Communion

Communion is a non-fiction book by horror author Whitley Strieber documenting his claimed encounters with extraterrestrial beings. The narrative centers on Strieber's experiences with memory loss and disturbing flashbacks, which lead him to undergo hypnosis to uncover their source. The book presents Strieber's first-hand account of mysterious events at his cabin in upstate New York, including interactions with entities he describes as non-human visitors. Through a combination of recovered memories and conscious recollections, Strieber records his attempts to understand these encounters while maintaining his grip on reality. The publication became a New York Times bestseller in 1987 and features the now-iconic cover painting of a "grey" alien, created by artist Ted Seth Jacobs under Strieber's direct guidance. The book spawned a 1989 film adaptation starring Christopher Walken as Strieber. Communion stands as a significant work in UFO literature that explores the intersection between personal experience and unexplained phenomena, while raising questions about human consciousness and our understanding of reality.

Readers report being disturbed and unsettled by Strieber's first-hand account, with many noting they had to put the book down at times due to anxiety. Multiple reviews mention having nightmares after reading. What readers liked: - Detailed, journalistic writing style - Author's willingness to question his own experiences - Balance between skepticism and belief - Documentation through hypnosis sessions and medical records What readers disliked: - Repetitive passages - Fragmented narrative structure - Too much focus on author's emotional state - Some found it sensationalized Review Stats: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Could not sleep with this book in my bedroom" - Goodreads "Reads like a horror novel but claims to be true" - Amazon "His terror feels authentic" - LibraryThing "Gets lost in psychological theorizing" - Goodreads

Intruders by Budd Hopkins Documents multiple alleged alien abduction cases through regression hypnosis sessions and reveals patterns in abductee experiences that parallel Strieber's encounters.

Missing Time by Budd Hopkins Chronicles the investigations of UFO abduction reports focusing on the phenomenon of lost time and recovered memories through hypnotic regression.

The Andreasson Affair by Raymond E. Fowler Details Betty Andreasson's reported alien encounters through intensive investigation, hypnosis sessions, and scientific analysis of her claims.

The Interrupted Journey by John G. Fuller Presents the Betty and Barney Hill abduction case through medical records, hypnosis transcripts, and investigative documentation.

Fire in the Sky by Travis Walton Recounts Walton's reported abduction experience in Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, supported by multiple witnesses and police investigation records.

🌟 The book spent several weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list in 1987 and sold over 2 million copies worldwide 🛸 Strieber hired a professional polygraph examiner who concluded he was not fabricating his experiences 🎬 The book was adapted into a 1989 film starring Christopher Walken as Whitley Strieber 🔍 Before writing Communion, Strieber was known as a successful horror novelist, authoring works like "The Wolfen" and "The Hunger" 🧠 The book's iconic cover image of an alien face, created by Ted Seth Jacobs, was based on Strieber's detailed descriptions from memory and became one of the most recognized depictions of alien beings in popular culture