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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The shining achievement of this book lies in its characters—the way King writes the bond and friendship of the 5 main men was really touching, beautiful, and real. However, the story of this one didn’t quite live up to its players. Though I appreciate King taking a different angle for this story (science fiction inspired), it never captured me in the way his novels usually do.
If you’re already a fan of King’s work and have read at least ten or so books of his, I think it’s worth reading this one just to see his take on the subject matter. If you’re new to him, do not start with this one! I don’t think it’s an accurate representation of what he can do with a pen.
If you’re already a fan of King’s work and have read at least ten or so books of his, I think it’s worth reading this one just to see his take on the subject matter. If you’re new to him, do not start with this one! I don’t think it’s an accurate representation of what he can do with a pen.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I know that most reviews of this book were very negative, but honestly I really enjoyed it. I felt that the story was excellent and the characters were ones you grew attached to. A lot of people said they disliked duddits as a character, but I had a really strong emotional attachment to him. I’m not sure if it was his childlike tendencies and almost innocent characteristics, but ever since watching the movie (one of my favorites) I’ve loved his character. As far as the fart jokes go, everyone needs to relax. Is it repetitive, sure, but lighten up. Not everything in life has to be so serious. For me, Henry was the most relatable character, probably because of my psychology major and my own battle with depression. If you haven’t read this book, at least give it a try.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️
Critical Score: C-
Personal Score: D+
The first 200 pages were pretty great, but then I took a few months’ break from the book and never regained my interest. That, plus the fact that the other 420 pages of the book kind of suck, meant it was painful to finish this. I had to skim a *lot*, which I’ve tried to stop feeling guilty about.
Maybe if I’d been in a different mood and had more time to really savor this book, it might have worked for me, but probably not.
The cultural appropriation of the dreamcatcher is embarrassing. The tokenism and inspiration porn of Duddits’ character is hideous. The rambling and extremely overextended plot failed me. The military aspect didn’t attract me in the slightest, and it only gets more important to the story from a third in. Kurtz is a caricature. There isn’t a single significant female character.
I did love the shit weasels. I did love the setting. I did love the classic alien approach. At it’s best, Dreamcatcher is what you get when you mix The Tommyknockers with The Body and The Thing with The Ritual. At its worst, it’s militaristic, problematic nonsense that just keeps going and going. I was expecting more flashbacks, and a plot encompassing a greater timeline.
I thought the writing style might be more unique given the extremely unique circumstances surrounding the first draft, particularly that it was handwritten, but this is pretty on par with his other work. It’s maybe a bit zanier and more prone to hallucinogenic sequences, but not much more than his standard, honestly.
I can see why this is one of his least popular mammoths. I can also see why there are plenty of people who love this book. I’m really sad that it’s yet another King novel I had to mostly skim in order to finish, but that’s just the way it is. I don’t hate this book, but it did completely fall short of the potential it set up for itself in the first couple hundred pages.
Critical Score: C-
Personal Score: D+
The first 200 pages were pretty great, but then I took a few months’ break from the book and never regained my interest. That, plus the fact that the other 420 pages of the book kind of suck, meant it was painful to finish this. I had to skim a *lot*, which I’ve tried to stop feeling guilty about.
Maybe if I’d been in a different mood and had more time to really savor this book, it might have worked for me, but probably not.
The cultural appropriation of the dreamcatcher is embarrassing. The tokenism and inspiration porn of Duddits’ character is hideous. The rambling and extremely overextended plot failed me. The military aspect didn’t attract me in the slightest, and it only gets more important to the story from a third in. Kurtz is a caricature. There isn’t a single significant female character.
I did love the shit weasels. I did love the setting. I did love the classic alien approach. At it’s best, Dreamcatcher is what you get when you mix The Tommyknockers with The Body and The Thing with The Ritual. At its worst, it’s militaristic, problematic nonsense that just keeps going and going. I was expecting more flashbacks, and a plot encompassing a greater timeline.
I thought the writing style might be more unique given the extremely unique circumstances surrounding the first draft, particularly that it was handwritten, but this is pretty on par with his other work. It’s maybe a bit zanier and more prone to hallucinogenic sequences, but not much more than his standard, honestly.
I can see why this is one of his least popular mammoths. I can also see why there are plenty of people who love this book. I’m really sad that it’s yet another King novel I had to mostly skim in order to finish, but that’s just the way it is. I don’t hate this book, but it did completely fall short of the potential it set up for itself in the first couple hundred pages.
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Media: Audible
An entirely too long (unexpected) Sci Fi body snatcher story with entirely too much alien flatulence. This book started out strong and fizzled.
As a diehard King fan the themes seemed repetitive and the buildup of the characters fell flat - and those were my favorite parts of the story to listen to.
I had fun listening to this but didn’t get the same warmth and fuzziness from King’s heroes as I usually do nor did this story have a profound impact or staying power.
An entirely too long (unexpected) Sci Fi body snatcher story with entirely too much alien flatulence. This book started out strong and fizzled.
As a diehard King fan the themes seemed repetitive and the buildup of the characters fell flat - and those were my favorite parts of the story to listen to.
I had fun listening to this but didn’t get the same warmth and fuzziness from King’s heroes as I usually do nor did this story have a profound impact or staying power.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you like scary, then this is your read right here. I couldn't stay asleep while reading this book. The anticipation and wide turns this book took were in true Stephen King fashion. This is only my second book by this amazing story teller and I have to say I am hooked. I was terrified to sleep and scared at every single noise in the house but I tell you what, it didn't stop me from completing this horror of horrors. Wow and double wow to the mastery of this authors storytelling abilities.
dark
emotional
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:
No
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF..
Started out ok, then there was a lot of reference to a boy who obviously has Down syndrome, even though there was no mention, he was called the R word & was used multiple times when there was no need, he was supposed to be the main 4 guys friend.
Later there was use of racial slurs and more use of the R word. This was really jarring and made me upset.
This book dragged on, was repetitive and definitely could have ended way earlier.
Started out ok, then there was a lot of reference to a boy who obviously has Down syndrome, even though there was no mention, he was called the R word & was used multiple times when there was no need, he was supposed to be the main 4 guys friend.
Later there was use of racial slurs and more use of the R word. This was really jarring and made me upset.
This book dragged on, was repetitive and definitely could have ended way earlier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder