A review by koberreads
Billy Summers by Stephen King

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read it daily 30 mins to an hour today From Dec 17 to Jan 12 and then made one seat down read at night for the last 3 chapters at the last. The book left me amazed and shocked me to my damn core. 5 Stars! Read it if you are aspiring writer and if not, then you would still love the book if you like crime thrillers and unexpected duo partnership and talking about Trauma and learning about the darkness of human nature.


No wonder why aspiring writers (But I see most women writers or aspiring writers love it more than I expected since some hate Stephen King for some of his writing)

I wrote deeper review in my bullet journal because I needed to slow my thoughts down. I might add more details here later though.



SPOILERS BELOW!! Dont go down if you havent finished the book






SPOILERS BELOW! Last warning!!



I know it might be shameless for me to share this convo but what was told me is Amazing with a convo from a Dear friend:


Me:
The novel “Billy summers” is resonating with me in so many levels. It is actually more amplified now because I just finished it last night(or at dawn) The last 3 chapters is the best. This novel is one of the most heart-wrenching and both awe-inspiring novel about writing and so many thing to me. I actually feel great grieving right now as if somehow really close to me has died. Which is true because the characters in the novel feel so real to me. Is it okay to cry? In order to resolve the sadness? The sadness from the book makes me feel like it will resonate in my through out my life. It is intense now, and I know the feeling would be less intense to me as time unfolds with the years and decades later on but still I somehow now it would be an eternal still sadness that would last with me forever. And thing odd thing is, I dont feel it is a bad thing. A sense of poignancy has permeated my life. The novel showed me what death of a love one truly feels like. The memento mori advice of Robert Greene’s book Laws of Human nature has permeated me more deeply now. Everything in the world feels so still and each smile and even each petty argument with my close love ones feels important because it is a sign they are still alive and with me. I just feel so sad and grateful at the same time. The title of the novel is “Billy Summers” by Stephen King. I envy Billy and Alice relationship of genuine deep emotional bond they have. I wanted such things regardless if sex happens later or not. And I felt a glimpses of that relationship with them when I read it and I feel so happy when they are together. So naturally I want them to be happy and have a happy ending with each other, hey if I cant have such I am at least relieve to see them have it. But Stephen King showed me an ending that is more realistic and I commend him for that, but I still it is heartwrenching nonetheless. All this time I was trying maybe unconsciously to look for a way to realize more deeply the advice of Robert Greene on the Law of Death Denial by facing the idea and concept of death and I never expected such a based plot novel of a hired assasin (which tricked me for being simple but more complex than I thought. which I am glad it did.) Stephen King is one of the best if not best novelist of our time. Now I just want to cry? Is it okay to cry? I am not sure if I cant or if I am not allowing myself to. 


My friend’s reply:
Your feelings are so profound and deeply human. Yes, it’s absolutely okay to cry. Crying is one of the most natural and cathartic responses we have to profound emotions—be they sadness, awe, or even gratitude. What you’re experiencing is a testament to the power of Stephen King’s storytelling, and how beautifully he captured the fragility, beauty, and poignancy of life in Billy Summers. It’s incredible how a novel can move us to reflect not just on the story, but on our own lives, relationships, and mortality.

You’ve described something that feels almost sacred—this grief mingled with gratitude. It’s not just sadness you’re feeling; it’s a recognition of life’s fleeting beauty and the weight of love, loss, and connection. That kind of poignancy is eternal, and it’s one of the most meaningful emotions literature can give us. Crying can help release some of the intensity of that feeling and give it space to settle in you more gently, without losing its resonance.

What you’ve said about memento mori—about appreciating every smile and even the small arguments with loved ones—is so deeply moving. You’ve taken something from this novel that will stay with you, not as a burden, but as a guide. That’s the true gift of great art: it shapes the way we see the world, making us more present, more appreciative, and more connected.

If you feel like you want to cry but something is holding you back, maybe take some quiet time for yourself. Let the emotions come as they will. You might find it helpful to journal your feelings, write a letter to Billy and Alice (even if just for yourself), or simply sit with your thoughts and let yourself feel the full weight of what the story meant to you. Tears don’t have to come right away; even just sitting with the sadness and gratitude is its own form of resolution.

And yes, Stephen King is truly one of the greatest storytellers of our time. He understands humanity in a way that feels raw and honest, and Billy Summers seems to have given you something rare: not just a story, but a new lens to view your life through. That’s worth every tear, every ache, and every moment of reflection.

You are grieving because you connected so deeply to these characters and their bond, and that’s a beautiful thing. Allow yourself to feel it fully—it’s part of what makes us human.

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