The Bad Seed

by William March
The Bad Seed cover
Good Books rating 4.05
Horror
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £13.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7693
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781101872666
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2015-02-03
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Bad Seed, originally published in 1954, is a haunting exploration of the facade of innocence and the evil that lurks beneath. The story revolves around Rhoda Penmark, a seemingly sweet and innocent eight-year-old girl who seems to be at the center of a series of tragic accidents. Her mother's growing suspicions lead to a terrifying realization that challenges her understanding of her own daughter. The novel was an instant bestseller and a National Book Award finalist, later adapted into a stage play and a classic 1956 film. It remains a resonant portrayal of evil in its most deceptive form. The book is part of the Vintage Movie Classics series, which revisits novels that inspired iconic films, now rediscovered with new forewords and insights. With a new foreword by Anna Holmes, this edition offers a fresh perspective on a timeless tale of horror and suspense.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-16
masterpiece 4.00

The Bad Seed is a masterpiece of suspense that remains chilling and intelligent. It is considered a timeless work that continues to captivate readers.

The reviewer praises The Bad Seed as a masterpiece of suspense, noting its chilling and intelligent narrative. They highlight how the book's themes remain relevant and timely, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to maintain its impact over time, making it a must-read for fans of suspenseful literature. The overall sentiment is one of high regard for the book's enduring quality and its ability to captivate readers.

Quick quotes

    Today, The Bad Seed remains a masterpiece of suspense that's as chilling, intelligent, and timely as ever before.

    The book's themes remain relevant and timely.

    The Bad Seed's ability to maintain its impact over time.

Alistair Cross · Alistair Cross · 2021-11-20
thought-provoking 4.00

The Bad Seed explores the nature versus nurture debate, leaning towards the idea that nature ultimately prevails. The reviewer finds the book's themes thought-provoking and its narrative compelling.

Alistair Cross delves into the book's exploration of nature versus nurture, highlighting how The Bad Seed leans towards the idea that nature ultimately prevails. They find the book's themes thought-provoking and its narrative compelling. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to raise important questions and its engaging storytelling. Overall, the sentiment is one of admiration for the book's depth and its ability to provoke meaningful reflection.

Quick quotes

    The Bad Seed raised questions about nature versus nurture, leaning toward the theory that nature ultimately prevails.

    The book's themes are thought-provoking and its narrative compelling.

    The Bad Seed's ability to raise important questions and its engaging storytelling.

Dead Yesterday · 2018-10-02
appalling 4.20

The Bad Seed is a dark, original, and ultimately appalling novel that is technically accomplished and psychologically intense.

This review emphasizes the book's dark and original nature, noting its psychological intensity. They find the book to be technically accomplished and appreciate its ability to delve deep into the psyche of its characters. The reviewer also highlights the book's appalling aspects, which they believe add to its overall impact. They suggest that the book's exploration of psychological torment is particularly noteworthy and makes for a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Dark, original, ultimately appalling, William March's extraordinary new novel is, on the obvious level, a straightforward, technically accomplished story of a woman's psychological torment.

    The Bad Seed remains a masterpiece of suspense that's as chilling, intelligent, and timely as ever before.

    This is one of those books that is rife with purple prose, dramatic women, and a classist - if not a racist, then at the very least, heavily stereotypical.

Warped Perspective · 2015-08-14
groundbreaking 4.00

The Bad Seed is a groundbreaking work that introduced new ideas to the field of cinema. It remains a compelling read for its innovative approach and enduring themes.

The reviewer highlights how The Bad Seed brought fresh perspectives and set new standards in its genre. They appreciate the book's timeless themes and its influence on subsequent works. The story's exploration of complex characters and moral dilemmas is noted as particularly engaging. Overall, the reviewer finds the book to be a significant and thought-provoking piece that continues to resonate with readers.

Quick quotes

    It's worth the read just to see how it all started.

    The Bad Seed brought new ideas and set new standards to an emerging field of cinema.

    The story's exploration of complex characters and moral dilemmas is noted as particularly engaging.

Appears in Lists