Stephen King is truly a master when it comes to crafting quieter, smaller, and strangely intimate stories like this one.

“The world had teeth and it could bite you with them anytime it wanted.” This profound statement has always been among my favorites by him. The story follows a young girl who gets lost in the woods and must fight to survive against all odds. She is not only hunted by something dangerous but also teeters on the thin line between sanity and starved febrile hallucinations.

By King's standards, this book is very short - just a couple of hundred pages. It focuses on the girl's survival, the contrast between nature's beauty and its cruelty, the nature of faith and belief, and the nature of fear itself. Amazingly, even the mention of baseball doesn't spoil it. (Despite living in the US for many years, this book is still my only source of knowledge about baseball; but hey, it's not biathlon or tennis, so...).

I can relate to the girl's experience to some extent. I was once lost in the woods at the same age as Trisha McFarland, but with my uncle and aunt and only for a day. It felt like a fun adventure at first, but once the darkness fell, unease set in despite the adults being in charge. It's hard to imagine a kid surviving alone in the woods for days on end, sometimes showing amazing cleverness and resilience, and at other times making stupid choices that are understandable for a child.

It's exactly this everyday horror that is infinitely scarier than even that certain sewer-haunting clown. It's so easy to step off the path and find yourself lost and afraid. King knows how to capture the primal terror of being lost, alone, and dwarfed by nature that suddenly turns unfriendly.

“You could get used to anything, if you had to. She knew that now.” This simple yet powerful line sums up the girl's experience. It's amazing that King can have us spend over 200 pages in the mind of a 9-year-old girl and never feel bored or sense a false note. He is truly amazing at writing kids well, and this book is no exception.

This story would be perfect for those who don't enjoy the supernatural elements in books as you can choose a rational explanation if you prefer. The ending, unlike some of King's "bigger" books with more elaborate stories, actually closes the story well. And clearly, you don't have to know anything about baseball to enjoy it (Tom Gordon may be the only baseball player I can ever name, and it's likely to stay that way).

Still 5 stars from my former 9-year-old self who was much safer in the woods than Trisha McFarland. This book remains among my favorites from the master storyteller.

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Also posted on my blog.

Warning: Don't Get Skulled........

Being stranded in the mosquito-infested woods of the Appalachians is an absolute nightmare for nine-year-old Trisha McFarland. As she wanders through the dense forest, visions of The Thing seem to follow her every step, sending shivers down her spine. Adding to her terror are the frightening words from The Cold Voice. In this harrowing situation, her love for baseball and the Boston Red Sox closer Tom Gordon becomes her only glimmer of hope and salvation.

This 1999 Stephen King audio adventure, narrated by Anne Heche, may not be truly terrifying, but it is highly entertaining. The story builds up the tension gradually, keeping the listener on the edge of their seat. And just when you think it can't get any better, it ends with one hell of a final pitch! It's a thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more.

3.75/5 Great coming of age story with plenty of suspense

This is an outstanding coming of age story that truly captivates the reader. The plot is filled with numerous elements of suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their lives and growth. As the story progresses, you witness the main character's journey through various challenges and experiences that shape them into the person they are meant to be.

The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world, complete with detailed descriptions and a rich atmosphere. The use of suspense adds an extra layer of excitement, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a great coming of age story with a healthy dose of suspense. It will leave you satisfied and eager to see what the author has in store for their next work.

\\n  “Part of her wanted to run. Never mind how flowing water was bound to take her to people eventually, all that was likely just a crock of Little House on the Prairie shit.”\\n

Nine-year-old Trisha has only strayed a short distance from the trail. But in her frantic attempt to return to the path and rejoin her mother and brother, she finds herself getting deeper and deeper into the terrifying woods. At first, it's just the bugs, midges, and mosquitoes that plague her. Then comes the pangs of hunger. For solace, she tunes her Walkman to broadcasts of a Red Sox baseball game and the performances of her hero, Tom Gordon. As darkness descends, Trisha realizes that she is not alone. There is something else in the woods, watching and waiting.

As is always the case with Stephen King, this book is well-written and vividly descriptive. The way the wilderness is portrayed is truly remarkable, and I found Trisha to be an incredibly resourceful character, especially for a nine-year-old. However, this is not your typical King novel. It lacks the usual scares and intensity that he is so beloved for. The baseball talk and references also went over my head, which is why I don't think it completely blew me away.

I had also hoped for more depth to the plot. As it progressed, it became relatively slow-paced and predictable, especially towards the end, which was extremely anti-climactic. She finally confronts the thing that she feels has been stalking her during her time in the forest, she survives, and then... The End.

Overall, the story was still good and enjoyable. There were just some details that could have been refined, which was a bit of a surprise for a Stephen King book.

I truly made an effort to develop an appreciation for this book, but unfortunately, it simply didn't resonate with me.

A young girl finds herself lost in a forest, all because of a woman who seems like a prime candidate for the "The Worst Mother of the Year" award. As she tries to remain calm, she gradually realizes that she has no clue about her whereabouts or which direction to take in order to seek help. She is only nine years old, yet she appears mature for her age. Given her circumstances, I must admit that she manages to hold herself together quite well.

She actively searches for food, carefully rations her water, and even engages in conversations with Boston Red Sox relief pitcher, Tom Gordon. Although she knows he isn't physically present, he serves as her conversation partner. Along with her Walkman, which she turns on occasionally to listen to the baseball announcer, these things prevent her from losing her sanity.

However, I just couldn't bring myself to like this particular book. Perhaps it was my lack of interest in baseball, or maybe it was the absence of truly exciting events. Or perhaps there was something else that didn't sit right with me. Overall, the girl in the story was undeniably brave, quick-witted, and able to maintain her composure in all the situations where she felt nervous or scared of the unknown lurking in the forest. In my opinion, this novel could have been condensed into a short story, with many details omitted and a few elements added to enhance the suspense.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon was truly a remarkable piece of work, deeply infused with King's personal aesthetic. In fact, it was so distinctively his that his name didn't even need to be on the cover for one to know he was the author. Reading it felt like reuniting with an old friend, a familiar and comforting experience.

Tricia, the protagonist, was a great choice. Despite her young age, she was bright and had a cool head on her shoulders, as if ice water flowed in her veins.

In the beginning, it was a bit challenging to understand some of her decisions. After all, doesn't everyone know that the first rule of being truly lost in the woods is to stop walking and wait for rescue? However, Tricia was unaware of this. At those moments, I had to constantly remind myself of her tender age, although at other times she seemed much older than nine.

Overall, the story was very enjoyable, captivating the reader from start to finish and leaving a lasting impression. It was a testament to King's skill as a writer and his ability to create complex and engaging characters in a believable and immersive world.

It truly pains me to award King anything less than 3 stars. However, this particular work wasn't as captivating as I had anticipated. Trisha, a 9-year-old, finds herself lost in the woods. She is a bit too intelligent for her age, which makes her seem almost unrealistic to me. If I were lost in the woods at 9 years old, I wouldn't have known to ration food and search for a water source. But perhaps I was not as bright at that age. I'm not really interested in discussions about baseball, and as for the story itself, not a whole lot occurs. Nevertheless, I do enjoy it when King features kids as his main characters. I always end up deeply caring about them and rooting for their success. Overall, unfortunately, this is not my favorite King novel.

Continuing my journey of reading all of Stephen King's books in publication order, the next one on the list was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. It ranks among some of the weaker SK books for me. However, I did like the premise of this book. Being lost is one of my biggest fears, and imagining being only nine years old in that situation is truly terrifying.

One of the main issues I had with this book was its believability. I know what you might be thinking - it's Stephen King, so what did I expect? But it wasn't the plot that was unrealistic; it was the character. The way this nine-year-old walks for miles and miles, forages for food, and has conversations about the meaning of life seems highly unlikely. If it were me at nine in that situation, I think sitting in the same spot and rocking back and forth would be a more accurate response. I believe this book would have benefited from having an older character and a different reason for why she couldn't find her way.

The creature elements were well done, leaving the reader wondering what was real and what was pure imagination. For me, the baseball talk was just filler, as I have no real interest in sports. However, I understood that it was the main character's connection to the real world. It is horrifying because you never know if she is going to make it, but it didn't scare me as much as other SK books have. It's not a bad book, and if you're a completist like me, then it's definitely worth a read. But there are so many better SK books out there.

December 2017

At first, I really liked this. The author did an excellent job of writing about the very real terror of being lost in the woods. However, the baseball stuff bored me. But then again, everyone else seems to love it. I grew up in Maine myself, surrounded by people who are obsessed with the Red Sox. But I always did an extremely good job of ignoring anything related to sports. So, I liked the part about being lost in the woods. I guess I was even okay with the horror of her losing her mind. But it really started to bother me and test the believability when I realized that she is only nine years old. The author should have made Trisha thirteen or fourteen. All her thoughts, knowledge, and references just seemed to me to be those of a slightly older girl. And even at thirteen, she would still be quite young.

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


I have vivid memories of this book long before I actually read it. As a young child, I went on a hiking trip with my family in a dense forest. I was small and inexperienced, and the path was steep and full of rocks. Unfortunately, I slipped and fell, breaking my thumb. While my father rushed to the car to drive me to the hospital, my mother and I sat on the forest floor, waiting. Little did I know at that time that my mother was trying to distract me, but that's when she decided to tell me the story of Trisha, a nine-year-old girl who went hiking with her brother and mother and got lost in the woods. (Let's not question my mom's choice of story for her tiny child. It definitely worked, as I've been told I stopped crying when I realized how much worse Trisha's situation was.)





I truly enjoyed the simplicity of the story-telling. This isn't an epic adventure with a profound moral lesson. It's simply the story of a girl who gets lost in the woods and tries to find her way out. Trisha is a brave and mature girl for her age, and she refuses to give up easily. Arguably, there might not be a complex plot here, but that's what makes it even more interesting. It still managed to keep me engaged and glued to the pages. It's the atmosphere and the writing that make this book stand out. I got a strong sense of Lord of Flies - the underlying mystery was similar, the question of whether you're truly alone and how you start to question what's real and what's imagined after a while.


It's baseball player Tom Gordon, Trish's celebrity crush, who gives her hope. Baseball is cleverly integrated into the story's structure, with the chapters divided into parts of the game and the spirituality of winning a game applied to the hopes of survival. However, not being a baseball fan myself, I could appreciate the concept but didn't really find a deep connection.


Overall, I had a good time reading this book, but it never really gripped me. I wasn't thrilled or scared at any point, and I'm not even sure if I can say that I cared deeply for Trish. Nevertheless, it's still an enjoyable book that shows how simple it can be to tell a good story. However, I don't think I'll revisit it in the future.

Let me begin by stating that I am an extremely passionate Stephen King fan, and this has been the case ever since I read "The Stand" way back in 1978.

First and foremost, I have a great affinity for the genre that King writes in. Secondly, I firmly believe that he is the finest storyteller currently alive on this planet. Having said that, although I have read almost everything he has penned under any pen name, this will be the sole review I intend to write for the extensive King library.

What makes this book truly unique is that it hardly delves into the typical worlds of Stephen King. It is a captivating story about how a young girl manages to survive after getting lost in the woods. And while there are indeed some supernatural elements present in it, they do not dominate the overall storyline. Instead, the emphasis is more on her psychological struggle to stay alive. It is a remarkable tale of courage and the power of the will. You don't necessarily have to be a soldier or an athlete to possess strength; all you really need is the heart and the mental fortitude to never give up.

This is a book that you simply won't be able to put down until you have completed it.

Tired of hearing her mom and brother arguing while going on a hike on the Appalachian Trail, 9-year-old Trisha Mcfarland decides to go off to pee. However, she ends up getting lost in the woods.

As she wanders through the forest, she can't help but feel a sense of dread. Will she be able to find her way out before the creature that seems to be stalking her catches up?

This was a truly captivating and heart-wrenching read. The book is a thrilling suspense novel, distinct from Stephen King's horror works. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this book. Reading about Trisha's harrowing experiences made my heart ache.

If you have a penchant for Stephen King's style and are looking for a new book to read, I highly recommend checking this one out. It can be found at your local library or wherever books are sold. So, pick up a copy and embark on this exciting adventure with Trisha.