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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[3.5 stars]
this LITERALLY would never have happened if the main character had just respected the human rights of travellers
this LITERALLY would never have happened if the main character had just respected the human rights of travellers
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Some outdated stereotypes about gypsies, bar the curses obvs, but that was expected. Ginelli is iconic, it turned from a body horror into a gangster blackmail plot, lots of fun. Really enjoyed reading it, super engaged throughout.
3,5/5 stars. Review is coming, probably. Be patient.
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3,5 stelle su 5. Recensione in arrivo, probabilmente. Abbiate pazienza.
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3,5 stelle su 5. Recensione in arrivo, probabilmente. Abbiate pazienza.
9/10
The Most King-esque of the Bachman Books, but had an ending darker than King usually travels.
The Most King-esque of the Bachman Books, but had an ending darker than King usually travels.
I really enjoyed this one. One of only 3 novels by King that I haven't read yet, I think I was always put off by the premise, which is sorta ridiculous. But, I'm now convinced King can make any premise interesting and enjoyable. At only 300 pages, I flew through this book in just two days. For everyone that thinks King can never stick the landing, he certainly did with this one.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second time reading this - I can't recall exactly when I first read it, but it was definitely not long after it was released, so probably 1986-87ish. This is one of those books that has always stayed with me - there are certain scenes that were etched into my brain like a photograph. But there was also a good part of the plot that I forgot, so in some ways it was like reading it for the first time.
It's impossible to read this now and not compare it to Stephen King's later novels. He definitely developed as a writer and story teller. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced and the 70s/80s references and expressions are wild (and in some cases really didn't age well). The very term gypsy wouldn't/shouldn't be used today and the stereotypes are pretty offensive viewed through today's more culturally aware lens.
That said, this is still a pretty compelling story and I enjoyed taking it in again. I'm not sure I'd give it quite four stars today, but I'm letting it stand.
It's impossible to read this now and not compare it to Stephen King's later novels. He definitely developed as a writer and story teller. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced and the 70s/80s references and expressions are wild (and in some cases really didn't age well). The very term gypsy wouldn't/shouldn't be used today and the stereotypes are pretty offensive viewed through today's more culturally aware lens.
That said, this is still a pretty compelling story and I enjoyed taking it in again. I'm not sure I'd give it quite four stars today, but I'm letting it stand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gore, Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty
What a great storyteller Mr. King is. This was a pretty strange book. But good, nonetheless. The ending was like WHAAAAAAAT.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes