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genre = Horror novel
publisher = New English Library
release_date = 1999
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media_type = Print (Paperback & Hardback)
pages = 503 pp (first edition, paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-333-78064-7 (first edition, hardback)
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"Others" is a 1999 novel by British horror author James Herbert. It follows private investigator Nicholas 'Dis' Dismas as he is hired to track down a missing person - his client's long lost son who had been taken away from her moments after he was born... or had he?

Nicholas leads a gruelling life as he was discovered grossly deformed and abandoned outside a church. Raised by nuns, he now leads a simple life as a self employed private investigator, but not as a social outcast.

Others is one of many of James Herbert's novels which has strong religious themes, along with Shrine, The Secret of Crickley Hall and Sepulchre.

Themes

Many of the theses of this book are religion based such as reincarnation, redemption and penance.

There is also an irony in that the ugly and deformed main character was an iconic film star in his past life. Nicholas also constantly has tests given to him by his friend and co-worker about famous actors in the era in which his past form was famous - a kind of cruel irony that constantly reminds us of the juxtaposition between the two lives.

References

* [http://www.james-herbert.co.uk/others.htm James Herbert's website review of Others]