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leventmolla's review against another edition
3.0
Another colossal book from Stephen King. It describes the strange events that occur after the small town Chester Mill is suddenly isolated from the external world by an invisible dome. The dome is impervious to anything, including a Cruise missile. Meanwhile inside the dome different power groups are flexing their muscles in order to gain dominance over others and planning to destroy them.
This mammoth of a book is a combination between J.G.Ballard-like psychological setup where people under extreme circumstances start forgetting all society-induced inhibitions and turn into savages, and the typical Stephen King theme of the unknown.
I would have rated it higher if it wasn't just too long....
Watching the miniseries from the book, I found the miniseries much more flowing and organised in a way to slowly increasing the tone of mystery, so I would say I enjoy it more than the book.
This mammoth of a book is a combination between J.G.Ballard-like psychological setup where people under extreme circumstances start forgetting all society-induced inhibitions and turn into savages, and the typical Stephen King theme of the unknown.
I would have rated it higher if it wasn't just too long....
Watching the miniseries from the book, I found the miniseries much more flowing and organised in a way to slowly increasing the tone of mystery, so I would say I enjoy it more than the book.
mountainstroh's review against another edition
2.0
1000 pages and a lousy ending. A complete waste of time. I was enjoying the story until then. Reminds me of the way I felt at the end of Lost.
nikkimb's review against another edition
4.0
A great mish-mash of characters, some a bit too much over-the-top and the ending was abrupt and did not flow from the story. But - I read it all, every word and enjoyed it!
kniftypatterns's review against another edition
4.0
Like reading some vintage King, but better. I loved this and was sad when I finished it (even after 1,000+ pages!).
sherrit's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the story, but I found the ending very disappointing.
mkmatheson's review against another edition
5.0
This is Stephen King at his best. Electric, epic and timely, “Under the Dome” is not only a phenomenal thriller, but a great piece of post-9/11 literature. With themes of demagoguery, misinformation, weaponized religion and much more—this is an American masterpiece.
infogdss29's review against another edition
3.0
One random afternoon, an invisible, impenetrable dome seals off the town of Chester's Mill ME from the rest of the world. The car salesman selectman who runs the town is determined that the meth lab he's masterminded won't be discovered, and will go to any lengths to do so in this novel of small town politics gone awry that seems to be a microcosm for life in post 9-11 US.
King says in his author's note that he got the idea for Under the Dome 35 years ago, but it certainly resonates well in our current martial/political climate. He made the MANY characters vivid enough and unique enough that I didn't have any trouble keeping them straight, which was admirable, and he followed them all through to their ends, making it a satisfying, if horrific, read.
I think Under the Dome would be pretty appealing for the content, and the length won't deter fans. What I WAS bothered by the authorial intrusion and tense changes to present tense - maybe I didn't notice them earlier, but I picked up on it about 75% of the way through the book. it was inconsistent and thus jarring for me, and he or his editor should have known it. The ant metaphor was clever, but kind of heavy handed, and I felt like he spoon fed me a lot that I would rather have figured out on my own; he's just not subtle or deft, to me.
EDIT: In discussion, someone pointed out WHY he chose to change POV, and I'm adding another star.
King says in his author's note that he got the idea for Under the Dome 35 years ago, but it certainly resonates well in our current martial/political climate. He made the MANY characters vivid enough and unique enough that I didn't have any trouble keeping them straight, which was admirable, and he followed them all through to their ends, making it a satisfying, if horrific, read.
I think Under the Dome would be pretty appealing for the content, and the length won't deter fans. What I WAS bothered by the authorial intrusion and tense changes to present tense - maybe I didn't notice them earlier, but I picked up on it about 75% of the way through the book. it was inconsistent and thus jarring for me, and he or his editor should have known it. The ant metaphor was clever, but kind of heavy handed, and I felt like he spoon fed me a lot that I would rather have figured out on my own; he's just not subtle or deft, to me.
EDIT: In discussion, someone pointed out WHY he chose to change POV, and I'm adding another star.
frostybear's review against another edition
4.0
I think Stephen has mellowed in his old age. That said, this novel is still full of horrific moments, but less truly disturbing stuff than his first novels. Either that or I'm getting old and jaded. Anyway, it was a good story and I enjoyed the read.
juliehirt's review against another edition
3.0
Well - not quite sure what all to say. I wanted to love it. I wanted it to be on par with The Stand. And at times I thought it might, just might, get there. And then it didn't. There was a lot of gore - unnecessary gore. I understand the use of it to a degree to show the readers how bad the situation is or how evil a character is but there comes a point when I would scream "alright! I get it! he's bad! This is bad! enough." I'm glad I read it though - and I'm glad it's over.
amrahne's review against another edition
A little long but pretty entertaining. Nothing earth-shattering...