It's been many years since my last Stephen King read, but it was like riding a bike: a hero, a journey with scary thrills, and a happy ending. I hear they're making a series out of this—produced by the Duffer Brothers (that's right, Stranger Things)—and cannot wait to see it. ( )

Prior to picking this book up recently I'd swear up and down that I'd read it, not once but twice. However, I am beginning to doubt that as I remembered nothing of the novel after about 50 pages in.

For some reason I had a really hard time making my way through this book. Not because it is bad but more due to pacing issues. Also, going into this knowing it was written by King and Straub kept me distracted at times since I spent a bit of bandwidth trying to guess which portions were written by each. Most of the book seemed to bog down at times but the last 100 pages or so really made up for it and tied up the story nicely. Overall, a good book but not as great as I (falsely?) remember. ( )

I had a real problem with this book. The lead character's dialog wasn't working for me. I couldn't "hear" it. The part just before the end was pretty good. I suspect Stephen King wrote that part. I am going to state Peter Straub wrote the parts I did not enjoy. The last few pages I only read the first sentence every every paragraph. I wanted to know how it ended, but it wasn't worth it. Oh well, hope my next book is better.
9,326 members; 4,01 average rating; 3/20/2023 ( )

Un ventoso dia otoñal, un chico de doce años está en una playa del gris océano Atlántico, al lado del silenciado parque de atracciones y el apagado pueblo de Alhambra. Jack ha llegado aquí empujado por las circunstancias; su padre ha fallecido,su madre está agonizando y nada tiene ya sentido. Pero para Jack todo está a punto de cambiar: ha sido elegido para emprender un viaje a traves de los misteriosos Territorios...

Another re-read of a favorite from Uncle Stevie - lots of reviews here, so suffice to say this is a questing narrative, featuring a boy who has the ability to shift into other worlds - "there are other worlds than these." Obviously, a connection to the Uber-narrative from [The Dark Tower] series, as the Territories where young Jack travels bare resemblances to some of those lands where Roland and company travel. Not surprisingly, since [The Gunslinger] was first published in 1982, there are developing seeds here for that larger story, language and descriptions that will echo throughout Roland's tale. Like many of the King's earlier works, there is an aching goodness to so much of the work. Many see little in his work beyond the horrors, but those horrors exist to highlight the white in the stories. This one remains one of my favorite books in the King cannon.

Highly recommended, especially for those who are looking for a good starting place for King.
5 bones!!!!! ( )