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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
7 out of 10
I'm not sure what to make of Stephen King's Revival. It's a strange book: there were parts of it I was entirely fascinated by, and other parts that really dragged. Overall, the novel feels too long because the second half is vastly more interesting than the first. The setup is necessary, but it goes on, and on, and on... And it really could have been presented more efficiently.
What I really appreciated were the themes of mortality, fanaticism, and addiction. I love a good introspective novel, and at its best this feels like "old school" King - the man who wrote Pet Sematary and The Shining. It's intense and thought-provoking. At its worst though this feels like a book that's too long, and doesn't quite know how to get to the point, including details that feel like padding.
So that's where I am with Revival. Something about it pulls me in, and it certainly left me in a contemplative mood, so maybe as time goes by the flaws will fade in my memory, and I will reach for this novel again to see how I feel about it later in life. Because this absolutely feels like a "later in life" book thematically. And honestly, I'd much rather have this King than The Institute and Later King.
***
Love books and movies? Check out my YouTube channel for more reviews, recommendations, discussions, and rankings.
Instagram | Twitter | Letterboxd
A special thank you to all of my Patreon supporters! You guys rock!
“This is how we bring about our own damnation, you know—by ignoring the voice that begs us to stop. To stop while there's still time.”
I'm not sure what to make of Stephen King's Revival. It's a strange book: there were parts of it I was entirely fascinated by, and other parts that really dragged. Overall, the novel feels too long because the second half is vastly more interesting than the first. The setup is necessary, but it goes on, and on, and on... And it really could have been presented more efficiently.
What I really appreciated were the themes of mortality, fanaticism, and addiction. I love a good introspective novel, and at its best this feels like "old school" King - the man who wrote Pet Sematary and The Shining. It's intense and thought-provoking. At its worst though this feels like a book that's too long, and doesn't quite know how to get to the point, including details that feel like padding.
So that's where I am with Revival. Something about it pulls me in, and it certainly left me in a contemplative mood, so maybe as time goes by the flaws will fade in my memory, and I will reach for this novel again to see how I feel about it later in life. Because this absolutely feels like a "later in life" book thematically. And honestly, I'd much rather have this King than The Institute and Later King.
***
Love books and movies? Check out my YouTube channel for more reviews, recommendations, discussions, and rankings.
Instagram | Twitter | Letterboxd
A special thank you to all of my Patreon supporters! You guys rock!
dark
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Murder
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have no option because it's KING
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes