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Joyland Review

Stephen King, Anthologies, coming of age, Fiction, Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Historical, Horror, Murder, Mystery

Joyland

Published: 4, June 2013
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Anthologies, Coming Of Age, Fiction, Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Historical, Horror, Murder, Mystery

Check the summary of this book here:
Joyland Summary


The Review

Stephen King's novel Joyland was originally published by Hard Case Crime. Following The Colorado Kid, it is Stephen King's second novel for the label. The initial edition was exclusively available in paperback, with cover art by Robert McGinnis and Glen Orbik. A week later, a limited hardback version was released. The novel was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original in 2014.

This narrative takes place in 1973 and is mostly set at Joyland, a small amusement park. We get to spend the summer with Devin, a 21-year-old who works at Joyland. Devin has a broken heart after being dumped by his college sweetheart, but he dives headfirst into his new career. 

I like how we get to see so many different sections of the park because Devin seems to work everywhere.

This book's characters were wonderful. I enjoyed getting to know Devin, and at the conclusion of the book, I felt like I knew him well. 

This book's narration approach is as if Devin were telling us a story years after these events occurred, and he would wander and move forward a little at points. This manner, in my opinion, made the narrative feel more natural and added a lot of appeal to it. 

Devin's park friends, coworkers, a small kid, and his mother all played key parts in this novel, and I believe Stephen King did an excellent job of pulling each of them to reality.

The tale moved slowly at the opening, with the first half of the novel focusing on character development. The pace quickened in the second part of the novel, and I was eager to know more about the girl who had been slain in the park years before. 

I believed I'd figured out the puzzle, only to discover that I was completely wrong. Devin and Mike's bond, I believed, brought a lot to the plot. 

In this shorter composition, a lot of diverse parts came together to produce a very fantastic tale.

This isn't your standard Stephen King novel with an unusual conclusion. I wish he'd continue to publish books like this. 

There was a supernatural aspect weaved in, after all, it's Stephen King, but it's more of a narrative of a 21-year-old man getting over his first heartache, meeting friends for life, occurrences that would alter him, and a mystery. 

This book took me two and a half days to finish. There were a few elements that were out of date, but we can overlook them, such as the minimum salaries of the period we're reading about and the fact that no amusement park in the south would have a no-smoking policy in those days, but then again, it's Stephen King's novel. 

So anything is possible, and he can construct and tell us a reason, or maybe it was about an alternate reality that he didn't reveal so he can reconnect it in another novel or series, similar to how we met and discovered other people from his many novels in the Dark Tower series.

It's a bit misleading to include this under the "Hard Case Crime" series because there's no genuine hard crime in this. Other volumes in the series have a more noir feel to them, but this one is more of a coming of age narrative. 

It reminds me of "Adventureland" or "The Way, Way Back" because it takes place in an amusement park. 

Basically, a youngster graduates from high school and spends the summer working at Joyland, a North Carolina amusement park. Along the way, he falls in love, as one would expect from a heartbroken person, and learns about love and other things.

Because it's Stephen King, there's a ghost, as well as psychic skills, or something from The Shining, to put it another way. 

The majority of the narrative is quite well-written. The scene where the girl in the red hat chokes on a hot dog hit me like a punch in the stomach personally.

Despite the fact that this novel contains murder, I felt it to be the weakest component of the story. 

Nonetheless, it is an excellent book in general. More like Stephen King's "The Green Mile" or Richard Bachman's horror tales than "The Stand" or "It." As a result, don't expect a horror narrative. 

A little note for readers who are unaware, Stephen King and Richard Bachman are the same person.

There is no need to read any reviews and simply buy the books since Stephen King is reliable and dependable! 

If you're a fan and a voracious reader, you already know what to anticipate from a Stephen King book. If you haven't read any Stephen King novel before, this is a fantastic place to start. 

The park's staff are a mix of intriguing locals, summer temp workers like the main character, and veteran carnies. 

Throw in an unsolved crime from years ago, and you're in for a treat. It's a quick book that entertains and leaves you, like most vacations do, feeling satisfied yet a bit melancholy that it's over.


Final Thoughts

Stephen King has always been one of the greatest at placing me right in the heart of the plot, out of all the authors I've read through the years, and there have been many, both authors and years.

I can see, feel, and recall precisely how it was, whether it's a cool fall day or the last day of school, right before the bell rings for summer vacation. I'm at a loss for words. He simply seems to get it perfect every time. 

As summer draws to a close, the beach takes on a new look. The novel takes place in this kind of setting, and anybody who has spent a summer or falls near a beach will know the experience of the seasons changing.

This is Stephen King at his best once more. The characters in this narrative entice you to keep reading.

I've never read another author who is so good at creating realistic characters. This is a simple, unpretentious story with no frills or gimmicks, just superb writing! 

And while the premise is excellent, it is the personalities that catch and hold your attention.

While this novel has supernatural themes, it is not a horror story. In many respects, it's a detective narrative, but it's also a coming-of-age story.

This is a book that I would suggest to others. I felt this was a well-written narrative with engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a hint of the weird.


Synopsis

“Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

"I love crime, I love mysteries, and I love ghosts. That combo made Hard Case Crime the perfect venue for this book, which is one of my favorites. I also loved the paperbacks I grew up with as a kid, and for that reason, we’re going to hold off on e-publishing this one for the time being. Joyland will be coming out in paperback, and folks who want to read it will have to buy the actual book." –Stephen King”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Age Story, Amusement Park, Case Crime, Character Development, Coming Of Age, Devin Jones, Hard Case, Highly Recommend, King At His Best, North Carolina, Quick Read, Really Enjoyed, Well Written


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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 Colorado Kid Review

Stephen King, Crime, Detective, Fiction, Hard-Boiled, Horror, Literature, Murder, Mystery, Serial Killer, Suspense, Teen, Thriller, Women’s

The Colorado Kid

Published: 4, October 2005
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Crime, Detective, Fiction, Hard-Boiled, Horror, Literature, Murder, Mystery, Serial Killer, Suspense, Teen, Thriller, Women’s

Check the summary of this book here:
The Colorado Kid Summary


The Review

Stephen King's mystery thriller The Colorado Kid was released in 2005 under the Hard Case Crime label. Joyland, Stephen King's next Hard Case Crime novel, was released in June 2013. In May 2019, Hard Case Crime released The Colorado Kid in an illustrated paperback version. I had a great time reading this book. While watching the Syfy series "Haven," which is based on Stephen King's "The Colorado Kid," I became captivated by this novel.

If you read the novel first and then watch the program, there's a good possibility you'll enjoy "Haven" even more. The show's writers performed an excellent job of sifting through the labyrinth of mystery surrounding the major event of the Colorado Kid.

But fans of Syfy's Haven should be aware that the show appears to be based on this novel. That's a stretch; it'd be nice to say it's influenced by The Colorado Kid, but nothing in this book will help you comprehend the show, which is why I said you'll like it even more since the idea is there but the book isn't. That's why, unlike with other media tie-ins, I didn't offer a link to the show.

Returning to the novel, I enjoy Stephen King's writing style as always, and I appreciate his explanations to the readers about the plot.

And I understand. I loved the metaphor at the conclusion of the narrative because it served as a sort of resolution to the continuous mystery, which, I believe, is similar to daily existence. There are certain things in life that we cannot understand or for which we have no solutions, yet we face them every day.

This is a novella based on one of Stephen King's short works. Unlike much of his work, there are no overt supernatural elements, yet the supernatural may be involved because it was written by the master, and you may discover after a few years in another novel that something otherworldly triggered the events in this book.

The location of The Colorado Kid appealed to me the most: a little community on a Maine seaside island. The artistry of the author's portrayals is stunning. 

His three central characters, two senior newspapermen and their young female aide are likable and convincing. This is a tale that will linger in your mind for a long time.

The author did not tell the readers what they should believe; instead, he left the mystery to the reader's imagination. And it was fantastic! I wish there were more novels written like this. This is the sort of book I could read every day.

Author masterfully constructs a framework tale around a wholly "told" mystery storyline - we never see any of the persons engaged in the mystery, and the entire story is "told" to a young female Midwestern acquaintance by two old men who are involved in journalism.

The ultimate brilliance of Stephen King's presentation is in enthralling us with the "mystery" that the old men have with the young lady in order to pique and maintain our interest in the three "real-time" characters, which he depicts extremely neatly and efficiently.

Stephen King's treatment of "voice," particularly in his depiction of Downeast accent, is outstanding.

Most writers would tell you that dialect is treacherous ground, and Stephen King discusses it in "On Writing" - attempting to express any lengthy piece in an authentic representation of any regional or ethnic accent almost dooms the conversation.

But Stephen King manages to suggest to the reader how these characters sound, then appropriately and cautiously strengthens it with irregular linguistic recreations, and the spell is done - every time Vince and Dave speak, I hear the down Maine twang as clearly as if I were listening to them myself, somewhere up down? The coast, perhaps near Wiscasset.

Normally, I despise open-ended books or those that finish on a cliffhanger, but I really like this one.

I appreciate the way the author constructs his novels, with such rich characters and details that immerse you in the setting and make you feel as if you are sitting right there listening to the dialogue.

This narrative was refreshing to me because it dared to tell a story without neatly tying up the ends, addressing all the questions, and then using that story to make a point and define the two forms of storytelling.


Final Thoughts

I don't think this is a spoiler, but rather open information to readers who read this novel and didn't comprehend it or the open-ended conclusion that wasn't really an ending but a beginning, so everyone has to realize that the tale is not about the Colorado Kid.

It's about a young lady, Stephanie, coming to accept the town and, in turn, the community accepting her.

The Colorado Kid is a deception. The Colorado Kid is the mechanism employed to convey Vince and Dave's acceptance, and Stephanie embraces it as she accepts her new role as a "townie."

If the readers understand what I'm saying, they will not feel tricked at the conclusion of the story and will instead feel and think about life and the metaphors the author employs to make us view the world in new ways.

The mystery is interesting, and the ending is a double-edged sword in that to comprehend it, you must first comprehend life or be a philosopher, as this is how life frequently works.

If you're seeking for a great example of Stephen King's narrative abilities, his talent for establishing personalities, and his unmistakable style of narration and scenario setting, go no further. As Vince, Stephanie, and Dave alternately exclaim, school is in session.

This is not a traditional mystery narrative, despite the fact that it is about a mystery. The author makes it clear right away.

This is just a heads up. Yes, there is some form of a victim. And there's no denying that there's a puzzle to be solved.

However, there are no suspects, minimal action, no hard-boiled by the book flatfoots, no down-on-his-luck private eye looking for atonement, and no femme fatale.

There is a fantastic story here. One that, as Vince points out, isn't perfect. If you're looking for a classic mystery, try an Agatha Christie or a grim Dashiell Hammett. This isn't one of those tales. However, it is a story definitely worth reading.


Synopsis

“On an island off the coast of Maine, a man is found dead. There's no identification on the body. Only the dogged work of a pair of local newspapermen and a graduate student in forensics turns up any clues.

But that's just the beginning of the mystery. Because the more they learn about the man and the baffling circumstances of his death, the less they understand. Was it an impossible crime? Or something stranger still...?

No one but Stephen King could tell this story about the darkness at the heart of the unknown and our compulsion to investigate the unexplained. With echoes of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon and the work of Graham Greene, one of the world's great storytellers presents a surprising tale that explores the nature of mystery itself...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Case Crime, Coast Of Maine, Colorado Kid, Found Dead, Hard Case, Loosely Based, Man Found, Pulp Fiction, Real Life, Short Story, Small Town, Vince And Dave, Waste Of Time, Weekly Islander


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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 Green Mile Review

The Green Mile

Published: 28, March 1996 – 29, August 1996
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Fiction, Ghost, Literature, Media Tie-In, Occult, Psychic, Rural, Small Town, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
The Green Mile Summary


The Review

Stephen King's serial novel The Green Mile was published in 1996. It relates the narrative of Paul Edgecombe, a death row supervisor who meets John Coffey, an exceptional convict with unexplainable healing and empathy powers. Before being reissued as a single book, the serial novel was initially published in six volumes. The novel exemplifies magical realism.

I feel this is one of Stephen King's greatest novels; it is among my top few favorite books of all time (the ones you can't put on a list of top fives or tens since they transcend beyond any list,) and I don't care what anyone thinks whether I award it a trillion points or recommend it to everyone.

I had the idea that I was reading about a man who may be "Jesus," but it was just my imagination; perhaps the author did it on purpose and is mocking the readers who missed the "Gift of God" link.

Perhaps I feel this way about the book because of the late great Michael Clarke Duncan's performance and the way the film tugged at my heartstrings, but it wasn't just him; almost everyone in this movie was excellent.

If you've watched the Oscar-winning film starring Tom Hanks, you already know what to anticipate from this book. That's not to suggest you shouldn't read it because you're afraid it'll be obsolete.

In fact, I would really recommend watching the movie before reading the book. The film virtually exactly recreates the text, with the exception of a few small omissions, and cites most of the dialogue verbatim.

I recommend watching the movie first because if you read the book, you'll find yourself picturing each of the characters as the actor who played them in the movie.

Each actor was perfect for the role as described in "The Green Mile," thus anyone who has problems putting words into a face and accent would benefit greatly from the film.

A word of caution, though: while 3/4s of the novel is virtually wonderfully translated to the cinema, the movie takes out many passages from later in the book and alters the finale significantly for the better.

Without a doubt, the book's concluding scenes are terrific, but they lack emotional power compared to the film.

This novel is a fascinating read since it is structured as a collection of virtually short stories that are linked by similar characters and themes.

It's now time to talk openly about the movie and the book. Yes, the characters in the film were complex, and the performers were excellent, making you want to read the book even more, but they pale in contrast to those formed by Stephen King in the novel.

It's almost as if you're reading a separate version of the story: virtually the same, yet different enough to be a whole other journey. However, both are excellent and complement each other nicely in many aspects.

If you've watched the movie, that's pretty much the outline of the novel, even if it's similar to what I described before in the first few paragraphs; however, the novel covers a great deal of the narrative behind the characters, such as What was Del's crime? What happened to Percy after he went insane and was removed?

The Green Mile is a difficult book to put down! You'll be fascinated from the first page, and you'll quickly discover the pages won't stop turning. You'll be left wondering where the time has gone since you won't be able to put the book down once you start reading.

This is by far the most character-driven story I've read in a long time. Paul comes out as an enlightened individual who has witnessed a miracle, but John comes across as a miracle himself.

Character growth drives this work, and it does so without veering off course. The Green Mile also has a stunning, yet thought-provoking, life epiphany.

If the characters aren't enough to make you want to read this novel, the reveal will. The book's delivery is equally as superb. Written in the first person, Stephen King does more than introduce us to Paul; he befriends us as he tells his narrative.

The Green Mile is a fascinating and entertaining book with a surprising and inspirational finale.

I bought the six mini books for my brother since he liked the movie as much as I did, and then I bought the complete bundle when the series was released as a single book.

Unfortunately, my brother is no longer interested in reading since he is too focused on his work, so I kept the six-book set for myself and hopefully for my nephew in the hopes that when and if he is interested in reading like me, I will be able to share these books with him.

I buy every copy of every book produced by every one of my favorite authors. I have everything from an Audiobook to hardcover to paperback.

This way, I feel like I'm assisting and supporting the authors in creating even more amazing stories for me and future generations without having to worry about money, and I hope that all of the readers may do the same.


Final Thoughts

Stephen King, in my opinion, is a genius with The Green Mile. This work, first released as a six-part serial in 1996, is his masterpiece.

The author's writing is clean, compelling, and insightful, as he tells the story of a group of inmates and their keepers on a death penalty block, the Green Mile, in depression era Mississippi; through the personal memories of Paul Edgecombe, in charge of overseeing the Mile.

Stephen King's enchanting storytelling brings to mind the full spectrum of possible emotional experiences, as we are told the intertwining stories of Paul, John Coffey, Brutal, Dean, Harry, Janice Edgecombe, Delacroix, Percy, Wild Bill Wharton, and Hal and Melinda Moores.

All of them are brought to life by Stephen King, who makes them credible and all too human—people interacting in a tough and unpleasant setting.

The Green Mile is a moving and melancholy narrative written by a gifted author. It isn't just his finest work; it's one of the best books out there.

Typically, readers identify Stephen King with horrors such as Christine, The Shining, The Dark Half, and a slew of others.

That said, I don't think this belongs in the horror genre; it's almost as if Hitchcock's psychological horror/thriller genre was put to paper.

Author's work is a fantastic example of creative storytelling, with flashbacks smoothly blending into the present and linking characters and storyline together. A fantastic read!


Synopsis

“Masterfully told and as suspenseful as it is haunting, The Green Mile is Stephen King’s classic #1 New York Times bestselling dramatic serial novel and inspiration for the Oscar-nominated film starring Tom Hanks.

Welcome to Cold Mountain Penitentiary, home to the Depression-worn men of E Block. Convicted killers all, each awaits his turn to walk “the Green Mile,” the lime-colored linoleum corridor leading to a final meeting with Old Sparky, Cold Mountain’s electric chair. Prison guard Paul Edgecombe has seen his share of oddities over the years working the Mile, but he’s never seen anything like John Coffey—a man with the body of a giant and the mind of a child, condemned for a crime terrifying in its violence and shocking in its depravity. And in this place of ultimate retribution, Edgecombe is about to discover the terrible, wondrous truth about John Coffey—a truth that will challenge his most cherished beliefs…”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Barry Pepper, Bonnie Hunt, Cold Mountain, David Morse, David Valdes, Death Row, Doug Hutchison, Electric Chair, Ever Read, Frank Darabont, Graham Greene, Harry Dean Stanton, James Cromwell, Jeffrey Demunn, John Coffey, King At His Best, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Jeter, Mountain Penitentiary, Patricia Clarkson, Paul Edgecombe, Sam Rockwell, Shawshank Redemption, Tom Hanks


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

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

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

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