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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unlike some of King’s other books where you have to keep turning the pages to figure out what’s going on because you’re drawn into the story and you just have to know, I saw the plot of this one coming a mile away.
Solid 3.5. More Stephen King at his finest, aka creepy sh*t!
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As any King fan knows, he often speaks about how his works are personal and reflect what was going on in his personal life at the time. The Dark Half is the story of Thad Beaumont’s pen name, George Stark, coming to life and killing anyone related to his death. With King’s revelation that he was author Richard Bachman, this gory slasherfest also comes across as one of his most personal works. (And I would like to point out that Romero’s take on the work is one of the most faithful page to screen adaptations.)
This is a straightforward King horror novel. People die...gruesomely. But, the deeper themes of who we are and who we want to be resonate throughout. We all have a dark half - and how do we control when it starts to express itself by killing...lots and lots of killing?
From the get go, we know we are being set up for a showdown between Thad and Stark - and we get there with unique side characters and a major part played by our favorite Castle Rock sheriff Alan Pangborn. Pangborn also serves as the reader’s voice of reason throughout, which gives the story a good balance.
The ending is a bit of a letdown, but I can appreciate it doesn’t get too bogged down in metaphysical explanations. The sparrows are harbingers and they are peppered throughout the story - and eventually serve their purpose.
A good King novel through and through.
This is a straightforward King horror novel. People die...gruesomely. But, the deeper themes of who we are and who we want to be resonate throughout. We all have a dark half - and how do we control when it starts to express itself by killing...lots and lots of killing?
From the get go, we know we are being set up for a showdown between Thad and Stark - and we get there with unique side characters and a major part played by our favorite Castle Rock sheriff Alan Pangborn. Pangborn also serves as the reader’s voice of reason throughout, which gives the story a good balance.
The ending is a bit of a letdown, but I can appreciate it doesn’t get too bogged down in metaphysical explanations. The sparrows are harbingers and they are peppered throughout the story - and eventually serve their purpose.
A good King novel through and through.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't have high hopes for this one... Started really well.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not much of a horror fan (too chicken), but I am always intrigued by what Stephen King has to say about writing, whether in fiction or non-. I enjoyed this a lot for its underlying theme about the writer's dual nature. It got a little over the top at the end, but a fun read.
A bit of a mixed bag. The cat and mouse aspect of the story just isn’t that interesting, and Stark is kind of a one-note villain.
What does work is everything about Sheriff Alan Pangborn and a lot of King’s further musings on writing via Thad Beaumont. Cool climax, too.
3 out of 5
Bright-red Pennywise Clown Noses
What does work is everything about Sheriff Alan Pangborn and a lot of King’s further musings on writing via Thad Beaumont. Cool climax, too.
3 out of 5
Bright-red Pennywise Clown Noses