Under the Dome
Published: 10, November 2009
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Action, American, Classic, Contemporary, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Under the Dome is Stephen King's 58th published book, and it is a science fiction thriller. The novel is set in a small Maine town, and it tells an intricate, multi-character, alternating perspective story about how the town's residents cope with the tragedy of being cut off from the outside world by an impenetrable, invisible glass dome-like barrier that appears to fall out of the sky, transforming the community into a domed city.
Shortly after the book's release, it was revealed that Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Television would be creating a cable miniseries based on it.
Spielberg and King have been named executive producers. The novel was adapted by Brian K. Vaughan.
The first episode was written by Vaughan and directed by Niels Arden Oplev. It debuted on CBS on June 24, 2013, and was an instant hit; the launch in June 2013 shattered the record for the most-watched summer drama premiere on any television network since 1992, with the "Pilot" episode garnering over 13 million views. The show aired for three seasons before ending on September 10, 2015.
I'm pleased I saw the TV show before reading the book. The first two seasons were enjoyable; the third might have been skipped.
Nonetheless, while the TV series did depict the claustrophobic atmosphere of the Dome, the characters on the overall were far more appealing and even "Big Jim" Rennie wasn't nearly as nasty, though he was far from a hero.
Yes, this was a fantastic program based on a great novel, and both the book and the show were excellent as separate entities, but as always, the book is unrivaled.
I've already shared the link to the first season of the show, which is located after the header Useful Search Related Words & Keywords.
There are variances between the book content and the show as there usually are, and you may watch both in whatever sequence you like, but don't assess one based on the performance of the other.
In the Author's Note, King confesses that the story has a wide cast of characters. He appeared to be attempting to balance the good and bad personalities.
Perhaps I am unduly optimistic, but I believe that most people are generally decent, and in a town the size of Chester's Mill, with a thousand or so residents, it would be difficult to find a police force of a couple of dozen individuals ready to reject their conscience and obey Rennie's commands. And I don't believe Rennie could have duped that many people into believing him.
I became unhappy from reading about harsh, unpleasant individuals, or those who were drug addicts, alcoholics, or had other significant issues.
For example, Junior's brain tumor caused him to act on impulses that must have previously been present but which he managed to suppress until the tumor began to eat away at his brain.
Speaking of which, while the book lacked the explicit brutality of the TV show, there were enough depictions of some really heinous behavior. Typical King, although a little restricted.
I was relieved that King explained the genesis of the Dome in the novel, something that the TV series never truly addressed.
However, it reminded me of countless Twilight Zone episodes. There are so many novels published these days that it's difficult to come up with really fresh concepts.
The Dome as something done to people, as opposed to something done for people, which I've read about in other science fiction stories, is fresh.
And, unlike the series, the book does not provide quick solutions to Dome-related difficulties.
And the reason I'm continuously referencing the show is that I believe it's a nice companion to this massive book, even if it's massive as well, with three seasons.
Because Stephen King is a horror writer, it appears that most people classify this as horror/supernatural fiction.
There are a few occasions where phenomena may be classified as supernatural, such as a dog hearing and interpreting the voice of a deceased person.
However, given the history of the Dome and the extensive explanation of the repercussions of the explosion on the Dome, I would classify this as speculative fiction, if not science fiction.
The narrative is delivered in the third person past tense from several perspectives. I've watched the television program, so I wasn't shocked to find that the book generally ties up all the loose ends, and I think the finale is good.
The book is dark, and some of the characters are so terrible and dark that it's tough to enjoy reading because I felt so much hatred for them, but I give respect to the author for getting me angry at the characters he created, which is one of the things I admire about Stephen King.
I must warn the readers once more. If you've watched the TV show and want to learn more about the dome, don't spend your time reading this book.
In terms of the genesis of the Dome, the book and show are diametrically opposed. There is only one similarity, but it doesn't help explain anything.
So, if you can tolerate reading about pure wicked individuals, simply read the novel on its own and enjoy it.
Don't be concerned by the book's enormous size. With over 1,100 pages, it may appear daunting.
However, King's writing style is fluid, and the novel reads swiftly. This is a page-turner. If you enjoy Stephen King's writing, you'll enjoy this one.
I absolutely feel like this book did more than simply tell a narrative; it surfaced some of the same ideas that individuals who care about nothing more than themselves have while gaining the majority's support without even a blip of remorse. That alone is a statement to our society, if not to human nature.
Final Thoughts
This is a massive work with over 1000 pages and a plethora of characters, yet I have the impression that not many of them have genuine storylines because these are only a handful of the characters whose stories King tells.
The novel is a metaphor for how fast evil may rear its ugly head. Under the Dome teaches us that, even if we frequently feel like ants under the heel of government and extraterrestrial powers, we can band together for good.
Love for others and concern for our neighbors is an essential lesson in Chester Mill and around the world.
The book was enjoyable to read but be prepared for a long sit in your chair or bed once you start on page one.
This is an essential book, and it is one of Stephen King's best novels. Strongly recommended!
Synopsis
“Don’t miss the “harrowing” (The Washington Post) #1 New York Times bestselling thriller from master storyteller Stephen King that inspired the hit television series, following the apocalyptic scenario of a town cut off from the rest of the world.
On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener’s hand is severed as “the dome” comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when—or if—it will go away.
Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens—town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician’s assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing—even murder—to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn’t just short. It’s running out.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Big Jim, Character Development, Chester Mill, Human Nature, Jim Rennie, King At His Best, Lord Of The Flies, Many Characters, Mike Vogel, Much Better, Natalie Martinez, Page Turner, Rachelle Lefevre, Small Town
Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.
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