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Showing posts with label Witches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witches. 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

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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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Black House Review

Stephen King, Peter Straub, American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards

Black House

Published: 15, September 2001
Genre: American, Arthurian, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Murder, Paranormal, Psychic, Serial Killer, Supernatural, Thriller, Witches, Wizards
Book 2 of 3: Talisman (The third book has not yet been published.)

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King and Peter Straub collaborated on the horror book Black House, the sequel to The Talisman. This is one of Stephen King's multiple novels that connect up with the Dark Tower series, which also includes Hearts in Atlantis and Insomnia. Black House was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. The novel is set in Straub's hometown of Wisconsin, rather than King's favorite setting of Maine. The town of French Landing is a fictitious version of Lacrosse County, Wisconsin. Centralia is also named after the adjacent tiny town of Centerville, Wisconsin.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven.

As far as I know, one more book in this series is in the works, but neither of the two authors has offered a time or date for release. 

I was scared it would be too terrifying or too dull — I have read practically all of Stephen King's works over the years and was concerned that they were all starting to sound the same. 

But, despite certain unpleasant features, it was a really engaging novel, and no, I never get tired of reading Stephen King, and his works do not all seem the same.

I'm sure reading the first book, The Talisman, will help you comprehend this one, but if you haven't, don't worry; you'll still like this one. 

The novel has various references to the previous one, yet the plot stands well on its own. It also makes allusions to places and events from The Talisman's Dark Tower series, which helps to comprehend this one. 

It is not required. But, once again, I recommend reading them all, especially the first book in this series, The Talisman.

Peter Straub and Stephen King, what a fantastic arrangement. They blend flawlessly and provide a narrative line that is both interesting and enthralling no matter how many times I read it. 

I could go on and on about the excellent character development, imagery, and the way the book has its own distinct atmosphere. To be absolutely honest and upfront, I read literature in this category only for the sake of entertainment. 

If the book morphs in my mind's eye from words to images, if I can visualize the characters so well that I literally care about them, and if I am both delighted with the ending and unhappy that it finished, then I am a very happy customer!

"The Talisman," an epic masterpiece saga. The reader can sense the banter and friendliness between King and Straub in the descriptions and character development in these stories because of the way they are written.

Black House is more than merely a continuation of Jack's quest in The Talisman. It's also a look at the evil that can infiltrate a tiny community, as well as the unusual heroes that arise from such devastation. 

This is one of the themes that make Stephen King and Peter Straub such excellent storytellers. Both are masters of character development and their use of tiny, seemingly idyllic communities as the background for the war between good and evil is what gives this narrative credibility.

The cleverness of this novel is that there is no quest this time, nor is it merely about the now-grown-up Jack Sawyer. 

Black House is as much a novel about a tiny community in trouble as it is about the conclusion that reaches out like the limbs of a tree into Stephen King's Dark Tower series. 

Once again, the characters are so well-developed that I felt profound emotions for each of them, as well as for the enigmatic Tower that lurks in the shadows, leaving a scary image in the reader's imagination. 

The conclusion of Black House is both rewarding and devastating, leaving me curious about what happens next.

The narrative takes place around twenty years after the events of The Talisman. Jack Sawyer is a retired LAPD investigator who now lives in the little community of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has mostly forgotten his childhood escapades.

Stephen King has a continuous story theme that runs across several of his stories like an undercurrent. 

The image of the Dark Tower and Roland the The Gunslinger are notions that he returns to, sometimes explicitly as in the Dark Tower novels, sometimes subtly as in The Black House. 

The finale of this work is based in part on the legend of the Tower, which adds another strand of mystery to the topic while also illuminating others.

Here I am about to mention something that is essentially for those who are going to read this novel as if it were the same as the quest in the previous book, but it is not, and as a result, some readers may not like it, so here goes... 

Stephen King and Peter Straub are back with the Black House, a sequel to their previous work The Talisman. 

You don't have to have read the first novel to appreciate this one. Indeed, it may be better if you haven't read the previous book because it was a normal fantasy adventure and its sheer plainness may lead you to think negatively of the Black House, which would be a shame because this new work is a work of genius.


Final Thoughts

The title is a play on the title of Charles Dickens's work Bleak House. This is done on purpose. The book is stylistically similar to Dickens' work, and even the complicated storyline has Dickensian reverberations. 

The writers make no attempt to conceal their link; the book is full of outright nods to Bleak House, and at one point, one of the characters even spends some time reading that novel aloud to one of the other characters, who is blind. I adore these small details - it's merely a game, but it adds depth and freshness that I adore.

Black House is one of Stephen King and Peter Straub's best stories, and this Audiobook is delivered by Frank Muller, who was without a doubt the best voice in Audiobook before his unfortunate accident a few years ago.

Black House is a sort of sequel to the novel Talisman, and it has many of the same villains. The Crimson King, who appears in Insomnia and the Dark Tower series, is just as terrifying. 

The Black House was a literal "black house," and it was here in the Talisman that Jack fought one of his most courageous fights. 

Because of the relationship with the villain and who he or she is representing, I believe I can call it another branch of the Dark Tower series.


Synopsis

“From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of The Talisman, “an intelligent…suspenseful page-turner” (The Wall Street Journal) from “two master craftsmen, each at the top of his game” (The Washington Post).

Twenty years ago, a boy named Jack Sawyer traveled to a parallel universe called the Territories to save his mother and her Territories “Twinner” from an agonizing death that would have brought cataclysm to the other world. Now Jack is a retired Los Angeles homicide detective living in the nearly nonexistent hamlet of Tamarack, Wisconsin. He has no recollection of his adventures in the Territories, and was compelled to leave the police force when an odd, happenstance event threatened to awaken those memories.

When a series of gruesome murders occur in western Wisconsin that are reminiscent of those committed several decades ago by a madman named Albert Fish, the killer is dubbed “The Fishman,” and Jack’s buddy, the local chief of police, begs Jack to help the inexperienced force find him. But are these new killings merely the work of a disturbed individual, or has a mysterious and malignant force been unleashed in this quiet town? What causes Jack’s inexplicable waking dreams—if that is what they are—of robins’ eggs and red feathers? It’s almost as if someone is trying to tell him something. As this cryptic message becomes increasingly impossible to ignore, Jack is drawn back to the Territories and to his own hidden past, where he may find the soul-strength to enter a terrifying house at the end of a deserted tract of forest, there to encounter the obscene and ferocious evils sheltered within it.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Crimson King, French Landing, Hearts In Atlantis, Jack Sawyer, King And Peter, King And Straub, Sequel To The Talisman, Serial Killer


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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 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

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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The Dark Tower Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

The Dark Tower

Published: 21, September 2004
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards
Book 7 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
The Dark Tower Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's The Dark Tower is a fantasy novel. It is the seventh and final novel in his Dark Tower series. It was released on September 21, 2004, which also happens to be Stephen King's birthday. Beginning where book six Song of Susannah left off, Jake Chambers and Father Callahan confront the demonic infestation within the Dixie Pig, a vampire bar in New York City that serves roast human flesh and has gateways to other realms.

Many readers, even fans, will have a newfound appreciation for Stephen King after reading this series, and I believe he is among the top few greatest literary brains of our time.

Seriously. I'm astounded at the universes he's built for people to lose themselves in. I am a quick reader who can read a lot of books at once, so I never get bored, but I do slow down on some novels because I don't want them to end.

I tried to do the same with this series, but I kept going until I fell asleep or it was already morning on several nights.

What I learned about these novels was that once you start reading, you won't be able to put them down until you've finished the entire series.

The reader is captivated by something in these works. It's the connection with the characters, or perhaps it's because it opens the reader's eyes to a deeper comprehension of Roland, and once you finish one book, you can't wait to start the next.

A word about the movie: there are elements in it that suggest it may have been a sequel to the novels, but the authors didn't reveal this link for whatever reason, leaving most fans and casual readers perplexed as to why it went the way it did.

To put it frankly, the horn that was dropped on Jericho Hill was in his hands in the movie, and I only know this because the studio auctioned off all objects from the set, including a "canteen and horn," and a photo showed Jake holding the canteen with the horn in his hand.

I'm not sure if this knowledge (previous two paragraphs) is relevant, but I know certain individuals that want to know everything about everything, therefore I believe this information is for them.

As the story developed, Stephen King explored and stretched his writing talents throughout the series.

Normally, I think of authors in specific categories, but reading them as Stephen King worked layers into his plot was a real treat.

I was irritated a few times by the choices he took to advance the plot, and I suppose it was because his choices were unique. He merged genres. His references were both obvious and subtle.

Through it all, he wrote in a late-nineteenth-century timeframe. He worked tirelessly on the tale, and it was fascinating to read his almost tired recounting in the afterwords of people hounding him about the storyline book after book.

I was concerned that no conclusion could do this series honor. I even slowed down my reading since I was afraid I would be dissatisfied.

The buildup of the previous six volumes and now this seventh could not be topped off with any conclusion I could think of. But Stephen King is a master and that is what I can say at this point.

This finale took the author more than two decades to write, but it was well worth the wait. If, like Roland, you got this far, simply know that you'll reach the finish understanding that Ka is a turning wheel, and the narrative will suffice.

Some readers may not like the finale, but I thought it was a perfect finish to an incredibly fantastic story. It all depends on what you learned from the series up until the very end and how you felt about it.

I've read the "Dark Tower" series several times but never get tired of it. It makes me desire that "new" versions could be made in order to expose all of the possibilities.

But, however, that would do a grave disservice to this series. Stephen King's narrative abilities continue to mystify me. So much so that I've read every other book he's ever written just to keep getting glimpses of this story threaded throughout.

What an experience! There were tears, laughter, adventure, compassion, love, valor, and wickedness, and, of course, as is customary in Stephen King tales, there were many surprises.

I met up with the ka-tet. It will be difficult to be a part of it no more. What would life be like without the quest for the Dark Tower? I guess I don't have a choice.

I envy you the experience that awaits you if you haven't read them yet. Make the commitment and get right in. You will not be sorry.


Final Thoughts:

Is it worthwhile to read The Dark Tower? Yes, if you enjoy grandiose fantasy. Yes, if you can put up with occasional blunders in writing style and convention. No, if you dislike horror, the paranormal, adventures, and action, and believe such books must be cheap pulp.

Author's efforts to create a multiverse replete with all of the adventures and characters he cast drew me in.

I was already so engrossed that I bought both hardcover and paperback at the same time because I couldn't stop reading, and I used to buy both copies before digital versions became the standard, and I did this with all of my favorite writers.

What he did was incredible, I'll definitely listen to this series again when I finish the eighth book The Wind Through the Keyhole, which is actually a novel that sits between parts four "Wizard and Glass" and five "Wolves of the Calla" and may be considered the series' book 4.5 of 7. If you're on the fence about spending a few dollars on these books, be assured that they are well worth it.

This series is strongly recommended for anybody who wants to get lost in a massive narrative that will stay with you long after you finish the last volume.

It is the narrative of all of us, full of honor, love, good, evil, light, and dark. It's the reason we adore Arthur, Harry, Frodo, Luke, and so on. It's the endless pursuit, the vast cycle of life, the huge wheel of ka.


Synopsis:

“Creating "true narrative magic" (The Washington Post) at every revelatory turn, Stephen King surpasses all expectation in the stunning final volume of his seven-part epic masterwork. Entwining stories and worlds from a vast and complex canvas, here is the conclusion readers have long awaited—breathtakingly imaginative, boldly visionary, and wholly entertaining.

Roland Deschain and his ka-tet have journeyed together and apart, scattered far and wide across multilayered worlds of wheres and whens. The destinies of Roland, Susannah, Jake, Father Callahan, Oy, and Eddie are bound in the Dark Tower itself, which now pulls them ever closer to their own endings and beginnings...and into a maelstrom of emotion, violence, and discovery.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Constant Readers, Crimson King, Deus Ex Machina, Entire Series, Last Book, Lord Of The Rings, Man In Black, New York, Song of Susannah, Tower Series, Wizard and Glass, Wolves of the Calla


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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Song of Susannah Review

Stephen King, Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards

Song of Susannah

Published: 8, June 2004
Author: Stephen King
Genres: Arthurian, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western, Witches, Wizards
Book 6 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:
Song of Susannah Summary


The Review:

Stephen King's novel Song of Susannah is a fantasy novel. It's the sixth installment in his Dark Tower series. This novel follows up where Wolves of the Calla left off, with the ka-tet enlisting the aid of the Manni to unlock the magical portal inside Doorway Cave. It is set mostly in our world, in New York City and East Stoneham, Maine. The ka-tet is divided apart by the magical door, or possibly ka, and sent to various 'wheres' and 'whens' in order to complete numerous important tasks related to their search for the enigmatic Dark Tower.

In comparison to some of the previous books in Stephen King's Dark Tower series, this sixth installment is a bit short.

This is both a good and bad thing: although I love it and am eager to see how it all ends, this series is getting a little long, and while I hope it continues in even longer and larger novels, it could still be too much for a casual reader.

However, just because it's brief doesn't imply it's devoid of quality. Plot twists abound, and everything is beginning to fall into place at the same moment.

The author's genius must be acknowledged. At one point, and I hope I'm not giving too much away, the characters meet Stephen King and sit in his kitchen, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes.

In general, I'd think a situation like this would be ludicrous, yet he makes it work in this story. Yes, there will be a few chuckles, but for the most part, this is serious business.

I can't think of another writer who could have pulled it off. I know certain writers, such as Clive Cussler, can do it, but few can do it as well as these two, and it was done flawlessly by the maestro himself in this book.

The frosting on the cake, on the other hand, came after "The End." After the book, there's a long part with passages from the author's personal notebook from the time he was working on The Dark Tower series.

It's completely enthralling! What a rare opportunity to gain such a close look at Mr. King's mind and reasoning process. For me, he is a very remarkable individual.

The next chapter of The Gunslinger's journey for the Dark Tower has been beautifully described by the author.

There are hidden and not so hidden connections and linkages between our world and Stephen King's realm within the plot, as is expected and true to tradition.

The series is a must-read Science Fiction Western Fantasy Horror, and Song of Susannah's closing page will have you eagerly anticipating the very next book and final installment for the Gunslingers and Oy!

I've been a Stephen King fan for a long time, and this series is unlike anything else he's written, so it won't disappoint me! If you can get beyond the first book, this is a must-read for all Stephen King fans, and even non-fans will love it.

I was expecting to despise this part of the series from the start. Because of the narrative line I concocted in my head owing to the last book and one of the major characters' pregnancy, but I found it to be unexpectedly good.

This may have happened because I had such low expectations to begin with. Susannah had disillusioned me, as I mentioned a few lines ago.

I was so sick of hearing about the "chap" that I clenched my teeth whenever Mia or anybody else said it. Because it carries her name, I was dreading reading it.

By the end, I'd developed a strong feeling for her. She'd grown into a nuanced, real, delicate, and believable character. This book actually changed my thinking about her and I felt weak with her while she was weak.

I hoped she would win when she was at her best. After all, I didn't want her to leave. In fact, I was hoping she'd knock Mia out.

Even now that she is coming to terms with her developed and integrated elements of her past selves, and being forged in the furnace of harsh experience traveling through Roland's World, there is nothing that is "normal" about Susannah, but the chap is not normal.

The extent to which he deviates from the norm is a topic for discussion in the last installment of the series.

The Dark Tower Series is one of my top ten favorite book series of all time. The books are set in the future, although they may also be placed during the Oregon Trail migration.

The characters are so thoroughly realized that the reader feels as though he or she could run into them while doing daily tasks. I wholeheartedly suggest this series.

The idea of this series really goes across many of the author's other works, and you may be anywhere throughout Stephen King's literary universe.


Final Thoughts:

I truly hoped that the movie adaptation of this series would be as good as the books, but sadly, they destroyed it. I'm not sure why they do it or how the author accepts to the adjustments the film industry will make to the fantastic book.

I believe that occasionally authors give in because they are unsure of their own work, but if any of my works were to be adopted, I would never agree to change even one word because I would know that my work is my baby, and I must present it to the world as it is.

When a book's movie adaptation is ruined, it's essentially a smack in the face to the devoted fans who went to see their favorite characters and unforgettable scenes come to life, not to see a new tale or a new character who didn't appear in the book.

As always, Stephen King's writing is fantastic. This is the third time I've finished this series, and I'm not sure how I feel about the finale, but that's not the point.

It's about saying goodbye to all of these characters, as I and many other readers always feel when a wonderful series comes to an end.

I experienced the same experience with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson, and a slew of other books that were and still are a part of my life, and in certain cases, the characters begin to seem like family and friends, even if we never speak to them.

Like older or younger cousins who are cool or awkward and live in other states and you can't meet them because they're too far away and it's too difficult to be together, but you can hear about them, see photographs, and even be friends on social media, but you never talk because you're not close enough to be on speaking terms.

Both Wolves of the Calla and this book show us the evolving facts of Susannah, Jake, Eddie, Roland, and even Oy, who, as loyal readers know, is considerably wiser than most would credit him with.

Our band of heroes is finally coming into its own, as the deeper significance of Ka, Ka-Tet, and the search for the tower, as well as the underlying fundamental character of a Gunslinger, is coming to fruition.


Synopsis:

“The penultimate volume in the Dark Tower series, The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah, a #1 New York Times bestseller, is a pivotal installment in the epic saga.

Set in a world of extraordinary circumstances, filled with stunning visual imagery and unforgettable characters, the Dark Tower series is unlike anything you have ever read. Here is the penultimate installment.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Dark Tower, Father Callahan, New York, Roland And Eddie, Salems Lot, Susannah And Mia, Tower Series, Waste Lands, Wizard And Glass, Wolves of the Calla


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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