This is Stephen King at the absolute pinnacle of his game.

To me, this book is like Marmite - you either have an intense love for it or a deep hatred. I, without a doubt, am firmly on the side of those who love it. It might be somewhat predictable in certain aspects and not the most action-packed among all books. However, I absolutely adored the sensation of something malevolent lurking in the background, without even truly grasping its full magnitude.

King's writing was simply amazing from start to finish, completely immersing me in each and every scene. I could truly close my eyes and envision myself in Trisha's shoes, experiencing every twist and turn.

I'll stop here because I don't want to disclose any details for those who haven't yet read this delightful story, even though I'm eager to discuss a few things that I've just read.

Give this book a try. You know in your heart that you really want to!

This book was an absolute disappointment for me. I'm not typically a fan of horror, and it's only under the most unlikely circumstances, like when the planets align just right and the sun doesn't shine for three days, that I would even consider picking up a book from this genre.

Apparently, there was some sort of misalignment this time because I didn't like or enjoy this book in the slightest. I didn't exactly hate it either, but the complete lack of any emotional connection is just as bad.

The plot had the potential to be quite thrilling. A young girl lost in the creepy woods... one can only imagine the terrifying things that might be waiting for her. However, in reality, there was nothing scary at all!

Unfortunately, I found nothing in this book that would make me look under my bed during the cold, dark nights. There were some rather gross scenes, but that doesn't count as scary because they only made me feel queasy.

I also didn't have much patience for Trisha, the main character. She's only 9 years old, and in theory, she could have been an interesting subject to read about. But in practice, I found her to be extremely dull, and I quickly lost interest in her story. I guess, in essence, this book was just not my cup of tea.

This was my first Stephen King book, and I'm fairly certain it won't be my last. I've heard so many great things about his other novels, and I'll definitely give them a try when the stars and the sun cooperate.

For a more in-depth review, click here.

To find out what the entire plot is about, click here.

I would highly recommend that you look for something else to read because this book simply doesn't cut it.

The Stephen King Goodreads Discussion Group is embarking on a comprehensive re-read of his works, from start to finish. It has been quite a while since I truly delved into Uncle Stevie’s captivating world. But at a rate of one book per month, I am fully committed. My aim is to read and review each one with utmost honesty and deep reflection.

Background – “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” was first published in April 1999 in hardcover by Scribner. In terms of length, my paperback edition lists it as 309 pages, while my Kindle version shows 263 pages.

As most ardent fans of King are well aware, he is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. According to interviews, the inspiration for this novel struck him during a Red Sox game while he was in the process of finishing “Bag of Bones” and commencing “Hearts in Atlantis”. King has often described how he utilizes the time between books to pen a novella, but this was the first instance where he wrote an entire new book during one of these inter-book breaks.

Plotline – This is the tale of nine-year-old Trisha McFarland’s harrowing experience of getting lost in the woods. It all begins with a day hiking trip accompanied by her mother, Quilla, and older brother, Pete. Amidst their argument about her divorce and separation from his father, neither of them notices as Trisha, lagging behind, steps off the trail for a bathroom break. Her troubles commence immediately as she attempts to take a shortcut back to the trail, only to end up falling down a sharp embankment, sustaining injuries, and becoming hopelessly lost.

Trisha decides to head north, following a river in the hope that it will lead her back to civilization. However, it seems to be guiding her deeper into the forest and further away from her desired destination. To make matters worse, she has only a meager lunch bag of food to sustain her, consisting of a boiled egg, a smashed tuna sandwich, celery sticks, two smooshed Twinkies, and a bottle of water and Surge.

The good news is that she has her Walkman to listen to and keep her company when needed. She can tune in to the news reports about the search and rescue efforts for her. Additionally, she can listen to her father’s favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, playing their games. She becomes especially fixated on her favorite player, relief pitcher Tom Gordon, who now serves as her emotional beacon while she endeavors to find her way out of the forest. Listening to Gordon’s attempts to save the game for his team in the ninth inning inspires and stabilizes her fears during her personal ordeal.

But things take a turn for the worse when the searchers are misled and end up way off in their estimation of her true location. They are heading in one direction, while she is actually going in a different one. And what is truly starting to terrify her is a strange sense of foreboding that something is watching and stalking her… Something that she is ill-prepared and untrained to defend herself against…

Thoughts and Reflections – I recall reading this book when it was first released in 1999. Back then, I felt that it had slow sections, similar to his other novel, “Gerald’s Game”. It was challenging to stay focused on the unfolding events due to the limited setting where the action was taking place. I believed that both were short stories with overly extended word counts.

Now, two decades later and with a changed perspective, my view of both books has changed dramatically. You can refer to my separate “Gerald’s Game” review here on Goodreads, as I will concentrate on my thoughts regarding this book.

Perhaps it is because I have grown older and more nostalgic in my fifties, but my thoughts on this short novel have evolved and transformed over time. There are several aspects to appreciate about this book. With themes encompassing the innocence of youth, spirituality, family, the love of baseball, having sports idols, and overcoming our deepest internal fears, King addresses these issues in a raw and unrestrained style that delivers in the most effective way possible.

For me, this was a prime example of masterful storytelling. You might contend that the plotline is not novel or overly creative, and I would not necessarily dispute that. You could also debate the length of his word count, but for me, the pure reading experience was intensely suspenseful and immersive for the most part. If you simply open the book and begin reading (or listening to it on audio), his writing style seizes you and draws you into the story in a smooth and effortless manner.

Even though I don’t consider this to be one of his best ideas, his writing is fluid, raw, and at times even powerful. King brought the forest to life in innovative ways that kept the reader on the edge of their seat, unsure of what might come next. I felt as if I was right beside Trisha during her most difficult moments, lightheaded with hunger like her, feeling the pain of her injuries, and cheering for Gordon to get that final out as if our two lives depended on it.

It was that good. It’s one of those books that, when described to others, may not sound all that interesting, but once you start it, it becomes a gem of a reading experience. At least that was the case for me. It has endured the test of time far better than I initially gave it credit for.

Other Notes – This book is listed as King’s second shortest novel. In 2004, a pop-up book adaptation was published, designed by Kees Moerbeek and illustrated by Alan Dingman. George A Romero was originally planning a film adaptation, including writing and directing it. However, production did not occur before Romero passed away. In 2019, the project was revived with Romero’s widow, Chris, and in November 2020, Lynne Ramsay was chosen to direct the film.

Overall – This was a coming-of-age story for a young girl, grappling with questions about family and spiritual beliefs, and a passion for baseball and her favorite player. King skillfully employs the forest to mirror the challenges, trials, and fears of the world, transforming Trisha’s physical and emotional journey into a powerful odyssey of self-discovery. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The world had teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted. This was a little different than the other King books I've read but still quite enjoyable. A 9-year-old city girl, Patricia (Trisha) McFarlane, found herself fighting for survival after straying off a trail path. Her mother and brother were bickering yet again and too distracted to notice her gone.

This book focused on fear, imagination, and things that go bump in the night, with a twist of the supernatural. The visual imagery King uses makes you feel like you yourself are lost in the woods, fighting to survive, and feeling like you're being watched from a distance. It definitely gave off creepy vibes at times but also helped us relate to the little girl Patricia quite easily through the words/slang used or the fear of an imaginative child.

Parts where a little slow, as it was just a girl walking lost through the woods, but it was done very well and kept the reader interested in what will happen to this young girl and her road to survival. Patricia is only 9 years old but fairly bright for her age. When her mother takes her and her sulky brother Pete into the woods for a hike, trying to compensate for her recent divorce, Pete wishes he had stayed with his father. Trisha ends up getting lost in the woods with nothing but the backpack on her back. She must face many challenges such as finding food, keeping warm, dealing with sickness/injury, bugs, and fear. But something out there is watching her.

Being a fan of Baseball pitcher Tom Gordon, Trisha often imagines him accompanying her and keeping her safe, talking to him to not lose all her sanity. This novel is done over 10 days, 9 of which Trisha is lost. I quite liked Trisha's character. She is smart, a fighter, has a great imagination and wit. Although the main story is based around her, we get to know her family life through her memories. Set in 1998, without iPhones or high-tech stuff, it was refreshing and kind of nostalgic. Overall, this was an interesting read about the survival of a young girl lost in the woods, using her skills and common sense. The supernatural twist was quite interesting. Recommended for horror, contemporary, and thriller fans.

Stephen King is a renowned figure not only in the world of literature but also as a passionate fan and a great supporter of the Boston Red Sox.

He has written several works related to baseball. One of them is a novella called "Blockade Billy," which was later included in the short story collection "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams." Additionally, he co-wrote a non-fiction book entirely about baseball titled "Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season." And there's also "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon."

The author of this review, on the other hand, has a rather different stance towards baseball. They claim not to care about it at all, having hated PE in school and not being a sports person. So, you can imagine their initial dread when starting "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon."

Surprisingly, there were only about ten pages in total dedicated to baseball games and players. As a result, the reviewer was able to enjoy the book, although they don't consider it to be King's best.

This book shares many similarities with "Gerald's Game," which the reviewer read in the spring of 2016. Both feature a female protagonist alone in the forest, haunted by their thoughts and subconscious, and seeing what might be imaginary beings. However, "Gerald's Game" is much more scary and disturbing.

"The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" is about a nine-year-old girl lost in the woods, trying to find her way back to civilization and survive. Her only connection to the outside world is her Walkman, through which she tunes into baseball broadcasts to listen about her favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, and her favorite player, Tom Gordon.

The reviewer really likes the woods and books set in the woods, which is the main reason they enjoyed this book. There doesn't seem to be much else to say about it.

In 2017, since the reviewer started reading the Dark Tower series one per month, they plan to continue this pattern and read one Stephen King book per month until the end of the year. Overall, they rate this book 7/10.

The world had teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted.

\\n  "The world had teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted."\\n

This is a captivating story about a young girl named Trisha. She embarks on a hiking trip along a branch of the Appalachian Trail with her mother and brother. However, after taking a toilet break, she becomes separated from them.

I have a penchant for character interactions and relationships. So, the fact that this story mainly focuses on one character lost in the woods wasn't initially something I would have relished reading about. I was truly enjoying the beginning of the book as we got to know Trisha's family. But the struggle ensued when we were midway through the book and things became a bit stagnant for a while. Nevertheless, as I delved into the second half of the book, I found myself increasingly enjoying it and ultimately loved the latter part. The ending was also well-crafted.

I really appreciate how King incorporates a supernatural element into this story. It lingers on the periphery, making you question its authenticity, just as Trisha herself does. This truly enhances the atmosphere of the story and the sense of unease.

Definitely not one of my favorite King books, but still an enjoyable read overall. Perhaps it would have been more fitting if it was scaled down to a short story. Despite all my partiality towards King, I couldn't rate this more than 3 stars.

Seeking a filler before delving deeper into my TBR pile, I turned to Stephen King for one of his shorter novels. I made an excellent choice, as I was whisked away to the backwoods of the Appalachian Trail and immersed in a harrowing tale of a young girl.

Trisha McFarland, while on a 'forced hike' with her mom and brother, strays from the path and finds herself lost. What begins as a somewhat adventurous situation soon turns nerve-wracking and ultimately into a terrible ordeal. Armed only with the lunch she packed for the hike and a few supplies, Trisha is left alone in the woods. Fortunately, she has her Walkman, which allows her to tune in and listen to the reports of her disappearance, as well as catch a few innings of her beloved Boston Red Sox, with the dreamy relief pitcher, Tom Gordon.

As the story unfolds, King presents perspectives not only from Trisha's point of view but also from her panicked family, intensifying the narrative. With only the sound of the game to ground her, Trisha cheers on her team and dreams of encounters with Tom Gordon to stay calm. With help surely on the way, Trisha must navigate through the woods in the hope of hearing someone call out for her, or face the possibility of dying with Tom Gordon and his pitching heroics on her mind.

This story offers a wonderful glimpse into the less graphic side of King's mind, being both engaging and highly entertaining. It is recommended to those who appreciate King's creativity, as well as readers looking for something to pass the time.

I have always maintained that Stephen King knows how to craft a captivating tale, inserting unexpected twists along the way. This story was no exception, yet it offered some unique elements that I have come to anticipate. The story progressed smoothly, divided into 'innings' as the reader moves through this larger game. Trisha McFarland proves to be a delightfully entertaining protagonist, taking the reader into her young mind and all that crosses it as she tries not to panic.

Much is revealed about her, especially her struggles with her parents' divorce and how she is attempting to come to terms with it. The reader learns a great deal about her backstory and some development here and there, which is essential for tying into the larger narrative. King is also able to use other characters to advance the plot, with vignettes focused on the other family members as they worry or flashbacks to events that define them.

The plot was solid, as many are in a King story, though not always what I might have expected. King is always able to expand on a simple idea and demonstrates his mastery of the craft, helping to shape an already strong narrative. Although this was only a filler for me, I did not feel the need to rush, as the story moved along at a wonderful pace. I love a good King story, and there are so many that I will never run out!

Kudos, Mr. King, for another winner. I have your latest book to tackle soon, but this was a wonderful appetizer to hold me over until then.

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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

If you ever want a quick read, I highly suggest you read this book.

It stands out among Stephen King's works as it is not as terrifying as his other books.

Instead, it delves into the world of baseball.

If you have a passion for playing baseball or are simply interested in the sport, then this book is a must-read for you.

It offers a unique blend of storytelling and the excitement of the baseball diamond.

You'll be able to immerse yourself in the characters' lives and experiences as they navigate the challenges and joys of the game.

So, pick up this book and get ready for an engaging and enjoyable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

4/5 stars

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“The world had teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted.”

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Girl gets lost in a forest. For someone like me, who has zero navigational skills and can't even tell left from right, this is already a terrifying premise. But Stephen King takes it a step further, making it even creepier and upping the horror factor. This novel practically made my heart stop numerous times, due to both suspense and fear. I've come to realize that I love books where the character's body is pushed to the extreme. In this case, I could vividly feel and imagine Trisha's starvation, thirst, desperation, and paranoia. I was so immersed in the book that I suddenly felt like I was there, experiencing it with the main character. That is the brilliance of this author's writing. I wasn't just a bystander but had an active role in the novel, which was both wonderful and terrifying.

Nine-year-old Trisha was sick and tired of her mother and brother constantly fighting. During their hike on a part of the Appalachian Trail, Trisha strayed from the path for just a short time. But this one choice led to her being completely lost and alone. With no hope of quickly finding her family or getting any help, Trisha decides to try to find her own way back to civilization. With little food, no company, and no shelter, she must rely on herself and her Walkman to stay sane and survive. But being lost in the woods alone isn't Trisha's only problem. She has a strong feeling that she isn't alone in the woods, and if she doesn't make it out alive, the thing following her will surely be her end.



As a reader, I didn't just passively watch the events of this book unfold. I was right in the middle of the action, feeling as if I was right there with Trisha, experiencing her pain, desperation, and fear. I picked up this book at night, only planning to read a couple of chapters before going to bed. But things didn't go as planned, and I ended up staying up all night to finish the entire book. By the end, my palms were sweating, my heart was pounding, and my thoughts were all over the place. This book brought out the worst emotions in me as I was fully immersed in the creepy and lonely world of Trisha's thoughts. To be honest, I found it very difficult to fall asleep that night, not only because of the adrenaline flowing through my veins but also because of the fear that this book instilled in me.

This is definitely one of the simpler stories by Stephen King that I've read, but I still think it was very well constructed and insanely entertaining and addictive. I really grew to like the character of Trisha. She was strong-minded, admirably determined, and resourceful, yet still retained the innocence of a nine-year-old. I loved reading from her perspective because she was undeniably intelligent and witty, and I rooted for her throughout the novel. What I really love about characters being thrown into desperate situations is the small moments where we learn about their lives, their relationships, and what matters most to them. This is what I loved in King's The Long Walk and equally enjoyed in this novel as we learned about the backstory of Trisha's family and how her love for Tom Gordon helped keep her strong during the ordeal.

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“The world is a worst case scenario and I'm afraid that all you sense is true”

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I really love books where the characters are pushed to physical and emotional extremes, and the plot of being lost in the woods for days really fits this bill. As soon as I read that this book was about a girl lost in the wilderness, I was intrigued. But Stephen King didn't stop there. I quickly realized that this book was about much more than just the desperation of a young girl. It had a much more nightmarish twist to it. The sense that something else, something unknown, was following Trisha was absolutely spine-chilling. It left an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach and filled my mind with terror. This also made the book even more suspenseful and high-stakes, because not only did Trisha need to survive her environment, but she also needed to escape whatever was following her. I particularly enjoyed the ambiguity as to whether this being was just Trisha's paranoia or if it was a real monster. King effortlessly blended nightmares and childlike terror with reality, making it almost impossible not to get drawn into the creepy world myself.

This Stephen King novel truly grew on me as I delved deeper into its pages. Surprisingly, the baseball link didn't deter me at all. In fact, I've always been a fan of Stephen King's writing style. However, it's fair to say that I have a particular preference for the non-horror works he pen. This particular novel was an enjoyable read that centered around nine-year-old Trisha McFarland.

Trisha embarked on a six-mile hike along the Maine-New Hampshire branch of the Appalachian Trail, with the intention of spending Saturday with her mother and older brother Pete. But she soon became annoyed by the family's constant bickering and decided to wander off to find some peace. In an attempt to catch up with them, she took a shortcut through the woods, which unfortunately led her further astray and into danger as nightfall approached.

To distract herself from the night terrors, she tuned her Walkman to broadcasts of Boston Red Sox games and the performances of her hero, number 36, relief pitcher Tom Gordon. As the radio reception began to fade, she vividly imagined that Tom Gordon was right there with her.

All in all, this wasn't really a horror story, which suited me just fine. It was simply an enjoyable read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

First of all, it is crucial to point out that this book is in no way similar to the standard King lineup. It presents a refreshing and distinct change of pace for his dedicated Constant Reader.

Strangely enough, I firmly believe that Stephen King himself felt the same way. There is an intense passion palpable in the lines of this particular work, almost as if the words themselves seem to glow luminously on the page.

If I were tasked with recommending a Stephen King book to a so-called "fraidy cat," this would undeniably be the one. It is not terrifying, not even truly creepy, although it does indeed have some fairly tense and nerve-wracking scenes.

You will instantly fall in love with this little girl from the very first page. You will laugh and cry along with her throughout the middle sections, and cheer with unrestrained enthusiasm when she throws the most important ball of her life.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is an absolute page turner, featuring a main character whom you will not soon forget. It is a captivating and engaging read that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

This is unlike any other Stephen King book I've read (so far).

I can't say that I loved it with all my heart, but I was definitely very deeply invested in the story.

From the very beginning, I found myself completely drawn into the events that were unfolding.

And 100% rooting for Trisha.

She is such a determined little fighter.

Despite all the hardships and challenges she faces in the story, she never gives up.

Her spirit is truly inspiring.

I was on the edge of my seat, eager to know what would happen to her next.

The way Stephen King has crafted this character and the story around her is truly remarkable.

It makes me want to keep reading more of his works to see what other amazing stories he has to offer.

Overall, this book may not have been my absolute favorite, but it was definitely a captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.