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werewolvesnotswearwolves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Cultural appropriation, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
2022: I still really enjoyed this quiet, coming of age, nostalgia-heavy story that happens to involve a serial killer and ghosts. This time around, Dev seemed to know how to interact with a dying kid way too easily given his lack of experience. This also manifested in him “knowing better” than Mike’s own mother what he needed. The book really didn’t give Annie enough credit in that regard. I didn’t like how much weight Dev’s loss of virginity was given. However, the carnival summer vibes were amazing and I enjoyed most of the characterization. This is still my favorite King.
2018: This is definitely my favorite King so far. I loved the atmosphere of this so much! Apart from the ghosts and serial killer, this was a cozy and heartwarming read. The descriptions of Joyland reminded me a lot of The Night Circus, though Joyland is a much more realistic carnival experience by far. I enjoyed all of the characters and was invested in their stories. The ending also made me cry, which is always a good thing in my book. I really enjoyed this and so wish I could continue reading more Stephen King right now.
2018: This is definitely my favorite King so far. I loved the atmosphere of this so much! Apart from the ghosts and serial killer, this was a cozy and heartwarming read. The descriptions of Joyland reminded me a lot of The Night Circus, though Joyland is a much more realistic carnival experience by far. I enjoyed all of the characters and was invested in their stories. The ending also made me cry, which is always a good thing in my book. I really enjoyed this and so wish I could continue reading more Stephen King right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Child death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Murder and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape
caidyn's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
CW: ableism, chronic illness, death, murder
This is definitely a good King book, but it's not without its flaws. I thought he tried to jam too much backstory and little details into it. It was good, of course, but there was too much going on. I felt that the mystery got lost in the other details. This could have easily been a 500 page book to properly pace things out. I also wasn't a fan of the ableism in it with the kid who had MD. I also just am tired of the tropes related to chronic illness, with how this is a prime example of a magic sick kid (much like King's use of the magic Black person) and how the sick kid "betters" the MC. It's just a tiring trope and people living with disabilities deserve better representation. Is it still a good book? Sure. Just that things wore on me.
This is definitely a good King book, but it's not without its flaws. I thought he tried to jam too much backstory and little details into it. It was good, of course, but there was too much going on. I felt that the mystery got lost in the other details. This could have easily been a 500 page book to properly pace things out. I also wasn't a fan of the ableism in it with the kid who had MD. I also just am tired of the tropes related to chronic illness, with how this is a prime example of a magic sick kid (much like King's use of the magic Black person) and how the sick kid "betters" the MC. It's just a tiring trope and people living with disabilities deserve better representation. Is it still a good book? Sure. Just that things wore on me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Ableism
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stephen king has the unique ability to give you the very essence of a character in just one sentence. With a single phrase, mannerism or stance his characters are living, breathing people in the readers mind.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
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