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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I work in a place where people sit and read. I see a lot of books. Someone told me about this book and how the shop proprieter seems to always have exactly what you're looking for and that kind of hooked me. I checked it out from the library.
Stephen King has done good work here. It was a great pageturner...at first I was leery of the 700+ page tome but I found myself at home within it's complex labyrinth of characters. Occasionally, I'd skip a few paragraphs because I would catch something more interesting on the opposing page, usually in all-caps ("BABTIST RAT FUCK", "FINANCIAL FAGGOTRY" e.g.) but for the most part, I read it straight through.
The story was great but I felt myself dreading the end. I generally hate how books end and this was no different. I agree with the reviewerLisa who said "I felt that the story was set in reality until the conclusion so I found it difficult to accept its supernatural ending." Um yeah. It was kinda trippy and sci-fi-y and a little cheesy. Polly's azra...sigh. Alan's Nut Munch. Sigh. Some parts were pretty freaking terrifying though, like Brian's story and how that turned out. And. Without saying too much: A corkscrew! That's just brutal!
I loved the language of the book and found myself laughing out loud in several instances (the citations around Buster's house, the way Nettie spoke to Raider, Cora/Myra "visiting" with the King). Some characters though, I didn't give two shits about. The Catholics vs. the Baptists, oh no, who will prevail?!
Overall, it was a good read. I'm glad I finished it but I think the ending could have been better, somehow. I'm not sure how, but it could have been better. I would read more of his work (the Shining, IT are at the top of my list).
Stephen King has done good work here. It was a great pageturner...at first I was leery of the 700+ page tome but I found myself at home within it's complex labyrinth of characters. Occasionally, I'd skip a few paragraphs because I would catch something more interesting on the opposing page, usually in all-caps ("BABTIST RAT FUCK", "FINANCIAL FAGGOTRY" e.g.) but for the most part, I read it straight through.
The story was great but I felt myself dreading the end. I generally hate how books end and this was no different. I agree with the reviewerLisa who said "I felt that the story was set in reality until the conclusion so I found it difficult to accept its supernatural ending." Um yeah. It was kinda trippy and sci-fi-y and a little cheesy. Polly's azra...sigh. Alan's Nut Munch. Sigh. Some parts were pretty freaking terrifying though, like Brian's story and how that turned out. And. Without saying too much: A corkscrew! That's just brutal!
I loved the language of the book and found myself laughing out loud in several instances (the citations around Buster's house, the way Nettie spoke to Raider, Cora/Myra "visiting" with the King). Some characters though, I didn't give two shits about. The Catholics vs. the Baptists, oh no, who will prevail?!
Overall, it was a good read. I'm glad I finished it but I think the ending could have been better, somehow. I'm not sure how, but it could have been better. I would read more of his work (the Shining, IT are at the top of my list).
(4.5) One of King's best, most focused efforts. A lot of the things that usually nag me about his books aren't here. What's left is a thrilling horror read that starts fast from the beginning and just doesn't quit. Also, one of his more (unintentionally) moralistic tales about what the need for possessions does to us. A good meditation on human nature and one that might sneak into a Lent sermon of mine in the future.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The genre is Definitely not horror
I enjoyed reading Needful Things. My first Stephen King book. I was sure it will scare the shit out of me, as I get scared by even the slightest hint of paranormal (I don't watch any horror movies even during daylight sitting with family because of this). But honestly, this book never gave me creeps even though it has a giant spider. Some of the places made me laugh out loud, specially while reading about the crazy things(though quite violent in nature) these people were doing under the spell. But not once it made me turn on the light or look under the bed (which any kind of horror book or movie does to me). The book was gripping and fast paced, some places though, details regarding Polly's emotions could be omitted. Otherwise definitely a great read, pretty amusing and humorous one.
I enjoyed reading Needful Things. My first Stephen King book. I was sure it will scare the shit out of me, as I get scared by even the slightest hint of paranormal (I don't watch any horror movies even during daylight sitting with family because of this). But honestly, this book never gave me creeps even though it has a giant spider. Some of the places made me laugh out loud, specially while reading about the crazy things(though quite violent in nature) these people were doing under the spell. But not once it made me turn on the light or look under the bed (which any kind of horror book or movie does to me). The book was gripping and fast paced, some places though, details regarding Polly's emotions could be omitted. Otherwise definitely a great read, pretty amusing and humorous one.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was HELLA good i can't believe it took me this long to read it. i wasn't really attached to any of the characters or i would've rated it higher but the plot was so fuckin cool and i really liked seeing everything spiral and crash together. brian killing himself was very jarring and awful but idk what i expect with king at this point
This was such a long book but I really do enjoy. I originally read it in middle/high school, and was a good turn around from Carrie and Cujo, because those felt a lil boring. So many characters, I'd sometimes get a lil confused, but I love the small town dynamics
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Needful Things takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, which is the setting for several of King's stories. It's a sleepy little town. At least, it would be if it hadn't been the site of some seriously bizarre violent happenings over the years. Leland Gaunt, a charming man, comes to town and opens a store called "Needful Things". It seems to be a curio shop, or an odd antique store. People from the town start coming in and, luckily for them, find the thing they most want.
Leland Gaunt sells things for an intriguing price- what the shopper can pay in cash plus one prank. Just a harmless little prank. Except, it's Castle Rock, Gaunt isn't who he seems, and suddenly these pranks have less than harmless consequences.
The idea is fascinating, Not because someone who deals in more than currency is a new idea; it's not. But someone who uses pranks as currency is very original and the way the story progressed is unique. I've never heard any version of the Peddler who deals in that sort of trade. So, right away, I was intrigued.
Stephen King is an incredibly talented writer, no one will deny that. At times, I did feel like there were too many background characters, and there were a few parts that I think could have been condensed (for example, there were multiple Elvis Presley sexual fantasies, which seemed redundant). Overall, though, I really liked it. By the end, the story was barreling along at a breakneck pace and taking me with it.
See full review at wittyandsarcasticbookclub.blogspot.com
Leland Gaunt sells things for an intriguing price- what the shopper can pay in cash plus one prank. Just a harmless little prank. Except, it's Castle Rock, Gaunt isn't who he seems, and suddenly these pranks have less than harmless consequences.
The idea is fascinating, Not because someone who deals in more than currency is a new idea; it's not. But someone who uses pranks as currency is very original and the way the story progressed is unique. I've never heard any version of the Peddler who deals in that sort of trade. So, right away, I was intrigued.
Stephen King is an incredibly talented writer, no one will deny that. At times, I did feel like there were too many background characters, and there were a few parts that I think could have been condensed (for example, there were multiple Elvis Presley sexual fantasies, which seemed redundant). Overall, though, I really liked it. By the end, the story was barreling along at a breakneck pace and taking me with it.
See full review at wittyandsarcasticbookclub.blogspot.com