Firestarter is a story that leans more towards the sci-fi genre than horror. It takes many similar elements from King's own Carrie to tell the tale of a young girl named Charlie who has pyro powers. Instead of a crazy mother like in Carrie, we have a loving father, Andy. This substitution leads to a similar inner turmoil within Charlie, as she is reluctant to use her powers, just like in the previous novel.

The opening sections of Firestarter are truly intriguing. They do an excellent job of building the back story, which makes the middle section seem more important than it actually is. However, the middle section does drag a bit, but King is wise enough to speed things along in the closing chapters. I found myself caring for both Charlie and her dad, Andy. But at times, I was more interested in Andy's power than Charlie's. King spends an equal amount of time developing both characters. In fact, I think a novel titled The Push might have been even more interesting, as we could watch Andy develop the give and take of his phenomenon and see when and how he would use it for good or bad.

I also really enjoyed the minimalist espionage feel that surrounded Cap, Rainbird, and the rest of The Shop. I'm quite surprised that this group has not made another appearance in an SK tale to date, although I do recall it being mentioned offhand in a few other texts. The possibilities for their story, even after Charlie's destruction, seem endless. Over the years, Firestarter seems to have been overshadowed by the early success of King's other books that were published directly before and after it, such as Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, and Cujo. After reading it for the first time, I can understand why. It's a fine tale, but it's not remarkable compared to King's long cannon of more memorable works.

Pushing four paperbacks across the counter of the Mission Viejo Public Library last week, all by the same author, the librarian asked me, sarcastically, "Do you like Stephen King?"

My response was that I'd just returned Misery and three books by other authors, but the only one I didn't quit within 10 pages was King's. Volunteering for Elizabeth Warren since August, I've written only fitfully but experiencing Paul Sheldon duel with Annie Wilkes on the page, felt my creative pilot light click on.

When you question whether creative writing or any art is in you anymore, you have to go back to what inspired you in the first place. For me, Stephen King is one of those sources.

Published in 1980, Firestarter begins with an English instructor and all-around nice guy named Andy McGee and his 8-year-old daughter Charlie McGee. They are on the run in Manhattan, fleeing from agents of the "Department of Scientific Intelligence," known as the Shop.

Using just enough of what he thinks of as a "push" to make a dollar bill appear as a five-hundred dollar bill to a cabbie, father and daughter head for the Albany airport. However, Andy suffers debilitating migraines as a side effect of his mental domination ability.

Andy's mind wanders back to 1969 and his senior year at "Harrison State College" in Ohio. Needing cash, he volunteers for a psych experiment testing a low-grade hallucinogen. There, he meets a sunny blonde named Vicky Tomlinson.

Interned in a campus lecture hall with ten other students for 48-hour monitoring, Andy and Vicky quickly realize they're not in the control group but have been dosed with the ominous Lot Six.

Strange things start to happen. Andy suddenly knows things about one of the experiment supervisors, Ralph Baxter. He discovers Baxter's secrets, including that he has killed four people and raped a woman after she was dead.

Arriving at the Albany airport only slightly ahead of their hunters, Andy is almost immobile. He manages to compel Charlie to use her special gift, which her parents have trained her to reject. She cracks open a few telephone booths for loose change but inadvertently sets a soldier's shoes on fire.

Fleeing the airport on foot, Charlie is repulsed by her act. Meanwhile, in the suburban Washington D.C. neighborhood of "Longmont, Virginia," the Shop's director "Cap" Hollister monitors the McGee manhunt and reviews the Lot Six files.

Cap reaches out to the Shop's most loathsome agent, John Rainbird. Rainbird, a seven-foot tall Native American scarred in Vietnam, is obsessed with the mystery of death and fixates on gaining Charlie's trust to kill her.

The McGees are finally captured and interned at the Shop. There, Charlie gradually opens up to the kindly disfigured janitor named John, not realizing he is a monster.

During the Shop's tests, Charlie discovers her power has grown stronger. She accidentally causes chaos in the testing room, scaring the technicians.

Writing my review of Firestarter for Goodreads in June 2014, I wrote, "In a few years, I want to remember this novel being just as fantastic as it is." Defying all logic, it is.

The trope of freaks on the run from a secret government agency has been overdone, but King brings fresh air to it. His freaks are the result of a botched experiment, and their story is both a fugitive tale and a prison break story.

The Shop makes for compelling villains, and the institutional politics of the lab add an interesting layer to the book.

Firestarter is also a well-done work of paranoid chills, reflecting a post-Vietnam and post-Watergate world. It taps into the fear of government overreach and the unknown.

King's chokehold on the New York Times bestseller list led to a feature film adaptation in 1984 with Drew Barrymore in the title role. While Barrymore is well cast, the movie fails to capture the dread and atmosphere of the book.

Overall, Firestarter is a captivating novel that combines elements of horror, science fiction, and thriller to create a memorable and engaging story.

Even after 45 years, I still find myself repeatedly drawn back to reading "Firestarter" by Stephen King. After devouring the book, I delight in watching the movie adaptation where David Keith and Drew Barrymore bring the characters of Andy and Charlie to life. The question that lingers is: why do I keep coming back to this story? The answer is simple: Stephen King is a virtuoso at spinning tales. His writing has an almost magical allure that pulls us in and leaves us hungering for more. This is precisely why so many of his books have been adapted into films and, in some cases, even remade. "Firestarter" is truly a classic that I hold dear. The characters feel not only real but also distinct, and the storytelling is utterly captivating. The pacing of the narrative keeps me engrossed for the majority of the book, making it an incredibly enjoyable read.

The story revolves around the profound bond between a father and daughter, Andy and Charlie, who are thrust into a tragic reality. From the very beginning, we learn that a mysterious government organization known as "The Shop" is hot on their trail. King masterfully incorporates flashbacks that reveal the heart-wrenching murder of Vicky, Andy's wife and Charlie's mother.

However, in the midst of this darkness, there are glimmers of human kindness. For instance, when a farmer and his wife in upstate New York offer Andy and Charlie a place to hide from "The Shop."

Charlie possesses a unique ability to create fire, yet she grapples with her power and the consequences that come with it. Her father, Andy, can influence people's thoughts, but this ability comes at a physical cost to him. One aspect I particularly appreciate about Charlie is that King portrays her as slightly younger than might be expected. The way children are often admonished by their parents for their behavior mirrors how Charlie views her own abilities, and we witness her struggle with the impulse to use them.

Many critics have expressed concerns that Stephen King struggles to write female characters and children's roles convincingly. But this criticism often seems more like an attempt to find flaws rather than a genuine literary analysis. Personally, I believe that King's greatest influence is his wife, Tabitha King, who is herself a published author and King's most discerning critic. If she sees merit in his work, it's difficult for any outsider, including critics like me, to dispute that assessment. After all, I am not among the ranks of the best-selling authors in history; it's evident that King must be doing something right to have achieved his level of success.

In examining King's body of work, it's crucial to address the criticism he has received regarding his portrayal of certain characters. For example, the characters of Dick Hallorann in "The Shining" and John Coffey in "The Green Mile" both exemplify the often-discussed "Magical Negro" stereotype, which presents Black characters as having mystical abilities mainly to serve white protagonists. Additionally, in "Firestarter," King introduces another controversial stereotype with the character of John Raintree - a half-Cherokee Vietnam veteran and assassin - who is fixated on themes of death and violence. But John Raintree is one of the most malevolent predators that King has ever created, with many of his thoughts and actions bordering on what we now associate with pedophilia, which most people will find deeply offensive.

While these depictions stir up debate, it's important to recognize that such character types are an integral part of the narrative tapestry that has contributed to King's enduring legacy. One could argue that these figures are not mere clichés but rather serve a purpose in the storytelling that resonates with readers. It could even be hypothesized that King is deliberately eschewing the overuse of one particular trope. Instead, by embracing these complex characters, he adds depth and layers to his narratives, keeping the stories engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, "Firestarter" is a remarkable early work by Stephen King. It delves into the terrifying nature of fire, not just as a physical threat but also in terms of how it impacts people's psyches. However, at its essence, "Firestarter" shines because it centers on Charlie, an 8-year-old girl with the power to create fire, as she navigates a world that fails to understand and fears her. Readers can't help but feel a profound sense of concern for her.

For those of you who have never delved into one of his books, might I propose Firestarter as your ideal Stephen King initiation? It's like a spark of King's genius, if you will.

Published in 1980, the first issue of Firestarter boasted 428 pages. It's substantial enough to not be merely a novella, yet it doesn't reach the doorstopping heft of many of his other tomes. In my opinion, with my high tolerance for such things, it firmly fits the horror genre without being overly gory or terrifying. And it's truly highly entertaining.

The story centers around a young girl, Charlie, who possesses the extraordinary ability to make things burst into flames. Her pyrokinesis stems from the union of her parents, both participants in an experimental government study. Charlie and her dad Andy are initially on the run from the secret agency behind the experiment, but the majority of the novel unfolds after they've been captured. The agency, known as "The Shop," desires to understand Charlie's power so they can weaponize it. Chaos then ensues, and, as you might have guessed, fires are ignited.

Firestarter was one of the few King paperbacks I devoured in my youth. I have an extremely vivid memory of reading it in the backseat of our family truckster during a road trip to Ohio, while sporting my brand-new Guess jeans and Gap plaid button-down. I also distinctly recall a scene where Charlie takes a freezing shower to punish herself for her inability to control her powers. To this very day, I think of that scene every time I turn on the cold water to lock in whatever shine and moisture remains in my hair after washing. It was fascinating to revisit the book and confirm that the scene actually occurred and wasn't just a figment of my (possibly mis-)imagination.

Final thoughts! Sadly, it must be reported that horses meet their demise in this book. Additionally, in writing this review, I discovered that a film remake is in the works, with Zac Efron set to star as Charlie's dad. Man, does that make me feel ancient.

Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/

Stephen King, a renowned figure in the horror genre, employs a dual narrative structure in this case.

On one hand, it explores the present course of events that make up the story, while simultaneously revealing the knowledge of past happenings that enable the understanding of the hunt initially described. Because "Firestarter" is, to a certain extent, precisely that: a hunt.

Charlie is a 7-year-old girl with a unique gift or curse. She possesses parapsychological powers, among which stands out an unusual ability to set things or people on fire. This extraordinarily perverse talent is the result of scientific experiments that her parents underwent many years ago. Mysterious injections of a component called "batch six" that cause modifications to the pituitary gland, and whose effects are unknown even to the scientists in charge of such a bold and macabre enterprise.

This novel by the master of terror, conceived during the era of the Cold War, might have a real inspiration in the MK Ultra project, overseen by the CIA, whose purpose was to experiment on subjects to make them capable of mental control. These abilities are not foreign to the characters King creates this time. Andy, the girl's father, is able to adulterate the will and thought of others through mental orders, although these cause extreme deterioration to himself.

"Firestarter," or "Eyes of Fire" in Spanish, is a science fiction story extremely rich in its exploration of pyrokinesis, suspense, and criticism of the impunity of government forces in carrying out abominable acts in the presumed pursuit of the nation's good. Here, the government, or an agency within it, hunts down a man and a girl mercilessly to subject them as guinea pigs in a laboratory, hoping to use them later as weapons. In a novel that is engaging due to the unscrupulous coldness and ambition of its villains but also because of the intense and moving bond between a father and a daughter trying to survive.

Are there too many pages? It's possible. Its slow pace could perhaps have been accelerated, or the amount of paragraphs dedicated to the psychological manipulation of its characters could have been less extensive. But it is not, for that reason, a book that is not worth reading.

This was one of the first novels I read by Stephen King, and it is a magnificent work. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are well-structured, and it is easy to empathize with them. It could be said that it starts with a simple and classic idea from the 80s (government conspiracy to conduct experiments on humans and then use them as military weapons) to generate an excellent work of literature.

I liked the description of the very strong bonds (between the father and the girl and also between the parents), the description of how the girl lost control, and the description of the deaths. In fact, this novel is among my personal top of Stephen King's works.

Subsequently, I watched the movie and have already repeated it 3 times. It was one of the first appearances of Drew Barrymore on the screen as the protagonist in this case (and she would later appear in another 2 or 3 movies based on novels written by Stephen King). Although it is an excellent movie, the novel is still much more terrifying and complete. So the measurement bar is quite high for the next adaptation that will come soon.

Pero que tedioso.

It is difficult for me to rate this book. The idea is interesting, not original at all but still interesting. It's a science fiction book about two "mutants" being chased to investigate their prodigious gifts. With a bold start that, instead of being a sign of how good the book would turn out, was quite the opposite.

The book declines with each chapter. And it's not because it tells something boring, but because of all the digressions its characters have, which are more than unnecessary. All those reflections that take you away from the main idea. It's not possible, King!

Halfway through the book, it becomes unbearable to the point of wanting to abandon it. But I didn't, and by the end, it becomes a bit more exciting but not too much. A good ending but not what I expected as I would have liked a more conclusive one. But still a good ending.

I didn't connect with any character. Maybe a little bit with Andy.

The Best: The idea is interesting. That's about it.

The Worst: Too tedious, almost to the point of being boring.

IT MAY BE MY FAULT: I was only halfway through the book when I received my copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and I must admit that I rushed to finish Eyes of Fire. I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but it's just worth mentioning.

On my bus route, I came across a movie based on a King book again. I didn't plan to read it originally, but curiosity got the better of me.

It was a thrilling movie and a good book.

After experimenting with drugs, a girl is born with pyrokinetic powers and the secret services rub their hands together, eager to exploit and kill her but....

It's a really good book by King. The truth is that I really liked it a lot. It was very entertaining.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, following the girl's journey as she discovers and tries to control her powers while being hunted by those who would use her for their own purposes.

The movie did a great job of bringing the book to life, with stunning visuals and a captivating storyline.

Overall, it was a great experience and I would highly recommend both the book and the movie to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Having always been a big fan of the film, I was extremely anxious to experience the fire starting abilities of Charlie in book form. The burning question in my mind was: would the book end up leaving a burned imprint in my mind as deeply as the movie did?

Stephen King's Firestarter, written in his older school style, commences with Charlie and Andy McGee on the run from a mysterious company called “The Shop”. The initial few chapters are filled with fascinating flashbacks that serve to fill the reader in on the current day situations and heighten the desperation of the protagonists' plight. The use of multiple points of view is quite effective, as it shows each person's personal stake in every matter. This was indeed a great way to pen the novel, especially for this kind of story. Even though some of the ‘villains’ engage in actions that the reader may not necessarily agree with, it becomes easier to understand their motives when you are privy to their thoughts.

King creates characters with great clarity, from the adorable little Charlie to the hardened and death-obsessed Rainfield. The relationship between her and her father is truly endearing, the personal internal issues she struggles through are harsh, and the chemistry between all the characters is brilliant. One of the things that made this book soar was the complex web of relationships and personal motivations. It wasn't simply about starting fires or avoiding putting them out; it was about the profound meaning these fires held for each person and how they affected the lives of all. The feelings of the characters are easy to sympathize with, and the unfairness of the situation speaks volumes and can be related to several real-life situations that don't necessarily involve pyrokinesis issues.

The pacing of the book was also solid. From start to finish, I was completely engrossed, reading at a medium pace and constantly being engaged. There was always something happening, and the flashbacks never detracted from my interest. King's writing style really shines in this novel. While in his later works he can sometimes overdo the writing, and in his earlier ones he was a bit short and choppy, here he was at his absolute prime. The words are vivid and colorful, not burdened by senseless description and unneeded detail. The paragraphs flow together seamlessly, creating a piece that was easy for me to lose myself in. He managed to avoid overusing overly complicated words that were just there to show off a large vocabulary, yet he didn't keep things so simple that it felt like it could have been written by just anyone. The gore and violence in the book are not overly heavy, but they are present when they need to be, especially when “The Shop” is involved and the atrocities of their experiments are revealed. The theme of the novel is powerful, and the idea behind the fire starting child is truly impressionable. After all, what most of the world wouldn't give for a power like this! (Of course, without the side effects of experimentation and government agencies chasing you from pillar to post.) The beginning of the book is intense and emotional, with the strong emotions palpable from the very first line. The ending, on the other hand, was a worthy tearjerker that left a heavy feeling in the chest, coated with an ironic realism.

I wholeheartedly recommend Firestarter to anyone who wants to dip their toes into the world of King, fans of King who haven't yet read this particular novel, or fans of reading in general. It's an emotionally driven story with a unique plot, convincing characters, and a strong conclusion. It's definitely a must-buy for any collection.

2.75 stars

This rating of 2.75 stars indicates a certain level of satisfaction or performance. It might not be a perfect score, but it shows that there are aspects that are worthy of recognition. However, it also implies that there is room for improvement. Maybe some areas need to be refined or enhanced to reach a higher level of quality. It could be related to the product, service, or experience. The 2.75 stars serve as a feedback mechanism, guiding the provider to identify the strengths and weaknesses and make the necessary adjustments. It is important to take this rating seriously and use it as an opportunity for growth and development. By doing so, the overall value and appeal can be increased, leading to greater customer satisfaction and success.

For some reason, Firestarter always seems to get overlooked in various King lists. However, it has all the hallmarks that make his stories so popular.

Andy and his daughter Charlie are on the run from a government agency known as The Shop. Andy had participated in experiments during the 1960s that gave him the ability to auto-hypnotize. While meeting his future wife Victoria, she also gained minor telekinetic abilities. But it was their child Charlene McGee who gained frightening powers.

King is not averse to writing about characters with abilities, as both Carrie White and Danny Torrance each have their own special traits. But what makes this novel stand out is the bond between parent and child being so strong.

The story really moves at a fast pace as the pair are on the run. However, it's the clever flashbacks as we learn about The Shop that continue to drive the story forward. Like all of King's best novels, it's the characters and their actions that really keep the reader hooked.

Firestarter is a thrilling and engaging novel that showcases King's talent for creating memorable characters and exciting storylines. It's a must-read for fans of his work and anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Rating: 9/10

The Firestarter was one of the few books by Stephen King that, for some unknown reason, remained untranslated in our language until now. Honestly, I have trouble understanding the reasons why this book did not circulate for so many years in Greek (it was published in the US in 1980!), considering we are talking about a book by the King. Better late than never and congratulations to the Kleidarithmos Editions that finally brought it to Greece, thus giving us the opportunity to enjoy a truly very powerful story, a thriller pure... dynamite!

It is the forty-third book by Stephen King that I have read (counting also the novel "The Gunslinger and the Box") and after reading it I think it is one of the most powerful and exciting thrillers he has written. Many people have read it in general, but it is not among the books of his that are particularly discussed. That is, if you ask any fanatical reader of King about ten or fifteen books of the author that come to his mind first, I doubt if "Firestarter" will be one of them. It is definitely one of the well-known... unknown stories of the King.

What does the synopsis on the back cover of the Greek edition say: "A year ago, Andy was a peaceful family man, a exemplary professor at Harrison University. Now he is a hunted man - and, worse, with him is also hunted his daughter Charlie. Charlie is a charming little girl with freckles, happy and healthy, but she has a terrifying gift. It is a gift that she does not want - because it gives her powers that she cannot control - and every night before going to sleep she prays not to have it when she wakes up. However, there are some who consider this gift particularly useful, and they are determined to do everything to find her and gain control of her powers - or to exterminate her..."

Well, the basic idea is not said to be original, even for the era when the book was written (let alone now with all the books, comics and movies/series that have come out in the meantime), but the execution is exemplary. From the beginning to the可怕 and explosive finale, the rhythms are exciting (the chapters are short but useful) and King constantly keeps the reader on tenterhooks for what will happen next. The plot is full of intensity, excitement, action and blockbuster scenes of violence and destruction, the characters are naturally very interesting, both the main ones and those who have a smaller role (this is also the sign of the author, by the way), the atmosphere is可怕 and at times heart-rending. The writing is, of course, excellent, addictive and enjoyable, with natural and convincing dialogues and, of course, with sharp and powerful descriptions of the action scenes and the characters.

I don't know, the book excited me. However, it may not be to everyone's taste. To others it may seem monotonous and not particularly original, to others nothing special or remarkable... do I know? I don't care at all, since it left me completely satisfied and content. I enjoyed a truly powerful and exciting story and met some interesting characters. So I give it five stars, without this necessarily meaning that I consider it equal to other five-star works of his. Just that's how I feel. At some point in the near future I will also see the homonymous movie, which has been in my collection for a while now. I know it will be inferior to the book, but I believe it will definitely be entertaining.