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A review by a_randomsoul_onjourney
Gerald's Game by Stephen King
dark
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Gerald's Game felt like it was less about the "game" itself and more about Jessie facing her trauma, which all started with that specific game.
For me, the heart of the story wasn't the handcuffs or the terrifying predicament Jessie found herself in, but the emotional and psychological journey she was forced to go on because of it.
I really liked how the book portrayed the way unaddressed trauma can impact a person over time, in ways they may not even realize until something drastic forces them to confront it. Jessie's experiences with her father and later with Gerald showed how deeply these events can scar someone, and how avoiding dealing with them can cause them to linger, even in the background of your life.
The introduction of Space Cowboy felt necessary to me. With both of her abusers—her father (and Gerald)—being dead, it gave Jessie a tangible figure to confront. It wasn't just about surviving her physical predicament but about coming face-to-face with a manifestation of her fears and memories. Space Cowboy allowed Jessie to finally close the loop on her trauma, in a way she might not have been able to otherwise.
I also appreciate how the book tackles the subject of sexual assault, in all its forms, and explores what it means to survive in the most dire of circumstances.
Overall I liked this book, although I am not sure if I would ever recommend it to anyone. I give it a 3.75/5 ⭐
For me, the heart of the story wasn't the handcuffs or the terrifying predicament Jessie found herself in, but the emotional and psychological journey she was forced to go on because of it.
I really liked how the book portrayed the way unaddressed trauma can impact a person over time, in ways they may not even realize until something drastic forces them to confront it. Jessie's experiences with her father and later with Gerald showed how deeply these events can scar someone, and how avoiding dealing with them can cause them to linger, even in the background of your life.
The introduction of Space Cowboy felt necessary to me. With both of her abusers—her father (and Gerald)—being dead, it gave Jessie a tangible figure to confront. It wasn't just about surviving her physical predicament but about coming face-to-face with a manifestation of her fears and memories. Space Cowboy allowed Jessie to finally close the loop on her trauma, in a way she might not have been able to otherwise.
I also appreciate how the book tackles the subject of sexual assault, in all its forms, and explores what it means to survive in the most dire of circumstances.
Overall I liked this book, although I am not sure if I would ever recommend it to anyone. I give it a 3.75/5 ⭐