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remjunior's review against another edition
1.0
Stephen King, I love you and most of your books, but I'm not really sure what happened here. Or maybe we should blame your editor. Just because you are famous doesn't give you license to publish really terrible books. Well, actually, maybe it does. BUT YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED! This is the first Stephen King novel that I have truly disliked. It had a promising beginning but fell into a mess of silly dialogue and hyperbolic characters with a plot that just never seemed to come together.
If you are new to Stephen King, don't read this one first.
If you are new to Stephen King, don't read this one first.
carmenshea's review against another edition
4.0
I originally read this novel over a decade ago and it's always lingered with me, being the only book I've ever read that actually managed to keep me up at night. Rereading it however I was a little disappointed to find it didn't play on my mind as much as it had as a kid, but that doesn't detract from what a good story it is on a whole. It's still one of my favourite King novels and highly recommended!
rhimaginemua's review against another edition
4.0
Dreamcatcher is not for everyone. But It surely is amazing. I've seen the movie as well and the book is far better. For starters, the book is able to paint a better picture for the reader, then the movie did on back stories. My only problem is how hollywood changed the story half way through. So that is one big reason why people should read this book. Another is that it has the same dedication to the way Mr. King plays on words as he did with some of his earlier work. All in all, for myself, it's a 4 out of 5 star review. The reason it doesn't have 5 stars? Not as gripping as some of his other books.
posydee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pauline1512's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
libraryforspooky's review against another edition
3.0
Stephen King's "Dreamcatcher" is a complex blend of horror, science fiction, and psychological drama, set against the backdrop of a snowy Maine wilderness. The novel follows four childhood friends—Henry, Jonesy, Beaver, and Pete—who reunite for their annual hunting trip, only to find themselves entangled in a catastrophic alien invasion. As they battle both external threats and their own inner demons, their childhood bond and shared telepathic abilities, gifted by their special friend Duddits, become their primary tools for survival.
One of the strengths of "Dreamcatcher" is King's ability to create deep, multifaceted characters. The bond between the four friends, forged in childhood and tested in adulthood, is compelling and adds emotional depth to the story. King excels at delving into their psyches, exploring how their shared history and personal traumas shape their responses to the extraordinary events they face. The introduction of Duddits, a childhood friend with Down syndrome who possesses unique abilities, adds an additional layer of complexity and emotional resonance to the narrative.
The setting of the novel is quintessentially King. The isolated, wintry woods of Maine provide an atmospheric and claustrophobic backdrop that amplifies the story's tension. King's descriptive prowess shines in these scenes, immersing readers in the chilling and inhospitable environment that mirrors the characters' struggle against the alien threat.
However, "Dreamcatcher" is not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted and overstuffed, with multiple narrative threads and subplots that sometimes detract from the central story. The blending of horror and science fiction elements feels disjointed at times, resulting in a narrative that struggles to maintain a consistent tone. The novel's pacing also suffers, with stretches of slow, introspective passages interspersed with sudden bursts of action, making it difficult for the reader to maintain a steady engagement with the story.
The depiction of the alien invasion, while imaginative, can border on the grotesque and overly graphic. King's penchant for body horror is on full display here, which may be off-putting for some readers. Additionally, the use of telepathic powers and the "dreamcatcher" concept, though intriguing, can feel underdeveloped and inconsistent within the broader narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, there are moments of genuine suspense and horror that remind readers of King's storytelling prowess. The camaraderie among the main characters and their struggle against both external and internal demons offer poignant reflections on friendship, loyalty, and the human condition.
In summary, "Dreamcatcher" by Stephen King is a mixed bag. While it boasts richly developed characters, a vividly described setting, and moments of genuine horror, its convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and occasional disjointedness hinder its overall impact. Fans of King’s work might appreciate the familiar themes and character-driven narrative, but for others, the novel may fall short of expectations. A two to three-star rating reflects the book's blend of strong character work and atmospheric tension with its narrative inconsistencies and overindulgence in graphic horror.
One of the strengths of "Dreamcatcher" is King's ability to create deep, multifaceted characters. The bond between the four friends, forged in childhood and tested in adulthood, is compelling and adds emotional depth to the story. King excels at delving into their psyches, exploring how their shared history and personal traumas shape their responses to the extraordinary events they face. The introduction of Duddits, a childhood friend with Down syndrome who possesses unique abilities, adds an additional layer of complexity and emotional resonance to the narrative.
The setting of the novel is quintessentially King. The isolated, wintry woods of Maine provide an atmospheric and claustrophobic backdrop that amplifies the story's tension. King's descriptive prowess shines in these scenes, immersing readers in the chilling and inhospitable environment that mirrors the characters' struggle against the alien threat.
However, "Dreamcatcher" is not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted and overstuffed, with multiple narrative threads and subplots that sometimes detract from the central story. The blending of horror and science fiction elements feels disjointed at times, resulting in a narrative that struggles to maintain a consistent tone. The novel's pacing also suffers, with stretches of slow, introspective passages interspersed with sudden bursts of action, making it difficult for the reader to maintain a steady engagement with the story.
The depiction of the alien invasion, while imaginative, can border on the grotesque and overly graphic. King's penchant for body horror is on full display here, which may be off-putting for some readers. Additionally, the use of telepathic powers and the "dreamcatcher" concept, though intriguing, can feel underdeveloped and inconsistent within the broader narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, there are moments of genuine suspense and horror that remind readers of King's storytelling prowess. The camaraderie among the main characters and their struggle against both external and internal demons offer poignant reflections on friendship, loyalty, and the human condition.
In summary, "Dreamcatcher" by Stephen King is a mixed bag. While it boasts richly developed characters, a vividly described setting, and moments of genuine horror, its convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and occasional disjointedness hinder its overall impact. Fans of King’s work might appreciate the familiar themes and character-driven narrative, but for others, the novel may fall short of expectations. A two to three-star rating reflects the book's blend of strong character work and atmospheric tension with its narrative inconsistencies and overindulgence in graphic horror.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
Dude, what can I say other than this book is amazing. I read this years after having seen the movie, and its safe to say that theyre two completely different entities - the book is so much more multifaceted, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way, trying to figure out what was going to happen.
This book is just so complex and fascinating, it seems as if it's all about aliens, but then there are elements of telepathy intertwined, which I havent seen done in this way before. I love that it overlaps slightly with [b:It|18342|It|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166906256s/18342.jpg|150259], in that part of it is set in Derry and there's mention of Pennywise's horrible adventures.
Stephen King is the master at creating utterly despicable characters, and I loved/hated his characterization of Kurtz. I also loved how this book was TRULY horrifying, in that it was filled with gore, and my face was literally like this D: for most of the book. I also really loved that it wasn't set in New York! So many sci-fi/alien/apocalyptic texts are set in NYC and it's a breath of fresh air to go back to Stephen King's books which are always set in small towns.
I loved this book, yet I've given it 4 stars. Why? Because Im still a little confused.
Im confused about the difference between the byrum, the byrus and the grey boys - who was really in charge, what was their purpose, what was their natural form like? Im confused about the dreamcatcher references (other than something purely symbolic), and Im confused about how and why Duddits was so special - was it because he was retarded, or are other people like that, and he just happened to have Downs syndrome?
Im confused about how Duddits telepathy caught on to Pete, Beaver, Henry and Jonesy - I was pretty much expecting Duddits to be an alien gone native, like in the movie (well I recall Duddits being an alien, it's been a while though). I guess it's one of those things that is meant to leave you wondering, but all these unanswered questions have a tendency to drive me nuts! I like closure :P
Overall, I had the most amazing time reading this book, even if it did take quite a while and I was left with a number of unanswered questions. If you have any sort of interest in sci-fi/aliens or horror, I suggest you read this at one point in your life. There's so many elements in there, you're bound to find something that you like. And if you're a King fan, you'll adore the references made to his other books.
This book is just so complex and fascinating, it seems as if it's all about aliens, but then there are elements of telepathy intertwined, which I havent seen done in this way before. I love that it overlaps slightly with [b:It|18342|It|Stephen King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166906256s/18342.jpg|150259], in that part of it is set in Derry and there's mention of Pennywise's horrible adventures.
Stephen King is the master at creating utterly despicable characters, and I loved/hated his characterization of Kurtz. I also loved how this book was TRULY horrifying, in that it was filled with gore, and my face was literally like this D: for most of the book. I also really loved that it wasn't set in New York! So many sci-fi/alien/apocalyptic texts are set in NYC and it's a breath of fresh air to go back to Stephen King's books which are always set in small towns.
I loved this book, yet I've given it 4 stars. Why? Because Im still a little confused.
Im confused about the difference between the byrum, the byrus and the grey boys - who was really in charge, what was their purpose, what was their natural form like? Im confused about the dreamcatcher references (other than something purely symbolic), and Im confused about how and why Duddits was so special - was it because he was retarded, or are other people like that, and he just happened to have Downs syndrome?
Im confused about how Duddits telepathy caught on to Pete, Beaver, Henry and Jonesy - I was pretty much expecting Duddits to be an alien gone native, like in the movie (well I recall Duddits being an alien, it's been a while though). I guess it's one of those things that is meant to leave you wondering, but all these unanswered questions have a tendency to drive me nuts! I like closure :P
Overall, I had the most amazing time reading this book, even if it did take quite a while and I was left with a number of unanswered questions. If you have any sort of interest in sci-fi/aliens or horror, I suggest you read this at one point in your life. There's so many elements in there, you're bound to find something that you like. And if you're a King fan, you'll adore the references made to his other books.
sianw1992's review against another edition
4.0
Dreamcatcher by Stephen King
A lot of people dislike this King novel, they say it's very similar to others, and you can tell that he had just recovered from an accident before writing the book in long hand.
As a man who has written 57 books in total, it's hardly surprising that similar ideas arise. I don't mind when King sticks to what he does best. Writing stories focused on groups of four boys, growing up into men and the surrounding events. Dreamcatcher features a very special character, Duddits. Duddits makes this book, especially his relationship with the four other men. All of their relationships make this book special.
The pace of this book was brilliant, it only dimmed when the military arrived. I loved the characters of Henry, Jonesy, Beav and Pete and actually wish we got to read more about Beav and Pete.
Overall, a great King book. I can always rely on him for a good story and great characters.