The Amityville Horror (1977) by Jay Anson is a controversial “true” horror story based on the alleged experiences of the Lutz family in their Long Island home, previously the site of Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s 1974 massacre of his family. The book recounts the Lutzes’ 28-day stay, detailing supernatural horrors—putrid smells, demonic voices, and physical attacks—that drove them to flee.
Anson’s sensational, dialogue-heavy prose leans into pulp thrills, though skepticism persists (the Lutzes later admitted embellishments). A cultural phenomenon that spawned films and debates about paranormal hoaxes.
