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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
ok not gonna lie when I picked this up I thought it was going to be kinda corny BUT I ended up really liking it and being really invested in the characters AND the writing/world building was really strong
felt slow in some parts but it was nice and creepy, especially the epilogue
The King Buddy Reads book for February was CHRISTINE by (of course) Stephen King. This is one I had read before, but I picked it up on audio to reread with the group.
CHRISTINE is told from the perspective of high schooler Dennis Guilder. His best friend Arnie Cunningham is a self proclaimed loser, his only friend is Dennis and he’s the target of bullying from the other guys at school. When Arnie spots a run down Plymouth Fury for sale on the way home one day, he is instantly obsessed. Against his parents’ wishes and Dennis’ advice he sinks all of his savings into buying the car named Christine and fixing it up.
As the car begins to shape up, Arnie undergoes some rapid changes as well. His acne clears up, he gets a girlfriend Leigh and his confidence takes a serious boost. Even so, he continues to be the target of some serious abuses. Dennis and Leigh have never warmed up to Christine and Dennis begins to investigate its dark past. Soon people are dying off around Arnie and no one is safe.
This was a fun reread for me. It starts off as a bit of a slow burn and takes a while to really get going, but as people start dropping around Arnie, the action picks up. Getting the story from Dennis’ perspective puts the reader in an interesting position. Dennis and Arnie have had a long term close relationship so Dennis has some insights into Arnie, but we really are outside looking in as Arnie becomes less and less of the friend Dennis knows.
Overall I was glad to revisit King’s Christine. While this isn’t a favorite King for me, it is a solid read and I do recommend the audio!
CHRISTINE is told from the perspective of high schooler Dennis Guilder. His best friend Arnie Cunningham is a self proclaimed loser, his only friend is Dennis and he’s the target of bullying from the other guys at school. When Arnie spots a run down Plymouth Fury for sale on the way home one day, he is instantly obsessed. Against his parents’ wishes and Dennis’ advice he sinks all of his savings into buying the car named Christine and fixing it up.
As the car begins to shape up, Arnie undergoes some rapid changes as well. His acne clears up, he gets a girlfriend Leigh and his confidence takes a serious boost. Even so, he continues to be the target of some serious abuses. Dennis and Leigh have never warmed up to Christine and Dennis begins to investigate its dark past. Soon people are dying off around Arnie and no one is safe.
This was a fun reread for me. It starts off as a bit of a slow burn and takes a while to really get going, but as people start dropping around Arnie, the action picks up. Getting the story from Dennis’ perspective puts the reader in an interesting position. Dennis and Arnie have had a long term close relationship so Dennis has some insights into Arnie, but we really are outside looking in as Arnie becomes less and less of the friend Dennis knows.
Overall I was glad to revisit King’s Christine. While this isn’t a favorite King for me, it is a solid read and I do recommend the audio!
I actually did like this! Definitely one of my favorites by Stephen King so far. I still only gave it 2 stars though because I don't like it as much as my usual 3 star reads, but for Stephen King I really enjoyed it.
3-3.5 stars.
There's only King to write about a revenge-seeking car.. and make it work.
This is insane, and yet, I still believed it; it was a well-constructed story.
Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters; anyone dying was just one person less to remember.
Christine was the only with character, and what a character she had.. or has ?
There's only King to write about a revenge-seeking car.. and make it work.
This is insane, and yet, I still believed it; it was a well-constructed story.
Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters; anyone dying was just one person less to remember.
Christine was the only with character, and what a character she had.. or has ?
Shy, nerdy Arnie and popular, athletic Dennis grew up together, best friends. Until, that is, Christine entered Arnie's life and made a few changes. Christine is a classic car with a mind of her own. Can Dennis save Arnie before it's too late?
What a wild ride! Christine is a psychological trip into the head of Arnie, a teenage boy who restores a ‘58 Plymouth Fury called Christine and becomes fixated on the car. His obsession risks his relationship with his parents, best friend Dennis and girlfriend Leigh.
The book describes itself as a love triangle between Arnie, Christine, and Leigh. But to me, it’s between Arnie, Christine, and Dennis. I loved the portrayal of Arnie and Dennis’s friendship and their inevitable fallout. Amidst the gruesome car-gone-crazy scenes, the tragic, devastating outcome of Christine’s fury hits hard. I legit got emotional!
Clocking at 700+ pages though it’s definitely one of the more bloated and indulgent King stories. The (human) bad guys aren’t particularly interesting either. But I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would!
book blog | twitter | instagram
The book describes itself as a love triangle between Arnie, Christine, and Leigh. But to me, it’s between Arnie, Christine, and Dennis. I loved the portrayal of Arnie and Dennis’s friendship and their inevitable fallout. Amidst the gruesome car-gone-crazy scenes, the tragic, devastating outcome of Christine’s fury hits hard. I legit got emotional!
Clocking at 700+ pages though it’s definitely one of the more bloated and indulgent King stories. The (human) bad guys aren’t particularly interesting either. But I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would!
book blog | twitter | instagram
As I used to say to my son when he wanted to watch the Christine movie for the umpteenth time, “The car is evil. It kills people.” Oops. Sorry for the spoiler, folks.
That said, Stephen King is a really great writer. If you don’t like horror (Then why are you reading this review, anyway?) go seek out some of his less frightening works. You won’t be disappointed.
That said, Stephen King is a really great writer. If you don’t like horror (Then why are you reading this review, anyway?) go seek out some of his less frightening works. You won’t be disappointed.
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
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes