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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This might be SK's worst novel.
One of the thing that made Greek tragedy great were the stories featuring two valid but opposed agendas. This tried to, I guess, maybe--it even alludes to Troy in at least a couple places, perhaps more, but it falls short.
Besides that he spends 90% of the book tearing down this world and building up the woman-only world to such an extent that their decision to return to reality is not understandable, at all.
Also, the heavy handed political proselytism, and wokeness: "DAE Trump as bad as this coked-up rapist/murderer? DAE white cops killing black people is bad?" and so on. I am guessing (hoping, actually) that this was Owen's contribution because it reeks of a kool-aid drinking SJW who has no idea how subtlety works.
One of the thing that made Greek tragedy great were the stories featuring two valid but opposed agendas. This tried to, I guess, maybe--it even alludes to Troy in at least a couple places, perhaps more, but it falls short.
Besides that he spends 90% of the book tearing down this world and building up the woman-only world to such an extent that their decision to return to reality is not understandable, at all.
Also, the heavy handed political proselytism, and wokeness: "DAE Trump as bad as this coked-up rapist/murderer? DAE white cops killing black people is bad?" and so on. I am guessing (hoping, actually) that this was Owen's contribution because it reeks of a kool-aid drinking SJW who has no idea how subtlety works.
2.5 stars. Parts of the book were excellently written, but the plot dragged on and on and on. The characters were mostly stereotypes and the portrayal of men was abysmal. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I'm just glad I was able to finish. Under the Dome was much better, and it had the same basic plot even if the ending was blah. This would have been 2 stars if there had not been some of the classic King writing peeking through.
Took me awhile to get into it, and I could definitely sense the two differing writing styles. Felt repeated of many of King's works lately, like Under the Dome and The Green Mile. Huge event happens (women go to sleep) and men pretty much wreck the world and form alliances to battle each other. Definitely wreaked of gun control and equal rights, and while I agree to those topics, I do not like reading a book that constantly beats me on the head with that.
3 Stars for Narration, 3.5 Stars for Story
Mini-Review:
Being sick, I figured I would try this audiobook again. I got to the end this time but I want to read the print before I put down an review. I may have missed some things since I am definitely not well at the moment.
Still not a fan of the overall narration but I knew that going in this time.
Update via 2nd Listen
Re-listened to a huge chunk of the tail end again and got a better feel for the story. I'm still getting over my dance event plague but I feel like my brain is back to functioning rather than iceberg fog of the past few days. =P
Overall, Sleeping Beauties is a feel good story that covers the wide expanse of human stupidity and cruelty. Yet despite the crude, there's hope and potential for better. It's not about a clear cut line of good and bad. Lots of fuzzy smears along the line of both and surprising results of the two smashed together.
There are clear places that yell "Stephen King" to me. Others that aren't as familiar that I would label as "Owen King". It was a nice mix of perspectives and twists.
The plot is clearly laid out and there's no mystery to it, but I was definitely engaged by the characters by the midway point and wanted to see what would happen to them. In some ways, the story felt impersonal. Which is odd because it is told in personal perspectives of individuals. Yet, there is a clear remove that makes me feel like an observer. I never really became a part of the story.
Mini-Review:
Being sick, I figured I would try this audiobook again. I got to the end this time but I want to read the print before I put down an review. I may have missed some things since I am definitely not well at the moment.
Still not a fan of the overall narration but I knew that going in this time.
Update via 2nd Listen
Re-listened to a huge chunk of the tail end again and got a better feel for the story. I'm still getting over my dance event plague but I feel like my brain is back to functioning rather than iceberg fog of the past few days. =P
Overall, Sleeping Beauties is a feel good story that covers the wide expanse of human stupidity and cruelty. Yet despite the crude, there's hope and potential for better. It's not about a clear cut line of good and bad. Lots of fuzzy smears along the line of both and surprising results of the two smashed together.
There are clear places that yell "Stephen King" to me. Others that aren't as familiar that I would label as "Owen King". It was a nice mix of perspectives and twists.
The plot is clearly laid out and there's no mystery to it, but I was definitely engaged by the characters by the midway point and wanted to see what would happen to them. In some ways, the story felt impersonal. Which is odd because it is told in personal perspectives of individuals. Yet, there is a clear remove that makes me feel like an observer. I never really became a part of the story.
Apesar da história se desenrolar de uma forma lenta, ADOREI o plot, o supense e o final foi muito bom! Recomendo por ter uma historia incrivel mas também pk é stephen king! Acho que é o suficiente
I'm so conflicted about this book. I was hooked, there is no denying that - seeing as I have left all work aside for the past week to finish reading this mountain of a book. It was thoroughly engaging. After Stephen King's very self aware running gag on being called out for his bad endings in IT Chapter 2, I'd braced myself for a disappointment. So perhaps it didn't hurt as much when the predicted disappointment hit. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, the goods, or the positives:
The greatest triumph of SK's writing for me has always been the uncannily real characters. How he can effortlessly hop into the heads of hardened criminals, sociopaths, recovering alcoholics, bullies, angsty teenagers bursting at the seams, mothers, children, you name it. He can write the damnedest realistic characters and he has surely managed that in this book.
Not only that, he makes you care for them. He screws with you most when he makes you adore two characters on opposite sides of the plot and suddenly you're forced to choose. All of this, Sleeping Beauties has managed. There are moments of triumph when his characters hit right home. Just right.
The story is a mix of Under the Dome, The Stand, 11/22/63 and perhaps even Mr. Mercedes (specific references aside.) SK has proved before, more than once, that he can do small town mass hysteria and do it well. He has pulled it off here too, no surprises there.
And I mean there's the obvious, the more recent Stephen King charm you get: that brisk no-nonsense dialogue, casual meta references and nods to authors and movies and songs and his own characters, style - just a lot of cocky style. And all this makes it a thoroughly entertaining book, even at its worst moments.
I don't know how much of this is Owen King, but there's too much Stephen King to miss. Things I was surprised by and like included the element of dark fantasy. I like the allusions and the tricks and I love the perspective of the fox.
Now to the negatives, the bads:
Maybe the book came a little too late. I like the idea of a retelling of a fairy tale in this manner and on this scale, but it just seems strange to have this repeated overwrought discussion on the duality of gender, men and women, men against women, two genders and the very specific dual gender roles.. seems odd to centre the book entirely around this duality in today's world. It was quite the elephant in the room.
I think at the end of the day, it's Clint Norcross who has disappointed me the most, for reasons I need to spend more time over.
And lastly, I think the scope of the book was too narrow and for no solid reason. In Under the Dome, there is still an explanation for the seemingly arbitrary choice of that particular small town for that particular story. What makes this town so special? Why is the rest of the world so oblivious to this random town in Appalachia where everything of import seems to be happening? Even Under the Dome had a lot more of the external world. Here, it's just something you need to accept without justification. Too big a story in too small a package.
Final Thoughts: I'm glad I read it. My biggest takeaway is the character of Jeannette - that's one woman I will not forget easily, one character I'll keep coming back to. I would recommend it to you if you have the time for it. But there are always greater Stephen King novels to choose over this - when in doubt, when it comes to SK, go for the classics.
The greatest triumph of SK's writing for me has always been the uncannily real characters. How he can effortlessly hop into the heads of hardened criminals, sociopaths, recovering alcoholics, bullies, angsty teenagers bursting at the seams, mothers, children, you name it. He can write the damnedest realistic characters and he has surely managed that in this book.
Not only that, he makes you care for them. He screws with you most when he makes you adore two characters on opposite sides of the plot and suddenly you're forced to choose. All of this, Sleeping Beauties has managed. There are moments of triumph when his characters hit right home. Just right.
The story is a mix of Under the Dome, The Stand, 11/22/63 and perhaps even Mr. Mercedes (specific references aside.) SK has proved before, more than once, that he can do small town mass hysteria and do it well. He has pulled it off here too, no surprises there.
And I mean there's the obvious, the more recent Stephen King charm you get: that brisk no-nonsense dialogue, casual meta references and nods to authors and movies and songs and his own characters, style - just a lot of cocky style. And all this makes it a thoroughly entertaining book, even at its worst moments.
I don't know how much of this is Owen King, but there's too much Stephen King to miss. Things I was surprised by and like included the element of dark fantasy. I like the allusions and the tricks and I love the perspective of the fox.
Now to the negatives, the bads:
Maybe the book came a little too late. I like the idea of a retelling of a fairy tale in this manner and on this scale, but it just seems strange to have this repeated overwrought discussion on the duality of gender, men and women, men against women, two genders and the very specific dual gender roles.. seems odd to centre the book entirely around this duality in today's world. It was quite the elephant in the room.
I think at the end of the day, it's Clint Norcross who has disappointed me the most, for reasons I need to spend more time over.
And lastly, I think the scope of the book was too narrow and for no solid reason. In Under the Dome, there is still an explanation for the seemingly arbitrary choice of that particular small town for that particular story. What makes this town so special? Why is the rest of the world so oblivious to this random town in Appalachia where everything of import seems to be happening? Even Under the Dome had a lot more of the external world. Here, it's just something you need to accept without justification. Too big a story in too small a package.
Final Thoughts: I'm glad I read it. My biggest takeaway is the character of Jeannette - that's one woman I will not forget easily, one character I'll keep coming back to. I would recommend it to you if you have the time for it. But there are always greater Stephen King novels to choose over this - when in doubt, when it comes to SK, go for the classics.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this one from the King's, probably one of my favourites by Stephen King. Took a bit of time to get into and wrap my head around all the characters, but it felt so real that I was imagining all the scenes as I read. Would love a limited TV series of this!
1,5/5
Σκεφτομουν μηπως του εβαζα 2/5, αλλα μετα θυμηθηκα ποσες δεκαδες σελιδες διαβασα διαγωνια και μου περασε.
Σκεφτομουν μηπως του εβαζα 2/5, αλλα μετα θυμηθηκα ποσες δεκαδες σελιδες διαβασα διαγωνια και μου περασε.
I liked this book at the start it draws you in well I didn't want to put it down however I did get really annoyed by the vast amount of characters that seemed to generalise genders for example all men are prone to violence, women make fairer decisions without turning to force that annoyed me greatly, however you have to keep in mind that these are the characters view points not necessarily the authors.
The story is really well written and overall I would recommend it
The story is really well written and overall I would recommend it
It was definitely a page turned and a fun thought experiment.