Another 500-page dud from King. It seems that King is not only capable of producing short works that disappoint, but also long epic duds. These long works are filled with multiple subplots that often seem convoluted and disjointed. The numerous characters introduced are often boring and lack depth, failing to engage the reader on a meaningful level. What's more, the endings of these long epics are terrible, leaving the reader feeling unsatisfied and let down. It's as if King has sacrificed quality for quantity, churning out these long works without taking the time to ensure that each element is well-developed and engaging. It's a disappointment for fans who have come to expect great things from this renowned author.

This book, together with its companion novel, The Regulators penned by Stephen King under his pseudonym Richard Bachmann, are likely two of the scariest books I've ever had the misfortune to read.

The atmosphere created within the pages is palpable, sending shivers down one's spine with every turn.

The characters are vividly drawn, and their experiences are so realistically portrayed that it's easy to become completely immersed in their terrifying world.

King's masterful storytelling skills are on full display, as he weaves a web of horror and suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

Whether it's the supernatural elements or the psychological thrills, these books have something to offer for every horror enthusiast.

They are not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to venture into the dark and twisted minds of King's creations, they are an unforgettable and truly terrifying experience.

"Those who do not learn the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat it."

This is a story about a group of people who, while traveling along "Lonely" Highway 50 in Nevada, fall victim to a cruel trick and are abducted by a towering 6'7" town deputy who is clearly deranged. They are then taken to the mining town of Desperation and thrown into cells.

It is a classic good versus evil tale that I absolutely adored. I simply couldn't put it down. Whenever I had to attend to other matters, I eagerly anticipated returning to it. It is one of those addictive reads that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I have read most of Stephen King's works, and he continues to amaze me. I had postponed reading Desperation for years, but now that I have finally done so, I can say that it is one of the best books I have read in a long time!

It is an absolute must-read! Tak!

Stephen King is a literary giant, and there's no denying his prowess.

When you pick up one of his novels, it's like sitting down with a trusted old friend. He has this charm and ability to engage you from the very first page.

In "Desperation," King takes us on a thrilling and often terrifying journey. The setting of Highway 50 in Nevada, known as "The Loneliest Highway in America," adds an extra layer of creepiness.

The story follows a group of travellers who encounter a seemingly psychopathic policeman, but as it turns out, he's just the beginning of their troubles.

The small town of Desperation has been ravaged by an ancient evil, and it's up to the survivors to fight back.

King expertly taps into our deepest fears, from possession to bodily decay, and everything in between. The descriptions are vivid and often gory, which may not be for everyone.

However, there are a few flaws. The ending feels a bit of a letdown, and some of the characters are recycled from his other novels. But overall, "Desperation" is a compelling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you're a fan of horror and can handle the gore, then this book is definitely worth checking out. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Recommended for those with a strong stomach and a love for the macabre.

Different people are stopped on the road by a brutal policeman who forcibly locks them in the area of the small minority town of Despair. Some of them are killed, and the rest must find a way to escape and also explain the extremely strange situation to themselves...

The most important for the group of survivors is the refusal of the little boy David, who has incredible abilities and is a devout Christian. Among the abducted is also the famous writer John Marinville, who is a rather interesting character! After they escape from arrest and learn the history of the town, they understand that they are not attacked by a single outcast, but by an ancient evil creature...

"Desperation" is not ranked among my favorite King books, but it has strong moments and I like it overall!

"He also knew that the observing eye and the sharp memory are among the qualities of a good writer, but still he could not answer whether they make a person a writer, or on the contrary - the writer acquires such abilities over time. Probably it didn't matter."

"You're a good boy. You argue a little with God, but otherwise you're a good boy."

"— Do you know how cruel God can actually be? How incredibly cruel? The boy continued to be silent. Whether he was listening or not, John couldn't determine. — So cruel that sometimes he forces us to live."

I'm an indecisive rater, and my rating on this will likely fluctuate depending on my mood and memory. However, regardless of that, this is a great read.

What I've always found insulting is how easily critics, snobs, and pretentious twits dismiss Stephen King just because he writes stories about realistic people in fantastic situations. So what? Seriously, he writes amazingly well, so why should we care what he writes about? "Desperation" is a perfect example of both horror and fantastic writing. Anyone who doesn't think so can go stick their nose in some classics of literature, sip wine, and think about how superior they are.

The first thing that gripped me in this book was just how goddamn creepy it really was. There are few things that truly scare me, but cops are one of them. I'm terrified of prison. I have no reason to go, but dammit if I haven't read and seen things that have convinced me that sometimes innocent people get put away and horrible things happen to them. So, the opening scenes of "Desperation," which show a sheriff who seems innocent, had me completely gripped and on the edge of my seat from the start. The characters were tense because of the bizarre way the cop pulls them over and the fact that they do have pot on them. This is probably my favorite part of the book, but that doesn't mean it's the only good part. King's use of repetition of the senses here really astounded me. I never knew how powerful repetition could be until I read this book and this scene. I began to sweat as hard as I thought the characters were. As their paranoia grew, I could feel my own paranoia growing until I wanted to shout at the book, "Are you a good guy? Is this going to turn out as horrible as it feels?" I don't know how many other authors use this method or have used it successfully, but this was my first book that exhibited it noticeably, and it blew me away. King's literary tools and knowledge of how to use them really amaze me at times.

From there, the tension never slows down and never stops. The characters are filled with real emotions, memories, and personalities. The woman (whose name I forget) is badass. Seriously, her and the writer were my two favorite characters, flaws and all.

Yes, this is a horror. Yes, it may not be filled with symbolism or a greater cultural message that we all probably know. Despite all of this, it is still remarkably well-written. Any author that can make me feel what the characters are feeling and the absolute hopelessness of a situation gets a thumbs up.

Thumbs up, King. Screw the snobs.

A once-thriving town in the Nevada desert, Desperation, is on the verge of revealing its secrets. An average King read, and it begins so well, with a middle that is so good. However, it comes to an end that fails to meet the expectations set!

DESPERATION by STEPHEN KING - My terrible Instagram review:

I gave it a W...

W for the delightfully weird covers of most editions. The unique and eye-catching covers add an element of mystery and intrigue to the book.

W for the wild start that takes you on a demented first third of the book. The initial part is filled with excitement and unexpected twists that keep you hooked.

W for the weak finish in comparison to the intense and gripping earlier parts of the book. The conclusion feels rushed and doesn't quite live up to the build-up.

W for the weak characterisation compared to the very high standard King has set. The characters lack depth and development, making it difficult to fully engage with them.

W for will probably never read again, but worth this reread. Despite its flaws, there are still aspects of the book that make it值得一读 again.

Once King commences writing, he simply cannot restrain himself, can he?

It's as if he is one of those individuals who are so enamored with the sound of their own voices that they will continue to prattle on and on, even when it is blatantly evident that no one is paying attention any longer.

I firmly believe that I deserve a small token of appreciation for having completed this colossal piece that seems to be almost devoid of substance.

However, it's likely just my own wishful thinking.

Perhaps King's inability to stop writing stems from a deep-seated passion or a compulsion within him.

Maybe he feels a need to express himself at all costs, regardless of whether anyone is listening or not.

Or perhaps he is so lost in his own thoughts and ideas that he fails to notice the lack of interest from others.

Whatever the reason may be, it is clear that King's writing knows no bounds.

And while I may have completed this task, I can't help but wonder if it was all worth it.

I didn't remember how good it is.

In fact, sometimes we are so busy with our daily lives that we forget the wonderful things that have happened or the good qualities that exist.

Maybe it's a beautiful scenery we once saw, a delicious meal we tasted, or a kind gesture from someone.

When we recall these things, it's like a warm current flowing through our hearts, making us feel happy and content.

We should try to remember these good things more often and cherish them.

They are the precious treasures in our lives that can bring us strength and motivation when we face difficulties.

So, let's take a moment to think about the good things in our lives and be grateful for them.

Mr. King, I am truly in awe of you for the magnificent masterpiece you have brought into existence!

This work is an absolute gem that I simply cannot get enough of. It is filled with such charm and brilliance that it has captured my heart completely.

From the very first moment I laid eyes on it, I was entranced. The details, the emotions, the overall concept - everything is just perfect.

I have no hesitation in giving it a full 5/5 rating. It is a work that will surely stand the test of time and be cherished by many for years to come.

Thank you, Mr. King, for sharing this wonderful creation with the world. You are a true artist and I look forward to seeing more of your amazing works in the future.

A story that surprised me. It is one of those cases where it is good to arrive knowing nothing about the book, just to be caught. Recommended.

This story truly had an element of mystery and charm that made it a captivating read. From the very beginning, not having any preconceived notions allowed me to fully immerse myself in the narrative. The author's skill in building tension and creating a unique world kept me on the edge of my seat.

As the story unfolded, I was constantly surprised by the twists and turns. It took me on a journey that I never expected, filled with unexpected characters and events. The writing was engaging and vivid, painting a clear picture in my mind.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or simply wants to be transported to another world. It is a testament to the power of a great story to surprise and delight.

For almost two-thirds of this book, I was certain that this review would commence with "This book was better than I remembered." However, then things mostly went awry. I truly believe this is the one I have enjoyed the least in my King reading project thus far (except perhaps for the short distance I delved into 'The Tower', but that I had anticipated, and also maybe 'The Dark Half', which was a disappointment, yet still a far better book than this bloated mess).

The beginning is both suspenseful and holds promise, and for a rather long period, the reading is okay, with the potential to go either way. Unfortunately, it took a nosedive all the way down a mine shaft. King has frequently been accused of literary elephantiasis, and he has produced a number of lengthy works. Most of them, though, I have liked very much, and this is really one of the few that feels inflated and drawn out. Sequences of events that should conclude in seconds are stretched out over numerous pages, and just when you think there couldn't possibly be anything more to say or describe about it, it is retold from the start from another character's perspective.

Speaking of characters, that big guy up there, you know? The one George Carlin said that if he's there, "I am convinced he is a he, because no woman could or would ever f*ck things up this badly." Not even Stephen King can really do much with that character. It really speaks for itself: "Hmm, I need another figure, on the 'good' side. I know, I'll go with an omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent guy! This is going to be so suspenseful!" It doesn't really help if you attempt to label him as "cruel"; it just becomes awkward and illogical. Here, the direct actions involve filling a stock of crackers, arranging cell phone signal, and correcting a hammer blow aim. The non-action involves horrible deaths for a lot of people.

Other characters are hit and miss, and I felt that a great deal of the characterization and character development was very uncharacteristic of King. This may be after the story soured for me, but I think they fell flat and sometimes didn't ring true. I was very glad to see Cynthia Smith again, but disappointingly enough, I learned very little more about her, and I also think she was out of character on several occasions. For instance, calling someone you get upset with "b*tch" and "c*nt" doesn't seem very true to me, since I don't think many women use these words (at least in this sense). I would actually be surprised if an abused woman would.

The ending, of course, suffers from the premises, and there is no pick-up to be found here. I'm hoping for that pick-up in the next book instead.