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emannuelk's review
3.0
Ouvi o audiobook narrado pelo James Franco. O que foi uma aventura por si só. Alguns dos sotaques que ele tenta fazer são, no mínimo, bizarros. O livro em si é um pouco diferente do que se costuma relacionar à obra de King. Fica bem longe do terror de Carrie - que é até citado - ou The Shining. Está mais para uma fantasia contemporânea, embora os elementos fantásticos sejam bem restritos. De modo geral, a narrativa parece passar muito tempo na preparação e pouco na execução. A maior parte do livro é dedicada a estabelecer o poder paranormal do protagonista. Quando as coisas finalmente acontecem, é tudo muito rápido. Ou, ao menos, me pareceu assim, levando em consideração o tamanho do volume, que podia ser melhor distribuído. Acredito que, quando escreveu esse livro, King não estava na sua melhor fase, o que transparece um tanto. Ainda assim, é divertido e tem os clichês que esperamos quando lemos o Charles Dickens do nosso tempo.
just_jack's review against another edition
3.75
This is my like 15th King book so far? I’d say it’s mid, like C tier. In hindsight, it didn’t really feel like a cohesive narrative in the sense that there’s the first third and it’s plot, the second third and it’s plot, and then the final third with its own plot. They are obviously connected and it “works” as a book, but I think the narrative could’ve been more cohesive.
You can definitely tell it’s one of his earlier works, and I can see how it influenced his later works. Within King’s list of works I’d rate it a 3.75, as I can see how he was able to make the not so great parts of this book great in later books.
But if I’m being totally honest if I was being objective about this book in its own right I’d probably lean more towards a 3.
I definitely don’t regret reading it though, but also I’m on a trek to read them all so this is a very biased review.
You can definitely tell it’s one of his earlier works, and I can see how it influenced his later works. Within King’s list of works I’d rate it a 3.75, as I can see how he was able to make the not so great parts of this book great in later books.
But if I’m being totally honest if I was being objective about this book in its own right I’d probably lean more towards a 3.
I definitely don’t regret reading it though, but also I’m on a trek to read them all so this is a very biased review.
elenser's review
4.0
This Stephen King guy can write. Another fantastic read and sufficient encouragement to continue my King kick, and proof that his writing ability is not exclusive to horror/overtly supernatural tales.
Overall not quite at the level of Pet Semetary for me, but still an outstanding piece of fiction that was largely consumed via the James Franco-read audiobook on Spotify which was a treat. Halfway through this book I would have given it five stars, but I think some of the plot progression towards the end and how King attempts to weave the early and middle plot together with that of the end was lacking and did the rest of the book disservice.
Lots of eerie, foreboding themes with an uncannily Trump-like antagonist despite this being written all the way back in 1979. For me, diving into those themes is an interesting perspective to explore (especially being written pre-Trump era), but on the same note as my above mention of poorly connected plot pieces, it's a stark and disappointing change of pace from a cheerier first half where the most interesting characters and relationships of the story live as well.
Overall not quite at the level of Pet Semetary for me, but still an outstanding piece of fiction that was largely consumed via the James Franco-read audiobook on Spotify which was a treat. Halfway through this book I would have given it five stars, but I think some of the plot progression towards the end and how King attempts to weave the early and middle plot together with that of the end was lacking and did the rest of the book disservice.
Lots of eerie, foreboding themes with an uncannily Trump-like antagonist despite this being written all the way back in 1979. For me, diving into those themes is an interesting perspective to explore (especially being written pre-Trump era), but on the same note as my above mention of poorly connected plot pieces, it's a stark and disappointing change of pace from a cheerier first half where the most interesting characters and relationships of the story live as well.
yodisborg's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Slow and mundane at times. Too casually deals with would you kill Hitler if you were the only who knew who he would become. Begs to be a thriller but falls back into a rambling hallmark cards on loss
caumphryes's review
4.0
I want to start off by saying I am a Stephen King fan. I am by no means a constant reader...but a fan for sure. I have read 15 or so books and really enjoyed a 12 or so. And I have learned that there is a type I enjoy and a type I don't. This one I did. I don't know how to describe it, but this makes you feel a similar way that reading a bachman book does. Or a Mr Mercedes trilogy book. Maybe even Billy Summers. All books I really enjoy, and that's why I liked this one.
Good story. Captivating. Great characters, as always. Definitely a good read. Probably not a re-readable one for me. But one I'm glad I added to the list.
Definitely recommend if you are a king fan. Especially King writing as Bachman. You will enjoy it
Good story. Captivating. Great characters, as always. Definitely a good read. Probably not a re-readable one for me. But one I'm glad I added to the list.
Definitely recommend if you are a king fan. Especially King writing as Bachman. You will enjoy it
kateapatton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sleepytimebooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
selia_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
3.75
helgamharb's review
4.0
Some things are better lost than found...
When Johnny Smith awakens from a 5 year coma as a result of an accident, he realizes he can see the future.
But should he use this power to save lives?
When Johnny Smith awakens from a 5 year coma as a result of an accident, he realizes he can see the future.
But should he use this power to save lives?
fireblend's review
4.0
This was really solid, eight books into King's bibliography I would call it slop but in the most generous meaning of the word - the next 10 books could be like this and I'd be ok with that. It doesn't feel phoned in, but it does feel less like someone trying to prove themselves. And all the King staples are here, from the religious fundamentalism and center-progressive views to the (many!) well educated and intellectual friends offering their thoughts on ESP and even the backwater friend chiming in with some colorful piece of folklore (a bit of unfortunate exoticism on that one but what can you do).
That said, the ending fell flat for me; all throughout the book builds towards an idea the whole last fourth or so hinges on and it turns out to be a rather boring and drawn out drive towards an endpoint you can see from miles away, with not even the slightest swerve, which was a bit of a disappointment but not enough to detract from the rest.
That said, the ending fell flat for me; all throughout the book builds towards an idea the whole last fourth or so hinges on and it turns out to be a rather boring and drawn out drive towards an endpoint you can see from miles away, with not even the slightest swerve, which was a bit of a disappointment but not enough to detract from the rest.