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tyler_dickson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
It’s filled to the brim with dull, flat characters. King clearly wrote the dialogue on autopilot. The description is clunky, and we never have a good sense of how the locations in the park relate to each other. It’s hard to get your bearings.
Devin Jones is a boring 21-year-old kid, but he’s not boring like most younger people who are boring because they’ve not experienced much; he’s boring because he has zero character traits, and King writes him as this perfect, moral kid who never makes a wrong decision.
Every female character has their breasts, butt, and figure described—even during moments of extreme distress. King has a heavy interest in this character navigating the sexual landscapes of young adulthood, but he’s so awkward with it that it turns into fantasy rather than any coming-of-age “how I lost my virginity” story.
A dull mystery at the heart of the story serves as nothing more than an occasional “Oh yeah, aren’t we supposed to be doing something in this book?” rather than a narrative that pushes you to keep turning pages. 90% of the investigation occurs offscreen with a character who is not the main character!
Only read this if, like me, you love carnival settings and carnies. The one positive aspect of the book is that King lets the scenes in the carnival breathe, and he did a decent amount of research into how an amusement park in the 70s would have been constructed. I enjoyed reading the pages where Devin or another character works on the rides or games at the park.
I would skip this book and read Nightmare Alley by William Lindsey Gresham instead. There’s also an incredible film adaptation from 1947 starring Tyrone Power that will knock your socks off. It’s a must-read and a must-watch.
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Chronic illness and Child death
shyleek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder and Terminal illness
lay_kone's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Murder, and Rape
clairebau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
veronikar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Child death and Murder
juffnstuff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Rape and Child death
adiajamille's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This is more a murder mystery with a little bit of a ghost story. It built up nicely, with a tense conclusion.
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Ableism, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
carlytenille's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
carissa230's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Meanwhile, there has been a few mysterious murders and disappearances around Joyland. They have a picture of the expected killer, but only his arms and blurry face. There is an investigation into the disappearances and Devin is working on finding the answer.
Graphic: Murder and Death
nicole_cob_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Classism, Death, Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness