A review by mxpringle
Lisey's Story by Stephen King

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

This book absolutely broke me. It is the best representation of trauma and mental illness that I've ever read, and because of this, it completely and utterly broke me. What makes this Stephen King book scary isn't the supernatural elements in it (which definitely exist within it), but the sheer concept of being constantly tormented by the monsters inside the human mind for the rest of one's life.  It was such a difficult read, but so incredible that I will probably think about it for years. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Confinement, Self harm, Grief, Medical trauma, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Suicide, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Addiction, and Alcohol

Minor: Pedophilia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment