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A review by caidyn
Joyland by Stephen King
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
CW: ableism, chronic illness, death, murder
This is definitely a good King book, but it's not without its flaws. I thought he tried to jam too much backstory and little details into it. It was good, of course, but there was too much going on. I felt that the mystery got lost in the other details. This could have easily been a 500 page book to properly pace things out. I also wasn't a fan of the ableism in it with the kid who had MD. I also just am tired of the tropes related to chronic illness, with how this is a prime example of a magic sick kid (much like King's use of the magic Black person) and how the sick kid "betters" the MC. It's just a tiring trope and people living with disabilities deserve better representation. Is it still a good book? Sure. Just that things wore on me.
This is definitely a good King book, but it's not without its flaws. I thought he tried to jam too much backstory and little details into it. It was good, of course, but there was too much going on. I felt that the mystery got lost in the other details. This could have easily been a 500 page book to properly pace things out. I also wasn't a fan of the ableism in it with the kid who had MD. I also just am tired of the tropes related to chronic illness, with how this is a prime example of a magic sick kid (much like King's use of the magic Black person) and how the sick kid "betters" the MC. It's just a tiring trope and people living with disabilities deserve better representation. Is it still a good book? Sure. Just that things wore on me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Ableism