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Showing posts with label Media Tie-In. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Media Tie-In. Show all posts

Sole Survivor Review

Dean Koontz, Assassination, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Sole Survivor

Published: 1997
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Assassination, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Dean Koontz's best-selling novel Sole Survivor is about a lady named Rose who is being hunted by a firm called Teknologik. It was made into the film Sole Survivor in 2000. But I haven't been able to discover a genuine connection for the movie where the general public can obtain it without delay or any other difficulty, and as soon as I do, I'll share it here. Keep an eye on this post and this section of the post for any updates.

I read this book a long time ago, but apparently only the words. I heard and saw them this time. Dean Koontz is a writer who is as optimistic as they come. I suppose the last time I read it, it was when I was extremely busy and definitely read it before sleeping while in the bed on a wintery chilly night, which is why I was so thrilled to reread it again as a new book because I had no memory of it.

This book did not let me down. I really suggest it. Right up there with "Watchers." I hope you appreciate it as much as I did.

I've read practically every book Dean Koontz has published, and I've observed in recent years that he's abandoned themes centered on paranormal phenomena (Whispers, Strangers, etc.) in favor of a more typical character plot. This book is an interesting combination.

In Sole Survivor, Mr. Koontz has created a well-crafted and written page-turner. A routine airplane crashes in Colorado with no plausible cause. As you look further, you'll discover a government involvement in which evil is aiming to exterminate good.

Because he lost his family in the catastrophe, the protagonist is deeply invested in discovering the truth.

The novel does slow down around halfway through before revving up again. Once it happens, it's a winner all the way to the end.

Just two items that need to be fixed. - One - Airframes are not constructed of steel. – Second - No mention was made of the other accident fatalities in a proper way. However, as a novel, it is excellent, and any tiny errors or inaccuracies may be overlooked because it is fiction, not reality.

I frequently turn to Koontz for a wonderfully crisp, fulfilling book that has mystery, horror, the excitement of a good pursuit, a probable supernatural narrative line, and, of course, fantastic characters, as well as the creature that may die for love and loyalty, the dog. 

I like the imaginative analogies and caricatures that Koontz employs in his writings. I adore his depictions of animals in his books since I am an animal lover. 

Sole Survivor was intriguing from the start; a father mourning his deceased family embarks on a startling journey for truth as his life takes an unexpected turn. 

Joe Carpenter is being followed by individuals who appear to have a bevy of surveillance technology a year after his wife and kids meet an unfortunate end on a trip that should have been a walk of joy. 

I was completely caught in once I started reading this, Joe wallowed in pity and agony, sure there was a lot of that, but it made the narrative genuine, it let me feel what he felt, it placed me in his shoes and made the solution that much more vital to get to. 

In the end, the narrative descended into the weird, but I loved it; it was interesting, and I appreciated learning the truth behind the tragedy. This was difficult to put down once I started reading it, and I had a fantastic time reading it; another terrific read from Koontz, with plenty more to come.

I prefer a more realistic evil villain than some of his other stories; therefore this one spoke to me. It kept me captivated, but not so compelling that I was frightened to turn out the lights at night. Because while it is not a real horror story, the suspense and action will make you sweat in certain circumstances. It's a page-turner with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you are new to the author or wish to resume reading him after a lengthy break, this book is a fantastic place to start. The action never stopped and had me guessing till the very end. 

The only thing that can turn you off is the extra descriptive prose, but I don't believe they're all that horrible if done correctly. Aside from it being a little annoying at times, I truly loved the tale and the characters. It's well worth reading.

Once again, I must say that I actually enjoyed the protagonists and the development of the story with good human insight, and as always, I'm sorry it was over so quickly and left me wanting more. 

I wish a sequel would be great, but it's never going to occur like many other great stories by the author, but I still hope he will publish the sequels someday.


Final Thoughts

One of my favorite novels of all time, and one of Dean Koontz's greatest. This narrative has a unique blend of horror, science fiction, and spirituality that you won't find in many books. 

I liked trying to figure out what was going on, being kept on the edge of my seat throughout the book, the detailed descriptions of the characters' surroundings or thoughts, and simply completely enjoying the "journey" from beginning to conclusion. 

I suggest this book to anyone who likes science fiction or horror, as it contains elements of both. In fact, I believe the writers of Stranger Things stole a lot of concepts from this novel. Perhaps this is why I enjoy that series as well.

While hunting for the bizarre, strange, or supernatural I couldn't stop reading since it was so moving and enlightening. Characters are well-developed, believable people with tormented souls. This novel is ideal for Koontz fans and everyone who enjoys a thriller with a supernatural edge.

The plot was interesting and had me turning the pages. The characters are fascinating, and the plot moves quickly without becoming tedious. For a while, I thought the last 50 or so pages were going to let me down, but Dean Koontz pulled it off pretty beautifully. I can't say much more without giving too much away, so I'll just recommend that you read it for yourself.


Synopsis

“A catastrophic, unexplainable plane crash leaves three hundred and thirty dead -- no survivors. Among the victims are the wife and two daughters of Joe Carpenter, a Los Angeles Post crime reporter.

A year after the crash, still gripped by an almost paralyzing grief, Joe encounters a woman named Rose, who claims to have survived the crash. She holds out the possibility of a secret that will bring Joe peace of mind. But before he can ask any questions, she slips away.

Driven now by rage (have the authorities withheld information?) and a hope almost as unbearable as his grief (if there is one survivor, are there others?), Joe sets out to find the mysterious woman. His search immediately leads him into the path of a powerful and shadowy organization hell-bent on stopping Rose before she can reveal what she knows about the crash.

Sole Survivor unfolds at a heart-stopping pace, as a desperate chase and a shattering emotional odyssey lead Joe to a truth that will force him to reassess everything he thought he knew about life and death -- a truth that, given the chance, will rock the world and redefine the destiny of humanity.

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dean Koontz's The City.


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Billy Zane, Christine Willes, Dan Joffre, Edge Of Your Seat, Fast Paced, Glenn Morshower, Gloria Reuben, Isabella Hofmann, Joe Carpenter, John C. McGinley, Koontz Books, Loved Ones, Main Character, Mitchell Kosterman, Page Turner, Plane Crash, Rachel Victoria, Susan Bain, Wally Dalton, Wife And Children


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

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Mr. Murder (1998) (R)

Hideaway (1995) (R)

Phantoms (1998) (R)

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

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Hideaway Review

Dean Koontz, American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Hideaway

Published: 1992
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: American, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Hideaway is a novel by horror writer Dean Koontz that was released in 1992 by Putnam. It is a supernatural thriller centered on Hatch Harrison, an antique dealer who establishes a psychic link with a serial murderer after a car accident renders him clinically dead for more than eighty minutes.

This was a highly engaging novel that I thoroughly loved. The epilogue was amusing but not shocking. I find it amusing that individuals would see this as an attack on their beliefs. It is not religious teaching; it is entertainment, and as such, it is a success!!!!!! 

I can't express how much I like Dean Koontz's works. Each novel is a fantastic read. As much as I enjoy reading the novels, I look forward to reading the "Afterword" that follows each time. The content is so fascinating that it would be ideal if the editors just published a single source that had only the Afterword(s) from each novel.

This is definitely a slow burner. A lot of time is spent getting to know the characters before the final act begins and the book abruptly ends. I loved it and wished it would continue; Hideaway was entertaining, but Watchers remains my favorite.

In my effort to re-read Dean Koontz's works, this was one of the "oldies" that I purchased for my Kindle. One of the benefits of reading after a long time is that I can re-read a book without actually remembering the plot when I start reading again.

Hideaway is not one of my top favorite Koontz books. On the bright side, Koontz emphasizes the importance of family being there for one another and sticking up for what is right. 

However, I could not perceive the power in the characters that I have come to expect from his works. The reason I don't consider this book among my top great novels isn't because of the author or the tale; it's because of a character, and I don't like her. Otherwise, the book is fantastic, and if I don't think about that character, this book becomes one of my top great books.

One of the good elements was how Hatch's death and resurrection transformed the Harrisons' marriage bond and helped them accept the death of their son five years before. Hatch and Lindsey even decide to share their newfound love of life by adopting a special-needs kid.

When the kid (Regina) first meets the Harrisons, she tries everything she can to make them not want to adopt her, exaggerating her disability and repeatedly referring to herself as a "cripple," but the reader knows she is everything but that, and this was one of my favorite sequences in the novel.

However, once Regina returns home with the Harrisons, her character doesn't truly grow, and she appears to play the part of the helpless kid.

This book began off fast, dragging the reader into the plot, then it slowed and you may want to put it down, but don't because around halfway through, maybe a few chapters before that point, it starts to consolidate into a great story, and then it becomes good. 

The thrill that Koontz had captured in the opening few chapters had returned. Overall, I'm delighted I completed the book. It turned out to be an enjoyable book. The finale, though, was classic Koontz. I would suggest this book if you have the patience to get over the first third because it is well worth it.

The antagonist in this tale did not appeal to me. Koontz gave us his wicked side while never making him appear to be a "genuine" person. Because he is pure evil and feels unreal, but believe me, I have seen people worse than him in real life and he is 100% genuine.

I still loved the book, but I wouldn't suggest it as a first read for someone interested in Dean Koontz's work. Start with Watchers, Lightning, Phantoms or, better still, the Odd Thomas series.

In 1995, it was adapted into a film starring Jeff Goldblum, Christine Lahti, Alicia Silverstone, and Jeremy Sisto.

Brett Leonard turned the story into a feature movie. Koontz apparently was so dissatisfied with the picture that he attempted to have his name removed from the credits.


Final Thoughts

I realized that this book can be described in completely two different ways, so in the review section, I talked about other readers or my friends who did not get the actual meaning behind the story and thought it was slow, but in this section about Final Thoughts, I will talk about exactly what I and others like me thought of this book.

Once again, it's exciting, eerie, and tinged with the uncanny. The only thing missing was a dog, which would have completed the novel's perfection as a Dean Koontz book. 

Excellent book. I enjoyed rereading it. I felt really bad and sad when I completed it since, as usual, I want to read a long novel if I like a couple of the characters.

Hideaway is a superbly written, fast-paced mystery. It describes the depth of good and the essence of evil in great detail. 

Koontz incorporates a lot of the supernatural, allowing readers to broaden their perspectives and go deep into their own souls as they ponder the strong ideas portrayed here. 

Finally, the book reveals the strength of love and innocence, God's hand watching over the pure of heart, and the unavoidable reality that evil cannot defeat light. This book was highly engaging, well-written, and very fulfilling to me.

Dean Koontz has a knack for creating characters that you fall in love with. It is quite simple to imagine who and what they are in the narrative. 

The author has an intriguing way of contrasting good against evil in a very realistic manner. This is not a lighthearted book; rather, it is dark and suspenseful. Some of the characters in this novel did not grow on me but Dean Koontz has created yet another masterpiece.

It's a spellbinding story and it is still one of my favorite Koontz stories. This book is terrifying, captivating, and amazing; it's comparable to a Stephen King story in that you're not sure you want to turn the page because you're not sure you want to know what happens next, but you must!


Synopsis

“Strange visions plague a man after he survives a near-death experience in this chilling thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.

Surviving a car accident on a snowy mountain road is miraculous for Lindsey Harrison, but even more so for her husband, Hatch, who was clinically dead for eighty minutes.

After experimental procedures bring Hatch back to life, he awakens with the terrifying feeling that something is it out there. But it soon becomes apparent that the evil stalking Hatch is within him—a dark force of murderous rage that hides within us all...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Abandoned Amusement, Agatha Dominik, Agatha Hanczakowski, Alfred Molina, Alicia Silverstone, Amusement Park, Back To Hell, Back To Life, Brett Leonard, Brought Back, Car Accident, Christine Lahti, Gimel Everett, Hatch And Lindsey, Hatch Harrison, Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Sisto, Jerry A. Baerwitz, Jerry Baerwitz, Koontz Fan, Rae Dawn Chong, Tristar Pictures


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Hideaway (1995) (R)

Phantoms (1998) (R)

The Servants Of Twilight (1991) (R)

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Danse Macabre Review

Stephen King, Essays, History, Movie History, Media Tie-In, Performing Arts, Popular Culture, Social Sciences

Danse Macabre

Published: 20, April 1981
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Essays, History, Movie History, Media Tie-In, Performing Arts, Popular Culture, Social Sciences

Check the summary of this book here:
Danse Macabre Summary


The Review

Stephen King's nonfiction book, Danse Macabre, is about horror fiction in print, TV, radio, cinema, and comics, as well as the impact of modern social fears and anxieties on the genre. On February 23, 2010, it was reissued, along with a new essay titled "What's Scary." A sprint across the horror genre and a cultural snapshot that will appeal to horror lovers as well as those who want to start reading and watching but are unsure where to begin.

In 1980, Stephen King was thirty-three years old when he penned 'Danse Macabre.' At the time, he had only released five significant novels: Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, and The Dead Zone. 

While these were the novels that established his early reputation, many of his most well-known works would follow Firestarter, Cujo, The Running Man, The Gunslinger (the first book in the long-running Dark Tower series,) Christine, Pet Sematary, It, Misery, The Tommyknockers, The Dark Half, and so on into the 1990s and beyond. 

So, when King mentioned his own novels to explain themes in Danse Macabre, he could only draw on the first five. We can undoubtedly find many more—and often far better—examples from his later work. 

For example, when King discusses The Bad Place in horror literature and movies, you and I, blessed with over forty years of perspective from reading his works, could immediately think of the Native-American burial site in 'Pet Sematary' or the infernal sewer in 'It.'

Danse Macabre is a product of its period, but that doesn't mean it isn't still educational and entertaining to read. 

King's ideas about what makes horror "succeed" are still eye-opening today, and his evaluation of some of the great horror novels and stories is often spot-on, as are the personal opinions he reveals along the way, such as in Chapter 4 when he recounts his colorful down east individual of an uncle trying to hose down a new well with an apple wood bough.

Danse Macabre was composed at a period when King was still extensively into alcohol—at one point, he nonchalantly mentions downing fourteen beers in a single night, noting that he'd taken it "quite easy" that night; elsewhere, he makes repeated matter-of-fact comments to "becoming delightfully loaded..." Whether it's due to the alcohol or not, he periodically goes off on wide, meandering tangents that, although amusing, appear to veer away from points that might have been conveyed considerably more swiftly and with much better accuracy.

There are a lot of great facts and wonderful storytelling along the way, but I think some of his comments should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to "vintage" horror movies. 

For example, while 'Dementia 13' is okay for a low-budget B movie from the early 1960s, I don't think it's anywhere near as excellent as King seems to remember—perhaps it's his own young nostalgia at work? 

He complains at length about the production values in the original 1942 version of Val Lewton's 'Cat People,' not to be confused with the forgettable, exploitative re-make from 1982, but most people watching this classic B movie for the first time are unlikely to notice the things that King finds so irritating. 

The original 'Cat People' was created during WWII, and shooting a night sequence on location in a blacked-out New York City would have been unfeasible. 

Also, in 1980, King had a low opinion of Wes Craven's films, which included Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, and The People Under the Stairs. 

However, in his forewords to later editions of Danse Macabre, King, while still mostly dismissive of Nightmare on Elm Street and, especially, the rather dull series it became, does offer some grudging admiration for Craven's 'Scream' movies, and he basically shouts about Dennis Illiadis' 2009 re-make of Last House on the Left.

Danse Macabre investigates the different influences on King's own work as well as key genre writings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. 

Danse Macabre delves into the genre's history as far back as the Victorian era, although it predominantly concentrates on the 1950s through the 1970s, which approximately corresponds to King's own life at the time of publishing. 

King sprinkles his work with casual academic acumen, exploring archetypes, major authors, common storytelling methods, the psychology of dread, and his central notion of Dionysian horror.

"Horror Fiction in Cinema, TV, and Books: 1950 - 1979" should have been the subtitle so that Stephen King's fiction readers wouldn't pick it up and start reading it. They can be quite dissatisfied.

Given his literary output, it's possible that the author has a few red-eyed and capering buddies and readers. As he describes his own horror fiction: "I consider dread to be the most powerful feeling, thus I will attempt to scare the reader. But if I can't frighten, I'll try to horrify, and if that fails, I'll go for the gross-out."

While reading "Danse Macabre," I felt compelled to sever a few capers. King was able to get me into sometimes heated debates about his theory and choices for great terror. 

It was like sitting at a bar, sipping beer and debating with a sometimes obnoxious buddy. Unfortunately, like that slightly inebriated friend, this author tends to ramble tediously off-topic: the Vietnam War, Patty Hearst, the fate of MGM, many not-so-hilarious anecdotes about Harlan Ellison and, no, Mr. King, you haven't written the longest footnote in history—see Hans Zinsser's "Rats, Lice, and History"; dismissive critiques of certain pulp authors. 

Well, I guess that's what I'm doing now, but who's going to read this?; a tirade about grammar; and an entire chapter labeled "An Annoying Autobiographical Pause."

Actually, some of the side writings are small treasures if you're in the mood for them, but they do help to round out King's discussion on terror.


Final Thoughts

Danse Macabre is both purposely and unwittingly hilarious (see the movie review of "Robot Monster".) 

If you're someone who's watched at least some of the 'B' movies and TV series Stephen King has seen or has read a few of the horror books he assesses, this is a funny, thought-provoking book—a 421 page inside joke.

If you're not the correct age, Danse Macabre will undoubtedly bore you with its rants about defunct TV series, deteriorating celluloid films, and out-of-print horror stories. 

In his two forewords, King cautions us that he will be focusing on horror films made between the late 1950s and the early 1980s. 

If you couldn't read, watch TV, or go to the movies when you were younger, this book might not be for you.

All of this is to suggest that if you can stick with it; Danse Macabre is a worthwhile book, educational and frequently humorous. 

And it was definitely worth the effort. In the rear, Stephen King adds two appendices that list 100 horror novels as well as all of the movies mentioned in the book. 

Enough to keep any healthily interested fan occupied for quite some time. I recommend it to true fans because, as already said, It is not for everyone, and if you want to read it, don't think of it as a story.


Synopsis

“From the author of dozens of #1 New York Times bestsellers and the creator of many unforgettable movies comes a vivid, intelligent, and nostalgic journey through three decades of horror as experienced through the eyes of the most popular writer in the genre. In 1981, years before he sat down to tackle On Writing, Stephen King decided to address the topic of what makes horror horrifying and what makes terror terrifying. Here, in ten brilliantly written chapters, King delivers one colorful observation after another about the great stories, books, and films that comprise the horror genre—from Frankenstein and Dracula to The Exorcist, The Twilight Zone, and Earth vs. The Flying Saucers.

With the insight and good humor his fans appreciated in on his writing, Danse Macabre is an enjoyably entertaining tour through Stephen King’s beloved world of horror.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Books And Movies, Harlan Ellison, Highly Recommended, Horror Genre, Jekyll And Hyde, Movies And Books, Night Shift, Peter Straub, Richard Matheson


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Tales From the Darkside: The Movie (1990) (R)

1408 (2007) (R)

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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Lisey's Story Review

Stephen King, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychological, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Lisey's Story

Published: 24, October 2006
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychological, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's novel Lisey's Story blends aspects of psychological horror with romance. In 2007, it was nominated for a World Fantasy Award, and in 2006, it won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. An early sample from the work, "Lisey and the Madman," was published in McSweeney's Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories (2004) and was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction in 2004. King has declared that this is his favorite of all of his works.

The book cover I used here is from a paperback edition, and it may differ between the hard copy and soft copy, so please double-check what you're ordering.

The inspiration for Lisey's Story arose from an occurrence in 2003 when King was hospitalized with double pneumonia; while he was there, his wife Tabitha decided to remodel his studio. 

When King returned home from the hospital and found his books and things in boxes, he saw a glimpse of what his studio would look like after his death, which is depicted in this narrative.

According to Stephen King, he adores this story and wanted it to be a TV show so that it might be watched and adopted in its entirety. 

I never saw the program, but there is an eight-part miniseries with the same name on Apple TV+ that you may search for and watch because I don't want to risk offering any links for that brand here. However, I will include links as soon as the program is accessible on other platforms such as Amazon.

I'd had this book for a long time, but I don't usually read books with people's names, so I was waiting for the proper mood to start it, moreover, this book was just too long for the name and I didn't had the mindset to start it, so I just waited and waited. 

Not necessarily in terms of page count; to name a few of my favorites, "The Stand," the whole Dark Tower Series, and "It" were all significantly longer in terms of page count. I am a fan of large books, and after reading this, I would never abandon novels with titles that include a person's name, such as I liked Carrie, Dolores Claiborne, and many others.

For me, the beginning of this book was a little sluggish. I was also curious about the style and what King was up to with this novel because it didn't feel like his writing. 

The plot then picked up and I mean truly picked up. How can one get entry into a different reality? How can one get to the land immediately next door that is both beautiful and deadly when the sun sets? 

It's a world full of hilarious horrors and an unimaginable lengthy creature, but it's a realm Lisey visit in order to free herself from the actual monsters who reside in our world.

This is a terrifying story on so many levels. It has suspense elements that keep you twitching and reading, but it's actually a love drama and a narrative about the horror and ever-changing face of bereavement. 

Lisey's narrative exemplifies the darkness that lurks just under the surface, luring individuals over the brink into insanity.

Many of my friends and fellow readers make fun of the author, for Lisey's, quirks in language, and the local dialect. 

These guys, in my opinion, completely missed the point. I don't enjoy this type of writing unless it serves a purpose, and I adored the Mainer dialect and the idioms Lisey employed in this novel. 

Also, I believe some of the language exchanged by Lisey and Scott demonstrates not just their comfort level with one other, but also a priceless intimacy that comes with time and connection. 

One of Stephen King's talents, in my opinion, is his ability to connect his characters with their surroundings and communities. 

I like how he hears language and incorporates it into the tale. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Stephen King is underappreciated. 

He is being rejected arbitrarily despite the fact that he is not only one of the finest storytellers we have but also an artist with language who can create masterpieces with words instead of colors.

It's also a narrative about surviving and overcoming adversity. It's a narrative about how books, imagination, and language may save your life.

In the end, it's a love drama about how familial relationships offer us strength, purpose, and support. 

Lisey had her sisters, her wacky family, and their down-home lifestyle. Lisey was in Scott's existence. Stephen King demonstrated how the simplest of presents, whether handcrafted or store-bought, may have a profound charm that "anchors" us to our homes.

I realized something crazy: when you realize Lisey is the Stephen King's wife and her husband Scott is the king, you begin to love and care for her even more. 

This is one of my favorite books! I'm not sure if I should call the speed steady or rapid; I'd say it's steady at the correct pace. 

The tale jumps back and forth between the present, various points in Lisey and her late history, husband and his childhood memories. 

I backed up a bit here and there to make sure I remembered where I was, but that was more likely due to my curiosity to see what was next, rather than a criticism of the writing. 

I was soon taken in and nearly disliked having to put it down owing to sleep or hunger. It's the classic narrative where you want to know what occurred but can't bear the notion of finally completing it!

The characters were fantastic! They were intriguing, complicated, and relatable. Lisey wasn't the poor me, my spouse died kind, yet my heart felt for her. 

Her sister's bond with her was realistic. Her husband's childhood was terrifying, but aside from the supernatural elements, it was also realistic, and regrettably, all too accurate.

Stephen King crafts stories in a truly engrossing manner, and I've occasionally thought that the stories are so spectacular that it's hard to conclude them in a way that does the remainder of the story credit or is ultimately gratifying.


Final Thoughts

I like Mare Winningham's strong voice and the way she read the book for the audio version, and I highly recommend it to anyone who prefers to listen to audiobooks rather than read them.

In an essence, Lisey's Story captivated and held my curiosity, and unless you have a low tolerance for violence, you can skip those parts. 

Of course, it's worth reading for the innovative and fresh ideas and good writing liberally sprinkled throughout, as well as the very insightful looks at marriage, the death of a spouse, and sisterly relations, among other things.

This book has stuck with me long after I finished reading it. There is so much to think about, and one of them is love and the extremes some people would go to for it. 

This is said to be Stephen King's favorite novel. I believe it is my favorite as well, and I definitely suggest this book!


Synopsis

“*Now an Apple TV+ limited series starring Julianne Moore and Clive Owen*

The “haunting…tender, intimate book that makes an epic interior journey” (The New York Times), Lisey’s Story is a literary masterpiece—an extraordinarily moving and haunting portrait of a marriage and its aftermath.

Lisey lost her husband Scott two years ago, after a twenty-five year marriage of profound and sometimes frightening intimacy. Scott was an award-winning, bestselling novelist and a very complicated man. Early in their relationship, before they married, Lisey knew there was a place Scott went—a place that both terrified and healed him, could eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. Now it’s Lisey’s turn to face Scott’s demons, to go to that terrifying place known as Boo’ya Moon. What begins as a widow’s effort to sort through the papers of her celebrated husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited.

“Intricate...exhilarating” (The New Yorker), perhaps Stephen King’s most personal and powerful novel ever, Lisey’s Story is about the wellsprings of creativity, the temptations of madness, and the secret language of love. It is a beautiful, “rich portrait of a marriage, and the complicated affection that outlives death” (The Washington Post).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bad Gunky, Bag Of Bones, Booya Moon, Clive Owen, Dark Tower, Highly Recommend, Julianne Moore, King Novel, Lisey And Scott, Liseys Story, Mare Winningham, Rose Madder, Scott Landon, Sister Amanda, Tower Series


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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Gerald's Game Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Media Tie-In, Political, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller

Gerald's Game

Published: May 1992
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literary, Literature, Media Tie-In, Political, Psychological, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's novel Gerald's Game is a suspense mystery. The plot follows a lady whose husband dies of a heart attack while she is shackled to a bed, and she begins to allow the voices within her brain to take control after realizing she is stuck with little possibility of rescue. 

The novel is dedicated to Stephen King's wife Tabitha and her five sisters. The book was originally supposed to be a companion piece to Stephen King's novel Dolores Claiborne, with the linking subject of two women in crisis stuck in the path of an eclipse, however by the time the novels were published, this component had been substantially diminished.

I was reluctant to start books with a synopsis like this one because I assumed I already knew the tale and it would have no pleasure or value for me, but after reading it, I discovered I was mistaken, and it basically demonstrates the author's strength and authority when they openly tell you what the story is about. 

Readers may assume from the synopsis that Jessie is shackled to the bed and finally escapes, thus the same thing is happening in this case. As a result, even if I tell you this, it doesn't imply I'm giving anything away to the readers.

She is alone and trapped in what appears to be an impossible situation at times and has you shouting at the pages as to why she does some of the things she does. I liked her inner monologues. She has twenty-eight hours on her own with no support.

I liked the information that happened in the present. While tied to the bed, she reflects on her history. Some of those memories were monotonous and dragged the tale down, even if the book isn't that long, but keep in mind that the memories have a purpose and help her escape. 

The passages that immediately follow her escape from handcuffs are mind-boggling. Brandon's story was one of my favorite portions of the book. This is when she starts Brandon's story. It clarified a lot of what was previously unknown.

Overall, I thought the book flowed at a sluggish pace. When I was enjoying the content, it progressed quickly, but then there would be a segment that made me want Jessie to return to the present or get out of her brain. 

So there was a high-paced bit, then a dragging section, and then it got up again to what I thought was more engaging information. 

But as a whole, the novel was great, and even the so-called uninteresting portions served a purpose and contributed to the overall ambiance.

Now, let's talk about the audio version. The narrator was fantastic, and she did an excellent job of portraying Jessie and the other characters. 

There was never any doubt about who of the characters was speaking. Lindsay Crouse is an actress who has been in a number of television series, and she performed well in Gerald's Game. 

The only thing I didn't like was certain music or noises that played in the background or while something was occurring; I know it can be fantastic in many circumstances if done well, but I didn't like it in this case since the voice acting was already excellent and I didn't think it needed the sound effects. If you purchase the Lindsay Crouse version, it's still a wonderful audio version.

There's a twisted element of horror and suspense intermingled here that will make you put everything else aside and continue until you reach the final page while curled in the corner of a brightly lit room. 

For two days, I couldn't stop flipping over the pages of this book. Almost all of Stephen King works absolutely engross the reader and keep them up at all hours of the night, simply wanting to read one more page. 

I'd suggest this book to everyone who likes 11/22/63 and The Dark Half, even if they are unrelated.

In 2017, Mike Flanagan directed a film based on the novel. I was unable to locate an official link to this film; but, as soon as I locate one, I will post it here.


Final Thoughts

I'd like to say something to the readers who actually read all of my reviews: you may have noticed that almost all of the books I review are above average, and I rarely give points below 70, at least until the day of writing this review (22, March 2022,) except for Giles Goat-Boy, which is a very technical case, so I don't consider it below 70 from my point of view, just read the review for that book and you'll see what I mean. 

The reason for such high marks is very simple: whenever I bought books, I was guided by shopkeepers who knew me since I was a kid and they kind of knew if the book is good or not, so they just recommended good books to me, plus I have read so many books that I could write for hundreds of years before getting to the books that were bad or below average, yes, I have read books that I almost stopped reading and they can actually be thrown into the garbage but I'm not including those books because I don't want to waste anyone's time, so I believe this resolves the issue because I know I wouldn't be ready to read those books, so why review them here when no one is going to read them? 

Okay, now everyone understands why I'm not giving out low points because none of the books I'm reviewing are lousy reads.

Another fantastic novel by a skilled writer!! Suspense, terror, thrills, and, as always, unexpected twists. 

Many times I found myself talking out loud to the book and thinking about what I said about it before I started reading it, that it couldn't be this good because I already know what was going on with the girl. 

After all, she's tied to a bed and trapped in a room, but I'm glad I was wrong, and this book is much more than that. 

I am confident that many female readers will benefit from it, and it may even alter a few lives. 

The reading was excellent and simple to understand; however, I would have liked a slightly different finish. It still comes highly recommended.


Synopsis

“Now a Netflix movie directed by Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush) and starring Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood.

Master storyteller Stephen King presents this classic, terrifying #1 New York Times bestseller. When a game of seduction between a husband and wife ends in death, the nightmare has only begun…

“And now the voice which spoke belonged to no one but herself. Oh my God, it said. Oh my God, I am all alone out here. I am all alone.”

Once again, Jessie Burlingame has been talked into submitting to her husband Gerald’s kinky sex games—something that she’s frankly had enough of, and they never held much charm for her to begin with. So much for a “romantic getaway” at their secluded summer home. After Jessie is handcuffed to the bedposts—and Gerald crosses a line with his wife—the day ends with deadly consequences. Now Jessie is utterly trapped in an isolated lakeside house that has become her prison—and comes face-to-face with her deepest, darkest fears and memories. Her only company is that of the various voices filling her mind…as well as the shadows of nightfall that may conceal an imagined or very real threat right there with her…”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Chained To The Bed, Glass Of Water, Handcuffed To The Bed, Heart Attack, Jessie Burlingame, Main Character, Short Story, Space Cowboy, Voices In Her Head


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

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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