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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really don't know what to make of this book, which is about a slightly mentally hancapped guy (called Blaze) who has been working "short cons" for years with a friend called George.
After his friend dies, Blaze decides to continue with the "one big plan" that George had been planning before his death. To motivate himself in this endeavour, he talks to himself as George would. This self-motivation starts off as a sort of security blanket at first, but turns into something more sinister as the poop hits the fan, further into the book.
Reading about a dumb guy as he get his head round something serious might get a little boring after a while, so King cuts between the present day of the book (the early 80s) and Blaze's unpleasant childhood. The back story we get about Blaze acts as a sort of explanation of Blaze's actions, and tells us of the underlying futility of much of Blaze's life to that point. This back story has been done better in other books, but it works well within the confines of the story as a whole, I think.
As I said earlier, I couldn't get into this book. I know we're supposed to like Blaze (and I liked him a lot more than George), but I still didn't like him all that much. He's a naive, silly guy who is easily led into doing things he knows are wrong. This might sound harsh, but I couldn't bring myself to root for him because of the state of mind that he has.
After his friend dies, Blaze decides to continue with the "one big plan" that George had been planning before his death. To motivate himself in this endeavour, he talks to himself as George would. This self-motivation starts off as a sort of security blanket at first, but turns into something more sinister as the poop hits the fan, further into the book.
Reading about a dumb guy as he get his head round something serious might get a little boring after a while, so King cuts between the present day of the book (the early 80s) and Blaze's unpleasant childhood. The back story we get about Blaze acts as a sort of explanation of Blaze's actions, and tells us of the underlying futility of much of Blaze's life to that point. This back story has been done better in other books, but it works well within the confines of the story as a whole, I think.
As I said earlier, I couldn't get into this book. I know we're supposed to like Blaze (and I liked him a lot more than George), but I still didn't like him all that much. He's a naive, silly guy who is easily led into doing things he knows are wrong. This might sound harsh, but I couldn't bring myself to root for him because of the state of mind that he has.
If you read the reviews on the back of the book, you might think the esteemed reviewers are reviewing the author, not this book.
People, it's an homage to Of Mice and Men. If you know that story, then there will be no surprises.
But it's well written. It sets a tone. It twists your sympathies. It's really well done, but let's not pretend it's a groundbreaking thriller. Skip the hype and just read the book.
People, it's an homage to Of Mice and Men. If you know that story, then there will be no surprises.
But it's well written. It sets a tone. It twists your sympathies. It's really well done, but let's not pretend it's a groundbreaking thriller. Skip the hype and just read the book.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a pretty good book—is obviously based on and pays homage to of mice and men which i liked and found interesting!!
I loved this quick read. Somehow Kings least fantastical stories are full of so much human Beaty and flaws
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced