https://discord.com/invite/eTZuVZXycX https://www.facebook.com/Book.Reviews.by.Namsu https://www.instagram.com/namsu_corp https://www.pinterest.com/namsucorps https://www.reddit.com/r/Book_Reviews_by_Namsu https://alltop.com/my/Namsu https://twitter.com/NamsuCorp https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pSnAi4ji3dx8HWMpHmYBQ

Misery Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literary, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychological, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Misery

Published: 8, June 1987
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Drama, Fiction, Horror, Literary, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychological, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's novel Misery is a psychological horror thriller. The title of the novel has two meanings: it is the name of the major heroine in Paul's book series, and Stephen King described such an emotional condition when writing the novel. The plot of the story revolves around the relationship of its two major characters, romance author Paul Sheldon and his insane admirer Annie Wilkes. When Paul is gravely injured in a vehicle accident, Annie transports him to her house, where he receives care and pain medicine. Paul understands he is a prisoner and is obliged to cater to his captor's desires.

Misery received the first Bram Stoker Award for Novel in 1987 and was nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1988. 

The story parallels Stephen King's own life as well as the study of celebrity and fan relationships. 

The novel, which debuted at number four on the New York Times bestseller list in 1987, was turned into a film directed by Rob Reiner in 1990 and a theatrical play starring Laurie Metcalf and Bruce Willis in 2015.

In his memoirs, Stephen King described the origin of Misery, claiming that the vision of Annie Wilkes came to him in a dream. 

The novel was supposed to be published under the alias Richard Bachman, but Stephen King's identity was uncovered before the book was published.

I've noticed Stephen King has a habit of creating a lot of his fictionalized works based on personal experience, and Misery appears to follow the trend. 

On TV, I was watching a biography about his life and career as an author. It was said that frenzied followers of his had a habit of bursting into his house, even while his wife Tabitha was alone. 

This prompted him to construct a fence around his Maine property so that admirers would not overstep their bounds. This, I believe, is where he got the concept for this novel.

If you've watched the film starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, you'll be familiar with some of the horrors that Paul Sheldon suffers while being kept hostage at a remote site in Colorado following an almost deadly automobile accident. 

However, the novel and which is true more often than not provides far more than the film. In the film, Annie Wilkes conducts a procedure on Paul known as "hobbling." She takes a small piece of wood, a sledgehammer, and... Well, if you know what happens, don't say anything, and I won't ruin the surprise either. However, those who have seen the film will tell you that it is far worse than what is depicted on screen if you can imagine that. 

Stephen King is unrivaled when it comes to characterization and steadily building tension. As cruel as Annie Wilkes is, the author has a strange ability to make the reader sympathize with Paul's tormentor, albeit only slightly. Annie appears to be a real person, not just a cardboard cutout thrown on the page for our entertainment, so I suppose that's true. 

While reading the book, I could picture Kathy Bates' face and hear her voice, which added to my enjoyment. Kathy Bates also won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in 1990. 

One of the things I like about Stephen King's writings is how complex and interconnected his fictional universe of inhabitants is, and you never know what reference will be thrown in at random that will make you smile, and in many cases laugh out loud, and in this book, I smiled at something that was said about an old hotel called the Overlook, which, if you are a Stephen King fan and have read all of his books, you will recognize as the Overlook from The Shining.

The author is at his finest in this work. Here's a horror and torture story that may be occurring right next door. Instead of clowns, vampires, and superheroes wreaking havoc on a tiny town, a crazed lady wreaks havoc on a man's body and psyche. 

It's violent, disturbing, and unsettling since there are no supernatural components that allow the reader to console oneself by repeating, "It's just a ghost story! Or it is supernatural! 

Annie Wilkes may be following your every move, waiting for you to slide on a sheet of ice in your driveway so she can scoop you up and nurse you back to health. 

I don't dislike Stephen King's more creature-feature novels; I enjoy them. But, in the end, humans disturb me more than ghosts and goblins, and Annie Wilkes is one monster of a person.

In terms of film vs. novel debates, I try to avoid them and embrace both pieces for what they are. In this situation, if you've watched the film a dozen times and believe there won't be any shocks in the novel, you'd be wrong. 

There are just enough variances to make the novel feel as fresh as seeing the film for the first time. You also get the added benefit of Katy Bates' insane face gazing up at you from the pages below.

To summarize my straightforward response to this discussion, I believe that novels are nearly always superior to film adaptations.

This film was not as faithful to the text as one may assume. There are a lot of things taken out of the film that were in the book, and the crazy woman is a lot meaner and a pure sadist in the novel, but it was still a fantastic film. 

Pick up this gem and give it a go if you want my recommendation. And I am confident that after reading this book, you will never drive under the influence of alcohol in a blizzard.


Final Thoughts

This is a Stephen King classic in every sense of the word. Hopefully, you haven't seen the movie, so Kathy Bates isn't playing in your head as you read this book...it unfolds in Stephen King's typical style, with his fully realized narrative structure that drives the reader to an awakening that shifts your point of view on, well, everything that you've known up to this point, before jumping straight to the climax that only he could create. 

If you haven't read it yet and haven't seen the movie, it's far preferable to start with the book and then see the movie, as it will truly blow your mind.

I was going to give 95 points because of some stuff written by Paul Sheldon in the book (in the book) on Annie Wilkes' "request" and how ridiculous it felt, but then I realized the genius of Stephen King behind those lines because those aren't lines from Stephen King or Paul Sheldon, they're actually a request from a crazed fan with a crazed mind, so I changed the points to 100%, and the same goes for recommendations.


Synopsis

“The #1 New York Times bestseller about a famous novelist held hostage in a remote location by his “number one fan.” One of “Stephen King’s best…genuinely scary” (USA TODAY).

Bestselling novelist Paul Sheldon thinks he’s finally free of Misery Chastain. In a controversial career move, he’s just killed off the popular protagonist of his beloved romance series in favor of expanding his creative horizons. But such a change doesn’t come without consequences. After a near-fatal car accident in rural Colorado leaves his body broken, Paul finds himself at the mercy of the terrifying rescuer who’s nursing him back to health—his self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Annie is very upset over what Paul did to Misery and demands that he find a way to bring her back by writing a new novel—his best yet, and one that’s all for her. After all, Paul has all the time in the world to do so as a prisoner in her isolated house...and Annie has some very persuasive and violent methods to get exactly what she wants...

“King at his best…a winner!” —The New York Times
“Unadulteratedly terrifying…frightening.” —Publishers Weekly
“Classic King…full of twists and turns and mounting suspense.” —The Boston Globe”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Andrew Scheinman, Annie Wilkes, Car Accident, Edge Of Your Seat, Ever Read, Fast Cars, Frances Sternhagen, Highly Recommend, James Caan, Jeffrey Stott, Kathy Bates, King At His Best, King Book, Misery Chastain, Number One Fan, Paul Sheldon, Richard Farnsworth, Rob Reiner, Steve Nicolaides


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:

Carrie Review

Stephen King, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Occult, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

Carrie

Published: 5, April 1974
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Occult, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's Carrie is a gothic horror novel. It was his first novel to be published, with an initial print run of 30,000 copies. Set mostly in the then-future year of 1979, it centers around the title character Carrie White, a high school student who has no friends and is harassed and comes from an abusive religious family, who utilizes her newly acquired telekinetic skills to seek revenge on those who abuse her. In the process, she creates one of the town's biggest local disasters in its history.

Much of the novel is told through newspaper clippings, magazine articles, letters, and book excerpts about how Carrie ruined the imaginary town of Chamberlain, Maine, while getting revenge on her abusive classmates and her own mother, Margaret.

I'm freely discussing the tale because I don't think I'm ruining it by telling readers what the novel is about because the major beauty of this book is what and how stuff happens on the pages, which I'm not revealing.

Stephen King has stated that the piece is "raw and with a startling capacity to hurt and horrify."

Because of its brutality, swearing, underage sex, and poor perspective of religion, Carrie was one of the most often banned books in US schools in the 1990s.

I'm only including the link to the 1976 film version of Carrie since it's considered a landmark in the horror genre and one of the greatest cinematic adaptations of a Stephen King novel.

However, you may still view the others by following the same link and then scrolling down the page that loads. However, I strongly advise you to watch this version first before proceeding to any other version.

I've seen other adaptations and think this one is the closest to the book, and others aren't quite as good. Check out the link towards the bottom of the page for all additional important links to Stephen King's works and other film adaptations.

This may sound like an after-school special drama, but there is a mystery x element at work. Carrie has the capacity to manipulate items with her mind thanks to her telekinetic abilities.

She also appears to have some psychic abilities. As the story proceeds, her abilities get stronger and stronger. She also does a lot of practice to discover what she is capable of. 

Meanwhile, Carrie's school's bully leader, Christine Hargensen, is planning a terrible prom night prank for her.

A must-read for everyone who has ever been selected last in gym class, given a wedgie, been the object of a cruel and terrifying group joke, or just been tortured. 

It's awful every time Carrie's situation improves for a few hours just to have the rug pulled out from under her once more. 

You want her to have a chance, and it made my blood boil again and again because I wished I could assist her if she were a real person, as I had done with many other tormented children. 

Yes, I admit openly that in my school and college days, and even after that, I was the bully of bullies. I never hurt or bullied anyone, but if I found or saw a bully doing the bully thing, or found out that someone was being bullied, I was there to bully the bully, which is why I was respected and loved by everyone and feared by the bullies. 

My main goal was always to show the troubled kids that bullies are just cowards who take advantage of the system. In many locations, I was effective in inspiring bullied youngsters to be strong and fight back until the bullies stopped. 

I realize this is a book review, but the theme is bullies and what they do to damage an innocent mind, which is why there are so many school shootings these days. 

I wish I could assist all of the bullied individuals, and I urge everyone reading these words to be strong and stand up for one another, otherwise, the bullies will never stop. 

Just consider the worst-case scenario if you stand up for yourself and others. You will be expelled from school, sent to detention, or given a note for your parents; think about what happens when you complain about a bully: is he punished? No, nothing happens, so what's the big deal if you fight back? Consider the constant beatings, harassments, and embarrassments...what difference does it make if you get a few more punches? Simply be brave.

I think everyone understands what I'm saying, so let's get back to the review...

I try not to discuss religion because it is a personal matter that must be kept private for everyone. But there is something related to this subject in this novel, and it is a big part of what happens to Carrie. 

Carrie possessed the beaten-down; just get it over with the attitude of many people born into religious fundamentalist families. For someone with a fragile and innocent mind, it can be a very toxic environment. 

It is never religion that causes harm to people; rather, it is people who abuse religion and its teachings in order to harm others. Carrie's family was unquestionably fundamentalist as well as toxic. Despite the fact that she was left with only her mother.

Carrie may have been a completely normal child if her mother hadn't been terrible, causing her to be strange and picked on by other children. 

Carrie's abnormality, young girls' unbelievable brutality, and a boy's cruel and horrible behaviors are just a few of the factors that combine to turn everyone into a monstrosity. 

It's not quite horror for me; it's more Young Adult, thriller, and true retribution, but I thoroughly loved it.

Stephen King does an excellent job, especially for a first novel. He perfectly captures the plight of the bullied teen and the casual cruelty of youth. As a reader, I was struck by how well both male and female perspectives depicted bullying and meanness.

Final Thoughts

The book is a strong narrative of bullying in schools. Children may be vicious, as the reader will discover throughout the novel. 

Even today, as authorities strive to put a halt to cyberbullying, the message rings true. This is an absolute must-read for people of all age groups. 

Even though I feel it is not acceptable for children due to specific content that is only fit for adults, but it is vital to teach our children not to bully others and to confront and expose the bully if they are bullied.

The narrative as a whole is fantastic. Something the author excels at is combining the supernatural with human wickedness, and this story is heavy on the latter. 

While reading, you sense Carrie's agony and attempt to imagine what she is going through. Stephen King's trademark ability to write a wonderful narrative is all over this one, with settings, people, situations, and a finale that neatly ties everything together for a genuinely unforgettable read.

It's a true page-turner that's impossible to put down once you've started. The random extracts from newspapers, court hearings, and remarks about what happened to Carrie and her classmates make it feel so genuine as you read. 

Carrie is certainly one of Stephen King's best novels, and I'd suggest it to everyone who enjoys a good horror thriller.


Synopsis

“Stephen King's legendary debut, the bestselling smash hit that put him on the map as one of America's favorite writers

"Gory and horrifying. . . . You can't put it down." —Chicago Tribune

Unpopular at school and subjected to her mother's religious fanaticism at home, Carrie White does not have it easy. But while she may be picked on by her classmates, she has a gift she's kept secret since she was a little girl: she can move things with her mind. Doors lock. Candles fall. Her ability has been both a power and a problem. And when she finds herself the recipient of a sudden act of kindness, Carrie feels like she's finally been given a chance to be normal. She hopes that the nightmare of her classmates' vicious taunts is over . . . but an unexpected and cruel prank turns her gift into a weapon of horror so destructive that the town may never recover.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Amy Irving, Angela Bettis, Brian Depalm, Chloe Grace Moretz, David Carson, Even Though, Gabriella Wilde, High School, John Travolta, Julianne Moore, Kim Peirce, Kimberly Peirce, Margaret White, Nancy Allen, Patricia Clarkson, Pig Blood, Piper Laurie, Prom Night, Rene Sofer, Salems Lot, Sissy Spacek, Sue Snell, Tommy Ross, William Katt


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:

Firestarter Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Science Fiction, Superhero, Suspense, Supernatural, Thriller

Firestarter

Published: 29, September 1980
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Science Fiction, Superhero, Suspense, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's novel Firestarter is a science fiction horror thriller. Firestarter was nominated for the British Fantasy Award, Locus Poll Award, and Balrog Award for Best Novel in 1981. It was made into a film in 1984. Firestarter: Rekindled, a miniseries based on the film, premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel in 2002, and a remake from Blumhouse Productions is set to premiere on May 13, 2022. The original film from 1984 was a terrific film, and I'm hoping that this new adaptation will be just as excellent, if not better, than the previous one since, with modern technology, they can make the "Firestarter" bits even better.

The characters in Stephen King's books are virtually always intriguing, and Firestarter is no exception. Charlie is a fantastic young girl, and by the conclusion of the novel, I was rooting for her. Her role is little at first, but she begins to come into her own around halfway through and only improves from there. 

Andy is a genuinely nice person who clearly cares about Charlie and wants to protect her. As his past is uncovered, it becomes clear that he has continuously utilized his talents for the good of others, whereas most of us would be tempted to exploit them for our own profit. 

The antagonists are just as intriguing, with John Rainbird being particularly terrifying. He's one of the few characters in any literature or film that I despise the most.

It's a classic Stephen King novel in every way. It's a paranoid tale with interesting characters. He's always been a genius at incorporating the weather and scenery into his stories as well. 

With the addition of a flame thrower, it transforms into a work of art. The earlier legends like these are mostly warnings about the corruption of power than political assertions. 

With lifelike scene and scenario creation, flawless language, and character development, Stephen King brings the craft of writing to life, making you adore the good people and hate the evil ones. 

The three-dimensionality of this now-famous movie narrative explodes off the paper. It served as a reminder that the maestro is hard at work, creating masterpieces with every stroke of his pen or each keystroke.

If you've just seen the movie and think it's alright to skip the book, you're losing out on a lot. I thought I knew what to anticipate from seeing the movie so many times before reading this book, but I was incorrect; I adored Andy for always being such a wonderful father, and Charlie, who I believe was born into doom with her skills. 

I was outraged and angry at Rainbird, and I wanted to break every bone in his body and then let him recover so I could break his bones all over again, which is fantastic evidence of a brilliant author's writing when it makes me think about a character in his novel in such a twisted way. 

Stephen King doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves for his work. He's always engaging, writes effectively, and has fantastic character-driven narratives. Yes, some of his topics are supernatural, but once you get over that, you'll see what a brilliant writer he is and what makes excellent writing. 

I read Firestarter a long time ago and enjoyed it, and I liked it much more when I read it for this review. This is one of Stephen King's most sympathetic works, in my opinion, because the supernatural concepts aren't pushed too far. Everything is believable, and he understands how to pull you into the plot and make his characters come alive for you.

That is more than can be said for a lot of today's authors. To be honest, I think Stephen King has written some fantastic books; The Stand, Carrie, The Green Mile, Misery, and Pet Sematary are just a few of my favorites; in fact, I like everything he has written. 

The secret is to read his novels with an open mind, and you'll discover numerous hidden meanings and the truth will be revealed to you, and you'll enjoy everything he writes, as I and many other readers have. The same may be said for another great late novelist, Anne Rice; simply read her works in the same way and you'll find the cosmos concealed in her words.

I vividly remember the anguish I felt for Charlie while she was blowing things up, and how pleased I was while watching the movie since I was practically her age when I watched it, and I had no idea who Stephen King was at the time. 

However, practically all of my favorite films were adaptations of his works. I used to read a lot of novels since I was super young, but I never cared who wrote them since I was simply interested in reading whatever I could get my hands on. But when I discovered who Stephen King is, I realized I owned roughly thirty of his books and had never realized it.

The movie is essentially a synopsis of the book, and you're losing out on a lot of details that will make you love or detest the characters you're reading about, as well as a variety of other feelings. 

In a nutshell, it was a fantastic portrayal of pyrokinesis and the behind-the-scenes activities of pharmaceutical research. I really liked this book, but the movie doesn't do it credit. 

Don't worry; the movie isn't horrible; it's simply not on the same level as the novel. If you haven't seen the movie yet, read this book first. Once the new film is released, I will update this section.

As the author intended, I never liked The Shop agency personnel. Apart from the movie, the book still includes certain information that wasn't in the movie, and I was entertained and give this book a hundred percent recommendation and points.


Final Thoughts

It's a delight to read Firestarter. It's short and sweet, clocking up a little over 400 pages, and the plot flows along well. Even as it becomes more difficult to see how Charlie and Andy can have a happy ending, it's nearly impossible not to cheer for them. 

As the novel advanced, I found it to be more and more of a page-turner. Firestarter, like most of Stephen King's early work, takes a basic yet powerful premise and turns it into a fantastic story.

I suggest it to anybody searching for a gripping novel with well-developed characters, whether they are long-time Stephen King fans or newcomers.


Synopsis

“Master storyteller Stephen King presents the classic #1 New York Times bestseller—soon to be a major motion picture!

Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson were once college students looking to make some extra cash, volunteering as test subjects for an experiment orchestrated by the clandestine government organization known as The Shop. But the outcome unlocked exceptional latent psychic talents for the two of them—manifesting in even more terrifying ways when they fell in love and had a child. Their daughter, Charlie, has been gifted with the most extraordinary and uncontrollable power ever seen—pyrokinesis, the ability to create fire with her mind. Now the merciless agents of The Shop are in hot pursuit to apprehend this unexpected genetic anomaly for their own diabolical ends by any means necessary...including violent actions that may well ignite the entire world around them as Charlie retaliates with a fury of her own...”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Andy And Charlie, Andy McGee, Art Carney, Charlie McGee, David Keith, Dead Zone, Drew Barrymore, Frank Capra Jr., Freddie Jones, George C. Scott, Government Agency, Heather Locklear, John Rainbird, Kindle Version, King Novel, Known As The Shop, Little Girl, Louise Fletcher, Mark Lester, Martin Sheen, Secret Government, Years Ago, Young Girl


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Follow This Blog