I truly relished this book. There wasn't a single moment in the story when I felt inclined to pause or set it aside. It's the kind of narrative that makes me deeply appreciate the skill and talent that goes into the art of writing.

The story, although one that has been told numerous times before, still manages to captivate. A group of strangers, thrown together by fate, must band together to battle a villain and survive. It's a classic premise, but Stephen King brings it to life in his own unique way.

The book is quintessentially Stephen King, beloved by his fans from the very first page to the last. I can truthfully say that there were certain details that left me utterly astounded. It never fails to amaze me how an author can take seemingly insignificant clues and introduce them at the beginning of the story, only to have them play a crucial role in the closing scene. Additionally, I'm in awe of how Stephen King has masterfully interwoven all of the books he's ever written. There are characters, locations, and objects that appear in one book and then unexpectedly resurface in another. Every book and story is interconnected, creating a rich and complex literary universe.

This is probably the fourth or fifth time that I've delved into this book. I've always had a soft spot for this story, though perhaps not to the same extent as its counterpart, The Regulators. However, I must admit that this time around, unfortunately, Desperation lost a certain je ne sais quoi for me. In fact, I downgraded it from a four-star rating to a three-star one (okay, maybe 3 1/2).

Perhaps this is due to the fact that I'm currently on a bit of a King binge, having devoured a significant amount of his work within the past few months. As a result, some of his less charming (to me) writing quirks seem to have emerged more frequently, almost as if they're wearing bright yellow "LOOK AT ME!" t-shirts. Maybe it's also because I'm a different reader than I used to be. I'm not entirely sure. I still enjoyed the story, but I definitely didn't love it as much as I once did.

The main narrative revolves around a group of people who are all drawn into the town of Desperation by a rampaging cop. They are stopped seemingly at random, arrested, and held captive, while all around them, the world has gone completely haywire. The inhabitants of the town have been brutally murdered. Animals are behaving in the most un-animalistic ways, and insects, spiders, snakes, birds, and just about everything else that can be found in the desert all seem to be at the beck and call of some ancient being that has escaped.

I love the concept of Tak and the idea of the can tahs (little gods), as well as the effect they have on people. This time, I wished there was a bit more backstory behind this aspect of the story. I also longed for a bit more history regarding the first encounter. Granted, we did get more here than we did in, say, Pet Sematary, where the evil origins of the burial ground are merely hinted at. But that's a different story, and here, the evil is a central focus of this narrative. Or rather, the battle between good and evil.

Which brings me to my next point. There is a significant emphasis in this book on religion, faith, and God. I'm not a religious person myself, but I don't mind when King writes about these topics, simply because I don't feel like he's taking a stance of "I'm right and you're wrong if you don't see things my way." Even here, where he essentially writes that God not only exists but goes about proving it for his characters, it doesn't feel overly preachy or offensive. It's a "take it or leave it" kind of proof, and unlike some other authors who write about God, King doesn't force his beliefs down our throats.

There's also an environmental message woven into the story, although once again, King doesn't come right out and start berating anyone. He shows how mining can be extremely bad - very, very bad - but also how it can sometimes be necessary. Personally, being a somewhat liberal girl, I think it does far more harm than good, but this isn't the time for another one of my rants. You're welcome. ;) But one could view Tak as a sort of argument against excessive digging and pushing too far - you just never know what the潜在 dangers might be. The can tahs can be seen as personifications of greed and want at any cost... if one chooses to interpret them in that way.

This book is also a prime example of how King's characters all seem to be very in tune with themselves and their instincts. Far more in tune than I am, in fact. This is cool, but it can be extremely annoying when he works it into the dialogue, as it comes across as a kind of statement/question, as if they're feeling something but aren't quite sure, so they'd better confirm.

Take, for instance, these examples:
"You're going to the truck, aren't you?"
"You heard that, didn't you?"
"I'm going crazy, aren't I?
"We're all going to die, aren't we?"
"You're being sarcastic, aren't you?"
I could continue, but I think you get the idea. I just wish that someone would say something definitively and stick to it. If they're wrong, they're wrong, but constantly questioning every statement really gets on my nerves! Or at least ask a proper question.
"Are we going to die?"
"Am I going crazy?"
"Did you hear that?"
There, much less annoying. :)

Overall, I liked the story, but I can't say that I derived the same amount of pleasure from it this time as I have in the past. The characters are real enough to be hateful at times, and the story itself is very good, but I can't say it's a favorite.

Now, on to The Regulators!

My bookshelf is filled with a plethora of pre-Kindle paperbacks and hardcover books. There are even some where I find myself standing in front of them, staring intently, and wondering, "Did I read this one?" To be honest, I simply can't recall.

"Desperation", along with the companion Bachman Book that was released simultaneously, was one such book. I had absolutely no recollection of the details, the plot, or even the impression it had left on me. Frankly, it was driving me crazy trying to figure out if I had read this beautiful hard-bound volume. So, recently, I decided to listen to the audio version.

Now that I've listened to it, I realize that, yes, I had indeed read it before. And now I recall that I wasn't overly fond of it. Mr. King has penned many of my favorite books. However, I found this particular one to be really ponderous and meandering. I understand that the backstories, little tidbits, and details usually do an excellent job of transforming his characters into real people, but for me, this one just didn't quite measure up in that regard.

It does have some really great ideas and good storytelling towards the end, but the entire first third of the book seemed to drone on. (Jeez, I feel like lightning might strike me down or something.)

Anyway, that's just my two cents. I'm glad I listened to it because now I don't have to rack my brain anymore.

This really feels like an unappreciated gem in King's bibliography. It has all the hallmarks of why he is so popular. The vivid descriptions, the intense atmosphere, and the ability to make the reader's heart race. But for some reason, I've not seen this story spoken about much.

Before starting this novel, I was aware that it was twinned with The Regulators. They were released on the same day under King's pen name Richard Bachman. Which in itself is a neat idea! It adds an element of mystery and excitement.

The story instantly grabbed me as a deranged cop is pulling people over on the highway. The vast secluded location makes for such a great horror setting. You can almost feel the isolation and the sense of dread. It's there that the disturbed Collie Entragian takes people to a police station in the deserted town of Desperation.

My only complaint was that getting to know the various captives relatively quickly made these sections a little confusing. But from that point onwards, it became a disturbingly gripping read. The story touches on some interesting themes, such as good and evil, survival, and the power of the mind. And, as usual, there are plenty of nods to other King's works, which are much appreciated by this constant reader.

I'm diving straight into The Regulators as I'm curious to know more about the evil being Tak. I can't wait to see what other horrors and mysteries await me in that book.

Here we have it, folks: the biggest shock yet in the Stephen King reread.

Before today, I firmly considered Desperation as the bottom-of-the-barrel King. It was like the "Desperate King" at work. I felt that the religiosity in it was blatant and tasteless, and the story seemed derivative of things King had done much better before. But funny how our tastes evolve and change as we get older, isn't it? My sole reading of this novel was in my sophomore year of high school — about six years' worth of stuff has happened to me since then. What can I say? I was now able to truly appreciate this epic, apocalyptic tale — King's take on the book of Revelation, so to speak.

What I didn't pick up on before is just how visceral and gruesome Desperation is. King gleefully rips and mangles his characters in ways not seen since his early years. This results in a novel that, while sometimes overly pretentious in its theological posturing, is packed to the brim with scene after scene of gleeful, demonic, sexual terror. It's perhaps the one and only time a King novel reads like Clive Barker, albeit with more doses of Jesus and Americana than Barker has ever gone for.

I have to say it, though... I don't like David. Nope. The kid suffers from Mother Abagail Syndrome: a supposed prophet of God, but he comes off as pompous and grating in his assuredness. Even after what happens to him during the course of the story, I can't muster up any sympathy for him. From him comes this novel's most frustrating religious elements (the sardines and crackers scene — *rolls eyes into the back of my head*) and I'm just not here for it.

Like The Dark Half and Firestarter before it, rereading this novel made me appreciate the work and see what it is others see. While certainly not perfect, this is one of Stephen King's most unsettling and provocative works. If one is looking for scares, he or she could do much worse.

Awesomesauce!!
I gently closed the book, a wicked smile spreading across my face. This novel was truly a masterpiece. Firstly, the boy character was so well-developed that he brought the entire story to life. His adventures and growth were both captivating and inspiring. Secondly, the way the author crafted the story made me feel as if I was right there in the middle of the action. I could vividly picture every scene and experience every emotion along with the characters. Thirdly, who could not love a King novel that exceeded 600 pages? In my opinion, the bigger the better. This book was no exception. It was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It was definitely one of his best works and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and engaging read.

Why, what a splendid book. Gosh! Tak.

”I see holes like eyes.”

Desperation is truly one of the most terrifying books I've ever had the misfortune to read, and the scares start almost immediately. For the most part, King does an excellent job of maintaining the tension throughout the entire novel, making it an extremely uneasy read. Some of the sequences are rather strange, and others are blatantly offensive, but this is to be expected from a novel of this nature: it's not supposed to be a轻松的 read after all.

Something about this bothered [him], but for now he paid no attention. His fright had grown into a sense of foreboding so strong and yet so diffuse that he felt a little as if he'd eaten something laced with poison.

The story definitely brings to mind King's earlier works and 1980s horror in general. Parallels can be drawn not only with King's own body of work but also with novels like Floating Dragon and Phantoms. The nature of the supernatural antagonist is somewhat模糊, but this is intentional. Is it Demonic? Extraterrestrial? Biological?

Dolls with no little girls around to mind them were sort of creepy under any conditions, that was his opinion, at least, and to come upon one abandoned by the roadside, half-buried in blowing sand—

It's a visual novel, and King makes very effective use of imagery. The abandoned RV with its door banging in the wind, the doll by the roadside… it's enough to make your hair stand on end. The desert in this novel is not so much majestic as it is creepy in its desolation. And always menacing.

”Tell you what, pilgrim—this smells bad.”

On the surface, it's typical King fare: a very small town, multiple POV characters, supernatural evil, a healthy dose of Americana, and so on. But Desperation does have one or two tricks up its sleeve. It has some novelty value, having been released alongside The Regulators. It also has an epic and mythical sweep that can at least partly be attributed to the setting. Have I mentioned just how scary it gets?

“What’s that?” she whimpered. “Oh my God, what is it?”

There is an overt religious theme present here, and King tackles themes like the nature of God (“God is cruel.” Vs “God is love.”), the nature of Divine Intervention, and Redemption, among others. Just how much of this will appeal to the reader would probably depend. I can't speak for others, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

”My head is full of blackbirds.”

Man, this one truly worked wonders for me in every possible aspect!

The pacing was simply outstanding, and it was such a refreshing change for a Stephen King novel. It was unyielding, extremely creepy, and filled to the brim with gore.

I found myself completely captivated and couldn't put it down. I absolutely adored it!

It has easily become one of my all-time favorites so far. The way King builds the tension and creates such a spine-chilling atmosphere is truly remarkable. Each page turn had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. I can't wait to explore more of his works and see if they can match the brilliance of this one.

This was super solid!

Despite presenting some high-concept ideas, Desperation essentially tells a simple story. Several road trippers find themselves trapped in a Nevada ghost town. Despite being strangers, they band together to survive. What is added to this premise, such as learning the town's lore, the supernatural threat, and the spiritual elements, doesn't overcomplicate it. Instead, it enhances the material, resulting in a very fulfilling read.

Much like The Stand, my favorite book, Desperation requires the reader to accept both its religiousness and supernatural conclusions. There is a clear good vs. evil dichotomy in this book that the characters, and subsequently the reader, have to navigate. If you can't give Stephen King's spirituality the same credibility as his famous monsters, you might not enjoy Desperation.

However, what I wish is that Desperation had packed more of an emotional punch. The characters are placed in extremely dire circumstances. They endure great hardships, with most brutally losing a loved one and almost all incurring major injuries. Despite this, everyone seems hyper-competent and almost completely unfettered by emotion. For example, John Marinville and Tom Billingsley, both alcoholics, function remarkably well until they can have a drink and continue to do so after. The 12-year-old David, who watched his little sister get murdered, is still the mature Voice of God and is happy to make shadow puppets in downtime. Mary, too, despite losing her husband, shows little emotion. I understand that adrenaline can keep the mind off trauma to some extent, but these characters only seem to experience grief when it is convenient for the story. If the characters were allowed to emote in a more realistic way, even just a little more, this would have been an easy 5 Stars for me.

While a significant portion of modern (and even some not so modern) horror is rife with religious terror, that unholy counterpart to the noumen, there will always exist a subset of horror dedicated to exploring and expanding on specific aspects of it.

Rather than simply relying on tentacle monsters, this work delves into the very essence of horror by positing that ALL is horror. Perhaps it may not result in the most spectacular action-packed tale, but after a thorough and lengthy read, it surely leaves a lasting impact.

Wait a minute... did I mistakenly state that this book lacks tentacular horrors from the vicinity of the Red King? Oh, my apologies, no, it most definitely does have them. The creature is quite remarkable. And what about the plot? It encompasses everything one might desire in a spaghetti western, as long as one doesn't mind the extensive (and excellent) flashback-like sequences that provide the complete backstory of this small town of Desperation.

Now, for some honesty.

It was good, yet not quite on par with MOST of King's works. Generally speaking, I have a preference for his more substantial supernatural elements, although not all of them are of equal quality. I found myself growing a bit bored with certain parts of this, even though ostensibly, there wasn't really a truly slow moment.

Maybe I simply didn't have a penchant for the overall surface religious aspect (as opposed to crazy, deranged religious characters or a major twist regarding the source of the holy), even though in the end, I am compelled to think. The rest of it became a bit tiresome.

But here's the good news for you, the Faithful! I believe you will discover that this particular horror will meet your needs quite satisfactorily!

Once you start reading "Desperation" by Stephen King, you'll find yourself on an unstoppable rollercoaster ride that will keep you hooked until the very end. This novel is a true masterpiece that offers everything you'd expect from the king of horror and more.

The characters in "Desperation" are incredibly well-developed, and you'll find yourself easily getting under their skin as you read. The main protagonist takes you to a place of horror that will make you look away in terror. The novel also features truly horrific scenes that are both creepy and disgusting, leaving you with a sense of vulnerability.

What I loved about "Desperation" is how it starts off feeling normal and then suddenly hits you with surreal moments that you'd never want to experience in real life. The attention to detail in this novel is truly remarkable, and you'll find yourself in awe of King's writing skills.

I highly recommend "Desperation" to anyone who is a fan of Stephen King's work or is looking for a great novel to read with all sorts of thrills, surprises, and terror. The ending is satisfying and leaves just enough room for you to wonder and think about what could have happened next. It's also perfect for group discussions.

Overall, "Desperation" is a must-read novel that doesn't disappoint. Just remember to read "The Regulators" by King under his pseudonym Richard Bachman next, as many readers suggest reading them together for a more complete experience. Tak!

For a truly comprehensive and in-depth review of Desperation, I wholeheartedly urge you to seek out Grady Hendrix' review within his highly acclaimed \\"The Great Stephen King ReRead\\" series. This remarkable review is readily accessible for reading online - all you need to do is perform a simple Google search.

I feel compelled to add that Desperation might very well be one of Stephen King's most brutally intense books. It contains elements that are both chilling and thought-provoking. I found myself thoroughly engrossed in its pages, and I truly liked it. However, if I had to choose between this and its \\"twin\\" novel The Regulators, I would probably lean more towards the latter. The Regulators seems to possess a certain allure and charm that just edges it ahead for me. But make no mistake, both books are well worth reading and exploring.