Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780843946581
ISBN number: 084394658X
Label: Leisure Books
Manufacturer: Leisure Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 352
Printing Date: 1999-12
Publishing house: Leisure Books
Sale Popularity Level: 1243922
Studio: Leisure Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The author of The Orchid Eater returns with a horror novel about mandalas and what they mean to people--including Michael Renzler, who is obsessed with them, and Elias Mooney, who believes they are the root of all evil.
Amazon.com Review:
Anyone who's ever wished that the charlatans of the New Age movement would get their comeuppance from a real and potent Evil, will enjoy this well-crafted horror novel. From his wicked characterization of a cynical ad-copy writer who turns to writing occult books to make a buck, to his portrayal of the moral uncertainty of the followers who blindly hunger for occult knowledge, to his evocation of scary monsters (described as 'astral jellyfish,' 'ghostly buzzsaws,' and 'wheels of grainy flame') from the killing fields of Cambodia, Marc Laidlaw knows how to hit the high points. As a monsters vs. humans story, the novel's plot is a bit unsatisfying (dramatic endings are hard to pull off), but as Brian Stableford writes in Necrofile, 'the strength of The 37th Mandala ... lies in its painstaking endeavor to scrutinize and analyze the psychological malaise which lies at the heart of the so-called New Age.'
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Rated by buyers -
New age author Derek Crowe's latest book "The Mandala Rites" is quickly gaining him notoriety. But Crowe is a charlatan who plagiarized his book, thinks the Mandalas are fiction, and thinks his followers are fools. Contrary to what Crowe believes, his Mandalas--which his book portrays as benevolent cosmic assistants leading mankind to a better place--are far from imaginary and certainly not good. The Mandalas are ancient creatures who feed of the evil of mankind and attach themselves like leeches to human slaves. And an event that marks a new age is coming: the 37 Mandalas are gathering...
Marc Laidlaw's "The 37th Mandala" is a tense and, at times, down-right frightening book with shades of "The Body Snatches" and the classic demon possesion theme. Laidlaw's writing and presentation are good but, to me, the most interesting part is the whole new mythology he presents in the form of the "Mandalas". Part Lovecraftian horror, part Puppet Masters, and part artwork, the Mandalas and the whole systems that surround them (tattoos, religious rites, etc.) is extremely well thought out and presented. Rather than pick some existing horror creature or system to expend upon Laidlaw has presented an entirely new evil. And he's done it quite well.
The only downside (if you can even call it that) to "The 37th Mandala" is the pace. It starts out slow and builds, revealing each new mystery just a bit at a time. For the most part it's not action-packed until the end but it is fascinating enough to hold your attention the entire time.
Rated by buyers 
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This is Laidlaw's best novel, and not to be missed. It's a brilliant and truly creepy look at obsessive behavior and occult happenings, and rewards close readings by those who really like and study the horror genre. The plot? Others give you an idea below-- but just pick this up and read it. It's as good as the best King or Straub or Simmons-- a modern Lovecraft story for those who want a nasty night with a book that causes memorable dreams of flayed skins and the suffering of millions offered up as a paean to... but that would be telling.
Rated by buyers 
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Marc Laidlaw has chosen an unusual subject matter for this novel: mandalas - astral creatures that feed on human pain. A spiritualist named Elias Mooney discovered them and shared their existence with Derek Crowe, an entrepreneur whom he trusts. But Crowe is more interested in making money off the phenomena, and he twists Mooney's writings into palatable new age drivel, generating a cultish religion and gaining celebrity for himself. He doesn't truly believe in his mentor's teachings, until two young followers are all too successful in breaking the barrier between the planes and come to him, desperately seeking help.
THE 37TH MANDALA is a well-written drama about meddling with greater powers but it never really becomes as involving as it could have. After a powerful prologue, the story settles into a typical adventure with typical characters. The mandalas themselves, though nicely depicted, are never really frightening and actually become less interesting as the story progresses. The importance of the number 37 is stressed at the very start of the book (which, amusingly, contains 37 chapters) and the significance of the title mandala is strongly hinted at, as if generating some kind of build-up. Yet later on this idea is abandoned, as it seems everyone has a mandala of their own - and that's something we have seen before. (John Shirley's WETBONES comes to mind.)
It's a decent novel, and most people will probably enjoy it, but I had higher expectations.
Rated by buyers -
I must say that after 'Cerimonies' by TED Klien [ what happened to him?, this is another great book I read. The blurb by King and Campbell are worthy. I thank Lesuire to publish the book. Also I recommand Leisure to tell some of its writers to read this book; Picirili and Clegg chiefly. This book migght take a while to pick up but go on. I dont know why Campbell, who is a good judge of books, himself is not writing the book which a person can understand? I read 'Incarnate' I know something is happening but what? May be re-read it. This is a straight book with out anything like 'Debby is dead' or other such things. The author cleverly personifised Steven Hawkings! and that person mentioned Hawkings! Any other good stuff by this author? I will not give away story or stuff. The bottom line is 'dont play with unknown'
Rated by buyers 
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Run for your life, some doilies with really funky shapes and colors are attacking! Try as I might I could not get up to the level of terror the author wanted to instill with this particular villain--the mandalas. I found the main character very unlikable so I really didn't care what happened to him. ...
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