Cycle of the Werewolf
Published: November 1983
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Folk Tales, Graphic, Horror, Literature, Mythology, Shape Shifter, Suspense, Werewolf
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf is a short horror story with pictures by comic-book artist Bernie Wrightson. Each chapter is a self-contained mini-story. It depicts the story of a werewolf who haunts a small village when the moon is full once a month. Land of Enchantment released it as a limited edition hardback in 1983, and Signet published it as a mass-market trade paperback in 1985.
Silver Bullet, the cinematic adaption, was also written by Stephen King (1985). At 127 pages, it is author's smallest novel to date, making it originally a novella. He confesses to taking liberties with the moon cycle in the author's notes at the conclusion of the book.
For example, if a full moon occurred on New Year's Day, another would not occur on Valentine's Day, despite the fact that these events are generally celebrated in January and February. He argues that this was done to help readers remember the key months more precisely.
This was a brief narrative and a quick read, and the reason it was so short was that it wasn't planned to be a novel; instead, it was going to be a calendar with a tiny amount of information every month, but it was too short, so Stephen King made up a plot to go with the drawings.
The structure consisted of the months of a single year and, in particular, the days on which the full moon occurred, rather than chapters. Because, of course, this was the time when the ugly beast from Tarker Mills appeared to carry out his murderous acts.
Each month featured a different citizen of the little town who became the werewolf's victim, and the killings were portrayed in graphic, brutal detail in classic Stephen King manner.
There wasn't a lot of character development because the chapters were so short, but I think the author still managed to give us a solid understanding of each person of the community. After all, this is his specialty.
Marty Coslaw was one of my favorite characters. He was a bright, level-headed, brave young man who was confined to a wheelchair and was possibly the most well-developed character in the entire novel.
Berni Wrightson's artwork looked fantastic and provided a lot of dimension and awe to the book.
This book is fantastic. It's unique in that, unlike much of Stephen King's writing, it doesn't revolve around a single character.
The pictures are also fantastic; it's a fun way to experience the book through the eyes of someone else.
The book's sole flaw is its brief length. I wish we had a closer look at the werewolf in human form. Stephen King is a brilliant storyteller, so even in a novella, he delivers, but he's so amazing with the werewolf genre that I'd happily read a 5000-page werewolf novel or series from him.
The movie was entertaining to watch and a little scary for young children, plus the pastor's dream can make even an adult scared.
I watched this movie several times and each time one of my cousins would flee the room because he was terrified, but I told him to watch horror movies so we could learn how to kill the monsters and gave him motivation by making him watch the scene where Marty sitting on Silver Bullet uses the rockets to hurt the beast, and that actually helped my cousin become brave and sit with me to watch horror movies.
I was so proud of my cousin for what he did next, he watched another of his nightmare movies called Troll, it was actually a very scary movie for kids and I don't remember the details but he was always scared to come in the room when we were watching that movie but, as I mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph, he watched it after the Silver Bullet incident.
But I believe it was all Stephen King's trick to show kids like him to be brave because if a kid who couldn't even walk can do it, what's to stop a fully capable kid from doing the same?
That is what I learned from this great writer and his writing: he takes an ordinary person and transforms him or her into the bravest hero who inspires and encourages all.
The storyline doesn't completely emerge until halfway through the book, so anyone expecting a plot-driven novella may be disappointed – but the first half does contribute to the suspense element.
Also, throughout this work, the author appears to have a problem developing female characters, portraying them as lusty, weak-willed doormats, shrieking harpies, or some combination of the three.
This is a little surprising, given that he's written decent female characters before and after this book; perhaps he was showing or creating an atmosphere of despair or hopelessness, but we'll never know because we're talking about Stephen King, and he knows what he's doing; we just have to dive and find what he threw into the depths of his pages.
And maybe on the tenth reading, you'll find and comprehend why he did something with a character that we didn't understand the first nine times we read it.
Final Thoughts
Both the movie and the book are good, but the book is far better as usual, even though both are written by Stephen King, the movie has some things added and other things omitted, as is customary.
I saw the movie first, and then read the book, and it was a good mix. You may either read or watch first, I don't think it matters because you'll be able to appreciate both the book and the movie.
Stephen King is a great writer, his works filled with precise yet stunning details and able to find dark comedy in the most horrendous of situations.
He's not afraid to give his characters flaws and weaknesses, and although this may lead to a cast full of jerks at times, it's balanced out here by some truly excellent people.
Even the werewolf is a sympathetic character with plausible reasons for his horrible actions.
The book's divided into twelve months, with one chapter for each full moon when the beast attacks, is a unique and welcome addition.
A wonderful bite-sized gift from Stephen King for horror enthusiasts and a refreshing change of pace from the flood of werewolf-themed romance that has taken over occult literature in recent years.
If you want a rip-roaring horror adventure and don't mind the plot taking a second seat to the terror aspect, this is the book for you.
Synopsis
“The classic masterpiece by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephen King—illustrated by the legendary artist Bernie Wrightson!
Terror began in January—by the light of the full moon...
The first scream came from the snowbound railwayman who felt the werewolf’s fangs ripping at his throat. The next month there was a scream of ecstatic agony from the woman attacked in her cozy bedroom. Now scenes of unbelievable horror unfold each time the full moon shines on the isolated Maine town of Tarker’s Mills. No one knows who will be attacked next. But one thing is sure. When the full moon rises, a paralyzing fear sweeps through Tarker's Mills. For snarls that sound like human words can be heard whining through the wind. And all around are the footprints of a monster whose hunger cannot be sated...”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Berni Wrightson, Bernie Wrightson, Black And White, Corey Haim, Daniel Attias, Everett Mcgill, Full Moon, Gary Busey, Martha De Laurentiis, Martha Schumacher, Marty Coslaw, Quick Read, Short Story, Small Town, Tarker Mills, Town Of Tarker
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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