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Showing posts with label Werewolf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Werewolf. Show all posts

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

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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It Review

Stephen King, American, Coming Of Age, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf

It

Published: 15, September 1986
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Coming Of Age, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's "It" is a terrifying horror tale. It was his 22nd novel and 17th written under his own name. The narrative follows the exploits of seven children as they are frightened by an evil creature that uses its victims' anxieties to conceal itself as it hunts its prey. To entice its favorite prey of young children, "It" takes the shape of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.

These lines are actually written at the end of the review, but I'm including them here because I just want to say that I wrote a lot of stuff, but I still feel like I need to add more, but it won't be enough, and another reason is simple: I'm afraid to reveal anything that might spoil the book for new readers, and even if you've seen the movies, remember that you only saw a fraction of the actual masterpiece. So I'm telling you right now that the book is incredible in every way and that I wholeheartedly recommend it.

For a long time, I wanted to write "It" review, but something always stopped me, and I stopped after a few lines until now, either because of my hatred for this character or the nostalgia this book and the kids in it bring me. 

But, at long last, I'm writing it, and I'm not sure if it's about how Stephen King wrote it; it's turning out exactly like I anticipated it would, and it's all about nostalgic memories.

The novel is told mostly in third-person omniscient form, with storylines rotating between two times. It explores themes that would later become King's mainstays, including the power of memory, childhood trauma and its repeating echoes in adulthood, the malevolence lying under the bucolic façade of the American small town, and the triumph of good over evil through mutual trust and sacrifice.

According to King, he originally had the idea for the narrative in 1978 and began writing it in 1981. In 1985, he finished writing the book. 

He also said that the title character was initially intended to be a troll, similar to the one in the children's fable "Three Billy Goats Gruff," but one who lived in the local sewage system rather than simply the region beneath one bridge. 

He also intended the plot to tie together the tales of youngsters and the people they grow up to be.

In 1987, the novel won the British Fantasy Award, and it was also nominated for the Locus and World Fantasy Awards. 

It was named the best-selling hardcover fiction book in the United States by Publishers Weekly in 1986. 

It was turned into a two-part miniseries directed by Tommy Lee Wallace in 1990, as well as a film duology directed by Andy Muschietti, with It Chapter One premiering in September 2017 and It Chapter Two in September 2019.

The first moment in the movie "It 1990" that has resonated with me is when a little boy is attempting to get his ship in the rain and is killed by the monster. 

I used to despise "It" so much that I became incredibly protective of my younger brother, beating the heck out of anyone who even touched him or even thought about threatening him. 

Basically, Stephen King wrote this devil so well that I will never forget him and others who were beaten by me will never forget me too, thanks to Stephen King's writing. 

The gore and scare tactics in the movie were toned down from the novel, but I was still sad and angry at the same time, and I couldn't get over the kid's death.

I started with the movie and then moved on to the heavy-duty book. It may be a marathon for many readers to finish this book, but it was only a few hundred pages above thousand for me, and I loved it, not "It." 

So, yes, I must warn casual readers that reading and actually finishing this book is a huge commitment to oneself, but I am confident that if you can finish it, it will stay in your mind for a long time.

When I read this book as a kid or a youngster of the same age as the losers' club, I could identify with the kids but not with the older version of them, but when I read it as an adult, I could connect with both age groups, and I must warn adult readers who are going to read it for the first or second time, be prepared for the nostalgia and flood of memories of those young times and friends and family. 

These feelings can be really powerful, and I believe Stephen King understood exactly what he was doing when he wrote the book and detailed descriptions of those children's lives and activities. 

I have a suggestion for you on this topic: whenever you feel nostalgic, phone your old school buddies because if you never left on a poor note, you can still be friends and chat to family members who you know are good; believe me, you and these people will like it.

This book is just stunning. This novel provided me with more than simply entertainment. It gave me hope and encouraged me to be more hopeful about my life. 

Of course, the "horror" sequences are actually revolting and horrifying, and they might cause nightmares. 

The major topic of the book, however, is about the specific talents and capabilities that children have that adults do not, and how we need to repair or seal the split that divides the kid (whom every one of us once was) from the adult (that we have become). 

To defeat "It," the grownups must recollect their childhoods in order to "glue the present to the past" and rediscover who they once were. 

It is about memory and transformation, and what makes each of us a "person" despite our constant transformations... for each human who grows to adulthood is a shape-shifter, just as "It" is a shape-shifter, and part of our power comes from this, but also from our twin abilities to remember and to forget and obliterate who we once were.

There is a section where something happens that can divide the readers, and new readers will understand what I mean when they read it because some will be disgusted and may think that Stephen King needs to go and get himself mentally evaluated, but for me and many others, it was a very clever metaphor he added for the next stage of life and no coming back plus unity and the doors that only open and have passage to one way.

I attempted to hide a lot of information in the previous few lines and used very few words to explain that portion, so just come back and read the lines after you read that point of the book and you'll understand what I stated in a few words as a riddle or jumbled words.

Final Thoughts

The writing is brilliant because Stephen King utilizes meanings themselves to create tales, braided almost smoothly into shades of context and colors of insinuation and occasionally vivid, clear splashes of emotion that startle you. 

After all, that's how it works in real life. And in doing so, King manages to normalize seemingly improbable features such as "It's" supernatural nature and the link "It" has with the town of Derry and its citizens. 

This may have occurred. It's entirely possible. And it's that esoteric horror that King skillfully wields. The ramifications and the options are endless.

This novel would not be the same without the Derry Interludes at the conclusion of each section. 

In my perspective, the interludes are what made the novel so horrifying. They recount all of the historical tragedies that have occurred in Derry and have mostly gone unnoticed and forgotten. 

This is where you can truly witness the actual wicked nature that It puts upon this community. I could read a whole novel based only on the history of Derry, Maine. It's both fascinating and terrifying.

It's true that Stephen King can ramble on and on when he gets going, and some readers enjoy it, but I know some don't so be advised that this book has some of those portions.

A couple of things will happen if this is your first time reading a Stephen King book. Specifically... 

The term "journey" best characterizes this work. You have no clue what you're getting yourself into if you buy this novel because of a homicidal clown.

This novel will terrify you, and you will be astounded by author's attention to detail in character interactions.

This is a fantastic book that everyone should read at least once in their lives.


Synopsis

“Stephen King’s terrifying, classic #1 New York Times bestseller, “a landmark in American literature” (Chicago Sun-Times)—about seven adults who return to their hometown to confront a nightmare they had first stumbled on as teenagers…an evil without a name: It.

Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.

They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers.

Readers of Stephen King know that Derry, Maine, is a place with a deep, dark hold on the author. It reappears in many of his books, including Bag of Bones, Hearts in Atlantis, and 11/22/63. But it all starts with It.

“Stephen King’s most mature work” (St. Petersburg Times), “It will overwhelm you…to be read in a well-lit room only” (Los Angeles Times).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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The Talisman Review

Stephen King, Peter Straub, American, Classic, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Occult, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf

The Talisman

Published: 8, November 1984
Genre: American, Classic, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Occult, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Werewolf
Book 1 of 3: Talisman (The third book has not yet been published.)

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

The Talisman is a fantasy collaboration novel written by Stephen King and Peter Straub in 1984. Although there is one indirect allusion to a Sir Walter Scott novel, the narrative is unrelated to Walter Scott's 1825 novel of the same name. In 1985, The Talisman was nominated for both the Locus and World Fantasy Awards. Black House 2001, a sequel written by King and Straub, takes up with a now-adult Jack as a retired Los Angeles homicide investigator attempting to investigate a string of murders in the little village of French Landing, Wisconsin.

This narrative belongs to and is tied to the Dark Tower series, making that vast universe much larger than it already was. In the book's sequel, Black House, the Territories are shown to be a counterpart to All-World. 

The pavilion where Jack Sawyer meets Sophie in The Little Sisters of Eluria is the identical pavilion mentioned in King's introduction to The Little Sisters of Eluria.

There was a lot of buzz about this book because Straub and King were both hugely famous and well-known horror and suspense authors in their own right. 

Multiple pieces were published praising the two authors' collaboration and speculating on what would be the best horror novel ever written, thanks to a $550,000 advertising budget provided by the publisher. 

It was a smash hit in its own right, but for me, it was a fantastic quest with a great cause and an incredible adventure that I want to read again and again and watch as a movie if they can produce an exact word-for-word adaptation, and I'm happy to report that a series may be in the works. 

It was stated in 2021 that Amblin will adapt the novel into a Netflix television series, with the Duffer Brothers assisting with development. And I will certainly include any fresh material in this area if I come across it.

I must warn you that this book and story will make you think in two ways: one, you will throw it away, and the other, you will embrace it passionately. 

The issue is simple: if you're an adult with a frozen brain and little imagination, you can find it boring and ridiculous since you'll believe it's a genuine stretch of the imagination to even consider it a storyline. 

But for everyone else, just try to enjoy it the way it was meant to be experienced. Of course, the narrative will contain darker undertones than other popular literature. 

It begins slowly but gradually accelerates into a fast-paced, attention-grabbing narrative. The characters rapidly won me over, and I got emotionally immersed in the story. 

This is one of my 'favorite' novels because I can re-read it and still be immersed in Jack's world. And Wolf is without a doubt my favorite character.

Following this cooperation with Stephen King, I fell in love with Peter Straub's works. Stephen King, as you may know, is the maestro of fiction and horror writing, and Peter Straub is his doppelganger, or as what is known as a twinner in this book's universe. 

I genuinely feel this book was created in another universe with both of these amazing writers. It's weird, and it'll make you consider the remote chance that the Territories exist. Unless you have no imagination, I am confident that everyone will like it.

If you are a casual or non-reader, bear this in mind while purchasing the book. It's highly comprehensive, so if you can't take large or complex novels, I'd recommend listening to it on Audiobook. 

Don't pass on Stephen King novels just because they're huge; if they're too daunting, you can always listen to them with an Amazon audible account.

Keep in mind that if you had a loved one who had cancer, it may have an emotional impact on you because Stephen King goes into great detail about individuals who have diseases or impairments, and it may be rather sentimental to those who aren't used to reading his writings.

It's a mix of horror, fantasy, and adventure. What King and Straub accomplished was to build a beautiful narrative full of mystery and suspense, whatever you want to categorize it. 

In The Talisman, Jack Sawyer must travel between his reality and a parallel dimension in order to save his dying mother. 

Despite the protagonist's childhood, the tale has a distinct gloomy edge. It's not all fun and games for Jack, who in this journey has the capacity to switch between universes.

During this time, he befriends Wolf, a werewolf from another dimension. Wolf provides both humorous entertainment and frightening times for Jack when he turns into a werewolf in our world during a full moon.

The late great Frank Muller gives yet another powerful performance, reading in a tense, hypnotic style and developing unique voices for most of the characters in the epic narrative of The Talisman. 

It lasted about 29 hours and was a fantastic way to enjoy a superb novel, especially if you're taking a lengthy road trip or just a regular commute. If you're lucky enough to have the Frank Muller version, I highly suggest the audio version.


Final Thoughts

You must read a few pages before you can get into the main story, but once you do, you will not be able to put it down, and this becomes a really fast-paced novel, even if it is large by many readers' standards, so do not stop and continue reading.

Even if you've never read Peter Straub, you can tell which parts were written by him, and I'll leave it up to the readers to figure it out. 

Yes, it was cooperation and an effort by both authors, but you can tell who is writing what in this narrative, and it was part of the pleasure for me to figure it out.

The novel has a strong action-adventure vibe about it. There are several fascinating connections between the universes, including the relationship between time and distance, as well as the contrast between the usage of magic and technology. 

It's well-created and written. Stephen King and Peter Straub are each excellent authors in their own right, but they work well together.

I would suggest this book to everyone who enjoys an exciting, attention-grabbing fantasy/reality fictional novel.


Synopsis

“The iconic, “extraordinary” (The Washington Post) collaboration between #1 bestselling author Stephen King and Peter Straub—an epic thriller about a young boy’s quest to save his mother’s life.

Why had twelve-year-old Jack Sawyer’s mother frantically moved the two of them from Rodeo Drive to a New York City apartment to the Alhambra, a fading ocean resort and shuttered amusement park in New Hampshire? Who or what is she running from? She is dying . . . and even young Jack knows she can’t outrun death. But only he can save her—for he has been chosen to search for a prize across an epic landscape of dangers and lies, a realm of innocents and monsters, where everything Jack loves is on the line.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Across The Country, Along The Way, Black House, Dark Tower, Highly Recommend, Jack Sawyer, King And Peter, King And Straub, Morgan Sloat, Tower Series


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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Cycle of the Werewolf Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Folk Tales, Graphic, Horror, Literature, Mythology, Shape Shifter, Suspense, Werewolf

Cycle of the Werewolf

Published: November 1983
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Folk Tales, Graphic, Horror, Literature, Mythology, Shape Shifter, Suspense, Werewolf

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf is a short horror story with pictures by comic-book artist Bernie Wrightson. Each chapter is a self-contained mini-story. It depicts the story of a werewolf who haunts a small village when the moon is full once a month. Land of Enchantment released it as a limited edition hardback in 1983, and Signet published it as a mass-market trade paperback in 1985. 

Silver Bullet, the cinematic adaption, was also written by Stephen King (1985). At 127 pages, it is author's smallest novel to date, making it originally a novella. He confesses to taking liberties with the moon cycle in the author's notes at the conclusion of the book. 

For example, if a full moon occurred on New Year's Day, another would not occur on Valentine's Day, despite the fact that these events are generally celebrated in January and February. He argues that this was done to help readers remember the key months more precisely.

This was a brief narrative and a quick read, and the reason it was so short was that it wasn't planned to be a novel; instead, it was going to be a calendar with a tiny amount of information every month, but it was too short, so Stephen King made up a plot to go with the drawings.

The structure consisted of the months of a single year and, in particular, the days on which the full moon occurred, rather than chapters. Because, of course, this was the time when the ugly beast from Tarker Mills appeared to carry out his murderous acts. 

Each month featured a different citizen of the little town who became the werewolf's victim, and the killings were portrayed in graphic, brutal detail in classic Stephen King manner.

There wasn't a lot of character development because the chapters were so short, but I think the author still managed to give us a solid understanding of each person of the community. After all, this is his specialty.

Marty Coslaw was one of my favorite characters. He was a bright, level-headed, brave young man who was confined to a wheelchair and was possibly the most well-developed character in the entire novel.

Berni Wrightson's artwork looked fantastic and provided a lot of dimension and awe to the book.

This book is fantastic. It's unique in that, unlike much of Stephen King's writing, it doesn't revolve around a single character. 

The pictures are also fantastic; it's a fun way to experience the book through the eyes of someone else. 

The book's sole flaw is its brief length. I wish we had a closer look at the werewolf in human form. Stephen King is a brilliant storyteller, so even in a novella, he delivers, but he's so amazing with the werewolf genre that I'd happily read a 5000-page werewolf novel or series from him.

The movie was entertaining to watch and a little scary for young children, plus the pastor's dream can make even an adult scared. 

I watched this movie several times and each time one of my cousins would flee the room because he was terrified, but I told him to watch horror movies so we could learn how to kill the monsters and gave him motivation by making him watch the scene where Marty sitting on Silver Bullet uses the rockets to hurt the beast, and that actually helped my cousin become brave and sit with me to watch horror movies. 

I was so proud of my cousin for what he did next, he watched another of his nightmare movies called Troll, it was actually a very scary movie for kids and I don't remember the details but he was always scared to come in the room when we were watching that movie but, as I mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph, he watched it after the Silver Bullet incident. 

But I believe it was all Stephen King's trick to show kids like him to be brave because if a kid who couldn't even walk can do it, what's to stop a fully capable kid from doing the same?

That is what I learned from this great writer and his writing: he takes an ordinary person and transforms him or her into the bravest hero who inspires and encourages all.

The storyline doesn't completely emerge until halfway through the book, so anyone expecting a plot-driven novella may be disappointed – but the first half does contribute to the suspense element. 

Also, throughout this work, the author appears to have a problem developing female characters, portraying them as lusty, weak-willed doormats, shrieking harpies, or some combination of the three. 

This is a little surprising, given that he's written decent female characters before and after this book; perhaps he was showing or creating an atmosphere of despair or hopelessness, but we'll never know because we're talking about Stephen King, and he knows what he's doing; we just have to dive and find what he threw into the depths of his pages. 

And maybe on the tenth reading, you'll find and comprehend why he did something with a character that we didn't understand the first nine times we read it.


Final Thoughts

Both the movie and the book are good, but the book is far better as usual, even though both are written by Stephen King, the movie has some things added and other things omitted, as is customary. 

I saw the movie first, and then read the book, and it was a good mix. You may either read or watch first, I don't think it matters because you'll be able to appreciate both the book and the movie.

Stephen King is a great writer, his works filled with precise yet stunning details and able to find dark comedy in the most horrendous of situations. 

He's not afraid to give his characters flaws and weaknesses, and although this may lead to a cast full of jerks at times, it's balanced out here by some truly excellent people. 

Even the werewolf is a sympathetic character with plausible reasons for his horrible actions. 

The book's divided into twelve months, with one chapter for each full moon when the beast attacks, is a unique and welcome addition.

A wonderful bite-sized gift from Stephen King for horror enthusiasts and a refreshing change of pace from the flood of werewolf-themed romance that has taken over occult literature in recent years. 

If you want a rip-roaring horror adventure and don't mind the plot taking a second seat to the terror aspect, this is the book for you.


Synopsis

“The classic masterpiece by #1 New York Times bestselling author Stephen King—illustrated by the legendary artist Bernie Wrightson!

Terror began in January—by the light of the full moon...

The first scream came from the snowbound railwayman who felt the werewolf’s fangs ripping at his throat. The next month there was a scream of ecstatic agony from the woman attacked in her cozy bedroom. Now scenes of unbelievable horror unfold each time the full moon shines on the isolated Maine town of Tarker’s Mills. No one knows who will be attacked next. But one thing is sure. When the full moon rises, a paralyzing fear sweeps through Tarker's Mills. For snarls that sound like human words can be heard whining through the wind. And all around are the footprints of a monster whose hunger cannot be sated...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Berni Wrightson, Bernie Wrightson, Black And White, Corey Haim, Daniel Attias, Everett Mcgill, Full Moon, Gary Busey, Martha De Laurentiis, Martha Schumacher, Marty Coslaw, Quick Read, Short Story, Small Town, Tarker Mills, Town Of Tarker


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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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The Wind Through the Keyhole Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards

The Wind Through the Keyhole

Published: 21, February 2012
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Arthurian, Fantasy, Fiction, Media Tie-In, Mystery, Shape Shifter, Supernatural, Thriller, Werewolf, Witches, Wizards
Book 4.5 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
The Wind Through the Keyhole Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's fantasy book The Wind Through the Keyhole is the eighth novel in The Dark Tower series, however, it falls between volumes four "Wizard and Glass" and five "Wolves of the Calla" in chronological order. The book was first referenced by Stephen King in 2009, following the disputed conclusion of the seventh novel "The Dark Tower" in 2004, and was formally revealed on March 10, 2011, on the author's official website.

To begin with, it was nice to hear Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, and Roland's voices come to life again and enjoy their interactions, even if it was just for a few moments.

If you're like many fans who read the entire series before reading this book, you'll understand what I'm talking about. But if you haven't finished part four yet, I recommend you read this book before going on to the fifth.

It doesn't matter if you read it after you finish the series and then come back to read it, but if this is your first trip through the series; I think it's best to read it as part 4.5.

I strongly advise all readers to read the prior four volumes before moving on to this one, since otherwise, you will have no idea of what is going on or who is who or what is what.

This book picks up after the events of Wizard and Glass, with Roland recounting a tale from his past as a teenage gunslinger in a nearby village from Gilead, dealing with a "Skin-Man" monstrosity frightening and slaying the locals.

But about midway through that story, he switches to a fairy tale about a young kid on a journey to save his mother from his violent stepfather.

Overall, this is a fantastic book. It is reasonable to classify it as book 4.5. The novel includes a tale inside a story, which is a unique and intriguing approach to writing a novel.

The story begins with the five members of the band from Book 4 on their quest for The Dark Tower.

They are stuck in a bunker for three days due to a catastrophic storm known as a 'starkblast.' To keep them entertained, Roland recounts them a story from his adolescent years.

The narrative revolves around one of his first missions as a gunslinger when he was dispatched by train to a faraway place to investigate claims of a homicidal shape shifter, which his father does not think are genuine.

The first third of the book is about Roland's past, the second third is about the narrative he tells the youngster, and the third quarter concludes the historical story.

Both stories are well-written and enjoyable to read. The narrative is intriguing, although not as suspenseful as some of author's other novels because we all know Roland will survive the shape shifter.

We also discover a little more about Roland's mother, including a final letter she sent to him. Roland tells the youngster a story about a terrible tax collector from Gilead.

I greatly doubt Roland's mother, who raised Roland in Gilead, the purported stronghold of virtue on the world, would have ever taught him a story about such a guy.

That was the only portion of the work that appeared out of place because the tale could have been presented without mentioning a wicked Gilead representative.

The rest of Roland the boy's narrative was well-developed, particularly in its exploration of elderly people's marvels.

I have a feeling Roland's childhood story isn't totally compatible with the rest of the books; for example, the Manni people in book 5 weren't familiar to Susannah, Jake, and Eddie, despite the fact that they should have known them based on this description. Even yet, given the high quality of the plot, any inconsistencies are small and easily overlooked.

Young Roland's plot goes swiftly and is both interesting and intriguing. It showcases his abilities, even at such a young age, and shares the same spirit of adventure and unpredictability as the previous Tower stories.

The fairy tale itself is well constructed and brimming with Stephen King’s universe references. Finally, I believe the author has done the series honor by continuing it 5 years after he declared it complete.

Adding to a popular series is a tough and hazardous decision. The book, on the other hand, does not feel like an afterthought; rather, it improves what has already been written and makes the voyage as a whole that much more complete and pleasurable.

There are things that can be learned, magic elements to be discovered, a new culture of "muties" to be discovered, and, of course, the beam.

We read of a little boy, maybe eleven years old, whose father was just murdered by a dragon of some kind. In a cruel environment, he and his mother strive for survival.

Just when they think they've discovered their savior, the author throws a curveball into the mix to throw everything off. The young man's quest to save his mother and himself leads us on a perilous trip packed with magic, danger, and suspense.

This is one of the novels that, like the series in which it is set, maybe considered among Stephen King's best.

I still wish we'd seen more of Roland when he was younger. What are the chances? Perhaps the author will continue the Dark Tower Series with a new installment someday.


Final Thoughts:

Even if you've never read any of Stephen King's earlier works, let alone the Tower series, the book may be read as a stand-alone, according to the preface.

True, but doing so would be foolish because so much of it is based on these individuals and their distinct environment.

As a result, I'd only suggest this to someone who has read the Tower Series before or if you're interested in giving them a try, start at the beginning and read this one in the order it appears in the series. You'll be pleased you did, and I am sure of it.

This novel takes us closer to Roland as a young boy as readers. It also helps us comprehend Roland's finality as he grew older.

After Mejis, Roland had attained manhood not merely by passing Cort's gunslinger exam, but also by seeing Mejis' murder and devastation.

Roland reveals his frigid heart to the world for the first time as the nails are pounded deep into the coffin that signifies maturity.

It's also enjoyable to read, providing insight into some of our favorites (if you're a fan of the series). It will draw you back into Roland Deschain's universe as if you had never left it before.

Given the scope of King's Dark Tower levels, the novel fits nicely into the series.

I have to bring out an important truth once more. It is true that this book may be read as a stand-alone novel, but only if you have read the entire series or have finished the fourth book but have not yet begun the fifth; otherwise, it cannot be termed a stand-alone novel, so please keep that in mind when reading this book.


Synopsis:

“In his New York Times bestselling The Wind Through the Keyhole, Stephen King returns to the spectacular territory of the Dark Tower fantasy saga to tell a story about gunslinger Roland Deschain in his early days.

The Wind Through the Keyhole is a sparkling contribution to the series that can be placed between Dark Tower IV and Dark Tower V. This Russian doll of a novel, a story within a story within a story, visits Roland and his ka-tet as a ferocious, frigid storm halts their progress along the Path of the Beam. Roland tells a tale from his early days as a gunslinger, in the guilt-ridden year following his mother’s death. Sent by his father to investigate evidence of a murderous shape-shifter, Roland takes charge of Bill Streeter, a brave but terrified boy who is the sole surviving witness to the beast’s most recent slaughter. Roland, himself only a teenager, calms the boy by reciting a story from the Book of Eld that his mother used to read to him at bedtime, “The Wind Through the Keyhole.” “A person’s never too old for stories,” he says to Bill. “Man and boy, girl and woman, we live for them.”

And stories like The Wind Through the Keyhole live for us with Stephen King’s fantastical magic that “creates the kind of fully imagined fictional landscapes a reader can inhabit for days at a stretch” (The Washington Post).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Addition To The Dark, Eddie And Susannah, Glass And Wolves, Great Addition, Old Friends, Roland And His Ka-Tet, Within A Story, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla, Young Roland


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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