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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
So, I'm only giving this 3 stars but I think the problem is my mindset & intentions coming into this book. I picked this up purely as supplemental reading to The Dark Tower, and as such, I really only enjoyed the first section: Low Men in Yellow Coats (which I loved and am glad I read).
I probably should have stopped there and come back to finish the rest of this book when I wasn't so engrossed in the Dark Tower (and impatient to return to it for book 7).
That being said, I still appreciated a lot of moments in this book. It's definitely an impressive showcase of King's abilities outside of the horror genre.
I'm not necessarily a fan of the "multiple short stories with small connections between them" format, so that's on me, though I do appreciate the skill it takes to weave themes and characters into separate narratives.
I think if I were to revisit this book again in the future with a more patient approach, I'd enjoy and appreciate it a lot more.
I probably should have stopped there and come back to finish the rest of this book when I wasn't so engrossed in the Dark Tower (and impatient to return to it for book 7).
That being said, I still appreciated a lot of moments in this book. It's definitely an impressive showcase of King's abilities outside of the horror genre.
I'm not necessarily a fan of the "multiple short stories with small connections between them" format, so that's on me, though I do appreciate the skill it takes to weave themes and characters into separate narratives.
I think if I were to revisit this book again in the future with a more patient approach, I'd enjoy and appreciate it a lot more.
This book is a mixed bag but the first story, "Low men in yellow coats", is classic almost stereotypical King in the best way. The long long second story brings this book down a big notch. The last stories are also excellent but not quite up to Low Men. If you are a King aficionado you must read this for the Low Men alone.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Five interconnected stories spanning over 30 years. Some heavy ties to Dark Tower. A tiny bit of the supernatural. But mostly, it's just about the bittersweetness and tragedy of life.
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
This book is comprised of 2 novellas and 3 short stories. The five stars is entirely due to the first novella, "Low Men in Yellow Coats." It ties in to the Dark Tower series, but those portions are incidental to this story, which might be the best thing I've read in a long time. It is a brilliant and touching coming of age story with rich, three dimensional characters.
I also enjoyed reading "Hearts in Atlantis," but the end of that one and the following two short stories: "Blind Willie," and "Why We're in Vietnam" are both more anti-war and a depiction of the failed dreams of the sixties. These stories are told well, but none of them do much for me. The final story, "Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling" brings the main characters from the first novella back to try to find closure, and tie the various pieces of this book together. There isn't much to it, but I find it does highlight the first story well.
I also enjoyed reading "Hearts in Atlantis," but the end of that one and the following two short stories: "Blind Willie," and "Why We're in Vietnam" are both more anti-war and a depiction of the failed dreams of the sixties. These stories are told well, but none of them do much for me. The final story, "Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling" brings the main characters from the first novella back to try to find closure, and tie the various pieces of this book together. There isn't much to it, but I find it does highlight the first story well.
challenging
dark
slow-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:
Yes
slow-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes