A review by lukerik
The Outsider by Stephen King

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A teacher is arrested for the rape and murder of a child. We’re given pages of incontrovertible evidence that the police have the right man, but on the basis of one ambiguous sentence we know straight away that he’s innocent. Clever idea, and well executed for the most part. There’s a slight problem with the end when King just doesn’t know when to shut up. He seems to get a bit emotional about the characters. Other than that, all good. There are themes of courage and cowardice but they’re not really developed or explored and it’s all fast paced and story story story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Rape, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Cancer, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Child death, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, and Death