The Dead Zone
Published: 30, August 1979
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Classic, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Stephen King's The Dead Zone is a science fiction thriller novel. The tale follows Johnny Smith, who recovers from a nearly five-year coma and, presumably as a result of brain injury, suddenly has clairvoyant and precognitive visions activated by touch. When any information is prevented from his view, Johnny refers to it as being stuck in the "dead zone" of his brain, which is permanently ruined. The narrative also chronicles a serial killer in Castle Rock, as well as the lives of rising politician Greg Stillson, both of whom Johnny must finally confront.
This book contains some of the firsts about Stephen King and his created universe. Though previous Stephen King novels had been popular, The Dead Zone was the first of his to rank in the top 10 best-selling novels in the United States.
In 1980, the book was nominated for a Locus Award and dedicated to Stephen King's son Owen. The Dead Zone is author's first tale to include the fictional town of Castle Rock, which serves as the backdrop for numerous subsequent novels and is mentioned in others.
The TV show Castle Rock is set in this imaginary town and has references to the Strangler, whom Johnny assisted in tracking down in The Dead Zone.
The Dead Zone is Stephen King's seventh novel and his fifth published under his own name. The novel was adapted into a film in 1983, as well as a television series.
This tale is less horror and more science fiction with a touch of the otherworldly. What I like the most about this work was the growth of its main character, Johnny Smith.
The author emotionally takes the reader into Johnny's existence and his gift/curse of being able to perceive events in the future.
In this approach, he gives Johnny's character depth, and there are numerous instances where you can understand and sympathize with what he has to go through.
What would you do if you had the ability to predict and see future events, both good and bad? Is this something you'd like to know? Is this a blessing or a curse? These are the questions that the reader will ponder while they read The Dead Zone.
Johnny has the ability to foresee catastrophic, often painful, or scary future events. He feels a feeling of duty in attempting to change the course of events.
Despite his talent, Johnny comes off as a regular guy who just wants to live a normal life and find joy and contentment.
When he enters "the dead zone," he gains the power to perceive future occurrences. When the general public learns of Johnny's skills, his life becomes a bit of a spectacle.
Some people call him a weirdo. Some people write to him and seek for his assistance. Those close to him strive to assist him in returning home.
The essence of the narrative, in my opinion, was simply Johnny's adjustment to life and his newfound "talent" in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
However, there are two major conflicts and subplots in this novel. One of them involves a mystery serial murderer who is terrorizing a tiny neighborhood and preying on children and young ladies. When the cops are desperate, they seek Johnny's assistance.
The novel's main antagonist, Greg Stillson, a local turned politician, and presidential contender, is at the center of the second battle.
Greg Stillson may be human in appearance, but he's every bit as terrifying as any beast, hideous creature, or monstrosity from other Stephen King tales.
Johnny's gut feelings warn him there's something really wrong with this individual, and when he sees what the future has in store, it's down to Johnny to use his gift.
Nonetheless, The Dead Zone is an emotional and thrilling story. The final events—all of the events leading up to the climactic encounter between good (Johnny Smith) and evil (Greg Stillson)—are brilliant and extremely dramatic. By the conclusion of the novel, Stephen King has truly dragged you in.
This book has political content, which is why I need to express the following things; however, it is up to the reader to determine whether or not they agree with what I stated. I believe that many people do not like to read about politics, and I used to be one of them, but now I believe that it is better to know what is going on and not be a puppet or a sheep that follows the shepherd since the shepherd might take the sheep to be sheered or slain. Simply listen to both sides of the story and use your intellect to determine which is right.
This is a rather fast-paced story that makes you flip every page by saying "just a little bit more and I'll stop," but you still keep reading till you fall asleep.
As you'd expect from a master storyteller, there's tremendous character development, fantastic narrative, amazing vocabulary, and it's difficult to put down.
Basically everything you could desire from a novel. There isn't much in the way of gore, but it wasn't really about gore, so it's not gruesome.
Final Thoughts
The Dead Zone has it all: emotions, psychological terror, the supernatural, mystery, and excitement.
It outperforms several of the author's previous works in terms of literary merit. Although it is not frequently considered as one of his better novels, this is, in my view, Stephen King's greatest work in this style and genre.
There is also a fair blend of topical events and politics from the mid to late 1970s, and one gets the impression that the author is nostalgic about his early adulthood.
This, I felt, was a good addition since it made the novel feel more genuine, as if the reader, knowing how events in the universe would unfold, has a kind of precognitive talent alongside the main character.
I realized that reading this novel can make readers desire to read more of Stephen King's works, and I highly recommend that you try it even if you have never read a single book by this author.
I believe the author's early works are just wonderful, as is the case for this novel; it may be nostalgia, but it is still Stephen King, and it is extremely uncommon for him to make a narrative that is not flawless for at least one reader.
If you liked Carrie, Salem's Lot, and The Shining, you won't be disappointed with this amazing treasure.
Synopsis
“Set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine
A #1 New York Times bestseller about a man who wakes up from a five-year coma able to see people’s futures and the terrible fate awaiting mankind—a “compulsive page-turner” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
Johnny Smith awakens from a five-year coma after his car accident and discovers that he can see people’s futures and pasts when he touches them. Many consider his talent a gift; Johnny feels cursed. His fiancée married another man during his coma and people clamor for him to solve their problems.
When Johnny has a disturbing vision after he shakes the hand of an ambitious and amoral politician, he must decide if he should take drastic action to change the future. With “powerful tension that holds the reader to the story like a pin to a magnet” (The Houston Post), The Dead Zone is a “faultlessly paced…continuously engrossing” (Los Angeles Times) novel of second sight.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Brooke Adams, Car Accident, Castle Rock, Christopher Walken, David Cronenberg, Debra Hill, Dino De Laurentiis, Greg Stillson, Herbert Lom, James Franco, Jeffrey Chernov, Johnny Smith, King At His Best, Martin Sheen, Salem's Lot, See The Future, Serial Killer, Tom Skerritt, Wheel Of Fortune
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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1 comment:
Reading your reviews makes me want to read books. I'm not a book lover but now I think I will be. Thanks to you.
And now I will have the references which book I will read first base on my feelings or emotion.
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