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A review by chadconnecticut
The Outsider by Stephen King
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was my first sampling of King’s later work, and while I didn’t hate it, I miss the fervor of his earlier years.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crimes depicted in the book, it’s hard to root for a cast of characters who are all different flavors of middle-aged white cop (plus a Mexican character who does make me doubt King’s ability to write diversely). Holly Gibney, clearly a favorite of King’s, was charming, and I can see why he and readers both attached to her.
Overall, there were moments of tension, but the mystery lacked the tautness I’ve seen demonstrated in King’s other work. More than that, I didn’t feel the same loving attention paid at the sentence level, which made it easier to look past some oversimplified characterization on King’s part in the past. But the moments I loved, I really loved. Lovie Bolton will go down as an example of King’s ability to craft a memorable character when he truly tries. I just wish I could say the same for Ralph Anderson and the rest of the protagonists.
Despite the harrowing nature of the crimes depicted in the book, it’s hard to root for a cast of characters who are all different flavors of middle-aged white cop (plus a Mexican character who does make me doubt King’s ability to write diversely). Holly Gibney, clearly a favorite of King’s, was charming, and I can see why he and readers both attached to her.
Overall, there were moments of tension, but the mystery lacked the tautness I’ve seen demonstrated in King’s other work. More than that, I didn’t feel the same loving attention paid at the sentence level, which made it easier to look past some oversimplified characterization on King’s part in the past. But the moments I loved, I really loved. Lovie Bolton will go down as an example of King’s ability to craft a memorable character when he truly tries. I just wish I could say the same for Ralph Anderson and the rest of the protagonists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide attempt
This is a book whose plot hinges on the graphic, sexually sadistic murder of a child.