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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This is one of my favorite Stephen King novels. It is a little heavy on the language in some parts but that is my only complaint. It is a beautiful story that ranges from the 1960's to today and you can almost feel King's sentiment for what could have happened in the 1960's. This book is less horror and more heartbreak and coming of age than anything else.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, War
Moderate: Body horror, Cancer, Suicide attempt
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Going into Hearts in Atlantis I was unsure if it was going to interest me much, but partway through the first story I was hooked. The way King paints the years so vividly makes me feel apart of the story, like I was a kid messing around, or one of those Hearts crazed kids. This is one of my top 5 by King for sure. Not much happens terror wise, there are just beautiful stories that intertwine lives over decades.
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hearts in Atlantis is a unique collection of two novellas and three short stories that blend nostalgia, coming-of-age themes, and a touch of supernatural intrigue. The book is often praised for its exploration of the 1960s counterculture and its deep emotional resonance. However, for me, the highlight of the collection was undoubtedly the first story, Low Men in Yellow Coats, which is deeply connected to King's epic Dark Tower series.
The central character, Ted Brautigan, is not only compelling in his own right but also carries the weight of the larger Dark Tower mythology. The sense of mystery and the foreboding presence of the "low men" keep you hooked, and for Dark Tower fans, this story is filled with Easter eggs and connections that heighten the experience. I found myself fully immersed in Bobby Garfield's world and appreciated the mix of childhood innocence with the creeping sense of dread.
However, as I moved beyond the first story, my enthusiasm waned. The subsequent stories, while thematically linked by the turbulent 1960s and the shadow of the Vietnam War, didn’t hold my attention in the same way. They felt more grounded and introspective, with less of the supernatural tension that Low Men in Yellow Coats delivered. While the writing is still strong, these stories didn’t resonate with me as much, especially when compared to the gripping narrative of the opening novella.
In conclusion, if you're a Dark Tower fan, the first story alone makes Hearts in Atlantis worth picking up. Beyond that, it depends on your interest in King's more reflective, historical fiction.
The central character, Ted Brautigan, is not only compelling in his own right but also carries the weight of the larger Dark Tower mythology. The sense of mystery and the foreboding presence of the "low men" keep you hooked, and for Dark Tower fans, this story is filled with Easter eggs and connections that heighten the experience. I found myself fully immersed in Bobby Garfield's world and appreciated the mix of childhood innocence with the creeping sense of dread.
However, as I moved beyond the first story, my enthusiasm waned. The subsequent stories, while thematically linked by the turbulent 1960s and the shadow of the Vietnam War, didn’t hold my attention in the same way. They felt more grounded and introspective, with less of the supernatural tension that Low Men in Yellow Coats delivered. While the writing is still strong, these stories didn’t resonate with me as much, especially when compared to the gripping narrative of the opening novella.
In conclusion, if you're a Dark Tower fan, the first story alone makes Hearts in Atlantis worth picking up. Beyond that, it depends on your interest in King's more reflective, historical fiction.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No