universalbookworm's review
3.0
This is a really interesting book from several perspectives that added to my enjoyment of Finders Keepers.
First, this book - the second instalment of the Bill Hodges - is about reading and fandom. As King has done with Misery, he’s incorporated a character who are themselves an author and contrasted that with a psychotic fan. However, what is unique about Finders Keepers compared to these earlier works is that he sketches two different types of fans; those violent, obsessive, even murderous literature fans to a more subdued appreciation of an epic written work that is no less heartfelt.
Next, this story does focus on the villain of Mr. Mercedes. If you were a fan of Brady, don’t worry he is mentioned in the story but he isn’t the focal point of the novel. Instead, we have a new antagonist and set of hero’s to root for - while also reuniting with Holy, Jerome, and Kermit.
Finally, the ending - no spoilers don’t worry - is something I haven’t decided I’m on board with. At first, when Brady is mentioned I was concerned that King was using a popular “miraculous recovery” trope and was unimpressed. I’m not sure the insinuation made in the final part of Finders Keepers is any better.
All the being said, I continue to enjoy reading this series a lot. As King says in his author’s note, I’m still having fun so ofcourse I will keep reading.
First, this book - the second instalment of the Bill Hodges - is about reading and fandom. As King has done with Misery, he’s incorporated a character who are themselves an author and contrasted that with a psychotic fan. However, what is unique about Finders Keepers compared to these earlier works is that he sketches two different types of fans; those violent, obsessive, even murderous literature fans to a more subdued appreciation of an epic written work that is no less heartfelt.
Next, this story does focus on the villain of Mr. Mercedes. If you were a fan of Brady, don’t worry he is mentioned in the story but he isn’t the focal point of the novel. Instead, we have a new antagonist and set of hero’s to root for - while also reuniting with Holy, Jerome, and Kermit.
Finally, the ending - no spoilers don’t worry - is something I haven’t decided I’m on board with. At first, when Brady is mentioned I was concerned that King was using a popular “miraculous recovery” trope and was unimpressed. I’m not sure the insinuation made in the final part of Finders Keepers is any better.
All the being said, I continue to enjoy reading this series a lot. As King says in his author’s note, I’m still having fun so ofcourse I will keep reading.
jenleah's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Not surprisingly, a really well written book! This story kept me turning pages and gasping outloud. Near the end (this isn't really a spoiler), I was really rooting for the notebooks.
I also enjoyed the tease of what may come in future Bill Hodges books.
Not surprisingly, a really well written book! This story kept me turning pages and gasping outloud. Near the end (this isn't really a spoiler), I was really rooting for the notebooks.
I also enjoyed the tease of what may come in future Bill Hodges books.
ladyzluvcooljim's review against another edition
2.0
This was 500 pages of “the last book ended on a cliffhanger but it isn’t ready to be it’s own story yet so we’re going to distract you with something else while that gets ready to be the third book.” So a typical middle book in a trilogy. Nothing has gotten better about the writing, the characters, the repetition of details of characters. Each character doesn’t really have depth but characteristics that define them. For the bad writing, I’m still intrigued by the storyline and am interested in how it’s all going to end. Ironically, this book was about obsessing over an author and how sometimes you can be let down by your literary heroes, and Stephen King has certainly let me down with this trilogy. If I had read Mr. Mercedes, not having read 11/22/63 or Revival, I might not have ever read one of his new books ever again because I would have thought that he lost it.
Notable quotable:
“‘Wake up, genius.’” (P. 3)
“His dreams have been worse than bad.” (P. 325)
“The young man meets him halfway across the lawn, one fisted hand held out. Hodges bumps knuckles with him, thus acknowledging Jerome’s blackness, then shakes his hand, thereby acknowledging his own WASPiness.” (P. 358)
Notable quotable:
“‘Wake up, genius.’” (P. 3)
“His dreams have been worse than bad.” (P. 325)
“The young man meets him halfway across the lawn, one fisted hand held out. Hodges bumps knuckles with him, thus acknowledging Jerome’s blackness, then shakes his hand, thereby acknowledging his own WASPiness.” (P. 358)
extraextrareadallaboutit's review against another edition
4.0
Highly entertaining and such a great follow up to Mr Mercedes. King's voice is just so clear and distinct, I am in love with the way he writes. He is the ultimate storyteller. There is something about the way his books are told that wouldn't make me surprised to hear Clint Eastwood narrating the audiobook. I don't know that I'm articulating myself well here but there is something stylistic there that stands out to me and I really enjoy it. It provides a level of comfortability to his stories, like someone sharing a ripper of a story at a bar. Someone you might not want to get too friendly with. I experienced this feeling when reading Fairy Tale and again with this series.
For a second book in a series, this book would also stand up just fine by itself. I appreciated how different the storyline was to Mr Mercedes and how the first half of the book is an entirely new story altogether. Then when Hodges and the crew join the story, it's done so in a way that happens to fit just right. That's probably one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, it never felt like anything was forced and I think that's especially important when it comes to thrillers.
I never found this book scary but it had a solid momentum which made it a really enjoyable read. It all tied up really nicely in the end which is maybe where it lost a star for me. Too much closure. That said, I might have had the opposite criticism had it been left open-ended so can you win?
I'm currently waiting for the last book in the trilogy to be delivered and I'm eager to jump right in as soon as it arrives. I think this is only the very start of all the King I'd like to read.
For a second book in a series, this book would also stand up just fine by itself. I appreciated how different the storyline was to Mr Mercedes and how the first half of the book is an entirely new story altogether. Then when Hodges and the crew join the story, it's done so in a way that happens to fit just right. That's probably one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, it never felt like anything was forced and I think that's especially important when it comes to thrillers.
I never found this book scary but it had a solid momentum which made it a really enjoyable read. It all tied up really nicely in the end which is maybe where it lost a star for me. Too much closure. That said, I might have had the opposite criticism had it been left open-ended so can you win?
I'm currently waiting for the last book in the trilogy to be delivered and I'm eager to jump right in as soon as it arrives. I think this is only the very start of all the King I'd like to read.
patsycathcart's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another great read from King! Kept me on my toes!
sriddle11's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0