Review by kimberlyjgav - Thinner

kimberlyjgav 's review for:

Thinner by Richard Bachman

4.0

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is my second time reading this - I can't recall exactly when I first read it, but it was definitely not long after it was released, so probably 1986-87ish. This is one of those books that has always stayed with me - there are certain scenes that were etched into my brain like a photograph. But there was also a good part of the plot that I forgot, so in some ways it was like reading it for the first time.

It's impossible to read this now and not compare it to Stephen King's later novels. He definitely developed as a writer and story teller. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced and the 70s/80s references and expressions are wild (and in some cases really didn't age well). The very term gypsy wouldn't/shouldn't be used today and the stereotypes are pretty offensive viewed through today's more culturally aware lens.

That said, this is still a pretty compelling story and I enjoyed taking it in again. I'm not sure I'd give it quite four stars today, but I'm letting it stand.

Content Warnings