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zakcebulski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Well this was an interesting read, that is for sure.
This is the first of two (I believe) books published under Hard Case Crime as part of their "hardboiled" detective crime series.
Admittedly I was unsure what to expect when I saw this book- was it going to be a complete departure from King's usual works? Was it going to be a hardboiled detective work with King's usual flair for characters and dialogue full of vulgarity?
Well... no, to put it simply and succinctly. This book takes place from the point of view of Devin Jones a 21 year old guy who recently had his heart broken. In an effort to escape the feelings of heartbreak and loneliness, coupled with the malcontent of a life he is unsure and unhappy with, he opts to go to the titular Joyland- an amusement park where he works as a carny.
This is actually the part of the story that enticed me to read this book. The setting of a crime book that takes place in an amusement park? After the toy factory in Child's Play or the research center in The Thing I don't know if I can think of a setting for a horror work that would draw me in more.
But, to be honest, there is not much horror in this horror book- at least not in the sense that I think of when I think of King.
There is, supposedly, a haunted house that is actually haunted by the ghost of a young girl who is murdered while inside the house. That in itself is horrific, especially when it is discovered that the murderer is likely responsible for four certain other murders and is never caught. But, to be completely honest, the resolution of this book with the reveal being one of the carnies that befriends Devin immediately- Lane- being the killer fell flat for me. As soon as he was introduced I had a feeling that he would have something to do with the crime, and lo-and-behold- he did.
I also felt that the inclusion of Annie and Mike- a single mother and her son who is ailing with muscular dystrophy- was sort of half baked. In fact, that is my main gripe with the story is that most of these characters feel like they were very one dimensional. This is a critique that I never give to King's works, and I think because this book is by King and I know his characters are usually a strong point, that I am so disappointed with the showing here. It is odd, if this book was just another hardboiled crime novel, I would have likely liked it much more, or, at least, would not feel as harshly toward it.
I will say that the scene with Mike, Annie and Devin in Joyland exploring and experiencing carefree jubilation is one of my favorite passages of any fiction book that I have read recently.
Overall, this book was cool, but, it is definitely one that left me wanting more. It is unfortunately full of forgettable characters and a conclusion that didn't really mesh well with the vibe that King established with this book being a coming of age story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Medical content, and Child death
aleesquer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.0
Pros:
- I love a good coming of age story
- Ghosts
- Setting (amusement park). Very involved in learning the new lingo and how to work there. Immersive and interesting
Cons:
- Predictable (had very few genuine surprises)
- The way the background characters of color are treated is... not ideal.
- Boy howdy, does King not write women well. Jesus christ.
- That one "gallant men rarely getting pussy" line 🤮
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Rape, Sexual content, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Death, Grief, and Medical content
tifftastic87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A quick-ish murder mystery with dark undertones.
I really enjoyed this one, as per usual for King it is heavily character driven, until the last 50 pages when everything happens. We get to really know the main character, Dev, we spend time with him and get down into his soul. We follow him the summer he really grew up, even though he's 21, and watch him go from a whiney infatuated boy to a strong and kind man. A wonderful small theme park, with the colorful cast of characters that brings in, serves as a delightful background. But as per standard, things arent what they seem. A touch of ghost, a touch of sociopath, and a good ol' southern woman with a gun.
I really enjoyed this one, as per usual for King it is heavily character driven, until the last 50 pages when everything happens. We get to really know the main character, Dev, we spend time with him and get down into his soul. We follow him the summer he really grew up, even though he's 21, and watch him go from a whiney infatuated boy to a strong and kind man. A wonderful small theme park, with the colorful cast of characters that brings in, serves as a delightful background. But as per standard, things arent what they seem. A touch of ghost, a touch of sociopath, and a good ol' southern woman with a gun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Gun violence, Murder, Blood, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Ableism, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Rape
jourdanicus's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
Another King done for me. I've been finding his books to be a good palate cleanser when I need something predictable (in a good way) in between more intense/heavy reads. Not much more to say... It's Stephen King...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stephen king has the unique ability to give you the very essence of a character in just one sentence. With a single phrase, mannerism or stance his characters are living, breathing people in the readers mind.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
This same skill is also translated to King's locations and settings. With Joyland, its name alone tells us this is an amusement park clinging on from a bygone age, we can picture the peeling paint and the tired costumes of the knock off characters. We can feel the irony and smell the desperation.
This incredible efficiency is clever, it's impactful and engrossing. It works incredibly well for King in all of his works but in a novella like Joyland it ensures that you still get the full novel experience in a much shorter read. Note: the copy I read had 178 pages.
Joyland is a spooky mystery about murder, heartbreak, grief and belonging. Like it's amusement park, Joyland is sad and old school but with a pure soul. It deserves so much more recognition amongst King's amazing back catalogue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
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