Cell
To me, this already felt dated when it first came out. No
doubt entranced by the zeitgeist at the time of writing, it was inevitable that
King would latch on to the idea of cell ‘phones (that’s mobile ‘phones to us in
the UK) as a product for evil, but it felt a bit overdone and unoriginal by the
point of publication. It was an entertaining enough read, but I don’t suppose I’ll
be compelled to reread it any time soon. (To be honest, I even got bored
writing this little section, and took a break to search for a custard tart
recipe...) My hope for this book it that in twenty or so years it will become
charmingly vintage, a tale of a simpler time with simpler technologies and
worries.
Lisey’s Story
Oh Stephen, I really wanted to like this one. I loved the
premise, a story about the secret language that builds up within relationships
and marriages, how this is a private means of communication and how this can be
used to save one another, and how it can even transcend death. But you really
lost me with the giant telepathic worm. Sorry.
From a Buick 8
Not a bad book if taken alone, good and creepy, and if you
are new to King a fair starting point. But I felt that it was too much of a
rehashing of the better novel ‘Christine’. Clearly King had more to say about
supernatural cars (one wonders if there is a phobia being worked through
here...) but for me it was a postscript to a much more evocative earlier work.
Too same-y, I suppose, for me. I will, though, be interested in the movie (if
rumours about one happening are true), as good special effects could turn this
into something special.
The Eyes of the Dragon
When I perused my Stephen King bookcase in preparing this piece,
I became convinced that I had not actually read this, that some disastrous oversight
had happened and that it had been sitting, unloved and unread, for many years.
On closer inspection, I had read it but had forgotten, not an auspicious start
for this poor book when I can to pick my worst five. Doubtless, others will
love this as it ties in with the ‘Dark Tower’ series (previous posts will tell
you I am not a lover of the series, though I’m prepared to try again at some
point). It does work as a standalone, but was very un-Kinglike in style and
just not very memorable. This is a fantasy book, rather than horror or sci-fi,
and so was never destined to be my favourite, but I can see that others will appreciate
it more than I do, those who enjoy the genre as their favourite. I will say, though,
the writing is good, it’s just not for me.
Dreamcatcher
Part of me loved this book, it was so lurid and grossly
descriptive, and I did get caught up in the story. I was torn between this and ‘Firestarter’
for the last one, but in the end I felt that Firestarter offered more to the
reader (and, frankly, had far less graphic descriptions of poo). The awful film
version went a long way towards souring this book for me (much as I love Morgan
Freeman, those dreadful overacting eyebrows will haunt me forever – and not in
a good, spooky, way).
King wrote this when recovering from his car crash;
perhaps this prompted the intense physicality of many of the scenes? It is popularly
known that he wanted to call the book ‘Cancer’ but his wife talked him out of
it, this more brutal title would, I think, have captured its essence better,
but possible have resulted in poorer sales.
It does contain
snippets of classic King, it’s a true buddy story, it’s gross, it’s horrific,
but you’ll remember the worst bits and not the best after reading.
Do try it, make up
your own mind, it is worth a read – as I’ve said before, bad King is often
still good reading – but don’t settle down with it right after eating.
Do you agree? Are you incensed that your favourite is among
those listed above? Let me know!
