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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
(2.5 rounded down).
Well...that was a book I read. Generally, I enjoy King's novels. There are things he does, both in his written work and as a human being, that I certainly do not like. And I really did not like the majority of this novel. I'll try to break it down succinctly.
1. King's narration is usually my favorite aspect of his books. Not with Christine, though, which switches from first person to third and back to first. I understand why that was necessary, but it really threw me for a loop.
2. The racist rhetoric. I know, this is a consistent problem for him, so I shouldn't be surprised. But it was just so...awful. There was truly no point to throwing those lines in there. Sure, it was brief, but I hated it and it served absolutely no purpose.
3. The pacing was slow. Even though his novels are generally quite thick, I can usually blow through them. Something about this storyline just drug. There were a few places where I could not stop reading, but they were few and far between.
Of course, there were aspects I enjoyed. This book has a KILLER first line. The epilogue is pretty great too. I thought the parallels between the two sets of parents was interesting, as was Dennis serving as a foil for Arnie.
But really, this book is just about toxic masculinity. I know that was not King's intention, but reading this with a 2020 context, Arnie epitomizes and personifies toxic masculinity. And I just didn't enjoy reading that most of the time.
Well...that was a book I read. Generally, I enjoy King's novels. There are things he does, both in his written work and as a human being, that I certainly do not like. And I really did not like the majority of this novel. I'll try to break it down succinctly.
1. King's narration is usually my favorite aspect of his books. Not with Christine, though, which switches from first person to third and back to first. I understand why that was necessary, but it really threw me for a loop.
2. The racist rhetoric. I know, this is a consistent problem for him, so I shouldn't be surprised. But it was just so...awful. There was truly no point to throwing those lines in there. Sure, it was brief, but I hated it and it served absolutely no purpose.
3. The pacing was slow. Even though his novels are generally quite thick, I can usually blow through them. Something about this storyline just drug. There were a few places where I could not stop reading, but they were few and far between.
Of course, there were aspects I enjoyed. This book has a KILLER first line. The epilogue is pretty great too. I thought the parallels between the two sets of parents was interesting, as was Dennis serving as a foil for Arnie.
But really, this book is just about toxic masculinity. I know that was not King's intention, but reading this with a 2020 context, Arnie epitomizes and personifies toxic masculinity. And I just didn't enjoy reading that most of the time.
“People are only rational on the surface.” - Stephen King, Christine
In one of the first King novels I read, I'm glad my expectations weren't too high. In retrospect, it is one of his weaker stories, but it does a good job as an introduction to what King is capable of. Finding a car possessed with the spirit of its terrible owner is no deterrent to Arnie, who starts to devote all his time and resources to the car, Christine.
As you can imagine with King, things take a sour turn. A good read, and certainly should be read by King fans, even if it isn't everything you think it could be.
In one of the first King novels I read, I'm glad my expectations weren't too high. In retrospect, it is one of his weaker stories, but it does a good job as an introduction to what King is capable of. Finding a car possessed with the spirit of its terrible owner is no deterrent to Arnie, who starts to devote all his time and resources to the car, Christine.
As you can imagine with King, things take a sour turn. A good read, and certainly should be read by King fans, even if it isn't everything you think it could be.
This would have worked as a short story but 750 pages were definitely too long.
Fun and pulpy. Scary but not overwhelmingly so. Entertaining read.
2.75 stars. Not for me, even though I enjoy Stephen King's writing. Sorry Christine.
4.5 Stars
I enjoyed all the history of the characters. And yes this is a slower SK novel. But I didn’t find that a flaw.
I enjoyed all the history of the characters. And yes this is a slower SK novel. But I didn’t find that a flaw.
《Love is old slaughterer. Love is not blind. Love is a canibal with extremely acute vision. Love is insectile, it is always hungry.》
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9/10.
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9/10.
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
