One word. Wow!

What an amazing experience it is to see Stevie King return to his old skool horror roots. This work is truly a gem that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

For any fan of King, this is essential reading. It brings back the classic horror elements that made him so beloved in the first place. The call sign that gave this work an easy five stars is a testament to its quality.

King's writing is as engaging as ever, pulling the reader in and keeping them on the edge of their seat throughout. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, this is one that you don't want to miss.

This book was likely the finest of King's works penned after 1995. It held a special place in the literary landscape until Duma Key emerged.

King's writing has always had a certain allure, captivating readers with his vivid imagination and ability to create engaging stories. This particular book was no exception.

It had a unique charm that drew readers in from the very beginning. The characters were well-developed, and the plot was filled with twists and turns that kept readers on the edge of their seats.

Even after all these years, it remains a favorite among King fans. Its popularity is a testament to the author's talent and his ability to create works that stand the test of time.

When Duma Key was released, it too received critical acclaim and became a bestseller. However, for many, this earlier book will always hold a special place in their hearts as one of King's greatest achievements.

I happen to be in agreement with many King fans here.

The larger the novel, the more effortless it is to read as THE King is truly in his element. It's a great read, especially when paired with the companion Bachman Novel, The Regulators.

This one is a bit more gritty and gruesome in its portrayal of deaths and gore. Obviously, these two novels are closely intertwined....TAK!!

REREAD 5.30.23

I thoroughly relished this the second time around.

The detailed description of the slow deterioration of Collie and later Ellen was excellent writing. The Entity, or demon or God TAK, was a great villain.

It does become quite religious with the characters of David Carver and later Johnny.

Which leads me to my question: does anyone have an inkling of what King intended with Johnny's character? Was he deceased and God resurrected him? Or was he "dead" within, which is why David saw him in his "land of the dead" visions?

That was the only aspect that confused me, but it was a fast-paced, gory, horror novel.

Overall, I truly enjoyed reading Desperation, and I'm still firmly planning on delving into The Regulators.

In this book, religion emerged as a more prominent theme compared to the somewhat subtler undertones that King typically employs. However, this didn't significantly detract from my enjoyment.

I'm not a religious person myself, but I can accept it if it's used seriously as an integral part of the story. Still, it did feel at times that King relied on it more than perhaps he needed to.

The theme of religion comes full circle through the characters. While King managed to create characters with very human flaws, desires, and thoughts, I found myself unable to fully believe Johnny's part in it towards the end. It just didn't seem quite right to me. But perhaps The Regulators will clarify some of these issues.

The force that was presented as evil didn't really feel much more than just extremely pissed off. However, the atmosphere that was created around it was something truly remarkable, and it was worth reading the book for at the very least.

King told a story, and he never claimed to have written a masterpiece, nor did I expect him to. This book was compelling, interesting, and filled with the characters that I've grown to love from his works. I would recommend it whether or not you're deeply into religion.

It is better than what I expected, although it has its annoying moments - King. Tak!

This statement from King seems to convey a bit of a mixed sentiment. On one hand, he is pleasantly surprised by something, finding it better than his initial expectations. However, he also acknowledges that there are certain aspects or moments that are rather bothersome or annoying.

Perhaps this could refer to a variety of situations. It might be a product, a service, an experience, or even a relationship. The fact that it is better than expected is a positive point, indicating that there are elements that have exceeded his anticipation. But the presence of those annoying moments shows that it is not without its flaws.

Overall, King's words give us a sense of a somewhat complex evaluation. It makes us wonder what exactly he is referring to and what those specific annoying moments might be. It also serves as a reminder that even when something is generally good, there may still be areas that could use improvement or that cause some degree of frustration.

This book is bat shit crazy and I’m here for it.

It's like a wild ride through a world of the most unexpected and mind-boggling ideas. The author has truly outdone themselves in creating a story that is both thrilling and completely off the wall.

From the very first page, I was hooked, unable to put the book down as I eagerly followed the twists and turns of the plot.

The characters are vividly drawn and their actions and decisions keep you on the edge of your seat.

This is not your typical run-of-the-mill book. It's a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you with a sense of awe and wonder.

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

If you're looking for something different and exciting to read, then this book is definitely for you.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

This story takes place in a solitary mining town in the Nevada Desert called Desperation.

The plot begins with the arbitrary arrest of several characters traveling along Highway 50, known as "the loneliest road in America". These characters, seemingly unconnected to each other, are taken to the town by a strange and disturbing local police officer named Collie Entragian. Soon, the detainees realize that Entragian is not what he seems and that the town of Desperation hides a dark and ancient evil that threatens not only their lives but also their souls.

Entragian is the police officer of Desperation. Physically, he is a tall, corpulent and intimidating man with piercing blue eyes. From the start, Entragian appears unbalanced and violent, creating a sense of imminent danger. His erratic and terrifying behavior is due to a supernatural possession that makes him the main antagonist of the story. The motivation of Entragian, or rather of the entity that controls him, is to spread evil and destroy everything in his path. Throughout the novel, Entragian presents himself as an unstoppable and almost omnipotent force. However, as the story progresses, the characters discover his vulnerabilities and the true nature of the entity that possesses him.

On the other hand, we have David Carver, an 11-year-old boy, part of a family that is captured by Entragian while on a family outing. David is a sensitive and deeply spiritual boy, which makes him one of the most important characters in the fight against evil in Desperation. Throughout the story, he demonstrates unwavering faith and a maturity that leads him to make key decisions in the most critical moments. The character of David evolves significantly throughout the novel. He starts as a scared boy, but as the events unfold, he becomes an unexpected and brave leader, driven by his strong sense of right and wrong.

Ralph Carver is David's father and is a strong man, although sometimes conflicted in how to handle the desperate situation they find themselves in. Ralph struggles to protect his family in the midst of chaos, and his character is put to the test when he faces decisions that challenge his morality and beliefs. Throughout the novel, Ralph has to confront not only the physical danger but also his own inner demons, which gives him a complexity that enriches the plot.

As for the secondary characters, we have Johnny Marinville, a successful writer going through a midlife crisis. His presence in the story introduces elements of self-discovery and redemption, and his personal journey is deeply intertwined with the events of Desperation. And also Cynthia Smith, an abused woman trapped in Desperation. Her character provides a different perspective and adds dynamism to the group of survivors, representing the struggle for survival and camaraderie in extreme circumstances.

Like many of King's works, "Desperation" explores the eternal conflict between good and evil, personified in the human characters and the supernatural entity that controls Entragian. The novel examines faith, both religious and personal, and how it can be a source of strength in times of desperation. David Carver is the main vehicle for this theme, representing purity and belief in a higher power. Through the possession of Entragian and the effect of evil in Desperation, King addresses how dark forces can strip people of their humanity, leading them to commit atrocious acts.

The vast and desolate landscape of Nevada serves as a symbol of the isolation and desperation experienced by the characters. It is also a reflection of the spiritual void that threatens to consume the protagonists. Highway 50, where the characters' odyssey begins, symbolizes the journey into the unknown and the dangerous, a journey that each must take to face their deepest fears.

"Desperation" shares thematic similarities with other King works such as "The Shining" and "It", where supernatural evil confronts ordinary characters. It can also be compared to "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy for its exploration of abandonment in a desolate landscape, although McCarthy's approach is more existentialist and less focused on supernatural horror.

"Desperation" was written during a prolific period for Stephen King, and its publication in the 90s occurred in a context of exploration of darker and more supernatural themes in his work. The book is a reflection of King's concerns about the nature of evil, faith, and human fragility, recurring themes in his bibliography.

"Desperation" is an intense and terrifying novel that explores the human struggle against incomprehensible dark forces. Through well-developed characters and an oppressive atmosphere, Stephen King delivers a story that, despite some aspects that could be improved, manages to keep the reader in a state of constant tension and reflection.

Full review without spoilers on my YouTube channel ➡ Maponto Lee

This is the Nooooooo! King for me.

At the beginning, it starts out so darned good. The story seems to have a lot of potential and grabs your attention right away.

However, as it progresses, it gradually dwindles away into something else. It loses the initial charm and excitement that it had.

In my opinion, it's a bit of a mixed bag. About 1/3 of it is truly five-star quality, with engaging plotlines and well-developed characters. Another 1/3 is more like a two-star, with some parts that feel a bit flat or uninteresting.

And unfortunately, the remaining 1/3 is just too long. The story could have been tightened up and made more concise, which would have improved the overall pacing and enjoyment.

Overall, while there are some good aspects to this, it ultimately falls short of being a truly great piece.

Lunga e diritta correva la strada…

The Highway 50 in the stretch that crosses the Nevada desert is called “the loneliest road in America”. Right there, on that road, in a torrid summer, the Jacksons (a couple driving to New York by car), the Carvers (a family on vacation in a camper to Lake Tahoe), and Johnny Marinville (riding a shiny Harley-Davidson, headed… beyond the next hill) are traveling. The hapless ones are stopped, with the most disparate pretexts, by Collie Entragian (a XXXL-sized policeman, who plays the good guy and especially the bad weather in those parts) and thrown into jail in the prison of Desperation, a not very funny town under the sinister shadow of the China Pit mine. Entragian, however, is only a small part of the diabolical presence that has infected Desperation like a virus: the entity that rules is terrifying, perhaps invincible…

What King tells us is the unleashing of a real war between the forces of good and those of evil, and he does it in his own way: from the very first pages, a tension is felt that, as the events progress, grows, becomes spasmodic, until it culminates in true horror, a tension that keeps us glued to the pages with the eagerness to know, to see, to understand. The protagonists are also well characterized, especially the little David Carver (King is always good at telling about childhood and adolescence).

Unfortunately, around three-quarters of the book, the pace slows down, the plot loosens, fades: long-windedness and too implausible twists take the sting out of the story and even the ending is rushed, pulled away (as often happens in King's books).

All in all, Desperation is not among King's best works, but it is willingly read: three stars.

And the Route 50? Here it is:
https://youtu.be/iIm0DKUcqCc

“Stay ahead of the mummy!”

This seems like a rather reasonable tagline for this book. I could have also gone with “God is cruel”, but “Stay ahead of the mummy” is far more entertaining. This is yet another addition to my extremely long to-read list from Stephen King. As I was perusing his books, I was attempting to recall which other ones from the 90s I had read. To my astonishment, the only ones of his that I had read so far were two of the Dark Tower books. So, this is actually the first standalone story of his that I've read from that decade.

You don't have to read far into the story for things to take a turn for the worse... very badly... and very rapidly. This is undoubtedly classic Stephen King chaos. There were certain aspects of the story that reminded me of The Stand. The way the characters were gradually introduced and the way they all sort of banded together to face the evil - it had a very similar storytelling style. For the first quarter of the book, I was constantly thinking “WTF is happening” - it was just so insane. However, as you progress, it kind of makes sense in a Stephen King kind of way. The subject matter is quite dark.

So, what kind of madness are we talking about here? Possessed humans with super strength. Possessed animals. Massive-scale killings. Mysticism, magic, local legends, and cursed idols. Also, a creepy dashboard ornament that will haunt my dreams - haha. I mentioned The Stand, but there were some fantasy elements of the book that actually reminded me of The Talisman. The whole ‘Twinner’ thing. There were definitely wolves in this one, but not endearing ones like Wolf from The Talisman.

A remarkable feat of progressive immersion.

What is happening in the mine is frankly disturbing, something between The Thing, Psychose, and La Couleur Tombée du Ciel.

The mine seems to hold a mystery that is both captivating and terrifying. As you enter, the darkness envelopes you, and strange noises echo through the tunnels. The air is thick with an unknown substance, making it difficult to breathe.

It's as if the mine has a life of its own, and it is slowly drawing you in. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you move forward, not knowing what lies ahead. The combination of elements from these famous works creates an atmosphere that is truly unique and unforgettable.

Bande-son :
Moelleux - Igorrr

In this story, Stephen King shows us why he is considered the master of horror.

It is a book that tells us about a small town with two mines. One mine is almost out of operation, and the other - the Chinese mine - has been closed for a long time due to an accident in which some Chinese miners died.

This place, called Desperation, is completely isolated, with only one huge policeman who keeps arresting some people who pass by and takes them to jail.

I can't say more to avoid spoiling it. I just tell you that it is the book by King that has made me feel the most terror. Don't read it at night.

Stephen King's works are known for their ability to create a sense of unease and fear in the reader. In "Desperation," he does this masterfully by setting the story in a desolate and isolated town. The description of the mines and the accident that closed one of them adds to the sense of mystery and danger. The presence of the huge policeman, who seems to be acting without reason, also contributes to the overall atmosphere of terror.

Overall, "Desperation" is a great example of Stephen King's talent as a horror writer. It is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think twice before turning off the lights at night.