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stampest's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Sexism, Blood, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Gore, Pregnancy, Ableism, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
jourdanicus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol
mithy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Terminal illness, Child death, and Chronic illness
Minor: Excrement, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Death, and Murder
pkc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood, Chronic illness, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, and Vomit
soobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've read a couple of handfuls of his books over the years, tending toward the well-knowns and classics - Carrie, IT, The Shining, Misery, The Green Mile. On the newer side, the Mr. Mercedes trilogy, 11/22/63 and The Outsider.
But Joyland. What an excellent addition to an already-impressive list.
It's 1973, and Devin Jones is on summer break from college and on the cusp of his first heartbreak. He takes a job at the amusement park Joyland, and all at once makes friends while learning of the park's dark history. Four years prior, Linda Grey was killed by a suitor in the Horror House and he has never been found.
As King is so ept at doing, he sews together elements of mystery with emotional coming-of-age and a skiff of the supernatural.
There are some amazing characters here, and this novel hit me on the perfect level of intrigue and heartstrings.
Recommended!
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, and Murder
rachel_here's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, and Death
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
werewolvesnotswearwolves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Cultural appropriation, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
2018: This is definitely my favorite King so far. I loved the atmosphere of this so much! Apart from the ghosts and serial killer, this was a cozy and heartwarming read. The descriptions of Joyland reminded me a lot of The Night Circus, though Joyland is a much more realistic carnival experience by far. I enjoyed all of the characters and was invested in their stories. The ending also made me cry, which is always a good thing in my book. I really enjoyed this and so wish I could continue reading more Stephen King right now.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Child death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Murder and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape
caidyn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is definitely a good King book, but it's not without its flaws. I thought he tried to jam too much backstory and little details into it. It was good, of course, but there was too much going on. I felt that the mystery got lost in the other details. This could have easily been a 500 page book to properly pace things out. I also wasn't a fan of the ableism in it with the kid who had MD. I also just am tired of the tropes related to chronic illness, with how this is a prime example of a magic sick kid (much like King's use of the magic Black person) and how the sick kid "betters" the MC. It's just a tiring trope and people living with disabilities deserve better representation. Is it still a good book? Sure. Just that things wore on me.
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Ableism