Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

11/22/63 by Stephen King

106 reviews

wrightndesk's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This was my first Stephen King novel, and it was a doozy. I picked it up after seeing trailers for the Hulu mini series, because it sounded like a fresh take on the time travel genre. I didn't expect most of the content of the book to not be about Lee Harvey Oswald, but rather just a moving drama about a man living life in the early 60s. I liked it, but I wouldn'  recommend it if you're mostly interested in the Kennedy assassination, as that really isn't the focus of the book. Despite the length of the novel, it was an engaging read that moved back and forth between cozy and tense. The characters were all very endearing. And I appreciate the nod to Bradbury, whose short story "A Sound of Thunder" clearly had an impact on the novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cancer

Minor: Racism

joanne_nel's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Stalking

nikimorr's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Antisemitism

shmamshilling's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I thoroughly enjoyed this read and felt it was a perfect balance of suspense, soft/mild horror, historical fiction and romance. I really quickly fell into a comfort with the characters and found them relatable, as well as enjoying the plot unfolding alongside the person-driven stories. The ending ripped me up and had me wishing for many versions with alternate realities. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

jamieclower's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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This book was so much more than I expected at the start... Loveable characters you are rooting for, incredible placemaking and a ticking timeline to build suspense. Lest you think this is too long (as I did), know it's slow at points but absolutely worth it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

christina_c's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book had a grip on me that would not let go. I absolutely loved this book. I felt so connected to Jake as I was reading this, feeling his emotions, and my heart absolutely broke with everything he went through. Jake will be a character that I probably will never forget.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Murder

edgelordoftheflies's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence

erindoublee's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad 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: Complicated

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This is my first Stephen King novel to read and boy, am I sorry I waited so long to read this one. I wanted to live in Jake's world forever, to know his next steps, to know what decisions he would continue to make. This novel was so well-written.

Because haven't we all wondered what would have happened if JFK lived? This book explores this thought through time travel. Jake Epping takes a step through the rabbit hole to 1958 in early Fall, and thus begins the story of his attempt to stop the assassination of the president. The story weaves through 1958-63 and is a rich telling of friendships, bad bets, love, loss, and Jake's attempt to stop this murder. 

Highly recommend, 5.0 star!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder

The entire plot comes down to the butterfly effect, and how actions can change the entire world. One area where I did not feel very compelled was Sadie and Jake's relationship. It wasn't fully developed for me. Perhaps it was the audio narration, but I really actually couldn't stand Sadie, didn't get upset when she died, it was definitely the sacrifice that had to be made. Jake going back to Jody at the end wasn't necessary for me, it was just a little too tied in a bow, but alas, I still loved the story.

hannahjaynej's review against another edition

1.25

slow-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

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The first and likely the last Stephen King book I will ever read. I only finished it because it’s this month’s book club book. I am not sure if Stephen King has ever met a woman, and if he has, if he’s ever talked to one at length. You could argue that it is just the character, but I think we are supposed to like the main character, so I think it may be indicative of King’s beliefs. Either way, the time travel aspect was interesting but the second the one-dimensional love interest, Sadie, was introduced I was annoyed from there on out. The way he described women, usually on looks alone, was problematic and infuriating. And of course this straight white man enjoyed the late 50s and early 60s. Who cares about racism and sexism if they don’t affect you? Or better yet, work in your favor!! The main character has a savior complex, a virgin fantasy, and desperately wants to be told he’s right. 

Some notes I took while reading:
• Excuse me, the 16-year-olds dancing was “sexy?!” Creep.
• Sex as the cure for a headache from almost OD-ing?! You wish, Stephen. 
• Yes, I’m sure her most pressing concern after being traumatically attacked by her abusive ex-husband is how she looks in front of her current boyfriend.
• SADIE “THE VIRGIN” AS HER IDENTIFIER?? SERIOUSLY.
• Yes, because she needs a man to make her obviously very accomplished life worthwhile. 
• And I hated the frequent use of phrases like “smoothly naked” and “her formidable bosom.” 

In conclusion, I would hate to be written by Stephen King and I wish I could unread this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

skitson's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I really feel, the more I read of King’s, the more I believe he doesn’t need all of his books to be 700+ pages long. I think this book could have been 500+ instead, and his writing style is definitely not my favorite. King’s use of language and racism/sexism to tell his story is not favorable, despite him using it as just a commentary on that type of way of “thinking” (this is not necessary in my opinion, you can tell a story and comment on racism or sexism without also using that within your book).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Sexual harassment