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Roadwork Review

Stephen King, American, Crime, Fiction, Literature, Psychological, Rural, Small Town, Teen, Thriller, Young Adult

Roadwork

Published: March 1981
Genre: American, Crime, Fiction, Literature, Psychological, Rural, Small Town, Teen, Thriller, Young Adult

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's thriller novel Roadwork was published as a paperback original under the pen name Richard Bachman. It was included in the hardback omnibus The Bachman Books in 1985.

This was written when Stephen King felt he'd be able to get away with writing stories under the pseudonym Richard Bachman for the time being. Now that we know it's Stephen King, it's amazing to note how different the writing is when he's not being Stephen King.

The original Bachman books all deal with guys breaking up and fighting back against the system, while the details differ from one book to the next. This one is about a man who loses his house, his wife, and his job, as well as the subsequent downward spiral. 

It's a decent read for followers of the author; however, horror lovers may be disappointed. Those who aren't lovers of the author may like the book's unique style and subject matter.

In 1972–1974, the narrative takes place in an undisclosed Midwestern city. A father, bereaved by the loss of his son and the collapse of his marriage, is pushed to mental instability when he hears that both his house and employment will be destroyed to make way for an interstate highway extension.

In August 2019, a cinematic version of the novel was announced, with Pablo Trapero as director, Andy Muschietti the director of It and It Chapter Two, and Barbara Muschietti as producer.

With this narrative about a guy fighting his own personal demons, the author strayed from his customary genre.

The novel represents a significant shift for the author. It's possible that it's one of his lesser-known pieces. There are better Stephen King books out there. But don't overlook this opportunity. It's got Bachman written all over it, which isn't a terrible thing.

We currently live in a time where everyone wants what they want right now and isn't willing to wait for it. The author could have made this a short novella, according to several reader friends, but he stretched it out. This novel progresses in such a way that the protagonist gradually loses his sanity, or does he?

I feel the tale was written in the most effective way possible. It piqued my interest right away, and I couldn't put it down as it progressed to a climactic conclusion. This is an excellent book to read.

When you read this book as a Stephen King novel, it may bore and disappoint you; well, rather, it may bore and disappoint you as a Richard Bachman novel—and believe me, if you're a Stephen King fan, you'll know the difference between King and Bachman. 

In terms of flavor, it's the difference between chocolate and chili sauce, and that's a great example because most people like chocolate, but chili sauce... well, let's just say it's a requested taste. 

Unlike King, Bachman is a harsh, disagreeable author who has no affection for his readers. That's OK since it's a performance. 

The Long Walk was about a group of youngsters who were slain by a big brother society that shot them if they stopped walking or went below a particular speed. What amuses you about that?

Similarly, what's fun about a man named Burt who lost his job, his wife, his house, and eventually his sanity and will to live in Roadwork? 

The voyage of his unraveling is essentially the roadwork. The plot isn't really complicated. But don't anticipate ghostly activity around every turn, for clarity's sake, since Bachman is not the same guy as King (they are physically, but not in their literature.) 

In some ways, Bachman is similar to Eli Roth (director of Cabin Fever and Hostel Parts I and II,) in that it's all about the character's and audience's dissatisfaction.

Richard Bachman's novel is a well-known work. It has no supernatural, occult, or ghost elements. Only a man on the verge of losing his mind.

Although it is neither a large book nor a long novel, the idea is as massive as it gets. Even if you compare it to The Long Walk, the slowness of this work will leave you unsatisfied. 

However, keep in mind that The Long Walk's premise implies that there will be more action. If there was a lot of activity on Roadwork, it would be there merely for the purpose of being there. And King, or should I say Bachman? is generally adept at sensing when to speed up the tempo.

Another thing that can help you understand it is that if you read this novel while thinking about AMC's Breaking Bad, I think you'll appreciate it a lot. 

The idea is very identical to that of Breaking Bad. I would have rated this novel a 3/5 if I had given it a score after the first hundred pages. 

However, by the midway mark, I had a better understanding of the style and tone, which is what makes this book so appealing. If you're a patient reader or a Breaking Bad enthusiast, I strongly suggest it.


Final Thoughts

This is a fantastic novel. All Stephen King aficionados should read it. The characters are well-defined, and the narrative is well-constructed. 

It was difficult to put the book down. The author has a unique way of developing suspense as the novel progresses, and I adore it!

Author paints Dawes' mind in vivid hues that grow increasingly muddied as his desire becomes more concentrated, yet absurdly unattainable.

The fact that Dawes is driving himself down a dead-end road with the help of numerous others makes the mind games laughable. However, the novel maintains a good pace and is a welcome diversion from Stephen King's usual territory.

I believe there is a limit to how far one may be pushed before cracking. Barton Dawes, a guy who achieved that stage in 1974, is one of them.

Remember, Stephen King never meant for anyone to realize it was him who authored Roadwork; as a result, it's the farthest thing from a King novel. An author has unlimited freedom to write whatever they choose, with no limitations.

Yes, it is not a perfect novel, which is why I gave it a lower rating, but the reason I am giving this novel a hundred percent recommendation is because of the last pages and the moral of the narrative, as well as what this novel is attempting to teach the mindless masses to realize what is going on behind everything we simply blindly follow.


Synopsis

“Only Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman, can imagine the horror of a good and angry man who fights back against bureaucracy when it threatens to destroy his vitality, home, and memories. “Under any name King mesmerizes the reader” (Chicago Sun-Times).

Barton Dawes is standing in the way of progress when his unremarkable but comfortable existence suddenly takes a turn for the worst. A new highway extension is being built right over the laundry plant where he works—and right over his home. The house he has lived in for twenty years and where he created loving memories with his family. Dawes isn’t the sort of man who will take an insult of this magnitude lying down. His steadfast determination to fight the inevitable course of progress drives his wife and friends away while he tries to face down the uncaring bureaucracy that has destroyed his life. But before the city paves over that part of Dawes’s life, he’s got one more party to throw—and it’ll be a blast.

What happens when one good (and angry) man fights back…and then some? This #1 national bestseller includes an introduction by Stephen King on “The Importance of Being Bachman.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bachman Books, Bart Dawes, Barton George, Eminent Domain, George Dawes, Good Read, King Book, King Writing, Long Walk, Main Character, Well Written


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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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Christine Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Christine

Published: 29, April 1983
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's horror thriller Christine, released in 1983, depicts the story of an automobile, a 1958 Plymouth Fury, that appears to be possessed by malicious demonic powers. Christine has been nominated for a Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1984). Between 1990 and 1999, the American Library Association ranked Christine as the 95th most banned and disputed book in the United States. It was issued in a limited 30th Anniversary Edition by PS Publishing in April 2013.

In December of the same year, a film adaption directed by John Carpenter was produced, starring Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, and Harry Dean Stanton. 

The movie was nothing like the book and, in fact, deviated quite a little from the real narrative, as is often typically the case, but it still made me want to read the book. 

Christine is enigmatic, gloomy, angry, and envious, and she's out to get you. The characters have been completely developed, so you have a better understanding of Arnie and Christine.

A remake is in the works by Blumhouse Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and I'll update this section as soon as I locate any fresh information or connections to the film.

This is just another of Stephen King's masterpieces. Christine is consumed with adolescent angst, first romance, a problematic family situation, and, of course, Christine, the witch on wheels. Was there been a more terrifying and unique monster? 

I had avoided reading this one since I had no clue it was written by the great Stephen King, even though I had seen the movie and enjoyed it. 

Arnie was performed brilliantly, but when I learned that the film was based on a novel, I knew I had to read it because, as I always say, a movie can never be as good or as comprehensive as the book. 

So I just went to a nearby bookstore and found the book. I couldn't take my eyes off it. The characters were believable and engrossing. 

This is Stephen King at his finest once more. The youngsters, Arnie and Dennis, and their bond, which deteriorates as Arnie progresses from nerd to freak. 

Really well construed Arnie's fascination, then obsession, with Christine, which affects his entire personality, is incredibly well done, and the subsequent tragedies - well, they're horrifying, which is why many people read Stephen King's works. 

It's delightful to be scared and creeped out while author's stories have you in their grip. So, in essence, the narrative is not about the dangerous murdering vehicle. It's about a troubled boy who loses it and his friends and family who can't help him, much like in real life, which is why readers keep coming back for more from Stephen King.

A wonderful narrative with true tension and frightening moments. But one of author's major flaws in this work, in my opinion, was having the story presented by a future Dennis. To a loyal fan, the narrator could be a ghost or a newly formed monster, but to a new reader, this removes a lot of suspense from some of the tensest scenes in the book because the reader is being told the story by a character who is involved in a near-death experience, thus revealing that the narrator survived his experience. 

One of the things that make reading a Stephen King novel so intriguing, in my opinion, is that as a reader, you never know which characters (if any) will survive whatever hardship they happen to be faced with. 

He has removed the mystery concerning Dennis's survival by having one of the primary characters tell the story.

Loyal Stephen King fans will undoubtedly not be shocked to learn that the book's greatest strength is its characterization. 

Dennis narrates the majority of the story and is a really approachable young man. Leigh is another likable character who is simple to cheer for. 

Arnie is essentially the unfortunate victim in this story. Before purchasing the automobile, he was victimized by school bullies and his dominating mother, and now he is in danger of losing his whole being. 

Roland LeBay, the former owner of the automobile, also looms prominently, and his pure cruelty makes him interesting in his own right. 

The plot flows at a steady pace for the most part but sags slightly in the middle. The novel is more eerie than scary. The tension keeps you interested, but don't expect any big scares. 

There is some light humor interspersed throughout the narrative to help relieve tension, and it works really well. 

The beginning of each chapter is marked with song lyrics about vehicles, which is not bad and demonstrates the amount of research and knowledge that went into collecting these songs. 

They don't appear to be connected to the story and appear to be there purely for nostalgic purposes. 

Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading them all for the sheer pleasure of it. The dilemma is that they are so primitive and/or unknown that I've never heard the great majority of them, thus I believe they will serve no function for the younger and new readers of this time and age. 

It's clear that the author spent a lot of work into finding them, but the effort may have been lost on these new readers unless they're like me and read whatever they see or hold, but most readers under the age of 55 or 60 will probably have the same reaction of not understanding what they are (Songs/Lyrics.) 

This book is broken into three-story segments, the first and final of which are written in the first person from Dennis's point of view, and the middle in the third person.

Even though it is about a car, this novel reminds me of Carrie when it comes to bullying, the school environment, and the brutality of schoolmates on innocent and lonely individuals.


Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I loved reading Christine. The characters are intriguing, the tension did work for me, and I was eager to find out what occurred next. The book has issues, but they are minor and did not impede from my amusement in any way.

Anyone who has heard of Stephen King knows that he has written some of the scariest novels of all time, but few realize that he can also write unexpectedly poignant stories as part of those novels. 

Yes, this is a novel about an automobile that has been taken over by demonic forces, but it's much more than that. It's really about two best friends, Dennis, a popular athlete, and Arnie, a geek.

Arnie, in fact, is such an outsider that Dennis is his sole acquaintance. They couldn't be more different from one another, but they've known each other since kindergarten.

Arnie is a figure that should be recognizable to everyone who recalls high school, when it's common to discover numerous students exiled from the regular social groupings for a variety of reasons, and this serves to personalize him to the reader quite effectively.


Synopsis

“Stephen King’s ultimate evil vehicle of terror, Christine: the frightening story of a nerdy teenager who falls in love with his vintage Plymouth Fury. It’s love at first sight, but this car is no lady.

Evil is alive in Libertyville. It inhabits a custom-painted red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine and young Arnold Cunningham, who buys it.

Along with Arnold’s girlfriend, Leigh Cabot, Dennis Guilder attempts to find out the real truth behind Christine and finds more than he bargained for: from murder to suicide, there’s a peculiar feeling that surrounds Christine—she gets revenge on anyone standing in her path.

Can Dennis save Arnold from the wrath of Christine? This #1 national bestseller is “Vintage Stephen King…breathtaking…awesome. Carries such momentum the reader must force himself to slow down” (The New York Times Book Review).”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alexandra Paul, Arnie Cunningham, Character Development, Dennis Guilder, Former Owner, Friend Dennis, Great Book, High School, John Carpenter, John Stockwell, Keith Gordon, Killer Car, Much Better, Plymouth Fury, Richard, Kobritz, Roland Lebay


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

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The Dead Zone Review

Stephen King, Classic, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller

The Dead Zone

Published: 30, August 1979
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Classic, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Media Tie-In, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's The Dead Zone is a science fiction thriller novel. The tale follows Johnny Smith, who recovers from a nearly five-year coma and, presumably as a result of brain injury, suddenly has clairvoyant and precognitive visions activated by touch. When any information is prevented from his view, Johnny refers to it as being stuck in the "dead zone" of his brain, which is permanently ruined. The narrative also chronicles a serial killer in Castle Rock, as well as the lives of rising politician Greg Stillson, both of whom Johnny must finally confront.

This book contains some of the firsts about Stephen King and his created universe. Though previous Stephen King novels had been popular, The Dead Zone was the first of his to rank in the top 10 best-selling novels in the United States. 

In 1980, the book was nominated for a Locus Award and dedicated to Stephen King's son Owen. The Dead Zone is author's first tale to include the fictional town of Castle Rock, which serves as the backdrop for numerous subsequent novels and is mentioned in others. 

The TV show Castle Rock is set in this imaginary town and has references to the Strangler, whom Johnny assisted in tracking down in The Dead Zone.

The Dead Zone is Stephen King's seventh novel and his fifth published under his own name. The novel was adapted into a film in 1983, as well as a television series.

This tale is less horror and more science fiction with a touch of the otherworldly. What I like the most about this work was the growth of its main character, Johnny Smith. 

The author emotionally takes the reader into Johnny's existence and his gift/curse of being able to perceive events in the future. 

In this approach, he gives Johnny's character depth, and there are numerous instances where you can understand and sympathize with what he has to go through.

What would you do if you had the ability to predict and see future events, both good and bad? Is this something you'd like to know? Is this a blessing or a curse? These are the questions that the reader will ponder while they read The Dead Zone. 

Johnny has the ability to foresee catastrophic, often painful, or scary future events. He feels a feeling of duty in attempting to change the course of events. 

Despite his talent, Johnny comes off as a regular guy who just wants to live a normal life and find joy and contentment. 

When he enters "the dead zone," he gains the power to perceive future occurrences. When the general public learns of Johnny's skills, his life becomes a bit of a spectacle. 

Some people call him a weirdo. Some people write to him and seek for his assistance. Those close to him strive to assist him in returning home.

The essence of the narrative, in my opinion, was simply Johnny's adjustment to life and his newfound "talent" in the aftermath of the catastrophe. 

However, there are two major conflicts and subplots in this novel. One of them involves a mystery serial murderer who is terrorizing a tiny neighborhood and preying on children and young ladies. When the cops are desperate, they seek Johnny's assistance. 

The novel's main antagonist, Greg Stillson, a local turned politician, and presidential contender, is at the center of the second battle. 

Greg Stillson may be human in appearance, but he's every bit as terrifying as any beast, hideous creature, or monstrosity from other Stephen King tales. 

Johnny's gut feelings warn him there's something really wrong with this individual, and when he sees what the future has in store, it's down to Johnny to use his gift.

Nonetheless, The Dead Zone is an emotional and thrilling story. The final events—all of the events leading up to the climactic encounter between good (Johnny Smith) and evil (Greg Stillson)—are brilliant and extremely dramatic. By the conclusion of the novel, Stephen King has truly dragged you in.

This book has political content, which is why I need to express the following things; however, it is up to the reader to determine whether or not they agree with what I stated. I believe that many people do not like to read about politics, and I used to be one of them, but now I believe that it is better to know what is going on and not be a puppet or a sheep that follows the shepherd since the shepherd might take the sheep to be sheered or slain. Simply listen to both sides of the story and use your intellect to determine which is right.

This is a rather fast-paced story that makes you flip every page by saying "just a little bit more and I'll stop," but you still keep reading till you fall asleep.

As you'd expect from a master storyteller, there's tremendous character development, fantastic narrative, amazing vocabulary, and it's difficult to put down. 

Basically everything you could desire from a novel. There isn't much in the way of gore, but it wasn't really about gore, so it's not gruesome.


Final Thoughts

The Dead Zone has it all: emotions, psychological terror, the supernatural, mystery, and excitement. 

It outperforms several of the author's previous works in terms of literary merit. Although it is not frequently considered as one of his better novels, this is, in my view, Stephen King's greatest work in this style and genre.

There is also a fair blend of topical events and politics from the mid to late 1970s, and one gets the impression that the author is nostalgic about his early adulthood. 

This, I felt, was a good addition since it made the novel feel more genuine, as if the reader, knowing how events in the universe would unfold, has a kind of precognitive talent alongside the main character. 

I realized that reading this novel can make readers desire to read more of Stephen King's works, and I highly recommend that you try it even if you have never read a single book by this author.

I believe the author's early works are just wonderful, as is the case for this novel; it may be nostalgia, but it is still Stephen King, and it is extremely uncommon for him to make a narrative that is not flawless for at least one reader. 

If you liked Carrie, Salem's Lot, and The Shining, you won't be disappointed with this amazing treasure.


Synopsis

“Set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine

A #1 New York Times bestseller about a man who wakes up from a five-year coma able to see people’s futures and the terrible fate awaiting mankind—a “compulsive page-turner” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

Johnny Smith awakens from a five-year coma after his car accident and discovers that he can see people’s futures and pasts when he touches them. Many consider his talent a gift; Johnny feels cursed. His fiancée married another man during his coma and people clamor for him to solve their problems.

When Johnny has a disturbing vision after he shakes the hand of an ambitious and amoral politician, he must decide if he should take drastic action to change the future. With “powerful tension that holds the reader to the story like a pin to a magnet” (The Houston Post), The Dead Zone is a “faultlessly paced…continuously engrossing” (Los Angeles Times) novel of second sight.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Brooke Adams, Car Accident, Castle Rock, Christopher Walken, David Cronenberg, Debra Hill, Dino De Laurentiis, Greg Stillson, Herbert Lom, James Franco, Jeffrey Chernov, Johnny Smith, King At His Best, Martin Sheen, Salem's Lot, See The Future, Serial Killer, Tom Skerritt, Wheel Of Fortune


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

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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)

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.
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Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
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