The Regulators
Published: 24, September 1996
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Fantasy, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Paranormal, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Urban
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Stephen King's work The Regulators was written under the alias Richard Bachman. It was released in 1996, along with its "mirror novel," Desperation. The two novels depict parallel universes in relation to one another, with most of the people from one story appearing in the other's reality, but under different circumstances. Furthermore, when the hardcover first editions of each novel are placed side by side, they form a full painting, and on the back of each cover is a glimpse at the cover of the book on the other side.
Stephen King had already "killed off" Bachman after the alias was widely revealed around the time of the publishing of Bachman's novel Thinner in 1984. However, according to the book's jacket and a tongue-in-cheek preface by the book's editor, Bachman had written this 1996 work years before, but the manuscript had just recently been discovered in a trunk by his widow.
As always, the author provides just the right amount of tension and backstory. You only receive enough information to keep you reading.
I've seen a lot of criticism for this book, and the major reason is because of Stephen King's detractors who dislike him because of his views, as well as those who read Desperation before reading this book.
If you like the author and aren't seeking for literary greatness, just a fun fast-paced read, this is the book for you.
I really don't have any issues with this narrative, which begins on what looks to be any typical day in an Ohio suburb, except that on this day, the people awoke in the Twilight Zone, but I don't think any episode of the Twilight Zone could be as brutal or horrific.
The author describes the setting so brilliantly in this narrative that you can almost hear the chirping birds yourself. That is, until the first bullet blasts out...
Tak, in my opinion, is nothing compared to the Crimson King of the Dark Tower series or the renowned Randall Flagg from The Stand; he was simply a tiny pervert with a taste for chocolate milk and Chef Boyardee. But the destruction wrought by it made me sad and enraged.
Though Stephen King does not explicitly declare it in "The Regulators," it is linked to "The Dark Tower" in some way, as are all of his writings. Tak, the malevolent monster, speaks in the same dialect as the can-toi in "The Dark Tower."
I also feel that the Tower's appearance on that specific Earth is mentioned at the conclusion, and there's a strong suggestion that Tak originates from the same place beyond the world as Pennywise/It and the Crimson King.
In fact, the end of "The Regulators" helped me understand something that happened at the end of "The Dark Tower." I wish I had the opportunity to ask Stephen King if my assumptions about these relationships are correct!
I felt bad for everybody connected, especially the kids. However, I am conflicted about the outcome of this narrative. The way it finished makes you wonder why this narrative went on for so long.
When the reality about why toy vehicles were out to harm them was eventually exposed, the threat was easily handled. It's no surprise that a specific character only joins the other characters in the last 20% of the novel. There was no other way for this narrative to conclude than the way it did.
I previously indicated that I read Desperation before reading this book, and if you have, you should be aware of a problem. This novel will strike you as strangely familiar, and not in a good way.
I propose placing some books and time between the two to reduce your inclination to despise it right away because of the recasting of people in whole new settings, with new personalities and families.
Desperation is my favorite of the two, although it might be because I read it first. It's not that I despise this book; in fact, I adore it. The main difference for me was that I felt the characters in Desperation to be a little more realistic; they are extremely similar to characters the author has used in previous works.
The beginning was thrilling, the middle was just what a middle is, but the conclusion was thrilling as well. It was a very traditional (for Stephen King as Richard Bachman) horror story, complete with the usual (once again usual for Stephen King) gore.
However, a number of the characters were well-drawn and the type you'd like to see make it to the conclusion.
As is generally often the case, there was a twist in the end. I didn't mind that the tale rambled a little. Anyway, if you enjoy King, or in this instance Bachman, you'll probably like this.
Some of the stuff I didn't like, but I reminded myself that it is a horror novel with a monster in it, similar to IT, and I began to feel a little more at ease.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those novels if you appreciate Stephen King's writings that make you wonder where he got the idea from when you read them. It's fast-paced, gory, and you know you're reading one of his stories when you finish it.
I read this immediately after finishing "Desperation," which was an unbelievably good novel. The Regulators include some of the characters from Desperation, which I thought was a clever twist.
The first few chapters of The Regulators have you hooked and you won't be able to put it down. The plot twists, turns, and shocks are excellent.
While reading this, you were transported to an "other" universe. The author has a fantastic imagination, which he utilized to its full potential in this novel. You have the impression that you are actually on Poplar Street!!!
I like the parallel tale with the same people from Desperation as well as Tak, the same quack villain.
If you enjoy classic Stephen King stories, you'll enjoy this one. I read this after finishing Bag of Bones, and it made me melancholy. This is why I fell in love with The King.
I'm sure many people like the new King, which is also great. I like it as well, but keep the gore coming! The Regulators had enough of it, and as long as you don't take this narrative too seriously, I think you'll find it amusing, to say the least. "The Regulators" is a vivid, inventive, and nasty story.
Synopsis
“Master storyteller Stephen King presents the classic, terrifying New York Times bestseller of those caught between the surreal forces of good versus evil in a small suburban Ohio town.
“The red van rolls past…humming and glinting. …Things are happening fast now, although no one on Poplar Street realizes it yet.”
It’s a gorgeous midsummer afternoon along Poplar Street in the peaceful suburbia of Wentwort, Ohio, where life is as pleasant as you ever dreamed it could be. But that’s all about to end in blaze of gunfire and sudden violence, forever shattering the tranquility and the good times here. For the physical makeup of Poplar Street itself is now being transformed into a surreal landscape straight out of the active imagination of the innocent and vulnerable Seth Garin—an autistic boy who’s been exposed to and possessed by a horrific, otherworldly force of evil, one with sadistic and murderous intent and who is willing to use whatever means necessary to grow ever stronger.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Character Development, Dark Tower, Journal Entries, Many Characters, Pen Name, Power Rangers, Read Desperation, Takes Place, Years Ago
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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