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beeagremlin's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
5***** and a ❤
The entire novel is told by Dolores Claiborne in her sworn statement to the investigating police. Her employer of 40 years has died in a tragic accident … or did Dolores kill her? Dolores doesn’t pull any punches, she tells us on page two that she did not kill Vera Donovan (though Vera deserved killing, more than once … she was a high-riding bitch). No, Dolores did nothing to hasten old Mrs Donovan’s ending … but she did kill her husband, Joe St George, twenty-nine years ago.
King is a master plotter and he moves the story along at a fair clip. Slowing down at just the right places to let the reader catch his breath. Scaring you the next minute with the horrors of human meanness. Making you laugh at the ridiculous things people do. And letting you into Dolores’s mind – a nearly 66-year-old woman who has had a hard life and who isn’t about to suffer fools gladly. She’s tired and ready to get everything off her chest.
Dolores has spent her life on Little Tall Island. She’s worked hard, keeping house for rich Mrs Donovan, and caring for her in her senility. She’s raised three children without much help from Joe, a no-good alcoholic husband who beat her one time too many. But you need to get the whole story straight from Dolores.
I first read this in 1997. What really impressed me was that King manages to write in a thick Maine accent you can “hear” on the page. (And the audio book, narrated by Frances Sternhagen, is nothing short of wonderful!) Dolores will stay with you for a long time. King has managed to write a character who is not very likable, but whom I just fell in love with. Bravo!
The entire novel is told by Dolores Claiborne in her sworn statement to the investigating police. Her employer of 40 years has died in a tragic accident … or did Dolores kill her? Dolores doesn’t pull any punches, she tells us on page two that she did not kill Vera Donovan (though Vera deserved killing, more than once … she was a high-riding bitch). No, Dolores did nothing to hasten old Mrs Donovan’s ending … but she did kill her husband, Joe St George, twenty-nine years ago.
King is a master plotter and he moves the story along at a fair clip. Slowing down at just the right places to let the reader catch his breath. Scaring you the next minute with the horrors of human meanness. Making you laugh at the ridiculous things people do. And letting you into Dolores’s mind – a nearly 66-year-old woman who has had a hard life and who isn’t about to suffer fools gladly. She’s tired and ready to get everything off her chest.
Dolores has spent her life on Little Tall Island. She’s worked hard, keeping house for rich Mrs Donovan, and caring for her in her senility. She’s raised three children without much help from Joe, a no-good alcoholic husband who beat her one time too many. But you need to get the whole story straight from Dolores.
I first read this in 1997. What really impressed me was that King manages to write in a thick Maine accent you can “hear” on the page. (And the audio book, narrated by Frances Sternhagen, is nothing short of wonderful!) Dolores will stay with you for a long time. King has managed to write a character who is not very likable, but whom I just fell in love with. Bravo!
bethmorvant's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman’s got to hold on to. (May need this on a shirt.)
Can a horror book be a comfort read? A cozy read? I’m not sure, but this book felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to my grandma tell me a story, and I loved every minute of it!
HIGHLY recommend the audiobook.
Can a horror book be a comfort read? A cozy read? I’m not sure, but this book felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to my grandma tell me a story, and I loved every minute of it!
HIGHLY recommend the audiobook.
tizi_lich's review
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jonesam30's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bealiliwen's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cadmanreads's review against another edition
Excellent. Loved this character so much
trisjt's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Dementia, Incest, and Racial slurs