''A Stir of Echoes'' is a supernatural novel by American writer

Richard Matheson Richard Burton Matheson (February 20, 1926 – June 23, 2013) was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is best known as the author of '' I Am Legend'', a 1954 science ficti ...

, published in 1958. It served as the inspiration for the 1999 film '' Stir of Echoes''.

Plot synopsis

Tom Wallace lived an ordinary life, until a chance event awakened psychic abilities he never knew he possessed. Now he's hearing the private thoughts of the people around him and learning shocking secrets he never wanted to know. But as Tom's existence becomes a waking nightmare, even greater jolts are in store as he becomes the unwilling recipient of a message from beyond the grave.

Reception

''Galaxy'' reviewer Floyd C. Gale praised the novel, saying "Matheson expertly builds a mood of horror and terror that only on one occasion exceeds credulity."

Damon Knight Damon Francis Knight (September 19, 1922 – April 15, 2002) was an American science fiction author, editor, and critic. He is the author of "To Serve Man", a 1950 short story adapted for ''The Twilight Zone''.Stanyard, ''Dimensions Behind th ...

, however, dismissed it as "a thin and banal ghost story with psi trimmings, written in a Chippendale Chinese style.""In the Balance". ''If''. December 1958, pp.110

References

1958 American novels 1958 fantasy novels American novels adapted into films American horror novels Novels by Richard Matheson J. B. Lippincott & Co. books Novels about telepathy {{1950s-horror-novel-stub