I haven't quite given up on the Hugo Awards yet--I am reading the works that don't look to be too influenced by the Sick Puppies or the more radical of the Sad Puppies--I have discussed them earlier.
That leaves a short list in the shorter fiction. Obits by Stephen King is on it. He doesn't get a lot of these nominations, I would think that the nominators don't think he needs it. But one could nominate most anything he writes, as it is both speculative and very well written.
Obits treads a well-worn path of sympathetic magic--voodoo in particular, though that's not exactly what's going on here. Our protagonist is finding his prowess as a writer--in fact, he can kill with it. But not with great control. The power and terror of that possibility is shown here.
It might be a little too tired, I think I saw this on The Twilight Zone but am not sure. The protagonist at one point becomes afraid that his secret will get out. Maybe too much? Would anyone believe him if told?
It's a decent story and I am sure King fans will enjoy it. I was mildly amused. Will give it a weak 3 stars.
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephen King. Show all posts
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Thursday, October 25, 2012
11/22/63, by Stephen King
I have not read many books by Stephen King--he is too good at writing scary stuff for me--but I try to read the World Fantasy Award nominees each year, and 11/22/63 is one. And I'm sure glad I did, it is one of the best books I have read this year.
The book has a few gory moments, but it is mostly a very sophisticated, and of course beautifully written, time travel story. Our protagonist, Jake Epping, is offered an opportunity to go back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. King succinctly and cleverly describes the possible rules and inconsistencies the first discoverer of the "rabbit hole" back to 1958, the owner of the diner where it manifests, has noted. Things one brings back persist, and one seems to be able to bring the same thing back over and over. Otherwise, events appear to reset to their normal course each time one goes back. But there's someone at the entrance, a messed up drunk, who seems aware of what's happening...
The characters are vividly real and I was engaged every minute I was reading it. Finished an 850 page book in two weeks, which is fast for me. And I learned quite a bit about the time period and the Kennedy assassination, which made it very worthwhile. In the afterword, King comments on how ugly Dallas was in 1963. "Confederate flags flew right side up, and American flags upside down". He reflects on the parallels between then and now, as forces of ignorance, intolerance and prejudice gain strength.
This book is a great bit of storytelling and a good window on history. Well worth sitting down for a read, and many copies are available at your public library. Four stars here.
The book has a few gory moments, but it is mostly a very sophisticated, and of course beautifully written, time travel story. Our protagonist, Jake Epping, is offered an opportunity to go back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. King succinctly and cleverly describes the possible rules and inconsistencies the first discoverer of the "rabbit hole" back to 1958, the owner of the diner where it manifests, has noted. Things one brings back persist, and one seems to be able to bring the same thing back over and over. Otherwise, events appear to reset to their normal course each time one goes back. But there's someone at the entrance, a messed up drunk, who seems aware of what's happening...
The characters are vividly real and I was engaged every minute I was reading it. Finished an 850 page book in two weeks, which is fast for me. And I learned quite a bit about the time period and the Kennedy assassination, which made it very worthwhile. In the afterword, King comments on how ugly Dallas was in 1963. "Confederate flags flew right side up, and American flags upside down". He reflects on the parallels between then and now, as forces of ignorance, intolerance and prejudice gain strength.
This book is a great bit of storytelling and a good window on history. Well worth sitting down for a read, and many copies are available at your public library. Four stars here.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Morality, by Stephen King
It's not every day that a major bestselling author gives away work, so I relaxed this evening with Stephen King's recent story Morality. It's a classic story of answering the question, "what would you do for money?". Pull the wings off a butterfly? Cheat on your taxes? Steal from someone you know?
The act the couple performs is in the long run harmless, but poisoning in a much deeper way. I won't spoil it for you in case you want to read it. They get paid, but the act poisons their relationship and lives.
My complaint here is that this story is just way too conventional for Stephen King. I haven't read many of the blockbusters, but have read a short story collection and a novel or two. His work has some real bite. Not this one. Read it for curiosity or completeness, but don't expect shocks or revelations.
The act the couple performs is in the long run harmless, but poisoning in a much deeper way. I won't spoil it for you in case you want to read it. They get paid, but the act poisons their relationship and lives.
My complaint here is that this story is just way too conventional for Stephen King. I haven't read many of the blockbusters, but have read a short story collection and a novel or two. His work has some real bite. Not this one. Read it for curiosity or completeness, but don't expect shocks or revelations.
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