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pholcidae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story is paced perfectly and I have been reading it nonstop. The author’s use of language to create suspense and terror is reminiscent of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
This was my first King novel and I think it was the perfect one to start on! Very tense and lots of fun easter eggs in there :)
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Incest, Misogyny, Sexism, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and War
ddspirittt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Then I read. And read. Read. And read. Read some more. Read. The end.
People keep recommending this as the "scariest" story by King. But if the emotional payoff or lack thereof is "scary" to some, then dear lord, go read some more. The action at the end was neither suspenseful nor emotional but laughable.
Part two could be interesting, but this was the biggest letdown and snoozefest of a book ever. I don't want to read King again because of it.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
ycboots's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That aside (a phrase I use not to dismiss concerns--you may very well be unable to accept those things and need not do so), as a work of storytelling this book is fantastic and one of my favorites. Horrifying, meaningful and emotional, satisfying. It isn't fast paced, if that's your thing (if you have read other longer King books, like The Shining or It, you'll find it about the same in terms of pace), but it builds tension and slowly plants its story in a very skillful, horrifying way. At several moments I felt nauseous from the dawning horror of what was inevitably going to come, and once you know of this inevitability, the story doesn't lose its suspense, its horror, or its shock. If you like to watch a story come together, it is definitely satisfying in that way, and if you enjoy horror relying more on a slow building dread than sudden shock, I think this is excellent for that.
I found what it has to say about death and grief, as well as our small place in the universe, very meaningful. I like that King is (not always, but very often!) able to go to very emotional places about the meaning of life, death, and age (considering both children and the very old especially), without getting so sentimental it cuts off the impact of the horror or keeps him from facing very bleak and terrible places.
Overall, I think this may be my favorite of his books so far. Many lines and images will stick with me for some time. Stephen King has his faults, for sure, but the thing about him is despite them, damn him, he's a really good writer.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny and Alcohol
megselyane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
aliciaroy19's review against another edition
2.5
The atmosphere of the book is good and my favourite scene
However, I can help but think Louis secretly hates Rachel, at least he doesn't respect his wife, which made the narration tedious and a reason why it took over a month to finish this book. I understand that Rachel doesn’t have a healthy relationship with death and sometimes that fear caused her to make stupid decisions, but I found her husband only showed annoyance with her. Too much of the narration was of Louis complaining about his wife. This couple should divorce.
And the random line about being a family doctor isn’t all breast exams and gynecology made me close the book. Though, Louis’ casual misogyny does explain why he dislikes his wife.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, and Death
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
prathamaparab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Terminal illness