The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

3.25 stars

“It was like drowning, only from the inside out.”

This book truly piqued my interest. I had no preconceived notions about it when I started reading, but I ended up really liking the story. It centers around a young girl who gets lost in the woods and her subsequent experiences. I really appreciate the way it was written, especially from the unique point of view of a nine-year-old girl.

Throughout the book, there are numerous baseball references. Personally, baseball isn't my cup of tea, so I couldn't really relate to them. However, I still enjoyed this aspect more than the references in "Blockade Billy".

This is a relatively short book, but it is highly enjoyable. I would recommend it to fellow King fans as well as those who are intrigued by the plot. It has some creepy-ish moments, but in my opinion, nothing overly terrifying.

I did, however, want a bit more from this book. I wish we could have delved deeper into the family issues and learned more about our main character. The ending was also quite interesting as it allows for a great deal of personal interpretation.

I liked the themes of fear, the impact of family fighting on a child, and the survival techniques that the main character had to learn. I really admired her bravery in this situation, especially considering that she even contemplated the possibility of never being found. She was smart to save some of her food and drinks, and when those ran out, she used the techniques that her mother had taught her and improvised on the spot. In terms of bravery, Trisha really reminded me of Caroline from the novel "Caroline" by Neil Gaiman.

“Shadows were too black, and when a breeze stirred the trees, the shadows changed in a disquieting way.”

“La Chica que Amaba a Tom Gordon” is an intimate and psychological story about a lost girl in the forest, struggling to survive both physically and mentally.

This work doesn't focus on the traditional supernatural terror of King but on the most primary fears: solitude, vulnerability, and the confrontation with nature and oneself.

The story follows Trisha McFarland, a nine-year-old girl who gets lost in the vast and dense forests of Maine during an excursion with her mother and brother. While her family argues, Trisha strays from the path and soon finds herself completely alone, not knowing how to return. With only a small backpack containing some snacks, water, and her portable radio, Trisha faces the desolation of the forest. The only comfort she has is listening to the baseball games of her favorite player, Tom Gordon, a pitcher for the Red Sox, through her radio.

As the days pass, the isolation and hunger make Trisha start to lose the sense of reality. While fighting to survive, Trisha faces not only the natural dangers of the forest, such as insects, wild animals, and physical exhaustion, but also a dark and mysterious presence that seems to lurk around her. The constant imaginary support of Tom Gordon and the determination not to give up become the keys to her survival.

Trisha has a curious mind and a great admiration for baseball. At the beginning of the story, she presents as an ordinary girl facing the family tensions resulting from her parents' recent divorce. Her resilient character and her imagination capacity are fundamental for her development as a character. Throughout the plot, Trisha transforms from a scared girl into a determined young woman to survive. Her mental relationship with Tom Gordon provides her with the strength to resist, symbolizing the importance of imaginary heroes in moments of despair. Despite her young age, Trisha shows an incredible survival instinct, and her deepest fears, both real and imaginary, shape the central psychological struggle of the book.

Although Tom Gordon never appears as a physical character in the story, his figure becomes an emotional anchor for Trisha. The Red Sox pitcher represents for her more than just a sports figure; he is the symbol of determination, faith, and hope. Trisha turns to Gordon in her mind to motivate herself to move forward, especially when the situation seems unbearable. This imaginary relationship reflects the power of the human mind to create personal heroes that help us overcome challenges.

One of the most prominent themes in “La Chica que Amaba a Tom Gordon” is survival. Trisha's story is a reminder of human resistance in extreme situations and how the mind can be both a lifesaver and a threat. Her ability to maintain hope, largely due to her devotion to Tom Gordon, is essential for her ability to move forward.

The baseball, as a symbol, plays an important role. The sport is something Trisha can connect with in the midst of her isolation. The figure of Tom Gordon in her mind represents how people find refuge in public figures or idols when facing difficult situations. The final game of Gordon, imagined by Trisha, becomes a metaphor for her fight to “close” her own battle against the forest.

Another important theme is fear. The book explores different forms of fear: the physical fear of being lost in nature, the psychological fear of being alone, and the imaginary fear of the unknown.

King's style in this novel is concise and direct, centered on Trisha's perspective. By choosing a limited third-person narrative, the reader is deeply immersed in Trisha's thoughts and feelings, allowing a very strong emotional connection with the protagonist. The tension in the story builds slowly, with a slow but constant rhythm that reflects the physical and emotional wear and tear process that Trisha goes through.

The language used is full of detailed descriptions of nature, highlighting the feeling of being lost in the forest and how overwhelming the natural immensity can be for a girl. King balances the tension sequences with moments of emotional introspection, managing to keep the reader hooked.

One of the strongest points of the novel is the construction of psychological tension. The way King immerses the reader in the mind of a lost girl, highlighting her fear, despair, and hope, is one of the most important achievements of the work. In addition, the fluid narrative allows even the calmest scenes to keep the reader on edge.

However, some readers might find that the lack of external action, compared to other works of King, is a weak point. Most of the plot occurs in Trisha's mind, which might not attract those who are looking for a more dynamic rhythm or a more traditional terror.

In comparison with other works of King, “La Chica que Amaba a Tom Gordon” has a more intimate and personal atmosphere, similar to “El Cuerpo”, a short story included in the anthology “Las Cuatro Estaciones”, where the focus is on personal growth and the confrontation with fear, instead of an explicit terror. It can also evoke memories of “Cujo”, where a character has to face an apparently invincible danger but in a more restricted environment.

This is a book accessible to a wide audience, including young readers, as it deals with universal themes such as courage, hope, and the fear of isolation. It is also a good entry point for those who wish to explore King's work from a more emotional than terrifying perspective.

“La Chica que Amaba a Tom Gordon” is a powerful and moving work that stands out for its exploration of the mind of a girl facing an extreme situation. Through an emotionally rich narrative, Stephen King offers a story that is both a fight for survival and a journey of self-discovery.

Full review without spoilers on my YouTube channel ➡ Maponto Lee

Believe it or not, this is the first Steven King book I've read.

It was kind of a strange experience, but I have to admit that I did get completely absorbed into the story.

Trisha, the main character, is possibly the smartest 9-year-old I've ever come across. She manages to survive in the woods, showing an amazing knowledge of the difference between poisonous plants and berries.

An average kid in her situation would have likely either died or simply stayed in one place and hoped to be found. But not Trisha. This remarkable girl is traveling over 30 miles!

I really liked her vivid imagination. She talks with Tom, her favorite Red Sox pitcher, and has an inner self that can be mean at times, but which also pushes her forward.

At certain points in the story, I wasn't entirely sure if the things happening were real or not. This added an extra layer of mystery and interest to the book.

Overall, it was not a bad read at all. It had its flaws, but it also had enough engaging elements to keep me hooked from start to finish.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Steven King's works in the future.

This was an extremely interesting book penned by King.

I truly love the fact that in this particular work, he deviated from the typical horror and gore that he is often associated with and instead opted to keep it delightfully simple.

Trisha, the protagonist, is an incredibly strong 9-year-old girl who possesses an unwavering will to survive. The story presents numerous challenges and obstacles that continuously test her resolve throughout.

It was an outstanding read that I am truly glad I decided to pick up. I would highly recommend this book to others who are in search of an engaging and captivating story that showcases the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Whether you are a fan of King's previous works or are new to his writing, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression and keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

This book is not his best, nor is it his worst.

It presents a fast-paced story about a young girl who finds herself stranded in the woods.

In stories of this kind, where it all boils down to a single character in a difficult situation, there are limitations to what can occur. However, King manages to make it work with his excellent storytelling.

He skillfully weaves in characters from the young girl's past as she reflects on her ordinary life at home.

For me, what truly saved this book were all the baseball references.

As a lifelong baseball enthusiast, there wasn't a single term or reference that I was unfamiliar with. I vividly remember watching Tom Gordon pitch as well.

I can understand how non-baseball fans might struggle with this read, but for me, it was just what I needed!

It added an extra layer of interest and connection to the story, making it a more enjoyable read overall.

Despite its flaws, the book has its redeeming qualities that make it worth the read for those who are willing to give it a chance.

I feel like this book could’ve been at least around 100 pages. However, considering King’s penchant for details and extensive descriptions, it’s bound to be longer.

I don’t consider myself a huge fan of survival stories. So, for me, this one was just okay. But still, I have to admit that I enjoyed it a great deal more than some of the other Stephen King books I’ve read.

King has a unique way of drawing readers in with his vivid and often disturbing imagery. In this particular book, his descriptions of the characters’ struggles and the harsh environment they find themselves in are truly captivating.

Even though the survival aspect wasn’t my favorite, I couldn’t help but be engaged by the story. King’s ability to create tension and keep the reader on the edge of their seat is truly remarkable.

Overall, while this book may not be a masterpiece in my eyes, it’s still a solid read from one of the greatest horror writers of our time.

This is by far my favorite of Stephen King's books.

A little girl finds herself lost in the woods, desperately trying to survive.

She could potentially be haunted by a supernatural evil that takes the form of a bear.

However, it's also possible that she is simply hallucinating due to severe malnutrition, exhaustion, and exposure to the elements.

Either way, her journey is one filled with terror and uncertainty.

As the story unfolds, we are drawn into her world, experiencing her fears and hopes along the way.

King's vivid descriptions bring the woods to life, making us feel as if we are right there with the little girl.

The unknown and the possibility of something truly terrifying lurking in the shadows keep us on the edge of our seats, eager to find out what will happen next.

This book is a masterclass in horror and suspense, and it's no wonder that it's my favorite of King's works.

Stephen King is a great professional.

He once made me read a book from beginning to end about a dangerous forest, dirty brooks and emaciated deer.

It's a note for all the girls: don't be pretentious, write directly on the path - and carry a compass with you.

Stephen King's works are known for their vivid descriptions and thrilling plots.

The book he made me read was no exception.

The description of the dangerous forest made me feel as if I was really in it, facing various unknown dangers.

The dirty brooks and emaciated deer added a touch of desolation and mystery to the story.

And the advice he gave to the girls is also very practical.

In the wild, we should not be too pretentious, but should be as simple and direct as possible.

And carrying a compass with us can help us avoid getting lost.

Overall, reading this book under the influence of Stephen King was a very unforgettable experience.