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Showing posts with label Drama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drama. Show all posts

Phantoms Review

Dean Koontz, American, Contemporary, Crime, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Rural, Science Fiction, Small Town, Suspense, Thriller

Phantoms

Published: March 1983
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Contemporary, Crime, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Rural, Science Fiction, Small Town, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's novel Phantoms is full of horror suspense. The narrative is based on a now-debunked urban legend of a community unexpectedly disappearing in Angikuni Lake. The plot was brief and mostly well-written. Some of the situations and conversations looked stereotyped. This is without a doubt one of my favorite genres, thus I admit that my opinion is prejudiced. But I did my hardest to remain focused on what is real to me and to be as honest as possible.

Fantastic and delightfully creepy! When debating whether to buy this book, I was first concerned by the synopsis because it looked like such a fascinating concept! This worried me because I was afraid it would be one of those books where the author takes a really great idea with amazing potential, maybe even one with ideas that seem plausible and realistic thus making it even scarier, only to build the suspense, get you completely hooked... then drops you with a bang after 85-90 percent of the book that is done by making some predictable decisions. Thankfully, such was not the case here, and it did not disappoint. It actually grew better with each passing paragraph and page!

This book was deemed a horror novel by Koontz, and it surely featured more unexpected twists and turns than most of his writings. It is, nevertheless, really well written and quick-paced.

This is a what-if book in the best style of horror stories, which I enjoy in general. However, Koontz took care to make the work he was required to write also the novel he desired to write. 

Tightly paced, and, like all of Koontz's writing, loaded with vividly sketched characters, both good and bad, and, above all, brimming with his signature combination of unyielding suspense. 

There is just enough believability to keep the reader engaged, and just enough pauses to keep the reader from becoming bored. Easily one of Koontz's greatest. Definitely one of the greatest of any in this genre.

The novel contains numerous literary nods to H.P Lovecraft's work, such as the suggestion that the novel's Ancient Enemy is H.P Lovecraft's god Nyarlathotep, also known as the Crawling Chaos, and the fact that the air force expert who may come into touch with non-human intelligence is titled Captain Arkham (cf. Lovecraft's invention Arkham). The majority of these Lovecraftian allusions were removed from the 1998 film adaptation of Koontz's novel.

I enjoy Dean Koontz's books and can attest that many non-readers become readers after being introduced to them - especially young men like my brother, who is not into reading but is happy to read Koontz's books and sometimes I make him read Stephen King as well, but only if I tell him it is 100% recommended. 

People are drawn to the conflict between good and evil, as well as the plotline, which suggests a relationship to folk traditions, mystic forces, or government misdeeds. 

His protagonists are easy to identify with and the heroic cause of the conflict seems to be a good mix for the skeptical reader. He appeals to me since I am an animal lover, particularly a dog lover.

In certain situations, teachers may choose to consider this as YA, but only with parental approval. When it comes to reading material, some of my young acquaintances prefer to feel like they are making adult decisions, but their parents are still in the process. For many years, Koontz was my go-to author, and I gave away many copies of his books, receiving comments that it converted some people into readers.

This book's plot is one of the creepiest and most spine-chilling I've ever read. Dean Koontz's works can conjure up some horrific pictures, and this story is a horror classic. The Ancient Enemy is a sentient immortal entity with extraordinary survival and predatory abilities, as well as a hive mind that may be both beneficial and deadly, depending on who owns it.

This is one of my favorite novels, and it's one of the stories that got me even more hooked on Dean Koontz. This is the story for you if you enjoy spooky stories!

In 1998, Phantoms was turned into a film starring Peter O'Toole, Rose McGowan, Liev Schreiber, Ben Affleck (Batman), and Joanna Going. Joe Chappelle directed the film, which was produced by Neo Art & Logic and distributed by Dimension Films. It was shot in Colorado.

The film is prominently mentioned in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, notably by Affleck himself. It was a good movie in my opinion, but it lacked a lot of material from the book, particularly H.P Lovecraft-related material.

When I first heard about the film, the notion of this narrative piqued my interest. I recently returned to it and decided to re-read it (I actually used the audio version this time as I am doing with almost all the revisits to old books). I've been reading Stephen King and H.P Lovecraft for years and have read almost all of their works, including Dean Koontz - I'm a major horror fan—and wanted to broaden my horizons.

I won't go into the description because the synopsis is included with the book. If you've read any of Dean Koontz's books, you'll note that the basic premise is the same: a woman is threatened by a bad guy, and a man with remarkable talents rides to her aid. Not to mention a good boy dog. This one is unique in that the evil guy is a dreadful thing.

Overall, I was always ready to return to it, which makes for an excellent novel.


Final Thoughts

It reads like a movie, with good characters, locations, mystery killings, and so on. You get an idea of what this is all about if you combine Poltergeist with a slasher film and then put in the traditional old-school Star Trek god-like evil entity. 

When describing supernatural or unique species, I normally prefer less explanation to more, but this depiction was at least creative. Be aware that there are scenes of intense gore.

According to one of my friends, it took 200 pages to get to the monster, which is correct, but boy did it really build-up to the monster.

I attempted to conjure up an image of the creature. I was tossed for a spin. It's pretty unique because it connects to the historical realities of mass disappearances. It's one of the most inventive monster conceptions I've ever read, and it definitely has a Lovecraftian vibe to it. In fact, the word "Lovecraftian" appears in the narrative.

If you want a fantastic monster story that seems genuine and might maybe happen in real life... heck, if you enjoy a good scare in general, stop reading my review and go read Phantoms. You will not be sorry.


Synopsis

““Phantoms is gruesome and unrelenting…It’s well realized, intelligent, and humane.”—Stephen King

They found the town silent, apparently abandoned. Then they found the first body, strangely swollen and still warm. One hundred fifty were dead, 350 missing. But the terror had only begun in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, California.

At first they thought it was the work of a maniac. Or terrorists. Or toxic contamination. Or a bizarre new disease.

But then they found the truth. And they saw it in the flesh. And it was worse than anything any of them had ever imagined...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Ancient Enemy, Ben Affleck, Bob Weinstein, Edge Of Your Seat, Ever Read, Harvey Weinstein, Highly Recommend, Jenny And Lisa, Joanna Going, Joe Chappelle, Koontz Books, Liev Schreiber, Mass Disappearances, Miramax, Page Turner, Peter O'Toole, Rose McGowan, Years Ago


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Phantoms (1998) (R)

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Ghost Story Review

Peter Straub, American, Drama, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Suspense, Thriller

Ghost Story

Published: 1979
Author: Peter Straub
Genre: American, Drama, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Peter Straub's Ghost Story is a horror story. Coward, McCann, and Geoghegan published it on January 1, 1979, and it was made into a horror film in 1981, minus the fifth protagonist, Lewis Benedikt. It was a turning point in Straub's career, becoming a national best-seller and solidifying his reputation.

Stephen King rates Ghost Story as one of the best horror books of the late twentieth century in his non-fiction study of the horror medium, Danse Macabre, and includes a comprehensive critique inside its "Horror Fiction" section.

In the manner of Stephen King in this book, Peter Straub has linked his works and book universe, and some of the links are as follows: Ricky Hawthorne is referenced in the author's 1983 novel Floating Dragon, where it is revealed that he is the uncle of a victim in the latter book. Milburn appears briefly in Koko, which was released in 1988.

This was a mind-boggling story, vast in scale and unsettling in execution. Peter Straub is a virtuoso at trapping the incomprehensible in the net of language and producing enchantment too high for fiction in words that are typically too thin to hold it, and this book is proof of that ability. 

In the pages of this novel, a complete little town comes to life, only to break apart at the seams one by one. Too much detail would detract from the narrative's grandeur, but this is a magnificent story that must be experienced.

If things appear to be moving slowly at first, have confidence that these flows will eventually snowball into a gigantic avalanche of horror. 

The past is necessary in order to experience the full weight of the present. Knowing the people so well is essential for feeling the full scope of their tragedy. 

A horrible narrative constructed from strands of remorse, fear, and yearning, this is a towering example of what the most creative human minds are capable of when turned on, as the title suggests, a 'Ghost Story.'

The work is hypnotic. The author has constructed a waystation deep in snow in the imaginary town of Millburn where people live their own lives, unknowing of the horrifying monsters hiding in the forest ready to strike. These evil creatures eventually come for the helpless people, and they are caught off guard.

This story of ghostly vengeance is educational in many ways because it reveals the consequences of abuse humans inflict on one another. The town itself is full of individuals surviving in varying degrees of guilt, and it is precisely these scars on their souls that brand the victims for the marauders out to feed on them.

I adore this book and wanted to share three things I learned from it.

First - If you're going to get retribution, instead of focusing on a few old townsfolk, ramp it up to eleven and destroy the entire town. 

The main villain, who goes by several aliases, all of which begin with the letters AM, intends to accomplish precisely that. 

And, like the author, she instructs her victims in the ways of the occult and why they must die. Fortunately, the monster's coup de grâce cannot be delivered because of the bravery of Ricky Hawthorne, Peter Barnes, and Don Wanderly. Nonetheless, a commendable effort.

Second - in my opinion, stories in which the innocent are slaughtered like lambs are not entertaining. 

But if you take a community full of folks who have done everything from the heinous to the just irritating and go after them, you've got something. 

Of course, the Chowder Society members are the worst, because they killed a young lady, well, she seemed to be a young woman and buried the evidence. 

Add to that a lunatic farmer who is always suing people and seeing Martians, a drunken shell of a sheriff, and a woman who would rather have sex with almost every other man in town than stay at home. Wouldn't you say there's enough fodder for a spiteful, deadly, otherworldly being?

Third - This final point highlights Straub's genius. He might have provided a nice old-fashioned vindictive spirit like Henry James did in The Turn of the Screw. 

But he went one step further: he created a being—or, God help us, a race of beings—that has inhabited the globe for thousands of years and feeds not only on people's flesh but also on their fear. 

That, in my opinion, is what pushes this work over the top. You can't merely crouch inside a circle of salt while holding a crucifix. These are actual things, that may really be living among us.

Is this Straub's greatest work? That's what I knew before I read this book, and it's very evident it is throughout and after reading it. 

It has the sense of a great classic to it when you're reading it. As I previously stated, Straub's writing is excellent, from the thrilling prologue to the sinister undertone that runs throughout the novel. 

This is one of the greatest horror books I've ever read, and I definitely recommend it. Also, while Straub does a fantastic job of conveying terror without being overly gruesome or bloody, that does not imply there isn't any. This is an excellent book.


Final Thoughts

I have to say that I am disappointed that I did not find this excellent author sooner. I had no idea who Peter Straub was until I discovered the books (The Talisman and Black House) he and Stephen King co-wrote. 

And, like many other Stephen King and Peter Straub fans, I consider myself fortunate that they collaborated on the Talisman series.

There is no comparison to Stephen King, yet I had to tell myself several times while reading this novel that I was not reading his work.

If you haven't already done so, I recommend picking up a copy of Ghost Story and bracing yourself for a night of non-sleeping. While you're at it, watch the 1981 film starring Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, and John Houseman, which was released in 1981.

Without a doubt, one of the most terrifying ghost stories ever told. If you didn't believe in them before, you will after reading this book. "The Shining" by Stephen King is right up there with it. 

You don't want to flip the page to see what happens next, but you have no choice. Do not, I repeat, do not begin reading this book late at night; you will most likely experience nightmares. 

It's best not to start it before heading to work or while you're at work, as it's tough to put down. 

Take a few days off, relax, put on all the lights, and read this fantastic terrifying tale of vengeance perpetrated by the most enraged ghost you'll ever meet.


Synopsis

"#1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub’s classic tale of horror, secrets, and the dangerous ghosts of the past...

What was the worst thing you’ve ever done?

In the sleepy town of Milburn, New York, four old men gather to tell each other stories—some true, some made-up, all of them frightening. A simple pastime to divert themselves from their quiet lives.

But one story is coming back to haunt them and their small town. A tale of something they did long ago. A wicked mistake. A horrifying accident. And they are about to learn that no one can bury the past forever..."


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alice Krige, Burt Weissbourd, Character Development, Chowder Society, Douglas Green, Ever Read, Ever Written, Fred Astaire, Ghost Stories, Horror Novels, John Houseman, John Irvin, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., New York, Ralph Cohn, Salem Lot, Small Town, Thing That Ever


Rating: 80/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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Ghost Story (1981) (R)

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Different Seasons Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Coming Of Age, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Psychic, Psychological, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizard

Different Seasons

Published: 27, August 1982
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Coming Of Age, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Psychic, Psychological, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizard

Check the summary of this book here:
Different Seasons Summary


The Review

Different Seasons is a compilation of four Stephen King short stories that are more dramatic in tone than the horror fiction for which he is well known. The four novellas are linked by finer points related to each of the four seasons. The collection is significant for the fact that virtually all of its novellas have been adapted into Hollywood films, one of which, The Shawshank Redemption, was nominated for Best Picture at the 1994 Academy Awards.

There is also a small afterword written by King on January 4, 1982, at the conclusion of the book. He explains why he hadn't previously submitted the novellas (Essentially, all four were written at different times.) for publication in it. 

Early in his career, his agents and editors voiced worry that he would be labeled as a horror writer. His horror works, on the other hand, proved to be highly popular, putting him in high demand as an author. 

Novellas that did not deal largely with the supernatural, on the other hand, were extremely difficult to publish since there was no mass market for straight fiction stories in the 25,000 to 35,000 word range.


This book's short tales are as follows:

01 - Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption
Subtitle: Hope Springs Eternal

This was an exciting and well-written story. The novella and the film are practically similar, with the novella having more details, as is almost typically the case with book versions. 

I loved both the film and the book, which is uncommon for me to appreciate both the film and the book. The book was turned into a film, The Shawshank Redemption, starring Tim Robbins as Andy and Morgan Freeman as Red, as well as a stage play of the same name. 

A gritty, dramatic jail story that had me riveted from beginning to finish. I really enjoy this type of storytelling because it seems like you're sitting with someone and listening to a story that keeps you captivated by the narrator's voice.

The film adaptation is widely regarded as one of the most reputable films of all time, having been nominated for seven Academy Awards at the 67th Academy Awards in 1995, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Freeman. In an interview, Morgan Freeman remarked that this novella is his favorite book.


02 - Apt Pupil
Subtitle: Summer of Corruption

Apt Pupil is divided into 30 chapters, many of which are represented by months. The novel takes place across four years in a fictional Southern California neighborhood named "Santo Donato," with most of the action taking place in the first year and the latter months. It's the only novella in Different Seasons that's told in the third person.

A connection to "Strawberry Spring," a short tale published in the King collection Night Shift, is mentioned, which isn't anything major but is nevertheless an Easter egg for the faithful fans.

Another similarity is the hotel room number 217, which is the same as the famed Overlook Hotel room in The Shining. 

Furthermore, in The Shining, Jack Torrance is working on a play with a character named Denker, which is the same name as Dussander's alter ego. 

As a result, some fans believe Apt Pupil is Torrance's play. In the afterword to Different Seasons, King recounts writing Apt Pupil right after The Shining, which might explain why it has such a direct link.

The tale differed from the film in that it was darker and had more violence, which was typical. I thought it was almost perfect, but not quite on the level of Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption, but it was still a fantastic book.

This is more in line with what we've come to expect from King. By no means a horror story, but rather a thriller; a psychological thriller. I couldn't exactly recall the narrative at first, but as I began to read, it all came flooding back to me. Because these are sick people, it might be difficult to read at times, but it is an extremely well-written read!


03 - The Body
Subtitle: Fall from Innocence

This is a coming-of-age narrative about four twelve-year-old boys who were searching for the body of a missing boy. It lacks the conclusion of the previous stories, it's a very well coming-of-age narrative with a lot of well-written language depicting childhood friendships, all situated in the heart of rural America.

This is the narrative that inspired the film Stand By Me. I enjoyed the film and the story. The plot clearly provides a lot more depth, and it departs significantly from the book in some areas.

The plot is, of course, fantastic, but it is quite lengthy and retrospective rather than action-packed. We are privy to the narrator's thoughts, and this is a work of literary coming of age. 

I'm pleased I read it again since it made me feel nostalgic and sorrowful. This tale includes links to the Stephen King world, with Sheriff Bannerman named multiple times, however, given it takes place in the 1950s, he is just a Constable at this point, and Shawshank Prison is now part of the canon, being mentioned twice.


04 - The Breathing Method
Subtitle: A Winter's Tale

This is a horrific story that comes closest to what we would anticipate from King in this collection. There is a lengthy prelude outlining a man's life and how his employer invites him to a club. 

Finally, the club has certain mystical properties that are never explored. The focus is on an engaging narrative recounted by a character in the story, which concludes with a great spooky twist. 

I'm not surprised there isn't a film for this one. The content just does not appear to be fit for adaptation into a film. But film adaptation may occur soon, however, there has been no further news regarding the project since 2019.


By the time this book came out, Stephen King had established himself as a master of genre fiction up to this point in his career, including the Bachman volumes, which, although not horror (in my mind,) are nevertheless diverse genres. 

With four novellas included in this book, King returns to straight fiction, offering some of his best work to date and demonstrating that he can write pure fiction and even literature.


Final Thoughts

First and foremost, you should not be comparing three of these novellas to Stephen King's more conventional tales. I think King is a wonderful writer, but there's a considerable difference between his horror stories and even his fantasy and this work, which I believe belongs more squarely in the area of literary fiction. 

Some of the tale and location features remind me of Richard Russo, who has a number of stories where the setting or town is nearly part of the action, and the coming of age sections remind me of many Tobias Wolff short stories.

I believe that all four novels in this collection deserve full points and recommendations, but one additional opinion is that the first Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is deserving of that ranking, and makes the complete collection worthwhile to purchase. 

Overall, this is a brilliantly written book with a variety of topic matter and storytelling methods... Three of these pieces have been adapted into films, some of which have been nominated for Academy Awards, and the writing is both sharp and memorable.


Synopsis

“Includes the stories “The Body” and “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”—set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine

A “hypnotic” (The New York Times Book Review) collection of four novellas—including the inspirations behind the films Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption—from Stephen King, bound together by the changing of seasons, each taking on the theme of a journey with strikingly different tones and characters.

This gripping collection begins with “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” in which an unjustly imprisoned convict seeks a strange and startling revenge—the basis for the Best Picture Academy Award-nominee The Shawshank Redemption.

Next is “Apt Pupil,” the inspiration for the film of the same name about top high school student Todd Bowden and his obsession with the dark and deadly past of an older man in town.

In “The Body,” four rambunctious young boys plunge through the façade of a small town and come face-to-face with life, death, and intimations of their own mortality. This novella became the movie Stand By Me.

Finally, a disgraced woman is determined to triumph over death in “The Breathing Method.”

“The wondrous readability of his work, as well as the instant sense of communication with his characters, are what make Stephen King the consummate storyteller that he is,” hailed the Houston Chronicle about Different Seasons.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bob Gunton, Brad Renfro, Bruce Davison, Bryan Singer, Corey Feldman, Dead Body, Even Though, Frank Darabont, Hayworth And The Shawshank, Ian Mckellen, Morgan Freeman, Nazi War, Rita Hayworth, River Phoenix, Rob Reiner, Tim Robbins, War Criminal, Wil Wheaton


Rating: 100/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Stand by Me (1986) (R)

Apt Pupil (1998) (R)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (R)

Secret Window (1994) (PG-13)

The Langoliers (1994) (PG-13)

Under The Dome - Season 1 (2013) (13+)

Dreamcatcher (2003) (R)

Cell (2016) (R)

Bag of Bones Season 1 (2012) (13+)

Dolores Claiborne (1995) (R)

It (1990) (R)

It (2017) (R)

It Chapter Two (2019) (R)

Needful Things (1993) (R)

Desperation (2006) (16+)

Silver Bullet (1985) (R)

The Tommyknockers (1993) (M)

Christine (1983) (R)

The Dead Zone (1983) (R)

Misery (1990) (R)

Carrie (1976) (R)

Firestarter (1984) (R)

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Under the Dome Review

Stephen King, Action, American, Classic, Contemporary, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

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.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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Dolores Claiborne Review

Stephen King, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Murder, Psychic, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

Dolores Claiborne

Published: November 1992
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Drama, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Murder, Psychic, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's novel Dolores Claiborne is a psychological thriller. The title character is the one who tells the story. It includes no chapters, double space between paragraphs, or other section breaks, which is unusual for a King novel; instead, the text is one continuous narrative that reads like a transcription of a spoken monologue. 

In the United States, it was the best-selling novel of 1992. The narrative established the imaginary town of Little Tall Island, which Stephen King later utilized as the setting for the original TV miniseries Storm of the Century. 

There is also a book version, which I own, however it is not a standard-sized book and hence cannot be placed on a shelf with other books. 

It doesn't mean it won't fit on the shelf; rather, it won't fit with the other Stephen King books I have because its dimensions are 6.13 x 1.1 x 9.25 inches, and its full title is Storm of the Century: An Original Screenplay and its contents are printed as a screenplay or drama.

Unlike many of King's other writings, this one places minimal emphasis on the supernatural. Although various supernatural happenings are indicated, the only ones that are explicitly mentioned in the book are two psychic visions of an unnamed young girl, which, when combined with the solar eclipse background, establish a link to King's novel Gerald's Game.

It was adapted into a popular 1995 film starring Kathy Bates, which Time ranked one of the top ten best Stephen King film adaptations in 2013.

It is uncommon for me to declare that a book adaptation was good or that I liked it, but I did enjoy the film. 

I think the book and movie are both excellent, and I was delighted to discover aspects in the book that were not included in the movie as expected, because you can't fit an entire normal-sized book into a single part movie, no matter how much you try.

In 2013, a two-act opera adaptation premiered in San Francisco, followed by a revised version in 2017.

This book is one lengthy monologue with brief breaks that serve merely to remind the reader that Delores Claiborne is speaking to someone. 

Her narrative is heartbreaking, and I really liked the film version since it portrayed Vera Donovan in a more sympathetic light.

There are secrets that are worse than those that are whispered. Her shrewdness and ingenuity, as well as her unwavering drive, enabled her to accomplish the things she did to rescue herself and her children. 

The plot is captivating, and I am a lover of this sort of literature, and Delores' voice is strong enough to overcome any flaws.

This novel was clearly an experiment for Stephen King, and that is what makes him so amazing: he is not afraid to experiment and take chances. 

There are no chapters, only Dolores' voice; everything is narrated in flashback, and so on. By all rights, it shouldn't work, and the narrator's heavy Maine accent should have been the last element in a recipe for catastrophe. 

Nonetheless, it works, and it works well. Dolores is a rough, slightly bitter old lady with some redeeming qualities. She works tirelessly, is fair-minded, and strives to be a good mother and wife.

Dolores Claiborne strikes me as more of a character study than a horror story. I used to think that was odd for a Stephen King work, but I'm beginning to realize that he doesn't produce nearly as many absolute horror novels as his public persona would suggest. 

Still, there are exciting moments, and you rapidly begin to care about the people and what happens to them, though not all of them. The forward was also entertaining.

Non-horror fans should try Stephen King because he can write in any genre and can write fantastic non-horror stories as well as, if not better than, most of the authors you are familiar with.

The author is really good at a variety of things. He's terrifying and humorous, and he creates some fairly solid stories, but it's his characters that make his novels genuinely entertaining for me. Dolores Claiborne is just another of Stephen King's memorable characters.

What you get in this work is Dolores, who sits there and gives you her story. The entire work is written in dialect in the first person. "Of course," for example, becomes "Coss," while "crying so hard" becomes "cryin s'hard." 

It takes some getting used to, but it's well worth it. I absolutely dislike this type of style when done by someone else or when it does not suit the tale and environment, but when done well, I like it, just as I adored it in this book, so just try a little to get used to it and I am sure you'll enjoy the way she speaks. 

Delores seems authentic in ways that few other fictional charters do. She's tenacious, amusing, and has made some terrible judgments.

I would suggest the book whether you are a long-time admirer of the author or are seeking for something new to read.


Final Thoughts

The reason I mention so many of these things, such as awards and movie or drama adaptations, is to emphasize that while this story is supposed to be great and amazing to read for many people, I am confident that a few people will not enjoy it, even if it is the greatest book ever written by the greatest author. 

I realized that I'm not writing these reviews for people who simply criticize something because others are criticizing it or who love something that others love just to follow a trend or to be a part of a popular group, such as buying the most expensive mobile phones or brands that are, in reality, just garbage that is expensive. 

I'm not only talking about one book; I'm talking about all books and everything around us. So just have fun and remember one thing: anything I'm writing isn't about following a trend; it's about how I feel about a book that I've read and understood. 

Another thing I've noticed is that after rereading most of Stephen King's works for the review, I'm rambling even more than before, much as he does, and I'm starting to like this new me.

Unless you've seen the movie first, the audiobook version read by Frances Sternhagen is excellent, and she brings the character to life flawlessly. 

In that scenario, pretend you're listening to a new audiobook and ignore the movie so you can enjoy it too.

Dolores Claiborne is a work of character-driven literary fiction that is a joy to read. This work has some really frightening and graphic scenes, yet it is not a horror story. 

Its relationship to its sibling novel "Gerald's Game" supplies the narrative's sole minor supernatural aspect. 

I recommend this book to anyone who thinks Stephen King is too scary/gory for them.  

 

Synopsis

“An unforgettable, unflinching glimpse into a mind driven to murder” (San Francisco Chronicle)—the #1 national bestseller from Stephen King about a housekeeper with a long-hidden secret from her past…one that tests her own will to survive.

Dolores Claiborne is suspected of killing Vera Donovan, her wealthy employer, and when the police question her, she tells the story of her life, harkening back to her disintegrating marriage and the suspicious death of her violent husband thirty years earlier. Dolores also tells of Vera’s physical and mental decline and how she became emotionally demanding in recent years.

Given a voice as compelling as any in contemporary fiction, the strange intimacy between Dolores and Vera—and the link that binds them—unfolds in Dolores’s account. It shows, finally, how fierce love can be, and how dreadful its consequences. And how the soul, harrowed by the hardest life, can achieve a kind of grace.

Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as a “tour de force, Dolores Claiborne is “a literary triumph. The finest of King novels…a plot of enormous energy…Read this book” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Charles Mulvehill, Christopher Plummer, David Strathairn, Eric Bogosian, Gerald Game, Jennifer Jason Leigh, John C. Reilly, Judy Parfitt, Kathy Bates, Little Tall, Main Character, Rose Madder, Tall Island, Taylor Hackford, Vera Donovan, Warner Bros


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Dolores Claiborne (1995) (R)

It (1990) (R)

It (2017) (R)

It Chapter Two (2019) (R)

Needful Things (1993) (R)

Desperation (2006) (16+)

Silver Bullet (1985) (R)

The Tommyknockers (1993) (M)

Christine (1983) (R)

The Dead Zone (1983) (R)

Misery (1990) (R)

Carrie (1976) (R)

Firestarter (1984) (R)

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

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Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
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