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joynerperez 's review for:
Joyland
by Stephen King
Time and time again, Stephen King has proven that he's got a certain mastery over the coming-of-age story. He's done it again in Joyland, transporting us to 1970s North Carolina with the same ease that he creates the early 20th century landscape (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, 1922 from the relatively recent Full Dark, No Stars collection).
Joyland is equal parts mystery, suspense, period piece and character study, with just a dash of Americana. The joy in Joyland (ouch, even I flinched at that) comes from seeing the story unfold organically as we explore the wealth of characters: the vulnerable Devin, the loyal Tom and Erin, a jaded Annie, all the mysterious carnies and Heaven's Bay locals, Joyland itself, and of course, we can't forget the precocious Mike. You get so wrapped up in the characters that, by the time the mystery begins to unravel, you're reminded suddenly that there is a story tying this all together. [Note: if you're attentive, you'll figure it out before the reveal.]
That's not to say that this is a flawless work. There are several lines, particularly toward the end, that are almost cringe-worthy. The supernatural element feels unoriginal, even if it's King's own previous work of which it's reminiscent ("you shine on boy, harder than anyone I ever met in my life"). And the climactic resolution feels... convenient (to avoid saying contrived). But then again, Joyland isn't trying to be classic literature to be discussed in elite reading circles or dissected in AP American Lit courses. It succeeds very well at what it sets out to do; becoming a perfect summer evening companion.
As for the horror, isn't there something terrifying about growing up, and growing old?
Joyland is equal parts mystery, suspense, period piece and character study, with just a dash of Americana. The joy in Joyland (ouch, even I flinched at that) comes from seeing the story unfold organically as we explore the wealth of characters: the vulnerable Devin, the loyal Tom and Erin, a jaded Annie, all the mysterious carnies and Heaven's Bay locals, Joyland itself, and of course, we can't forget the precocious Mike. You get so wrapped up in the characters that, by the time the mystery begins to unravel, you're reminded suddenly that there is a story tying this all together. [Note: if you're attentive, you'll figure it out before the reveal.]
That's not to say that this is a flawless work. There are several lines, particularly toward the end, that are almost cringe-worthy. The supernatural element feels unoriginal, even if it's King's own previous work of which it's reminiscent ("you shine on boy, harder than anyone I ever met in my life"). And the climactic resolution feels... convenient (to avoid saying contrived). But then again, Joyland isn't trying to be classic literature to be discussed in elite reading circles or dissected in AP American Lit courses. It succeeds very well at what it sets out to do; becoming a perfect summer evening companion.
As for the horror, isn't there something terrifying about growing up, and growing old?