Reviews

Tak! Once upon a time when Desperation was first published, I read the first chapter. Then, for reasons I no longer remember, I closed the book and didn't reopen it until about a month a go. The first 100 pages or more are pretty brutal and frequently disgusting horror. The reader has no real idea of what is going on until King starts to describe the transformation that is happening to the deputy, which is clearly supernatural. It takes a little longer for all of the pieces to come together but once you understand the overall parts of the story, Desperation is a unique horror story and unlike many of King's story, this one is set out west in Nevada. The desert and the creatures that live in the desert like scorpions, fiddlebacks and buzzards give the writer new ways to conjure fresh horror! The mining aspect of the story is very well done and frames the overall arc of the story. Desperation also deals with God, and perhaps something older than God in a very interesting way that I won't spoil here. Suffice it to say I found the conversations the characters have around the supernatural to be very realistic. Desperation, perhaps owing to its title, also serves up a fair amount of grief. It is not an easy read in this department, but a worthwhile one for the Stephen King fan. Just don't let the beginning put you off too much. There is a worthwhile tale here.
(Also, I have no idea what the fuck Tak is.)

biiaanccca's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

asunachidory's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.5

Okay this was a ride. First chapter comes in with a serious slap in the face! Did not expect that from a King opening. Especially since he’s usually all about the slow burn but this started ferociously and kept riding that wave! This feels like it has an awful lot of interlock with IT if you’re familiar with the book or movie, they may not be directly related but it has that same vibe and feel to the storytelling. Maybe, I wonder, a pinch of Shine disguised as gods guidance?? I leave that up to the constant reader. It was great seeing Cynthia return after reading Rose Madder right before this! King didn’t pull his punches with this one. I’d freaking love to see this as a movie! Well worth the read!