Reviews

Joyland by Stephen King

ncoltelli_09's review against another edition

5.0

Best Stephen King I've read in a while. Excellent.

sueking365's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 stars. Audio. Stephen King published Carrie 50 years ago and I’ve seen lots of recent reviews and recommendations on “The Essential Stephen King” where I came across this gem, published in 2013. I read all of King’s early works when I was younger (high school-young adulthood), but mostly stopped after The Tommyknockers. 
This book is lovely. Not at all scary; it’s more of a mystery set against a summer job at a minor theme park in NC in 1973. You can hear the waves and the screams of kids at the park; his prose does such a good job of transporting you there. 

sarap_reader's review against another edition

5.0

He could not miss it, by writing about bittersweet memories, a mistery.. And an old fashioned Luna park !

laymans's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

dymanu's review against another edition

3.0

Um livro com um começo lento e sem me despertar muito interesse mas o fim...
Comecei a leitura pensando que seria um livro de terror com muitos elementos subrenaturais e por isso é que acho que me desiludi um pouco. Tem um pouco de sobrenatural sim mas a história fica-se mais na vida do protagonista e em tudo que envolve o seu dia a dia em joyland.
3,5* para ser mais exata porque gostei muito do desenvolvimento de personagens e do desenrolar da ação mais pra o final do livro.

woahwhatthe's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-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? No

3.5

libraryam's review against another edition

3.0

Either I'm getting old or The King is. I'm a sentimental rube. I admit it. Not his best book ever but a good summer read.

book_concierge's review against another edition

3.0

Devin Jones is a 21-year-old New Hampshire college student who takes a job at an amusement park in North Carolina for the summer. Healing from his broken heart, he makes friends with fellow students and seasonal workers – Tom Kennedy and Erin Cook, as well as his mentor at the park, Lane Hardy (who runs the giant Ferris wheel, The Caroline Spin). But some years back there was a murder at the park, and people claim the girl’s ghost actually haunts the Horror House ride.

Say what you will about Stephen King, but the man can write a good story. Most people equate this author with horror or paranormal genres, but this book gives a nod to the old-fashioned crime novel. Still this is a more than just a “hard case crime” story; it is a ghost story, a coming-of-age story, a tender romance, and a serial-killer mystery all rolled into one. I thought the ending was somewhat contrived, but I sure enjoyed the ride. And I really appreciated that King dedicated the novel to Donald E Westlake (one of my favorite crime writers).

bethmorvant's review against another edition

4.0

A very character invested book. Not a favorite, but still worth the read!

thebookmagpie1989's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0