The object that reigned in the sky was a somewhat deformed silver stone, almost too bright to look at... but Trisha looked anyway, with a solemn expression on her swollen face. The moon was so bright that it had condemned most of the stars to invisibility, and something in it, or perhaps the fact of looking at it from where she was, made her aware of her solitude.

Although it is a work that I have been told badly enough to think twice about reading it, I decided to do so. I was not told badly in the sense that the novel is boring or simply poorly written, which I doubt given Stephen King's extensive experience in telling stories. Instead, it is because it focuses too much on the writer's favorite sport, baseball. Despite the fact that the novel does have many parts where it focuses too much on baseball, it gave me a second reading that I didn't entirely dislike.

A nine-year-old girl who gets lost in the forest and whose last consolation is a famous character in the world of this sport helps her survive the hostile circumstances that surround her. It is through this sports character that she glimpses a glimmer of hope. Now, like many of us at some point in our childhood, we have felt like this nine-year-old girl, alone, facing circumstances hostile enough to want to lean on people we admire. The personal circumstances of our protagonist are not exactly easy either, endowing her with a necessary realism that gives strength to the rest of the story.

The ending wasn't bad considering the endings that Stephen King has accustomed us to. It's just an ending. It won't be one of my favorite novels by the author by any means, but nevertheless, it is worth getting to know this story.

On the other hand, it also tells us how little aware we are sometimes of the responsibility we have towards the most vulnerable people in our environment.

3'5

First Stephen King book I've read in over a year. It's been far too long since I delved into the world of King's writing. I truly should make it a point to read King on a more frequent basis.

Albeit this is a relatively simple story about a young girl that gets lost in a forest, it had me completely captivated from start to finish. The atmosphere that King creates is palpable, filled with a sense of mystery and foreboding. It's both creepy and sad, tugging at your heartstrings as you follow the girl's harrowing journey.

I read it in two sittings, unable to put it down once I started. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. And I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller or a story that will make them feel a whole range of emotions. It's a testament to King's skill as a writer that he can take a seemingly simple premise and turn it into a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Trisha MacFarland's parents recently divorced.

After that, her mother made the decision to relocate to Sanford, Maine, taking the kids along with her.

Their father, on the other hand, still resides in Medford, Massachusetts, where their family home was situated. Pete, Trisha's older brother, didn't handle the move well at all.

He continues to punish their mom daily with his argumentative attitude. Trisha attempts to stay positive, but the constant bickering between her mom and Pete is really wearing on her nerves.

On the day they set out for a hiking trip along the Appalachian Trail, which lies on the border between Maine and New Hampshire, they start fighting again. Pete is in an especially bad mood.

Her mom has been doing this frequently since their move, planning little outings for them on the weekends. Trisha doesn't have a problem with it, but these adventures rarely turn out well.

Pete would much rather be at home on his computer and makes that clear often. Trisha doesn't even understand why her mom bothers.

As they begin the hike, Pete and their mom take the lead, arguing the entire time. It's as if Trisha is invisible. They pay no attention to her at all.

When Trisha needs to use the bathroom, she leaves the trail and goes a short distance into the thick woods. She doesn't want any hikers to see her.

That's how Trisha gets lost.

Left alone with only the things in her backpack, Trisha has to find a way to survive. She's not only facing the harsh forces of Mother Nature but also feels that something is following her. Something old and menacing that wants to harm her.

Survival stories are one of my favorite subgenres of horror. I spend a lot of time outdoors myself, hiking and exploring, so I find them particularly terrifying.

In fact, I was on this same section of the trail in late September. It's an area I really love, but it can still make me nervous. There are so many woods, and one wrong turn...

I think the fact that getting lost in the woods is one of my biggest fears contributed to my enjoyment of this story. Being alone in the thick woods is such a powerful feeling. It heightens all of your senses. I felt that through the writing.

That being said, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is an extremely well-written story that I think anyone can enjoy, even if they've never been hiking in their lives.

Trisha shows herself to be a resourceful girl, even though she does make some mistakes. She's only nine!

I became really invested in her. She loves the Boston Red Sox, and her favorite player is the famous relief pitcher of the time, Tom Gordon. Although really, Trisha knows all about the whole team.

Trisha has her Walkman with her and can listen to the Sox games on it. That's her only company. Her one connection to the outside world and to her humanity.

I highly recommend this short novel to everyone. There's a lot to discover within these pages, just like there is within the dark, dark woods.

Some books, even those written by a long-established and highly regarded author, fail to pique my interest. However, some of these very same books end up in my hands due to circumstances. For instance, one October, I was confined to bed for days, feeling as if I was suffering from a combination of Ebola, Bubonic Plague, and the Wrath of God Almighty. (In reality, it was just the flu, but it was truly awful.) In between bouts of shivering and what I thought might be the approach of death, I deliriously picked up and read this book.

To the extent that any work with Stephen King's name on it could be considered underrated, I would say The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon fits the bill. It may not be his greatest, most acclaimed masterpiece, but given the state I was in when I read it, it was almost like a healing elixir (or at least the best bowl of comforting chicken noodle soup ever made). Thanks to this novel, I now look back on that otherwise miserable weekend with a certain degree of fondness.

As someone who often places a high value on the use of language and the art of sentence construction, sometimes even above narrative and character "likability," I found myself rooting for that girl with all my might. It was as if I had a significant amount of money riding on her success; as if she were my own daughter.

Trisha's unwavering determination in the face of such extreme peril, after becoming separated from her family on the Appalachian Trail, makes her a truly formidable heroine in the survival horror genre, especially considering her young age. The way she draws on her admiration for her favorite baseball player to endure her ordeal is both adorable and heartwarming, and it serves as an encouragement to the reader.

This story also reminded me of Don Bluth's philosophy about the darkness in his movies: kids can handle anything as long as there is a happy ending. While I don't actively seek out crowd-pleasing, sentimental happy endings, once in a while, they are just what the doctor ordered, like a beautiful fairy tale.

I very much enjoyed this story about a nine-year-old girl who gets lost in the Maine wilderness. She is described as 'big for her age' and has a love for baseball that really drew me in.

What I liked about the book was the girl's connection to baseball. It was clear that this was her link to the world, especially since she shared it with her absent father due to divorce. I could relate to her love for sports as I was also a kid who loved basketball, baseball, and football. I knew all about my favorite players and their stats. The girl in the story was tough as nails but still realistically flawed. I didn't mind that she cried a lot because it fit the story and didn't make her seem like a spoiled brat.

However, there were a few things that I didn't like so much. First, the way the girl got lost seemed a bit far-fetched. She went off in the middle of a fork in the road to pee and then tried to take a short cut to catch up with her family. But when she realized she was lost, she didn't think to turn around and go back to the intersection. It seemed unlikely that a smart and resourceful kid like her wouldn't think of such a simple solution.

Another thing that bothered me was how she got sick from drinking clear pure stream water. In a pristine forest, it's not very likely that the water would make her violently ill. I could understand if it was swamp water or puddle water, but not clean stream water.

The last thing that didn't quite sit right with me was when the girl went north towards Canada instead of south when she was almost back to civilization. It seemed strange that she would make such a mistake, especially since she was supposed to be so smart.

Overall, I did fall in love with the character in this book, but I didn't buy all the circumstances. It was a satisfying story, but not exactly terrifying. I would recommend it to younger King fans or those just getting into his work, as well as YA readers and people who have or would like to get lost in the woods.

One of my greatest fears is getting lost in the woods.

Stephen King crafts a story based on this terrifying scenario, featuring a 9-year-old little girl.

It encompasses all the elements that one would encounter in such a situation: paranoia, hunger, sickness, and even a predator stalking her.

This is a relatively quick read, which is not typical for a King book. However, like most of King's works, you will not be disappointed after reading it!

King's vivid descriptions and masterful storytelling draw you into the girl's harrowing experience, making you feel as if you are right there with her in the woods.

The sense of dread and danger builds steadily throughout the story, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Despite its brevity, this book manages to pack a powerful emotional punch and leaves a lasting impression.

Whether you are a die-hard King fan or simply looking for a thrilling read, this story is definitely worth checking out.

You won't be able to put it down until you reach the end and discover the fate of the little girl.

So, if you're ready to face your fears and embark on a heart-pounding adventure, pick up this book and let Stephen King take you on a wild ride through the woods.

For me, this is Steven King's best work.

Seriously, it stands out from many of his other horror novels. It doesn't suffer from the literary elephantiasis that often plagues them, with an overabundance of extra, additional, superfluous, and unnecessary words. Instead, this is more of a novella.

There are indeed some supernatural elements present, but they are not the main focus here. The story is simply about a young girl who finds herself lost in the woods. What keeps her spirits up is listening to a baseball game broadcast on her radio.

If you want to discover another side of Steven King, give this a try. It's a succinct and fabulous tale that combines courage and suspense in a truly captivating way. I highly recommend it!

You'll be drawn into the young girl's plight and root for her as she navigates through the unknown with only the sounds of the baseball game to keep her company. It's a unique and engaging read that showcases King's versatility as a writer.

Trisha, a nine-year-old girl, went on a picnic with her brother and mother. She needed to use the bathroom, but no matter how loudly she called her mother and brother, they didn't hear because they were chatting with each other. As a result, Trisha left the path on her own to find a place to relieve herself. However, when it was time to return, she had trouble and got lost in the jungle. She had nothing with her except a little food and a walkie-talkie.

The story, although short, lacks much appeal. The majority of the book has no significant events, and it can be said that Stephen King prefers to express his views and beliefs in the form of a story. I thought it would be an exciting novel, but it didn't meet my expectations. Usually, when I have a lot of work and mental distractions, I try to read books that don't require a specific focus and that can mostly entertain me. But this didn't happen with this book.

While this was an extremely good and intense read, I would not assert that this is among my favorite Stephen King novels.

Trisha is an outstanding character, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the entire book. You truly become attached to her.

The setting is absolutely terrifying. I am located at the other end of the Appalachian Trail, and I have had a brief look at how vast and overwhelming the forest can be.

So, this novel is not horror/scary in the way a regular Stephen King book is. Instead, it is more about being lost in the woods, a real-life kind of scary.

I am glad that I listened to it. Anne Heche read it, and she did an excellent job.

The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was constantly wondering what would happen to Trisha next.

Even though it may not be my all-time favorite Stephen King novel, it is still a great read that I would recommend to others.

It wasn't truly a 'scary horror' in the traditional sense. Instead, it delved deeper into the realms of our imagination, fear, and the manner in which we handle the unknown. In some aspects, I would argue that this is far more terrifying than any straightforward horror. Each of us perceives and copes with the 'thing' described in the book in a slightly different way. Some might dismiss it based on scientific reasoning, while others could be overcome with terror. There are also those who are simply intrigued and curious.

For me, it was a suspenseful tale, filled with moments that were both genuinely creepy and quite entertaining, scattered throughout. The ability to vividly envision Trisha growing weaker, yet simultaneously finding inner strength, was truly remarkable. Despite being lost in the woods, she managed to hold onto her sense of self.

The world, as this story seems to suggest, has teeth, and it can bite you whenever it desires. It serves as a reminder that we are constantly at the mercy of the unknown and that our ability to face it head-on is what truly defines us.

A typical king who causes a depressing feeling.

I didn't find this story as strong as some of the author's other works. Nevertheless, I still liked it.

I could empathize well with Trisha and could really understand how she feels, all alone and abandoned, without hope!

The description of the king and the situation Trisha is in creates a vivid and somewhat melancholy atmosphere.

Although the story may not have the same level of excitement as others, it has its own charm in depicting the emotions and struggles of the characters.

It makes the reader think about themes such as isolation, despair, and the search for meaning in difficult times.

Overall, it's a worthwhile read that offers a unique perspective on the human condition.

Despite its flaws, it manages to engage the reader and leave a lasting impression.

This book by Stephen King I had put off for a while as it didn't generally generate a great deal of excitement among the readership. Well, one shouldn't always go by that and rather form one's own opinion: Because I really thought it was very good apart from a few minor critiques!

A girl gets lost in the extensive forests of Maine.

That's all.

Or maybe not.

Because King once again tells with bravado, for this horror scenario of getting lost, right in the middle of the forest and all alone at that, is really a terrifying thought - and here it also affects a little girl.

What I always told my children when they were small and we were out and about: if we should get lost: stay put. Stay where you are and don't go anywhere else so that we can find you.

A principle that Trisha's mother seemingly overlooked. Because she takes many outings with her two children and also teaches them a lot - but one has the feeling that it's rather to feel like a "good mother" for herself after the divorce. These few details are presented at the beginning as a framework to be able to picture Trisha's situation and how it came about that she got lost during one of these hiking outings. And that can happen really quickly.

It was fascinating to watch how Trisha tries to suppress her rising panic when she realizes that she has actually completely strayed from the path and tries to draw logical consequences of what she has to do. Instead of staying in one place, unfortunately she assumes that by going further she will eventually come across people or a path, which turns out to be a fatal mistake.

The fears and hopes alternate as she tries to flee into her fantasy and constantly encourages herself to find her way back - or to be found. The connection to the Red Sox player Tom Gordon, in whom she secretly has a crush, helps her - she imagines meeting him, talking to him, and claiming his strength and courage for herself. This persuasiveness was palpable and shows how much our will can affect us!

Of course, thoughts come up in complete solitude: of her parents and their failed relationship, of her brother Pete and of her best friend. But also evil thoughts surface, doubts of surviving this thing alive, especially when misfortunes happen to her.

One can really feel how she gets more and more lost. Of course, hunger and especially thirst also come into play. Because even though she has a backpack with her lunch, that doesn't last long. The energy reserves dwindle and with it the connection to reality. Uncanny feelings arise and trick her into seeing illusions that scare her and while she maintains her determination, her mind goes on trips.

A very intense experience that really gripped me. The courage of this young girl not to give up and like someone who is in complete isolation, fighting for survival with hunger and thirst, constantly drifting further away was a psychological masterpiece.

The only thing that bothered me a bit were the many references to the baseball player Tom Gordon, Trisha's hero. Something she could hold on to, but something that personally didn't really appeal to me.

Weltenwanderer