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Ethan Jones
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« on: February 03, 2012, 11:09:49 AM » |
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Stephen King's latest novel, 11/22/63, is not your typical horror story, albeit there is plenty of horror in it. There is blood and brain matter splattered on walls and couches and a child murderer. A subtle thread of horror is apparent throughout the novel.
However, 11/22/63 is a time travel story, in which English teacher Jake Epping travels to 1958, a few years before the US President Kennedy’s assassination. The story reminded me of Michael Crichton’s Timeline and flashes of Back to the Future appeared in my mind, when Marty McFly traveled back to 1955. Vivid descriptions of root beer and the slow pace of life in the fifties made me both thirsty and sad, for that time is gone forever.
There are direct and indirect lessons any author can take from 11/22/63. Mr. King’s way of tying every little or seemingly unimportant detail together; his tear-jerking description of Harry’s incident right in the introduction; the way he builds the suspense and the expected and unexpected twists and turns, as the past refuses to be changed. And the clear instructions about ‘keeping the reader guessing’ and ‘keeping it simple’.
The book deals with important questions about the possibility of changing the past and how that affects the present. Will Jake be able to stop Kennedy’s assassination and save the lives of millions of people in the process? What about saving the life of a common individual, of a child, incomparable to Kennedy, but still precious in the eyes of his family and of Jake?
What would you do if you were Jake?
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fizixgeek
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« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2012, 12:17:43 PM » |
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Were things really slower in the 50s? Having never lived in them, I always wonder whether the lens of time is too frosted, or whether we really did all live in our cute, pastel, suburban ramblers with white picket fences.
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Neil Ostroff
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Doylestown, PA
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Author of sci-fi fantasy and noir fiction
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« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2012, 12:35:45 PM » |
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Can't wait to read it. My favorite is The Stand, followed up by The Long Walk; which he wrote as Bachman.
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Tony Richards
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« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2012, 01:59:47 PM » |
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Good review which takes King seriously. Shame the 'serious' reviewers in the big newspapers etc. never do the same.
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Harry Shannon
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« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2012, 08:29:24 AM » |
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I bought this one, just haven't dived in. It is a big read. So far everyone seems to like it.
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acellis
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« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2012, 11:03:40 AM » |
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I like King, and this one looks good. I'm going to have to get it.
Thanks for the review.
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bordercollielady
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« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2012, 07:51:57 PM » |
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Were things really slower in the 50s? Having never lived in them, I always wonder whether the lens of time is too frosted, or whether we really did all live in our cute, pastel, suburban ramblers with white picket fences.
Oh yes... we didn't lock our doors, the root beer was sold in big barrels at the five and dime and it was as good as Jake said. I know it sounds too perfect - and it wasn't - women were treated poorly - but I'm still so thankful I lived through that time. |
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bordercollielady
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« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2012, 07:53:28 PM » |
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And as for what would I have done as Jake.. I REALLY wanted him to go back one more time, not try to change anything, and live happily ever after with Sadie..
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Ethan Jones
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« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2012, 06:10:29 PM » |
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Thanks for your input and your encouragement. Stay tuned for more reviews.
Ethan
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bxs122
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« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2012, 07:08:02 AM » |
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Picked it up, but it is a loonnngg book.
Will finish one or two others first before committing the time to it.
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Rasi22
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« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2012, 08:37:09 PM » |
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I've heard good things about this. As a huge Stephen King fan, I need to pick this up. Thanks for the review.
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Fuzzy Dunlop
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« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2012, 07:09:49 AM » |
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I personally think its one of the best books King has written in years. Even the ending was good and thats usually the weakest part of any King book
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Currently reading : In The Garden Of Beasts - Erik Larson
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RandyNargi
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« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2012, 12:20:36 PM » |
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I agree with the positive reviews. I've been a Stephen King fan since I started reading his books in college. I enjoyed The Stand, It, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Talisman, and many of the "classic" King horror novels. Unfortunately his more recent books left me cold. Under the Dome was a huge disappointment. I found Lisey's Story to be unreadable. So I was a bit hesitant about 11/22/63. Luckily, this new novel finds King back to his best. The characters are interesting and real, the premise is fascinating, the story is well plotted, and of course King's incredible attention to detail brings the world of 1963 to life in a vivid way.
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Author of G-SALE, a comedy about people who are obsessed with garage sales and SHADOW OF THE LIZARD, a fast-paced action thriller for fans of JURASSIC PARK and X-FILES
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