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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Kind of a weird book, but, hey, it's a Stephen King! I still gave it 4 stars because I thoroughly enjoy King's writing.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Again with the Stephen King, I know. I admit have a problem. Hello, my name is Sarah and I’m a King-oholic.
This one is a bit like a supernatural sandwich. It starts with a strong other-worldly foundation, builds and peaks with some classic make-you-think-and-feel-things drama, and closes with another quick dash of magic right at the end– a reminder that despite the relative normalcy of the previous sections, you are still reading King.
The story is really three or four stories, spanning decades, stringing together the lives of a few carefree children who grew up and realized that the world is far more complex, beautiful, devastating, and yes, magical than they could have ever dreamed. They grow up and go to war, go to jail, go to funerals… And they discover and define themselves– all the good and all the bad. In the end, their many hearts are in Atlantis (who could have guessed?!).
Delightful, as always.
This one is a bit like a supernatural sandwich. It starts with a strong other-worldly foundation, builds and peaks with some classic make-you-think-and-feel-things drama, and closes with another quick dash of magic right at the end– a reminder that despite the relative normalcy of the previous sections, you are still reading King.
The story is really three or four stories, spanning decades, stringing together the lives of a few carefree children who grew up and realized that the world is far more complex, beautiful, devastating, and yes, magical than they could have ever dreamed. They grow up and go to war, go to jail, go to funerals… And they discover and define themselves– all the good and all the bad. In the end, their many hearts are in Atlantis (who could have guessed?!).
Delightful, as always.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This collection of 5 interconnected stories (2 novellas and 3 short stories) is a contender for my Top 10 SK books based mainly on the 2 longer stories.
Starting in 1960 these stories move forward through the years acting as a commentary on the 60's generation, idealism and the impact of Vietnam.
The first novella Low Men is a lovely but heart breaking tale about the wonders of childhood and subsequent loss of innocence set in the early 60's which is part of the Dark Tower mythology.
Most people seem to pick Low Men as their favourite but I actually prefer Hearts in Atlantis. This is a deeply personal story from later in the 60's set amid the burgeoning counterculture growing up in colleges around the war in Vietnam
These 2 stories especially are beautifully told and SK is a master at writing realistic young characters that feel true to life.
Starting in 1960 these stories move forward through the years acting as a commentary on the 60's generation, idealism and the impact of Vietnam.
The first novella Low Men is a lovely but heart breaking tale about the wonders of childhood and subsequent loss of innocence set in the early 60's which is part of the Dark Tower mythology.
Most people seem to pick Low Men as their favourite but I actually prefer Hearts in Atlantis. This is a deeply personal story from later in the 60's set amid the burgeoning counterculture growing up in colleges around the war in Vietnam
These 2 stories especially are beautifully told and SK is a master at writing realistic young characters that feel true to life.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked up Hearts in Atlantis for the Dark Tower references and the main story Low Men in Yellow Coats, which I would give 4 stars. The rest of the stories were ok and have some tie-ins with each other, but dragged on far too much (especially Hearts in Atlantis). Though I was not terribly interested in the backdrop of the Vietnam war, it also threads through the stories and offers thoughts and reactions to the drawn-out war from different perspectives. By the end of the book, I was just trying to finish it up so I could move on, though (in a very Stephen King way) he somewhat hooks my attention again with the last story Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling.
If you are a DT fan, you could get away with skipping the middle stories. You'd miss some nuances and a little back story for the glove and note, but nothing specifically DT related.
If you are a DT fan, you could get away with skipping the middle stories. You'd miss some nuances and a little back story for the glove and note, but nothing specifically DT related.
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
49/130 (2019 Reading Challenge)
I loved this book and second read. First time would have been just as it came out (in paperback) so it has been a good while!
Did not get all the DT crossover stuff then & now it’s one of my favourite ever series of books. So interesting in all the links there. Mainly stories set around the era of the Vietnam war or the lives that have been forever influenced by it and the peace movement.
About childhood & growing up & the people we once knew. I really enjoyed it & parts made me really sad & emotional but being touch in that way is not a bad thing. As absorbing as anything he writes.
I loved this book and second read. First time would have been just as it came out (in paperback) so it has been a good while!
Did not get all the DT crossover stuff then & now it’s one of my favourite ever series of books. So interesting in all the links there. Mainly stories set around the era of the Vietnam war or the lives that have been forever influenced by it and the peace movement.
About childhood & growing up & the people we once knew. I really enjoyed it & parts made me really sad & emotional but being touch in that way is not a bad thing. As absorbing as anything he writes.