A review by sueking365
Joyland by Stephen King

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.