As people may have gathered by now from my reviews, I have never held a favorable opinion of Dubya. During his presidency, I would frequently recall The Dead Zone and find myself hoping that someone would make an attempt to shoot at him.

However, it's important to note that I didn't desire for him to be killed or to suffer any physical harm. My wish was rather a strange one. I simply wished that in the face of such a situation, he would instinctively reach out and grab a nearby child, attempting to use that child as a human shield. As Stephen King is right in suggesting, such an act would surely have made people take notice.

It's a rather peculiar thought, but it reflects the complex and often critical view I had of Dubya's presidency. It's not that I wished for violence or harm to come to anyone, but rather that I wanted something to happen that would shock people into seeing the true nature of his leadership.

Perhaps this is a somewhat extreme way of expressing my discontent, but it was a thought that crossed my mind more than once during those years.

In my own personal opinion, this is the best story Stephen King has ever written. It is not the most frightening or the most thrilling. No, this novel has true literary merit. It features a tragic hero, not just a mere protagonist. John Smith, whose name immediately marks him out as the "common man," is both blessed and cursed with second sight.

It all began with a minor ability resulting from a skating accident in his childhood. But when he wins big at the roulette wheel in a village carnival, this "gift" becomes his undoing. On his way home late from the carnival, the taxi John is in meets with a horrific accident, and he is plunged into a four-year coma.

While asleep, John loses his career, girlfriend, and everything. He wakes up a pauper in material terms but endowed with the full-fledged version of his latent childhood gift. And thus begins the career of John Smith, the clairvoyant.

As he makes one discovery after another, the amount of darkness he uncovers in human souls pushes John further and further into a spiritual abyss. His life seems tragic and purposeless until he meets Greg Stillson, a prospective presidential candidate. A casual handshake allows John to see into the cesspit that is Stillson's soul. Suddenly, he realizes there is something he must do: stop Stillson before he destroys civilization as we know it.

There is horror in this novel, but it is not supernatural. John's supernatural power is benign. The horror lies in what that power unearths. Greg Stillson is the boogeyman in this story. One must pay homage to Stephen King's gift of seeing into the future. When the novel was written, people would have laughed at the idea of a secular democracy electing a blackguard like Stillson. However, events of the past two decades have convinced me otherwise.

This is one of the most meticulously crafted books I have read. John's and Greg's careers start simultaneously,注定 to meet at some point. Yet, King weaves the narrative so expertly that when the meeting finally occurs, there is no sense of predestination. And the denouement, like in 11.22.63, is completely unexpected.

The last chapter, "Notes from the Dead Zone," is one of the most beautiful passages of prose I have ever read. Stephen King rises almost to the level of a poet with the way the words flow. Five stars, all the way.

4.0 to 4.5 stars. This was the very first Stephen King book that I had ever read. After devouring it, I was so enthralled that I promptly rushed out and purchased every single Stephen King book that my local bookstore had in its inventory. I absolutely adored the characters. They were so vividly brought to life that I felt as if I knew them personally. The story itself was captivating from start to finish, keeping me on the edge of my seat. But what really stood out was the exploration of the profound moral question posed in the novel: "knowing what you know now, if you could go back in time and kill Hitler, would you do it?" It made me stop and think deeply about the implications and consequences. This is truly great stuff and a classic example of King's masterful storytelling. I can't wait to explore more of his works.

4.5 stars.

Johnny has truly emerged as one of my all-time favourite King characters. His story is not only captivating but also deeply moving.

The book takes the reader on an emotional journey, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The author's vivid descriptions bring the characters and settings to life, making it easy to become fully immersed in the story.

I found myself completely invested in Johnny's fate, rooting for him every step of the way.

This book is a testament to King's talent as a storyteller, and I absolutely loved it from start to finish.

It's a must-read for any fan of his work or anyone who enjoys a good, engaging story.

I can't wait to see what else King has in store for us in the future.

Why did Stephen King kinda predict Donald Trump? Now I see why he hates him so much (as he should, honestly). It's quite remarkable how King seemed to have an inkling of what was to come. Perhaps it was his敏锐的洞察力 and understanding of human nature. King has always been able to create vivid and complex characters in his works, and maybe he saw some of the traits in Trump that he thought were dangerous or concerning. Maybe he predicted Trump's rise to power based on the political climate and the desires of the people at that time. Or perhaps it was just a coincidence. But regardless of the reason, it's interesting to look back and see how King's words seem to have some sort of prescience. It makes one wonder if there are other things in his works that could potentially predict the future.

The Dead Zone is the final installment of Stephen King's 70's tales. For me, it represents the last major novel of his from that decade that I had yet to read. At the time of writing, I still have a few Bachman books (Rage & The Long Walk) and the short story collection Night Shift left to go.

Like many of King's early works, the story is firmly rooted in the supernatural - not horror this time, but definitely beyond the ordinary. The narrative is straightforward. The protagonist, Johnny (more on him later), has the ability to see certain future events. He can also perceive events in others' pasts - many of these secrets are dark and haunting, while others can be used to help people or even prevent disasters. He has limited control over these "visions," and often they are incomplete, leaving frustrating gaps in what he sees (for reasons you'll have to discover in the book). While many would welcome this ability, Johnny views it more as a curse and simply wants to lead a normal life.

As previously mentioned, the main character is named Johnny - John Smith, to be exact. This was released a year after The Stand, which was an epic story with numerous characters and interesting nicknames like The Trash Can Man, the Rat Man, and The Kid. It also had a diverse range of characters with interesting backgrounds, such as Randall Flagg (doesn't he show up later - haha), Stuart Redman, Nick Andros, Larry Underwood, Glen Bateman, and so on. If I had read The Stand and then The Dead Zone a year later at the time of publication, I might have thought, "Wow, the main character is John Smith... this King guy is running out of ideas."

"Well, we all do what we can, and it has to be good enough... and if it isn't good enough, it has to do."

Synopsis: Johnny Smith awakens from a four and a half-year coma with damaged ligaments and an extraordinary new psychic ability. This ability allows him to perceive details about certain people and objects upon contact. As Johnny focuses on his recovery, a serial killer terrorizes Castle Rock by raping and strangling his victims, while a local business leader, Greg Stillson, begins his strange ascent to power.

Thoughts: Overall, this was an engaging read. However, I did experience some confusion regarding the serial killer subplot and the character of Greg Stillson. The book predominantly centers around Johnny Smith's story, presented either from his point of view or that of characters close to him. There are also chapters dedicated to the killer and Stillson. Initially, I intended to read Cujo instead, but it turns out that Cujo spoils the serial killer subplot in this book.

I found Johnny's recovery and the lives of those surrounding him to be the most captivating aspects of the novel, especially the relationship between him and Sarah. Consequently, I thought the ending was particularly impactful and one of the best King endings I've encountered thus far. The serial killer subplot was also quite intriguing. The reason I deducted a star was because I didn't particularly enjoy the chapters focusing on Stillson or his right-hand man. I found them confusing and felt that they didn't significantly contribute to the overall narrative. This was especially true considering there's a later chapter that essentially provides a detailed account of Stillson's character, which I preferred over the previous chapters about him. Nevertheless, I did find Stillson to be a compelling antagonist.

The plot is well-paced, and I relished reading about Johnny's recovery and the obstacles he encounters. There is more emphasis on the negative consequences of Johnny's psychic ability rather than on his actual use of it, which I thought was a great approach and made the book more interesting.

I'll conclude my review with one of my favorite passages from the book:

"What the hell’s wrong with these kids, anyway?” Well, they ate a bad hot dog called Vietnam and it gave them ptomaine. A guy named Lyndon Johnson sold it to them. So they went to this other guy, see, and they said, “Jesus, mister, I’m sick as hell.” And this other guy, his name was Nixon, he said, “I know how to fix that. Have a few more hot dogs.”"

Johnny was a truly heartrending character. From the very beginning to the end of the story, he had to bear so much. His life was filled with hardships and challenges that no one should have to face.

Despite all the difficulties, Johnny remained kind and gentle. He had a pure heart that was full of love and compassion.

It was truly painful to see him go through all that he did. His story touched my soul and made me realize the importance of kindness and understanding.

I would rate this story 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ because it was so well-written and the character of Johnny was so beautifully developed. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time.

I've rapidly arrived at the conclusion of the 70's during my re-read of King's works (in line with the 50th anniversary of Carrie), and it has been truly captivating to witness such a diverse blend of stories.

The Dead Zone strikes me as a supernatural thriller with a distinct flavor.

One particularly notable and thrilling scene is when a young Johnny is playing the Wheel of Fortune at the fair and watches his spin gradually click around to '19'.

I appreciate that the main character is an ordinary man who, after waking from a coma following a terrifying car accident, begins to have visions.

A significant portion of the novel's strength lies in observing John's recovery from the accident.

The heartbreak of the five years he missed and, of course, what might have been with his then-girlfriend Sarah, who was with him at the fair that night.

The entire concept of being able to change history (the "would you kill Hitler if you could" scenario) really comes to the forefront, along with the political aspect of the story.

Moreover, it's the first novel to feature the Castle Rock setting, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.

This novel is a compelling exploration of fate, power, and the consequences of our actions.

Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/X4vcVwwfibw

I wanted to revisit this book as it was the third King book I ever read. At 15, I craved a story with a supernatural adversary. After reading IT and Pet Sematary, this one initially seemed lackluster. However, 25 years later, it's incredibly compelling and hooked me almost instantly. This time around, I realized the book features a vintage Stephen King "monster" in the form of a politician, which in these politically charged times, makes me understand King's perspective. The struggle with loss that Johnny endures is something I can now truly relate to, having lost not only the potential love of his life but also his prime years and hope for a normal life. It may not be the book to read if you're seeking nightmares, but in a time when everyone is at odds over politicians, it might be even more significant.

Well now, what have we here?!

It's a strong contender for being a new addition to the "my favourite King books" shelf!

Meet John Smith. No, that name is neither a joke nor the codename of some secret agent. When he was a small boy, John had a little accident where he hit his head and blacked out for a bit. Years later, as a teacher, another fateful accident occurred. This time, it was with a car, leaving him in a coma for years.

Both accidents had a serious impact on John. You see, now, simply by touching a person or object, he can see someone's history or future.

This ability is more often than not a problem, especially when he meets a certain dog-killing bastard.

Eventually, John needs to decide whether he trusts his "gift" and whether he's willing to risk everything to save the future or just stay quiet and let events unfold.

Personally, I think this book had it all. King's signature outlook on American society, complete with Bible thumpers, a host of characters that were mostly annoying or infuriating, a supernatural element, lots of inner turmoil, and incredibly high stakes.

I hated Greg from the very first time he was introduced. How could I not after he killed a dog by kicking it?!

Then we meet Sarah, and I have to be honest: fuck the trauma of her past, she was annoying, and I thought her reunion with John after he woke up from the coma was weird AF and morally wrong.

Almost worst, though, was John's mother. Jesus H Christ on a cracker! It's one thing to believe in a deity, even when you're outspoken about your belief. It's a totally different thing to go off the deep end like she did.

There were many other characters, all integral to the story. One so much so that I quoted him. The story about the killer was chill-inducing and a really nice crime/detective story within the overall story.

Front and center, though, are John's ability and his struggle to figure out what he wants to do and how he could possibly achieve his goal.

Moreover, I felt for John. The hits just kept on coming. Poor guy. But that might have actually made it easier for him to say goodbye to this world and be willing to die to save everyone else.

An infuriating, wonderful book that swept me along from the first to the last page. Not my new #1 favourite King book but a strong #2 along with one or two others.

A thrilling book. John Smith wakes up from a deep coma that has lasted for four and a bit years, having acquired the power to see the future.

One of King's best. And incredibly melancholy (though I'm not sure as lately I'm moved even by a catalogue from the grocer).

This story takes us on a journey with John as he discovers and grapples with his newfound ability. The description of his awakening is vivid, making us feel as if we are right there with him. As he begins to see glimpses of the future, we are filled with a sense of anticipation and dread. What will he see? How will it affect his life?

The melancholy tone of the book adds an extra layer of depth. It makes us question the nature of fate and free will. Is John's future already set in stone, or can he change it? The story also explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, making it a truly engaging read.