The next book on my journey of reading all of SK's books in order was The Dark Half. I hadn't really seen anything about this one, so I didn't know what to expect. I think for a Stephen King book, it felt mediocre. There is a mention of Cujo in this book, so as always, I am so glad I am reading this in order.

I found this one to be a little slow in pace, but it is very nicely written. Our main character was an author, which Stephen King writes so well. There are some quite brutal moments, and some of them are portrayed through dark humour, which I really enjoyed. It is quite simplistic; there aren't a lot of different characters or complex plot lines.

This isn't one of my favourite King books, but I think it is worth a read. I do think this would have been better as a short story. I think it would have packed a much bigger punch if it was short and snappy rather than drawn out like this one. The last few pages were really great though. However, overall, it didn't quite reach the level of some of his other masterpieces. Maybe it was the slower pace that held it back a little. But still, it had its moments and showed King's talent for creating unique and interesting characters and situations.

**"Birds Aren't Real"**

The concept that "birds aren't real" might seem absurd at first glance.

However, upon closer examination, it could be a thought-provoking idea.

Perhaps it's a metaphor for something else entirely.

Maybe it challenges our perception of what is real and what is not.

Could it be that the idea of birds as we know them is just a construct of our imagination?

Or perhaps it's a commentary on the artificiality of the modern world.

In a society where so much is fabricated and manipulated, is it possible that birds are just another example?

This strange notion forces us to question our assumptions and look at the world from a different perspective.

It makes us wonder what else in our lives might not be as real as we think.

Whether we choose to believe that "birds aren't real" or not, it certainly gives us food for thought.

The Dark Half is a work that holds a certain charm. It may not be Stephen King's absolute best, nor is it his worst. What makes it特别 interesting to me is the opportunity it presents to talk about my favorite actor, Richard Widmark.

My first King of 2017, and it truly did not disappoint!

Thaddeus Beaumont, what a remarkable name! He is a writer of moderate success. On the other hand, George Stark is a writer of astonishing success. However, the truth is that Thad and George are one and the same person.

Now, imagine what would happen if your pseudonym, which you thought you had buried for good, somehow manages to claw its way out of the grave and embark on a murderous rampage. King is here to reveal it to you!

This book is (hopefully loosely) based on his own experience of writing as Richard Bachman. King once again presents a great read that revolves around a writer and the art of writing. I adored the concept that all writers have another person, a dark side, within them.

In my view, some of the most striking and vivid imagery among the Kings I've read so far can be found in this book. For instance, the rapid decomposition of George Stark as he decays away, and the image of millions of sparrows gathering for their menacing purpose. I don't think I'll ever look at a sparrow in the same light again.

I also had a great affection for the characters, especially Liz and Alan Pangborn! I'm excited to encounter more of Alan in Needful Things!

4.5 stars!

In this instance, Stephen King astonishes us with a supernatural tale, where the duality of our protagonist (Thad) comes to life overnight. The mystery that occurs at the beginning of the book deceives us, making us believe it is a police thriller. Thad is accused of murder, and his fingerprints are all over the crime scene. But he was ruled out as a suspect almost at the start of the story. The police don't understand how the murderer has his fingerprints, but Thad does know. The supernatural doesn't take long to show up. There is a kind of telepathy, mind control, and other powers or abilities, better said, that I don't know how to name without spoiling. I don't give it five stars because in certain parts I thought the story didn't progress as fast as it should have given the accelerated start that is presented to us. At the same time, Stephen King changes his style a bit, being more explicit in the murder scenes and the pain of the murderer's victims, not to mention the fear they feel. Stephen himself admits at the end of the book that he was influenced by other authors and that this book is a kind of homage to those authors. If you want to read it, you have to have a strong stomach. It's not really my style. Still, I quite liked the book. Its dialogues and the mystery are worthy of Stephen. I recommend it 100%.

ENGLISH (The Dark Half) / ITALIANO

\\"People’s lives — their real lives, as opposed to their simple physical existences — begin at different times. The real life of Thad Beaumont, a young boy who was born and raised in the Ridgeway section of Bergenfield, New Jersey, began in 1960. Two things happened to him that year. The first shaped his life; the second almost ended it.\\"

Thad Beaumont is a novelist who is grappling with a common problem in his profession: the typical writer's block. This block has left him feeling frustrated and unable to produce the kind of work he desires. In an attempt to overcome this obstacle, he creates a pseudonym, George Stark. With this new identity, he is able to write novels that are less complex, more raw, and more commercially appealing. These novels sell well and boost his confidence. However, when he decides to end the existence of George Stark by publicly announcing his symbolic death, things take a strange and unexpected turn.

Take the full name Thad Beaumont and replace it with the full name Stephen King, then do the same with the full name George Stark replacing it with the full name Richard Bachman. By doing this, we can see that there are parallels between King's relationship with his pseudonym and Thad's relationship with George Stark. King also used a pseudonym to write novels that were different from his usual style. This has led to speculation about the true nature of his relationship with Richard Bachman and whether there was more to it than just a marketing ploy.

The story of The Dark Half is told at a fast pace, with a river of blood flowing through it. It has one of the most beautiful opening words ever read, which immediately draws the reader in and makes them want to know more. Overall, it is a fascinating and macabre tale that explores the relationship between an author and his pseudonym.

Vote: 8

\\n  \\n

\\"La vita di ciascuno, intendendo quella vera, non la semplice esistenza fisica, comincia in momenti diversi. La vera vita di Thad Beaumont, un ragazzo nato e cresciuto nel quartiere di Ridgeway a Bergenfield, New Jersey, ebbe inizio nel 1960. In quell’anno gli accaddero due fatti. Il primo formò la sua vita e il secondo per poco non vi pose fine.\\"

Thad Beaumont è un romanziere alle prese con un problema piuttosto comune per chi fa il suo mestiere, ovvero il classico blocco dello scrittore. Questo blocco lo ha lasciato frustrato e incapace di produrre il tipo di lavoro che desidera. Per superare questo ostacolo, crea uno pseudonimo, George Stark. Con questa nuova identità, è in grado di scrivere romanzi meno complessi, più crudi e \\"commerciali\\", in grado di vendere bene e soprattutto rilanciare l'autostima del protagonista. Tuttavia, quando decide di porre fine all'esistenza di George Stark annunciandone pubblicamente la morte simbolica, le cose prendono una svolta strana e inaspettata.

Prendete il nome Thad Beaumont e sostituitelo con il nome Stephen King, poi fate la stessa operazione con il nome George Stark sostituendolo con il nome Richard Bachman. Facendo questo, possiamo vedere che ci sono paralleli tra il rapporto di King con il suo pseudonimo e quello di Thad con George Stark. Anche King ha usato uno pseudonimo per scrivere romanzi diversi dal suo stile abituale. Questo ha portato a speculazioni sul vero carattere del suo rapporto con Richard Bachman e se c'era qualcosa di più di un semplice trucco di marketing.

La storia di The Dark Half è raccontata a ritmo serrato, con un fiume di sangue che scorre attraverso di essa. Ha uno dei più bei incipit mai letti, che immediatamente attira il lettore e lo fa desiderare di sapere di più. Nel complesso, è un racconto affascinante e macabro che esplora il rapporto tra un autore e il suo pseudonimo.

Voto: 8

"Dark Half" by Stephen King.

I'm ending my reading year by reading a new novel in the Ukrainian translation by the king of horror. Indeed, this year I've had enough scares, but still, I can't refuse an old King. So here I go.

All of King's books draw you in from the first pages, and this book is no exception. King's style in his old works is always the same, with a drawn-out ending. But then, everything goes so fast that you don't notice how the book ends.

The book is a classic Stephen King. There is mystery and restlessness, exactly what we love about Stephen.

King always poses general problems of humanity in his books: raising children, difficult family relationships, inner fears, and so on. In this novel, the main problem is the problem of creativity and responsibility for what one has written.

I can't say that this novel is scary, but it keeps you on edge throughout the reading period. But all of King's such books are like that.

I can say one thing, King is always at a high level. To be honest, I prefer the books of his first period of life. That is, the first half of his stories are filled with everything, and in the other period, the author pays attention to other aspects of human life. He reveals more modern problems.

But even in his older works, there are cities of problems that are relevant today. Therefore, "Dark Half" raises questions that are relevant now.

If you haven't read this book, you should read it. You'll really like it.

9/10

Hallelujah!! After spending 13 days laboriously reading this relatively short book (460 pages), I finally completed it.

If I had read it more quickly, I would have awarded it 4 stars. However, unfortunately, it sort of ruined my reading program, and now I have to hurry up as August is approaching, and I need to read 3 books before August.

Anyway, enough of my whining. Now, let's take a look at what this book was all about.

Stephen King began writing The Dark Half 148 days (November 3) after the publication of Misery (June 8, 1987).

They share a similar theme.

Paul Sheldon decides to kill the character he created (Misery Chastain) from his best-seller series and start writing serious fiction. His number one fan, Annie Wilkes, is not happy and is extremely angry. She wants a new Misery novel or else.

Thaddeus Beaumont decides to ritualistically kill his pen-name George Stark (not related to the Westerosi Starks or Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man) and start writing serious fiction. His pen-name comes back to life and is very angry. He wants a new George Stark novel with the dangerous character named Alexis Machine or else.

So, we have two writers who can't easily escape from their successes.

The Dark Half was different. It didn't take place in just one house but in different houses, cities, and states.

It's filled with the typical Stephen King trademarks: anticipation, disgusting images, inner-self drama, disquiet, action, and, of course, lots of blood and gooey pus.

The funny (and slightly creepy) thing is that Stephen King is indebted to the late (dead) Richard Bachman (King's own pen-name) for his help and inspiration. This novel could not have been written without him S.K.

This AUTHOR'S NOTE feels like an insurance; it seems as if Stephen King is saying: -Let's please this motherfucker. I don't want to get into trouble with my own pen-name as well.

Overall, this book gets 3.5 stars for the way the story unfolded its ending and the satisfied feeling I had after reading it.

The sparrows were an eerie addition to this novel.

King was truly performing at his absolute best in this high-class, remarkable piece of work.

Every aspect of it seemed to be firing on all cylinders, captivating the audience from start to finish.

It was a display of his extraordinary talent and artistry, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who witnessed it.

Even to this day, it remains firmly among one of my all-time favorite works of his.

The energy and passion that King poured into it were palpable, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

It's no wonder that it has stood the test of time and continues to be revered and cherished by so many.

Whether it's the powerful lyrics, the engaging melody, or the overall atmosphere it creates, this particular piece has a special charm that sets it apart from the rest.

It's a testament to King's genius and his ability to create something truly magical.

A writer manages to break free from his creative block by creating a pseudonym under which he begins to write extremely violent thrillers. This kind of alter ego eventually gains fame, conditioning his behavior and becoming an unusual source of problems until, fed up, the author decides to confess the truth and "kill it" without suspecting that this other part of himself has taken on a life of its own and now exists independently of him and is dominated by a voracious thirst for vengeance.

Among its pros, we could say that, like every King novel, it is ingenious, twisted, and its characters are full of demons, so it is easy to find it attractive. It also has the virtue of starting the action quickly, without delaying us with long or unnecessary preludes. The nature of the protagonists, their relationships, and miseries are presented to us jointly with the crimes and the mutual hunt.

As a con, I would say that at times it stretches too much or repeats itself, undermining what could have been feverish in a previous instance. Still, it remains a macabre story with supernatural elements to depict the denial of oneself and the dissociation from the worst in us.

Stephen King is a master of horror and suspense, and his novels never fail to captivate readers. This particular novel is no exception. It is a wild, crazy, and creepy ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story is filled with strange and unusual characters, each with their own dark secrets and motives. The plot twists and turns, leading you down a path of mystery and terror. You'll find yourself constantly guessing what will happen next, and just when you think you have it all figured out, King throws in another unexpected twist.

While this may not be one of my absolute favorite Stephen King novels, it is certainly worth the read. If you're a fan of horror and mystery, then you'll definitely enjoy this one. So, grab a copy, turn off the lights, and prepare to be scared out of your wits!

But writers perhaps INVITE ghosts. Alongside actors and artists, they are the sole completely accepted mediums in our society. They fabricate worlds that have never been, fill them with people who have never existed, and then entice us to partake in their fantasies. And indeed, we do it, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it. Writers have a unique power to create alternate realities that captivate our imaginations. Their words can transport us to far-off places, introduce us to extraordinary characters, and make us believe in things that are not real. We willingly suspend our disbelief and enter their fictional worlds, eager to experience the emotions and adventures they have to offer. Whether it's through a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking dystopia, writers have the ability to touch our souls and leave a lasting impression.

“But writers INVITE ghosts, maybe; along with actors and artists, they are the only totally accepted mediums of our society. They make worlds that never were, populate them with people who never existed, and then invite us to join them in their fantasies. And we do it, don't we? Yes. We PAY to do it.”

RTC