The Bad Seed is an indelible portrait of an evil that wears an innocent face, one which still resonates in popular culture today. Originally published in 1954, William March's final novel was an instant bestseller and National Book Award finalist before it was adapted for the stage and made into a 1956 film. But when their neighborhood suffers a series of terrible accidents, her mother begins to wonder: Why do bad things seem to happen when little Rhoda is around? With her carefully plaited hair and her sweet cotton dresses, she's the very picture of old-fashioned innocence.

There's something special about eight-year-old Rhoda Penmark. 'William March is still the unrecognized genius of our time.The bestselling novel that inspired Mervyn LeRoy's classic horror film about the little girl who can get away with anything even murder. One has to believe that these appalling things took place exactly as the author says they did.' ' The Bad Seed is terrifyingly good, not only because its theme is worked out so powerfully, but because every character is convincing. In the author's hands this is adequate material for an absolutely first class novel of moral bewilderments and responsibilities nearest the heart of our decade.' Nowhere is this gift better displayed than in The Bad Seed-the portrayal of a coldly evil, murderous child and what she does to both victims and family.

'William March knows where human fears and secrets are buried.

This is a novel bound to arouse strong responses, to generate vehement discussion, and so not easily to be forgotten.' a straightforward, technically accomplished story of suspense. will enjoy as the work of one of the most satisfying of American novelists.' ' The Bad Seed is a novel of suspense and mounting horror, which the reader. Vintage Movie Classics spotlights classic films that have stood the test of time, now rediscovered through the publication of the novels on which they were based. Originally published in 1954, William March’s final novel was an instant bestseller and National Book Award finalist before it was adapted for the stage and made into a 1956 film. With her carefully plaited hair and her sweet cotton dresses, she’s the very picture of old-fashioned innocence. There’s something special about eight-year-old Rhoda Penmark. The bestselling novel that inspired Mervyn LeRoy’s classic horror film about the little girl who can get away with anything-even murder. The bestselling inspiration for the chilling movie starring Patty McCormack and Nancy Kelly.

Novel the bad seed