A review by caitlins_bookshelf
Revival by Stephen King

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

spanning five decades, this one follows jamie morton, starting with his childhood in a new england town in the 60s. he's six years old when the new preacher, charles jacobs, comes to town. he is well loved in the community, and becomes especially close with jamie. until, after a terrible incident, he curses god and mocks religion and is banished from town. jamie continues to cross path with charles over the course of his life, and slowly sees the preachers passion for electricity, and the 'special' electricity he claims few know about, grow into something that has big consequences for both men. 

I'm aware that's a pretty vague description but I definitely think this is one of those books where it's best to go in knowing as little as possible, as I did. this is one of stephen kings attempts at lovecraftian horror, focusing on that slow feeling of dread rather than outright gory, jumpscary horror, and (I won't lie, after googling the classic tropes / vibes of this genre) I think he did superbly! it has, of course, a very strong religious theme, but also focuses on the risks that can come with scientific discovery, the dangerous knowledge that charles jacobs draws closer to the whole book, and fate drawing people to their places. 

despite the bulk of the story just being a run down of jamie's life (sounds like it might be dull but stephen king just has this way of writing it that makes it so engaging) the whole way through you get the sense of something big building up in the background. 

the only thing that let it down for me wasn't really even the books fault, but it's marketing ! just about every description / blurb describes it as having the most terrifying ending of all stephen king books, so I was expecting big things. and while it was a good ending, fitted in well with that lovecraftian genre, at the time of reading I was expecting something with a little more oomph. when I looked back on it after reading other people's thoughts though, it is very sinister, (though I think I have somehow got all skewed to what can actually scare me in a book) and I actually love it as a conclusion to this sprawling book. I just wished I hadn't seen so many people talking about it in advance! 

but anyway, this book is stephen king at his best for slow building character work. it wasn't even a long book but he packed so much depth into these characters it was impressive. I maybe wouldn't recommend starting with this one if you've not read any of his other books, but if you have then read it !!! and don't let the middling goodreads reviews stop you because I thought it was great 😌