dwcofer's review against another edition
5.0
“The Science of Stephen King,” by Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence is a wonderful, but brief, synopsis of thirty of King’s book as well as a shallow dive into the science involved in each book. As an example, clowns are discussed in the chapter on IT. Rabies in dogs is discussed in the chapter on Cujo, etc.
Many of the chapters have interviews with specialists in the scientific area under discussion in that chapter, and each chapter has numerous footnotes where the reader can go for further reading on the subject.
My only slight complaint is I wish the authors went into more detail in each chapter and had conducted longer interviews with the specialists. However, I realize if they had done that, the book would be as long as some of King’s longer works.
If you are expecting this book to be a detailed synopsis or summarization of these novels, then you will be disappointed. They go into enough detail so the reader knows the basic premise of the book under discussion, but the bulk of each chapter is the discussion of the scientific aspect of each book. If this book is of interest to you, then you have probably already read these books and do not need a detailed summary of the book.
I really enjoyed the book and thought the authors did a great job with the subject material.
Many of the chapters have interviews with specialists in the scientific area under discussion in that chapter, and each chapter has numerous footnotes where the reader can go for further reading on the subject.
My only slight complaint is I wish the authors went into more detail in each chapter and had conducted longer interviews with the specialists. However, I realize if they had done that, the book would be as long as some of King’s longer works.
If you are expecting this book to be a detailed synopsis or summarization of these novels, then you will be disappointed. They go into enough detail so the reader knows the basic premise of the book under discussion, but the bulk of each chapter is the discussion of the scientific aspect of each book. If this book is of interest to you, then you have probably already read these books and do not need a detailed summary of the book.
I really enjoyed the book and thought the authors did a great job with the subject material.
awesomelybadbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable and informative.
This delves into various areas of science, studies, and statistics as it relates to what Stephen King has written about in his long career.
I particularly liked learning about what prompted King to write some of his stories.
I only wish it could have been longer/more in depth.
I’ll even forgive the authors for writing that Michael Myers is the one with the hockey mask!
This delves into various areas of science, studies, and statistics as it relates to what Stephen King has written about in his long career.
I particularly liked learning about what prompted King to write some of his stories.
I only wish it could have been longer/more in depth.
I’ll even forgive the authors for writing that Michael Myers is the one with the hockey mask!
crystals_library's review against another edition
4.0
I consider myself a baby Stephen King fan, but I do think I have earned the label of #ConstantReader . I started reading his books a little over two years ago. In that time, I have read at least one King book a month. Prior to that, I had only read Hearts in Atlantis.
Meg Hafdahl sent me a copy of her newest book The Science of Stephen King that she co-wrote with her podcast co-host, Kelly Florence! Meg and Kelly co-host the podcast, Horror Rewind.
The Science of Stephen King features 30 of King's books and separates them into their prospective decades. I asked Meg if I should skip the chapters about books where I haven't read them yet and she advised that they contain spoilers, so I should. Of the 30 books features, I have read 18 of the books. Technically I haven't read the entire book, but I did read the 18 chapters that correlate to those books.
Meg and Kelly chose different scientific topics that these King books feature and cover them at a high level using research, interviews, and personal anecdotes. From menstruation in Carrie to reanimation in Pet Sematary and time travel in 11/22/63, Meg and Kelly use non-fiction to discuss these fictional books.
The Science of Stephen King is a fun addition to any King library. I look forward to reading the rest of the chapters as I continue my King reading with the #KeeperOfKing crew.
Meg Hafdahl sent me a copy of her newest book The Science of Stephen King that she co-wrote with her podcast co-host, Kelly Florence! Meg and Kelly co-host the podcast, Horror Rewind.
The Science of Stephen King features 30 of King's books and separates them into their prospective decades. I asked Meg if I should skip the chapters about books where I haven't read them yet and she advised that they contain spoilers, so I should. Of the 30 books features, I have read 18 of the books. Technically I haven't read the entire book, but I did read the 18 chapters that correlate to those books.
Meg and Kelly chose different scientific topics that these King books feature and cover them at a high level using research, interviews, and personal anecdotes. From menstruation in Carrie to reanimation in Pet Sematary and time travel in 11/22/63, Meg and Kelly use non-fiction to discuss these fictional books.
The Science of Stephen King is a fun addition to any King library. I look forward to reading the rest of the chapters as I continue my King reading with the #KeeperOfKing crew.
rlaferney's review against another edition
4.0
Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence, co-hosts behind one of my favorite podcasts (Horror Rewind) and who have previously explored The Science of Monsters and The Science of Women in Horror turn their attention to Stephen King in their latest book. The Science of Stephen King essentially takes you through the highlights of Stephen King's muli-decade long career while exploring the science behind some of his most terrifying creations. The interviews Meg and kelly conduct with experts are always fun and informative. Whether you're new to King or a constant reader, there is much to learn and to chew in within the pages of this book. And many books I would have dismissed by King, I'm now very eager to read.
I look forward to Meg and Kelly's next book: The Science of Serial Killers!
I look forward to Meg and Kelly's next book: The Science of Serial Killers!