The Gunslinger Review

The Gunslinger

Published: 10, June 1982

Author: Stephen King

Genres: America, Dark, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Western

Book 1 of 7: The Dark Tower

Check the summary of this book here:

The Gunslinger Summary

The Review:

Stephen King's masterpiece The Gunslinger is a dark fantasy. The Dark Tower series begins with this volume. The Gunslinger was initially released as a tweak novel in 1982, uniting five short tales published between 1978 and 1981. The novel was significantly reworked by the author in 2003, and this version has stayed in print ever since, with the subtitle resumption. The plot revolves around Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger who has been on the trail of his enemy, The Man in Black, for many years.

I started reading this book a few pages every day because I wanted it to last a long time, but then I got so busy that I had to utilize the audio version, and everything changed for me.

The transformation of some of the pages into heart-stopping situations on several occasions, I genuinely forgot to breathe, and you really need to listen to the audio to understand what I mean. In simple terms this book's narrator, George Guidall, is outstanding.

This first book establishes the groundwork for a world and character creation, giving readers just enough to get a sense of both but not all the specifics, literally just enough to whet the palate.

Just enough to have you rush passively-aggressively towards the next book if you've already purchased it, or towards the bookstore if you haven't.

This is something I say in every review, and it's something I'll repeat again. Stephen King is a master of character development; no matter how unbelievable the events or environment are, it's always plausible because the characters are so real.

This series is no exception. He took a long time to finish this series; I began reading it many years ago and am now through with it till The King decides to publish another volume in the series.

It was quite a voyage; each time a new book was released, I would reread the entire series from beginning to end.

Luckily, each read-through took place at a different point in my life, and I always found myself admiring fresh and different things each time.

I've been away from them for a long time, and now I'm revisiting them with my new perspective.

I adore the books and am grateful for the author's lifetime of dedication to us all. I'm already listening to the audio versions of the novels to catch up for the reviews I'm writing these days, but at 2x speed, which isn't much fun.

So, once I finish the eighth book in the series, I'm going to listen to the whole series again at normal speed.

The Gunslinger is a quick book that just hints at Roland's life's background, tragedies, and troubles. Through flashbacks, his pursuit of the mysterious Man in Black through the bleak wasteland foreshadows the true intricacy of the series to come.

The characters' extraordinary authenticity in this odd environment is interesting. All aficionados of magic, horror, quests, and westerns will like this novel. It's tough to find a fantasy that makes you stop and consider.

This series contains wonderful characters, a fast-paced tale, one of the most unique universes since Tolkien, and is, of course, brilliantly put together by Stephen King.

He constructs a universe that is gradually but steadily linked to the majority of his prior writings. It's fascinating how all the parts of the previous novels fit into the Dark Tower series and make you think, Yeah, that's how it should go together.

Now, let's talk about the readers who never gave it a chance or were disappointed by it and never went on to read the rest of the series.

The challenge is that it involves a whole new worldview and mythology. There's nothing really newer here, such as western-style gunslingers, Arthurian social classes, or the epic size of the earth, time, and space, but Stephen King's presentation makes it difficult to grasp what's going on.

For some readers, it may take the entire book to realize and truly begin to feel at ease with the story's timeframe, characters, and probable future.

He's also a superb writer, and it can be tough to understand since he uses a lot of jargon that many readers are unfamiliar with.

But I feel it can encourage a reader to seek up terms and be challenged to think more deeply about what they are reading, but for many readers, reading it will take some time.

However, if you can grasp this book or simply give it another try, the series becomes a little easier to follow and you will undoubtedly like it.

It was a wonderful read for hard-core readers like me and many others who spend endless hours reading all types of books; so sure, it can be easy and challenging at the same time depending on who is reading and their skill level.

Final Thoughts:

Stephen King's work is one of my favorites. It's utterly immersive, transporting you to a universe, unlike anything we've ever seen before.

This book demonstrates the author's ability to create a complete universe out of his mind, and it is great.

This is the first novel in the Dark Tower series, and it quickly plunges you into the action, which is truly incredible.

I've never seen the movie and may never see it since there are so many beautiful moments in this book that I'm afraid I'll destroy them if I see the Hollywood adaptation of this gem.

Friends advised me to disregard what I saw in the movie (though, as I previously stated, I never saw the movie) since the books are incomparably better and you get to know the characters.

This is a nasty, gory, and dark book. If you've ever read a book by Stephen King, you'll know what I'm talking about. Anyone searching for a mind-bending, action-packed, adrenaline-laced sensation should check this out.

I can't give this book anything less than a perfect rating just because of the audio, and even that isn't enough because this book is wonderful for me.

This is an epic tale about the start of the Gunslinger's adventure. It, in my opinion, is the only narrative that successfully mixes parts of King Arthur, the Bible, Lord of the Rings, and an old Western.

It's descriptively gorgeous, and the characters are developed in meaningful ways. I would suggest this book to everybody, regardless of their preferred reading style. Like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, this is a must-read.

Synopsis:

“An impressive work of mythic magnitude that may turn out to be Stephen King’s greatest literary achievement” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution), The Gunslinger is the first volume in the epic Dark Tower Series.

A #1 national bestseller, The Gunslinger introduces readers to one of Stephen King’s most powerful creations, Roland of Gilead: The Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. In his desolate world, which mirrors our own in frightening ways, Roland tracks The Man in Black, encounters an enticing woman named Alice, and begins a friendship with the boy from New York named Jake.

Inspired in part by the Robert Browning narrative poem, “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came,” The Gunslinger is “a compelling whirlpool of a story that draws one irretrievable to its center” (Milwaukee Sentinel). It is “brilliant and fresh…and will leave you panting for more” (Booklist).”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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Rating: 100/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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The Outsider Review

The Outsider

Published: 22, May 2018

Author: Stephen King

Genres: American, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Murder, mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

The Outsider Summary

The Review:

Stephen King's The Outsider combines his trademark craftsmanship with a narrative similar to that of his Bill Hodges series, with some of that presented in the novel 11-23-63. Where it varies significantly from both the novels and the series is that this time the author takes us inside our own thoughts and makes us contemplate and mess with our minds.

Another factor that makes it similar to the Bill Hodges series is that it may be considered a part of it due to the presence of a character, but I still consider it a standalone novel. This book, like many of the author's previous works, is set in the same universe as many of his other novels.

I'd want to suggest the Bill Hodges Series before reading this novel, but in many situations, it won't matter, and I'm only recommending the series to true fans of the author or to obsessive readers like myself who want to know everything about an author and read all of their works.

So it's up to the readers to decide if they want to read the entire series merely to have a better understanding of this character and what it means when she becomes involved in the plot at the time where the readers are introduced to her.

There are too many twists and turns to keep you interested in continuing to read. In certain cases, the outcomes are foreseeable. They are tested by Stephen King's surprise forays into the otherworldly to keep things intriguing.

On the negative, I wish Frankie's character had been fleshed out more. It's tough to be concerned about a child's murder, no matter how vivid or terrible, if you don't know anything about him.

Maitland's daughters are in the same boat. Stephen King is known for realistically bringing the children in his stories to life, but this novel was left on a set level because it is an adult work, and the author may have believed it was best to maintain it that way.

Within the first few pages, the outstanding author has the reader hooked. Throughout the novel, there are brutal depictions of the instigating incident.

In numerous passages, there are also descriptions of other acts of violence and physical intimacy. So, if any of these offends you, or if you plan to give this book to any children, don't buy it.

I was around hundred pages into the book when I realized the author had written himself into a corner. I thought, there doesn't appear to be a way out of this problem. However, in true Stephen King fashion, he does escape and tells a terrific story.

There are two situations in the novel that I consider to be life-changing. They're called such because these types of scenarios might terrify a reader or spectator to change the way they do certain things in life.

The Jaws, for example, changed many people's lives when they were always looking about in the sea because the pictures of those massive jaws were engraved in their minds.

The same goes with the bedroom scene with "Gracie" and the toilet scene with "Hoskins" in this book. Let's just say these two will make you peek behind the shower curtain before getting down to business in the morning.

Characters get linked to or identified with by the majority of readers. Usually, the protagonist or one of his or her supporting characters is chosen first. Ralph and Holly were both interesting characters.

Claude, Lovie, and Yune, on the other hand, were my picks. I never imagined that when I first read about Claude, he would come back later in the novel with such significance.

Through Lovie's narration, The author brought the Marysville Hole story to life. You could almost see her retelling the events as a black-and-white film.

One of my favorite authors is Stephen King. Since the beginning, I've been reading his novels. I like all of his works, but the Dark Tower Series is one of my favorites.

Some of his stories aren't as powerful as others, but overall, I enjoy his work. I'll tell you why: it's all because of his characters! No other author can create a character like him! He puts you in their heads, and you can't help but become one of them for the course of the novel.

Consider Cujo or The Long Walk and tell me you didn't see yourself in the protagonist's shoes or in Cujo's case the paws. And he doesn't disappoint in The Outsider either.

I loved his Bill Hodges Series, and even though Bill is no longer in the picture, we get to see Holly again in this book, plus he introduces some new characters who I believe we will see again in the future.

The first part of the book is filled with perplexing mysteries! I was driving myself insane trying to find out how this was possible! Of course, the authorities were also looking into the horrific murder of a child.

And then, Stephen King's usual supernatural twist appears in the second half. For a time, I was scared that the supernatural would drag the novel into the ludicrous and leave me unsatisfied, but it genuinely kept me intrigued and on track until the conclusion. It wasn't overly extravagant. If you like Bill Hodges novels, you should enjoy this one as well.

Final Thoughts:

I adored every word, and I was enthralled when a character from another novel was introduced in this one, and it made me pleased to know that this story is part of Stephen King's vast universe that he has been building for so long.

It's another fantastic novel that also happens to be horrifying. This novel, like most of Stephen King's, is difficult to put down. A small-town married man is arrested for the gruesome death of little Frankie Peterson, creating mystery and suspense.

The novel opens with a juxtaposition of police interrogation transcripts and narrative, giving the reader the impression that this person did it, but that he couldn't have done it.

This may not go down in history as one of the author's masterpieces, but it demonstrates that he is still a master of the genre and a great craftsman at generating gripping fiction.

Overall, The Outsider was a thrilling experience. It isn't as good as Misery, 11-23-63, The Stand, IT, and other similar masterpieces.

However, you can't expect an artist's next book or film to be as good as or better than his or her past work. This is a novel that Stephen King lovers will like. It's well worth your time to read.

Synopsis:

“Now an HBO limited series starring Ben Mendelsohn!​

Evil has many faces…maybe even yours in this #1 New York Times bestseller from master storyteller Stephen King.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is discovered in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens—Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon have DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.

As the investigation expands and horrifying details begin to emerge, King’s story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.”

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Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Cujo Review

Cujo

Published: 8, September 1981

Author: Stephen King

Genres: American, Animals, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychological, Rural, Small Town, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:

Cujo Summary

The Review:

Stephen King's novel Cujo was partially inspired by a visit to a mechanic in the spring of 1977. Author recalls how problems with his motorbike led him to an auto shop on the outskirts of Bridgton, Maine, in an interview. When he got to the shop, his motorcycle died, and a Saint Bernard appeared from the garage, barking at him and clawing for his hand.

Despite the fact that the mechanic used a wrench to stop the dog from injuring Stephen King, he was nevertheless terrified by the experience. This occurrence, as well as a tale of a little kid mauled by a Saint Bernard that appeared in a Portland, Maine newspaper, served as inspiration for the novel.

At the time, the author also owned a faulty Ford Pinto, the same car model that the novel's heroine, Donna Trenton, brings to the mechanical workshop where she meets the rabid Cujo.

If you've never seen the movie or read the book, the first thing you'll notice when you start reading this book is that you get a true sense of why Cujo went insane and attacked humans.

Cujo turned virtually mad after contracting rabies, according to the book. Furthermore, the author does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in Cujo's psyche, since the dog's hazy thoughts are occasionally conveyed, which was a real joy for me.

The location and subplots were well-done, and the novel didn't feel out of date. In fact, a book like this would be better placed in the 1980s, when people couldn't use their mobile phones or send text messages when they were in danger or needed assistance.

That adds to the suspense because it reduces things to the bare fundamentals with a level playing field, as desperate situations pit man against the dog, or woman against the dog, with no technology to intervene.

There are lots of other sidetracks in the plot that don't include Cujo; it's not simply a dog following humans for 400 pages, but Cujo is definitely the straw that breaks the camel's back. Overall, no dog has ever been more stunning on paper or on-screen than Cujo, which is why the title will always be remembered.

Because I am an animal lover who does not want to watch animals being hurt, I did not consider this a fantastic book at first, but the book and writing are excellent, as one would expect from Stephen King, but what made me unhappy was Cujo's condition.

To solve this problem, I decided that Cujo was not a dog, but rather a monster that needed to be exterminated, thus I enjoyed it as a creature feature. If you've read any of his other books, you should give this one a go.

This novel really exceeded my expectations. I heard it was about a rabid dog, but I was expecting a straightforward horror story. I wasn't expecting such a diverse cast of individuals or a complicated narrative.

I liked how realistic the characters were. The youngster afraid of creatures in his closet, the pair dealing with marital issues, the lovelorn lover, and the mother desiring a better life for her son were all touching and relatable.

I was concerned for every one of them. I even felt sad for the tenacious, dominating, and abusive dad, which, made me think, what a fantastic work of literature, if I can feel sorry for a man like that, and it was because he wasn't completely black and white.

Although he was a darker shade of gray than the story's protagonists, there was still plenty about him that I could relate to. I didn't feel sorry for the lovelorn, fanatical lover, the sort that goes off the handle and throws a terrifying big boy attitude when he doesn't get what he desires, but I can say I've known individuals like him.

All of the characters were genuine people. The dog's character was also well-written. I haven't read any other stories with such well-written pets. Call of the Wild was one of the first books I read, and the dogs in that novel felt far too human.

I don't know what it's like to be a dog, but I thought this dog character to be convincing. The finale was gloomier than I had anticipated or desired, but it was not unsatisfying.

Cujo reminds me of a period when Stephen King's writing was more free-form when unfettered masterpieces like Firestarter and The Stand were still new on bookstore shelves.

Cujo represents a period in my life when the author would place pedestrian characters in exceptional situations and leave them to figure things out on their own. It's less delicate than Lisey's Story and Duma Key, but it's more dynamic. And you constantly have the feeling that anything may, and probably will happen. That's what makes Cujo so special.

Final Thoughts:

I'm telling a story based on one of my own nightmares. I had several dreams as a child of being attacked by dogs and other creatures, and they always attacked the side of my neck, and I always woke up at that point. But as I grew older, I began to dislodge these creatures' jaws like Tarzan. I'm sure I didn't have these nightmares because of reading/watching Cujo, but this story reminded me of them.

The supernatural component is almost entirely absent, leaving the reader to question whether this is merely a consequence of rabies or something even more malevolent. Regardless, the shocks and thrills are constant.

I like Stephen King's sympathy for Cujo; the dog has moments when he realizes something is wrong with him but is perplexed by his ailment. This story will not disappoint; strange circumstances leave a mother and boy alone on a lonely property with the dog.

Cujo is a Stephen King novel about a well-mannered St. Bernard that goes rabid after being bitten by a Rabies Positive bat and terrorizes the quiet town of Castle Rock, Maine.

The author creates a terrifying creature that becomes the standard representation for all violent and horrific creatures to follow. I couldn't put the book down because I couldn't wait to know what happened next, who would be the next victim, and whether they would survive the meeting with the ferocious creature.

The reader will be completely enthralled by this page-turner. If you haven't already read it, I highly encourage you to do so since it is an old classic for the times we live in.

Synopsis:

“The #1 New York Times bestseller, Cujo “hits the jugular” (The New York Times) with the story of a friendly Saint Bernard that is bitten by a bat. Get ready to meet the most hideous menace ever to terrorize the town of Castle Rock, Maine.

Outside a peaceful town in central Maine, a monster is waiting. Cujo is a two-hundred-pound Saint Bernard, the best friend Brett Camber has ever had. One day, Cujo chases a rabbit into a cave inhabited by sick bats and emerges as something new altogether.

Meanwhile, Vic and Donna Trenton, and their young son Tad, move to Maine. They are seeking peace and quiet, but life in this small town is not what it seems. As Tad tries to fend off the terror that comes to him at night from his bedroom closet, and as Vic and Donna face their own nightmare of a marriage on the rocks, there is no way they can know that a monster, infinitely sinister, waits in the daylight.

What happens to Cujo, how he becomes a horrifying vortex inescapably drawing in all the people around him, makes for one of the most heart-stopping novels Stephen King has ever written. “A genuine page-turner that grabs you and holds you and won’t let go” (Chattanooga Times), Cujo will forever change how you view man’s best friend.”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

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Cujo (1983) (R)

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