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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Lots of good ideas here bogged down by some strange narrative shortcuts. Still, must read for fans of pulp horror, very solid ending.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It didn't age well.
I've never read a Stephen King (or Richard Bachman, for that matter) novel before. And I must say that my first one was more then disappointing. I hear great things about how scary Stephen King's novels are but the only thing this novel did for me is make me scared to eat pie. And I was also surprised to find some missing quotes (") and misspelled words.
The writing didn't keep my attention at all. I found myself having to re-read pages because I was thinking about something else. I was shocked to find myself feeling sad for Billy, the main character, but don't know why. I didn't like his character and the only sympathy I felt for him was when he would binge eat, it made me really sad to read that. And yet, when he was frail and basically a stick, I found myself feeling a little sorry for him. I didn't like the gypsy's at all and never really have in life.
The most exciting part of the novel was the last 3 pages but unfortunately, I guessed exactly how this novel would end. I could figure it out from one hundred pages away. I'm still a little confused on how that's going to distribute but I really don't want to hurt my head thinking about it. I'm surprised I made it to the end because I felt like DNFing at least every 50 pages I didn't think I'd make it. The writing may be compelling for some, but for me, I was bored.
I do want to read another Stephen King but I think I'll go with one of his popular novels, like The Shining, or It.
The writing didn't keep my attention at all. I found myself having to re-read pages because I was thinking about something else. I was shocked to find myself feeling sad for Billy, the main character, but don't know why. I didn't like his character and the only sympathy I felt for him was when he would binge eat, it made me really sad to read that. And yet, when he was frail and basically a stick, I found myself feeling a little sorry for him. I didn't like the gypsy's at all and never really have in life.
The most exciting part of the novel was the last 3 pages but unfortunately, I guessed exactly how this novel would end. I could figure it out from one hundred pages away. I'm still a little confused on how that's going to distribute but I really don't want to hurt my head thinking about it. I'm surprised I made it to the end because I felt like DNFing at least every 50 pages I didn't think I'd make it. The writing may be compelling for some, but for me, I was bored.
I do want to read another Stephen King but I think I'll go with one of his popular novels, like The Shining, or It.
At this point in my King reading journey, I really do feel like I am scraping the bottom of the barrel. I have so few left to read that I don't think I am going to discover a hidden gem or a new favorite, but my goal is still to read everything he has written. This was better than I thought it would be based off of reviews, and I think going in not expecting much is the way to go. I am not sure the substance of the book was enough for a full-length novel, but King pulled it off, and even though I kinda knew the end as it was approaching, I still had chills go down my spine on the final pages. The pacing definitely dragged in some parts, and it was also oddly sexual in a way I just did not think was necessary at the beginning. I am sure it is not the best, but I sort of want to see how they turned this into a movie and what is similar/ different. I am glad I checked it off my list, but not a new favorite King.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just finished Thinner. That was interesting, it's the first of the Bachman books I've read and I enjoyed it. I didn't expect the reaction I had during the chapter where Billy confronts Hopely, but I audibly gagged at the description of the pimples and such popping. I did enjoy thending with his daughter coming home and him deciding to eat the pie as well, but then again I do enjoy bleak endings.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
About on par with Roadwork. Starts pretty slow and doesn't make much sense, middle is plodding and nonsensical, then the Italian guy is involved and it starts to pick up. Ending is decent, a bit better than Roadwork's ending. I'd say Roadwork was much more consistently entertaining, though. The most entertainment I got out of this book was when one of the characters said Billy was talking to him like someone out of a Stephen King novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Blood, Gaslighting
Moderate: Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Murder
Minor: Self harm
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes