I think of this as a heart-piercing story that shows the power of words to create abject horror. Whereas most horror stories invoke the supernatural, this one does it without any artificial devices, making its terror even more realistic. Everyone who reads this must immediately follow it with something that has a blissful ending. I have a friend who is troubled by his wife's hypochondria. I told not to read this book. Was I right? Should he know? This book stays with you whether you want it to or not.