A review by afittingdistraction
The Dead Zone by Stephen King

dark emotional slow-paced
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I seem to make a subconscious habit of reading the right Stephen King books at the right time. I'm struggling with my health right now and I wont lie the themes of medical related grief were so well done in this that I had to actually put it down sometimes due to finding it overwhelming. Being chronically ill + disabled myself the idea/realisation that you've missed out on whole experiences and chunks of life is a constant companion. Not to mention the continuous cycle of grief and frustration at wondering how you're supposed to grieve something you never even had in the first place. 

And King does this brilliantly! Just like in Pet Sematary (which still remains my favourite King so far) the grief plays such a strong role, stronger even at times than the supernatural element. And like Pet Sem, if it was a book only about ghosts or ancient burial grounds, or in this case awakening with pre cognition after an accident, it would fall flat because those things have been written before. Its King's brilliant character writing that makes it so good.

You really feel for Johnny & he's one of the few truly good, kind guys. Which is what makes it such an emotional read since you really connect with him. Just a guy who's rolled double zero in life & luck and now has to deal with consequences. Halfway through I honestly couldn't imagine where it was going to go or how it was going to end but by the time I did finish it I couldn't imagine it ending any other way. 
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