Later
Published: 2, March 2021
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Mystery, Paranormal, Police Procedurals, Psychic, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
Later Summary
The Review
Stephen King's crime thriller Later was released by Hard Case Crime. The book is published in paperback and hardback, with a limited number of hardcover copies available. The limited hardback edition has cover art by Gregory Manchess, while the paperback version has cover art by Paul Mann. Seth Numrich reads the 7-hour Audiobook.
Following the publication of The Colorado Kid and Joyland, this is Stephen King's third Hard Case Crime novel. Jamie Conklin, who has the gift to see deceased people, is the protagonist of the narrative, which is recounted in the first person. The novel debuted at number two on The New York Times fiction best-seller list in the week ending March 6, 2021.
To give you a little background on the story, it is set in the late 2000s and is told by the main character, a young boy living in New York City with his single mother, Tia.
Jamie possesses the gift to see and communicate with the dead. The deceased persons he can communicate with must honestly answer all of his queries.
Jamie is terrified as a child when a man killed in a traffic accident waves to him despite the fact that he is dead.
He also speaks to Mona, the late wife of Professor Martin Burkett, a neighbor, and friend of the Conklins', when he is a few years older. Jamie's mother is the only one who is aware of his abilities.
The book contains many themes that are reminiscent of classic Stephen King novels, but this time they have been combined with the crime, mystery, thriller, ghost story, supernatural and coming-of-age genres to produce something a little unusual. The author has always done this for most of his career, and he is just getting better at it
There are recurring themes such as a youngster having to grow up and depend on himself in the face of less-than-perfect adults, and supernatural power being both a blessing and a burden.
The protagonist's reminiscences of his terrible upbringing reminded me of earlier Stephen King stories, but this one is more current, given the events that take place in this millennium.
Even if the beginning is a little slower than in some other crime books, I was extremely hooked on this plot. The action kicks up later.
The novel isn't as long as I'd like it to be, but it's still manageable for a casual reader in terms of page count, and it has some excellent, crisp, and accurate language.
First-person narrators have always piqued my interest, and Jamie Conklin is a figure I won't soon forget. The author has a knack for writing about children and the bittersweet process of growing up, and his voice and perspective are handled with care.
Naturally, his characters are compelled to mature in ways that both terrify and pleasure us. I finished the novel in one sitting.
There are several unexpected Easter eggs stashed within this magnificent little masterpiece. What begins as a slow-burner as the author develops the universe and people, it rapidly builds into a page-turner filled with high intensity and mystery.
In reality, this Stephen King work is exceptionally brutal, gloomy, and dark. It has the feel of a Richard Bachman novel. But there's a little more heart in this. Perhaps there's a hint of J.D. Salinger here if Holden Caulfield had a magical revelation to go along with his despair.
Later is a quick but enjoyable journey that will appeal to Stephen King and Hard Case Crime aficionados alike.
When you believe it's a relation to Haley Joel Osmont from The Sixth Sense, it's not your imagination playing tricks on you. In this novel, the author brazenly admits the link.
Dean Koontz's 2007 novel Odd Thomas is another book that springs to mind while thinking about who sees dead people.
However, this does not imply that the author stole the concept because it has existed from the dawn of humanity when shamans and leaders professed to communicate with the dead. Even now, many individuals profit from deceiving the naive.
Here, too, you have a young child, aged 9 at the start to 15 at the end, who sees dead people in some way.
These deceased people, on the other hand, converse with young Jamie, and it appears that one of the magical laws is that they always answer his inquiries honestly.
These ghosts don't have the white sheets, they're more haunting than Casper, and they range from a kind elderly lady to a serial killer.
It also reminds us of Joyland, one of Stephen King's early Hard Case Crime works. It elicits a similar sense of childish awe.
Jamie's narrative voice is the key to this quick-paced small story. It's got that coming-of-age innocence mixed together with a dash of streetwise snark that simply fits.
Despite the final war between good and evil, like in most of the author's tales, you'll find this one to be horror mild. It doesn't quite reach the point of being horrifying, but it skirts the edge, and it all depends on who is reading it.
If you're searching for a way to get started with Stephen King's work, this is a good place to start. If you've been a long-time reader of Stephen King's work, like me, you'll be happy to succumb to a great author at work. There's a logical explanation we return time and time again.
Final Thoughts
Is this a horror story? After more consideration, uncle Stevie, or, in this instance, our protagonist Jamie Conklin is correct: there are some truly awful events in Stephen King's Later.
Don't get me wrong: it's not on the same level as IT, Pet Sematary, or 'Salem's Lot,' but it doesn't make it any less terrifying, right? Horror may be found anywhere, at any time, and in any shape or size.
Just because something isn't frightening to one person doesn't imply it won't terrify someone else.
So, what have we learned as a result of this lengthy digression? This is a scary story, but like I already stated, it all depends on who is reading it.
I adore the way the author depicts his characters; his descriptions make the characters' sentiments and emotions seem so genuine, even when their talents are magical. Despite the fact that it was a surprise, I truly like the ending.
Characters come to life in his novels, and his books are full of them. The stories frequently take a back step, despite the fact that they are equally as enticing and brilliantly anchor his work.
It's difficult to detest this book if you're a fan of the author. Even if you haven't read any of his previous excellent works, this one is a decent read. It's a quick read that was well worth my time and money.
Synopsis
“A brand-new novel from legendary storyteller Stephen King!
Sometimes growing up means facing your demons.
The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.
Later is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King’s classic novel It, Later is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Case Crime, Colorado Kid, Dead People, Easy Read, Hard Case, Highly Recommend, Jamie Conklin, Main Character, Page Turner, Quick Read, Really Enjoyed, Sees Dead, Sixth Sense, Young Boy
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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