Gerald's Game was an audiobook that I "re-read". I had initially read the paperback when it was first released.

However, I had forgotten numerous details, although a few had remained with me. I personally found it to be a powerful and quite scary story. It is a nuanced tale that doesn't rely on constant or even frequent action to drive it forward. Instead, it is more of a deep-dive, psychological horror story. Since fear exists largely in our minds (except perhaps when a shark or a monster's teeth are chewing one to bits), a psychological horror story makes sense conceptually. Now that I'm older, I see that it would be difficult to do well. And in my humble opinion, Gerald's Game does that very well, indeed.

I had forgotten the details of Jessie's childhood. It reinforced the horrendous roles and multiple facets that society imposes on women. It affected me because I saw how well Uncle Stevie captured just how badly women are treated on so many levels. Manipulated by those who should have cared about her. How Jessie's mom, consciously or unconsciously, enabled the environment that treats women so poorly. A father who is an absolute monster hidden beneath a sheep's clothing. I was struck by how powerfully repulsive and scary the molestation scene was. Making other people's hang-ups, problems, and dastardly behavior Jessie's problem. And then, of course, there was the husband's sexual issues, hang-ups, and fetishes that she felt compelled to accommodate. Yuck.

In short, Jessie wanted, needed, and deserved to be loved. A pure love. But unfortunately, that didn't work out well for Jessie, and the consequences of that (i.e., being cuffed to a bed) is where the horror lies in this book.

As the story unfolds, the psychological aspects are brought to the present. I found the reaction to thirst completely believable and the desperation it would generate to alleviate it. Like drinking pooled water off a linoleum floor because she simply didn't have the strength to do it any other way. Then there's the gruesome, slow-motion damage she does to her own wrist. Some might criticize the novel for not having much happening, but to me, this type of storytelling tactic was effective here because you have a detailed description of practically cutting one's own hand off. If faced with that, would one think it would happen quickly in this context? I don't think so. It would be a slow, agonizing process where you have to work up the nerve, physical restraints forcing you to work at a snail's pace and fight against every instinct one has. So, suffice it to say, I found that part pretty horrifying.

I also liked the part where he made the dog a character, similar to Kojak in The Stand.

I was pleased to see that Uncle Stevie gave what I now see as a numb recovery from all the trauma and didn't shortchange it. I think it would cheapen all the crap she went through without it.

And then, just when you think, what's going to happen next? What could possibly be left to tell in this story - BAM!!! Jessie has to deal with facing the creepy dude who had killed people, defiled people, and was just more - ewwww!! What a brutal character Joubert was. I was so happy to see that she had found the strength within herself to confront him.

All this being said, I thought the audio narration itself was just okay. But I did like that the reader conveyed a level of fatigue that I imagine Jessie had felt from all the crap she had to deal with - and that was before she got cuffed to the bed.

I ended the last CD happy that Jessie had survived but with some degree of hopelessness regarding whether people can be good. I hope so, but then again, I'm not sure I should hold my breath.

Maybe not the best thing Uncle Stevie has written, but to me, this is a damn fine yarn.

This book was an absolute struggle to finish.

However, if King had delved deeper into the "space cowboy" - corpse molester - freak angle, it would have been exponentially scarier.

I initially thought Jessie was simply imagining a man in her home while she was chained up, but to my surprise, a real man was indeed there!

If the entire story had revolved around her being locked up with this man, constantly questioning his reality, it would have been a far superior read.

Unfortunately, this wasn't King's finest work. I'm relieved it's over and would not recommend it to others.

Perhaps King was aiming for a different kind of psychological thriller, but for me, it fell short of expectations.

There were moments of tension, but overall, the story didn't fully engage me or leave a lasting impression.

Maybe others will have a different opinion, but for now, I'll be looking for a more captivating read.

King always surprises me. He takes the daily, the boring, the "normal" and makes it something entertaining. And let me tell you, it's really entertaining when you get hooked on a book for more than 400 pages.

When I started reading the book, it was going in one direction. It deals with trust, respect, towards the partner.

Then it touches on much harder topics - I'm not going to say anything because I don't want to give spoilers - but for those who have read the book: yes, I'm talking about the lake and the eclipse.

Suddenly it seems like King returns to his supernatural territory, and you're left with a dumbfounded expression because wasn't the book supposed to not touch on those kinds of things? But you let it pass because it's King, and whatever he writes, well, you like it.

And then it ends by explaining everything, including the "supernatural" part. This ending wasn't really to my liking. I don't mean how the story ends, but the explanation of the supernatural theme. But still, while reading I couldn't stop, it was all horrible, spine-chilling, and even disgusting. I admit it was worse than really believing in the "visitor".

Another good book by this gentleman. I like his work more and more each time, and that's saying something considering this time it wasn't as good as other times.

Gerald's Game was the very first full-length novel by Stephen King that I had the pleasure of reading.

Up until that point, I had only delved into his short story collections. One of them, Everything's Eventual, contains my absolute favorite King short story, The Road Virus Heads North. It is truly a work of genius.

Gerald's Game ranks among his best story ideas. The plot is relatively straightforward. An adventurous couple engages in a sex game that unfortunately leads to the husband's death and the wife being tied up and helpless on the bed. The majority of the book takes place inside the wife's mind as she gradually descends into a nightmarish madness. When it comes to the chaotic and rambling internal dialogue that I most closely associate with King, Gerald's Game is at the very top.

Add to that visions from her troubled childhood, the possibility of intruders lurking in the dark, and a very hungry dog with a penchant for human flesh, and you have a complete horror masterclass. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, and it's a testament to King's incredible talent as a writer.

I highly recommend Gerald's Game to any horror fan looking for a truly terrifying and engaging read.

To be honest, I had never even heard of this book until I watched the trailer for the upcoming film adaptation. That's when I became intrigued by the whole concept of being handcuffed to the bed with a dead husband beside it. I knew that most of the horror would occur in Jessie's mind, and the confinement would likely trigger some extremely painful memories.

It's interesting to note that this book, Gerald's Game by Stephen King, is closely related to Dolores Claiborne. The two main characters sort of "meet" through a trance during the Solar Eclipse, which might or might not have set off the monstrous events in their lives.

The scariest thing about Gerald's Game is the complete hopelessness. There are two types of hopelessness. The first is the physical hopelessness, as Jessie finds herself handcuffed and confined to the bed posts, unable to defend herself or move. The second is the psychological hopelessness. As a child, Jessie was sexually molested by her father during a mysterious Solar Eclipse when she was 12. She had to keep this secret for over 20 years, knowing that revealing it would destroy her family. By protecting her family, she was steadily destroying her own psyche, which finally exploded during the confinement.

Warning: I wouldn't recommend this book to those who are easily triggered by confinement, child molestation, mutilation, and necrophilia.

I would, however, recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about the exploration of the darkest parts of the human mind. Because that is the true horror.

"Alone in the dark" is a truly haunting phrase. When I first read Gerald's Game, aside from the vivid image of Jessie handcuffed to the bed, it was the descent of the sun that really stuck with me. As night approaches, it becomes clear that Jessie is likely trapped in that room. This realization is what makes the book so captivating and even terrifying. We understand early on that she probably won't be going anywhere, and by extension, neither will we. It's just the room, her desperate situation, and her fears, which quickly become ours. I used to be scared of the dark as a kid, but I thought I had outgrown it. However, there were moments while reading Gerald's Game for the first time that the old fear resurfaced. I was scared for Jessie, as if she were me. The second time I read it, things were different. I knew what was coming, yet there was still a hint of fear because I had forgotten the sequence of events. Forgetting, in this case, led to new and unexpected experiences. This time around, what I enjoyed most wasn't the boogeyman or the scary aspects. It was Jessie's past. With her locked to the bed, there is only the present, the impending darkness, and her memories. There are no other significant characters. So it's her past that takes center stage. Jessie is finally confronting the one thing she has suppressed and avoided her entire life, the reason she has pushed away those who have gotten too close. The eleven-year-old girl within her is now speaking to her, and they are helping each other. I discovered that this is where the heart of the book lies. Her weakness is also her strength.

\\n  \\n   

”...but when a person is alone in the dark, all bets are off. Men and women alone in the dark are like open doors, Jessie, and if they call out or scream for help, who knows what dread things may answer?”

\\n  \\n

Aislada, desnuda y esposada al respaldar de la cama. Así está Jesse al inicio del libro.

It is a dark and perverse book, as only the mind of King could conceive, yet also macabrely loaded with psychological and emotional components that venture into such turbulent terrains as child abuse and its aftermath.

Of course, it is masterfully written. No one doubts the author's ability to build atmospheres, devise intricate plots, or delve into them with a descriptive, skillful, and effective narration. However, the problem with this book lies in its length. Although the story is interesting, it fails to function for the number of pages it occupies, even with King's pen. Giving it more chapters than it originally would have needed makes it repetitive at times.

As for the story itself, it is undoubtedly disturbing. A lonely woman, handcuffed, meters away from the corpse of a husband who was about to rape her, and subjected to the multiple voices that plague her mind as well as the presence of a being that at first we don't know if it is a real entity or a product of hallucination caused by fatigue, pain, and thirst. It is a story of survival, of struggle, but also a raw psychological analysis insofar as our protagonist is tormented by an event from her childhood that is nothing less than sexual abuse by her father. This event, described in detail in the book, may seem unnecessary to some and highly debatable to others, but it is one of the fundamental pieces to understand Jesse's psyche and one of the most contemptible, disturbing, and painful sequences that I have had to read in a book.

This is one of those novels that makes you want to shout, "Can I have my time back please?"

It is the only book by King that I absolutely loathed.

I had such high expectations when I picked it up, as King is renowned for his captivating storytelling. However, this particular work failed to deliver on every front.

The plot was convoluted and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to follow and engage with. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, lacking any depth or complexity.

The writing style, which is usually one of King's strengths, seemed off in this book. The prose was dull and unexciting, failing to draw me into the story.

Overall, this was a major disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone. It is a prime example of a book that just doesn't work.

I hope King's future works will be more in line with his usual high standards.

It pains me deeply to give a King novel less than three stars.

However, oh boy, this particular one is by far my least favorite among all of his works.

In fact, it is even worse than From a Buick 8.

I had such high expectations when I picked up this novel, as King is usually a master storyteller.

But unfortunately, this one just didn't click with me.

The plot seemed convoluted and lacking in the usual King charm.

The characters didn't feel as fully developed as they usually do in his books.

I found myself struggling to get through it, which is something I never thought I'd say about a King novel.

It's a real disappointment, and I hope his future works will return to the form that made me a fan in the first place.

3.5 Stars

Being a lifelong King fan has its share of highs and lows, no doubt. Take the time this book was confiscated by a "concerned teacher" when I brought it to school around the age of 14 or 15. I had already been devouring King's works for 5-6 years by then. But this teacher didn't care. She thought Stephen King was inappropriate, that his writing was trash, and that I should be reading Milton or something. (I was lucky with required reading. Homeschooled at the end of high school, I missed out on that torture. So when I read the classics as an adult, I mostly enjoyed them.)

Anyway, I got my book back and finished it, but I don't remember much from that first read. Just the confiscation, a few key points like the bed, handcuffs, dead hubby, and a courtroom. Not much detail about the courtroom, just that it was there. Usually, my memory of King's books is pretty good, so I guess this one didn't impress me back then. Young me probably had a similar reaction to my recent one after reading Flowers in the Attic: "Meh... that's it?" The hype, the fact that it was King, and the confiscation all combined to make my 15-year-old self think this book must be epic. But it wasn't.

Now, with more years of life experience, I can better appreciate the nuance of this story. I still wouldn't call it a favorite or even top 10, but compared to my initial assumption of boredom, it's moved up on the list. On the surface, it's a woman struggling for survival in a crappy situation: naked and handcuffed to a bed in a cabin near a lake in the off-season, with her dead husband rotting on the floor (OK, maybe not rotting yet, but it sounds more dramatic that way).

But there's a parallel. To free herself physically, she has to free herself mentally from the self-induced mind-prison of suppression and shame related to a past incident when she was helpless. Jessie Burlingame as a character requires maturity to appreciate. Young me probably didn't understand her. Even now, I sometimes thought she was cold and closed-off, almost prudish, especially at the beginning when she offers consolation sex to her husband to get out of the bondage game. But as we learn more about her and her secrets, it starts to make sense. She had a disturbing and traumatic childhood, and the secrecy and shame did her more harm than the incident itself. It's no wonder she's sexually repressed.
Her methods of coping with stress and trauma are interesting. She's split herself into different aspects, each thinking they know best. Goodwife Burlingame is the "grin and bear it" type, Punkin is the pretty girl locked away, and there are also her "outside" aspects based on influential people in her life. All these parts form a conflicted whole. I could understand her, even though I didn't always like her and was often frustrated by her lack of initiative.
I understand the duality in the story. She had to work through her traumatic past to find acceptance and give herself permission to free her physical body. I get that she had to go through this process, but I found myself impatient with her. Every thought and movement was debated and criticized in her head, and it was detailed on the page. I think this is a product of King's style. He was trying to show her thought process and the input of her split personalities while also ratcheting up the tension. And it worked in some ways. There were moments when I was reading fast to see what would happen next, but other times, especially when we were in Jessie's headspace, I got tired of the roundabout way of thinking.
Writing-wise, I don't think this is one of King's best. It has similarities to Dolores Claiborne, but I think the latter is a better book. The narrative in Gerald's Game feels too Kingish, almost too quippy and modern (for the time), and it doesn't quite fit with my impression of Jessie. This wasn't a big issue for most of the book, but it bothered me at the end when the narrative voice shifted from third person to first person and kept the same stylistic markers. Little things like that took me out of the story.
One last thing - the space cowboy is a creepy character. I almost wish there was no closure on that horror. Leaving it open-ended might have been better than the happy ending we got. Sometimes life doesn't give us the closure we want, and we have to learn to live with that. I would have liked to see Jessie do that. Overall, I'm glad I re-read this book. It had some issues, but it's better than I remembered.

Continuing on my journey of reading/re-reading all of SK's books in publication order.

A Stephen King book that I have read before. Back then, I gave it 3 stars. Two years later, although it still isn't one of my favorites, I have a lot more appreciation for it. I remember being underwhelmed the first time I read this book. Strangely enough, on a re-read, I actually found myself a little overwhelmed.

I had forgotten how quickly this book turns gory. The descriptions of gore were so intense that they made me wince, screw up my face, cringe, and even feel a little ill. The whole book is uncomfortable. There wasn't a single second when I could relax or just enjoy the ride. I found it incredibly hard to read, especially as a woman. I think if I were to come back and read this when I was a similar age to the main characters, I might feel even worse. The subject matter of this book, beneath the gore and the main plot, is almost unbearable. It goes into so much detail, not just about the happenings but also the feelings it has caused.

Although the gore wasn't the worst I have ever read, I think it hit so hard because it was quite easy to imagine myself having these types of injuries. I also think that because a lot of the injuries were self-inflicted, it made the gore even worse somehow. I hope people go into this book knowing that it isn't a fun horror. It's brutal and upsetting.

I couldn't give this a 5 stars because, to be honest, I didn't enjoy it. It feels wrong to give something such a high rating when I struggled to read it. But that is what it was supposed to do, and I appreciated that. I need to read something a little softer next because it has affected me. Gerald was 100% the lucky one in this whole situation!

I think this just may be my least favourite King book that I've read so far.

And it pains me to say that because I normally love his books so much! This one just kind of fell in the middle for me.

While I did enjoy some parts and find myself reading through them quickly, there were other parts that I found just dragged on and had to resist flipping through them.

For example, the descriptions in certain sections seemed overly long and detailed, which made the pacing a bit slow.

However, I will admit that King still has his moments of brilliance in this book. The character development was quite good, and I was able to empathize with the main character to some extent.

All in all, I wouldn't say it was a total flop, but Gerald's Game just wasn't up to King's usual standards for me!

I was hoping for more excitement and thrills, but unfortunately, it didn't quite deliver.

Maybe it's just a personal preference, but I think there are other King books that are much better and more engaging.