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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Many a time after reading Stephen King and closing the book I would wonder what just happened. This did not occur with every one of his works but I recollect this especially with tales he spun on larger canvases. There are four tales in this book and being one of his earlier works, they (most of them) stand out as really well crafted.
1.The Langoliers : It's one of the now-classic scenarios of a small group of survivors who fight tooth and nail to survive. The characterization is brilliant and King goes in directly for the action by setting the tone. This is quite expected, for after all its a short story.
2. Secret Window, Secret Garden : My personal favorite from the collection. King was at one of his finest here is what I felt all through the scope of the tale. The slow onset of insanity and how guilt can sometimes push people over the edge is captured well through the story of Mort.
3. The Library Policeman : Not exactly one story I liked but it sure does have its moments.
4. The Sun Dog : What stands out best here is the characterization. Pop Merrill is a fine study of character and the emporium galorium is deftly captured through King's words. It's good old King territory where after a lot of detail and sub plots it all comes down to good v/s evil in the end.
An author writes : Tara & Greg were lost in the kiss and to them all that existed was the other's breath & presence . You visualize a couple lip locked in a moment of passion & that is perhaps all that you see. Stephen King is one of those authors who will tell u what Tara & Greg did today from the moment they woke up, what kind of thoughts inhabited their mind today, why are they wearing the clothes that they are wearing and the act of the kiss will come probably 15 pages down the line.
Considering the fact that my degree of rejoicing in reading largely depends on my mood, this sometimes deters and other times fuels my imagination. This however was one that I loved and I have come to realize that when it comes to SK, I love his short stories more than most of his novels.
1.The Langoliers : It's one of the now-classic scenarios of a small group of survivors who fight tooth and nail to survive. The characterization is brilliant and King goes in directly for the action by setting the tone. This is quite expected, for after all its a short story.
2. Secret Window, Secret Garden : My personal favorite from the collection. King was at one of his finest here is what I felt all through the scope of the tale. The slow onset of insanity and how guilt can sometimes push people over the edge is captured well through the story of Mort.
3. The Library Policeman : Not exactly one story I liked but it sure does have its moments.
4. The Sun Dog : What stands out best here is the characterization. Pop Merrill is a fine study of character and the emporium galorium is deftly captured through King's words. It's good old King territory where after a lot of detail and sub plots it all comes down to good v/s evil in the end.
An author writes : Tara & Greg were lost in the kiss and to them all that existed was the other's breath & presence . You visualize a couple lip locked in a moment of passion & that is perhaps all that you see. Stephen King is one of those authors who will tell u what Tara & Greg did today from the moment they woke up, what kind of thoughts inhabited their mind today, why are they wearing the clothes that they are wearing and the act of the kiss will come probably 15 pages down the line.
Considering the fact that my degree of rejoicing in reading largely depends on my mood, this sometimes deters and other times fuels my imagination. This however was one that I loved and I have come to realize that when it comes to SK, I love his short stories more than most of his novels.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Looking back on this collection of novellas, I'm not sure one novella out of four that I really enjoyed justified giving this book four stars. It's no secret I don't really care for King's writing, but I will say that when I do enjoy his works, it's usually those that are on the shorter side of things. Unfortunately, while one of these stories delivered, I don't think the other three did, and I only have vague memories of all four of them. What I remember most about this book was the hot summer days I spent reading them on the carpet floor, wishing it were cooler out and semi-wishing I'd been reading another book. This was another King book I read that summer that only got in my hands because my dad's coworker heard I liked to read and just chose one at random that he thought I'd like. So, needless to say, I felt obligated. And that's partly because I lied about the last King book I read and told my dad I enjoyed it, when in reality, I did not, which was what prompted said coworker to pick another King book to begin with. *sigh* It's a bit complicated.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay stuff. Nothing that impressive really. The most startling part was how much I was liking the Library Policeman right until the very graphic and disturbingly detailed child rape scene that I could have done without having in my head.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated