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juffnstuff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Rape and Child death
latham9's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Gun violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent and Pedophilia
stampest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Another King done for me. I've been finding his books to be a good palate cleanser when I need something predictable (in a good way) in between more intense/heavy reads. Not much more to say... It's Stephen King...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
2022: I still really enjoyed this quiet, coming of age, nostalgia-heavy story that happens to involve a serial killer and ghosts. This time around, Dev seemed to know how to interact with a dying kid way too easily given his lack of experience. This also manifested in him “knowing better” than Mike’s own mother what he needed. The book really didn’t give Annie enough credit in that regard. I didn’t like how much weight Dev’s loss of virginity was given. However, the carnival summer vibes were amazing and I enjoyed most of the characterization. This is still my favorite King.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Child death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Murder and Religious bigotry
Minor: Rape
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stephen king has the unique ability to give you the very essence of a character in just one sentence. With a single phrase, mannerism or stance his characters are living, breathing people in the readers mind.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
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