"Cujo" is truly one of the scariest King things for me. Amazingly, the novel, which was published forty years ago, still holds great relevance today, despite the radical changes in life. You'll correlate with the current state of affairs later. What if Donna had forgotten her cell phone? Well, Charity and Brett would surely be alarmed that the husband-father isn't getting in touch. And Vic, having no information about his wife and son, would have found a way to ask someone to check on his home much earlier. By the way, he wouldn't even need to leave, as such issues can be resolved in Zoom.

This is all after the fact. But when you start reading, you're instantly and inevitably plunged into the reality of the book. In this "here and now", everything is just so, and it couldn't be otherwise. The main line of the mad dog captives is intertwined and complemented by flawlessly constructed auxiliary ones: the father with his serious work problems and the mistress of the St. Bernard, who is doing everything she can to protect her son from the destructive influence of the alcoholic father.

Suddenly I realized that the book was written by Stephen King at the age of thirty-four. Youth, even by the standards of today's youthful literature. Yet, the prose is at such a mature level that it can already be regarded as a classic, not just in the genre: the plot, structure, style, and images are all perfect.

I said I was afraid to reread it, but I decided to listen. Audiobooks have the undeniable advantage that you can walk through the scariest paths not alone. And the opportunity to listen to the novel performed by Igor Knyazev will be a gift for all fans of good literature.

Cujo is a novel from 1981, an excellent year and a great period in the literary landscape of Stephen King. Indeed, it can be felt immediately from the first pages that it is him, the "King of Horror". Surely it is not at the levels of "Pet Sematary", but I really liked it a lot. The pace is tight, the writing is that of the golden times. The characters are right there within reach of you (the reader). You can touch them, you can talk to them. You can feel the emotions, you can empathize. The images are so vivid that it "seems" you are there in Castle Rock (Maine), in the open countryside, in a torrid heat, one of the hottest in recent years. The thermometer column points towards 40°C and you wander around, with the dust whipped by the hot summer wind that blurs your vision and...

Anti-Monster Formula

Monsters, stay out of this room!
There isn't enough space for you here.
Under Tad's bed there is no place,
And whoever tries will be roasted!
In Tad's closet there is no space
And for whoever tries it will be a torment!
Don't look out Tad's window
You would see things that would make you tremble!
No vampires, wolves, or living dead
There is no place here for the bad ones!
Nothing will harm Tad all night long
To whoever tries, a slap in the face!

This is a re-read for me. I read this as a kid and had little memory of it, other than just thinking it was OK. Now, reading it as an adult, I feel the same way as I did back then.

According to King, he has no memory of even writing this book as it was during his booze and cocaine years. I must say that he did a darn fine job at it if that is true, as it's still a very competently written.

I guess my main issue with this is that I felt there was no real tension for the majority of the book. The personal lives of our side characters were just boring. I didn't care about what our advertising experts were doing or the family squabbles.

The ending is a heartbreaker for sure and gets points for that. But it's just the lack of overall tension that let me down. It seems that throughout most of the story, the plot meandered along without a real sense of urgency or excitement. The characters, while well-developed in some aspects, didn't engage me enough to keep my interest fully.

Perhaps if there had been more build-up and a greater sense of impending doom or conflict, I would have been more invested in the story. As it stands, it's an average read that has its moments but ultimately fails to deliver the kind of gripping experience that I was hoping for.

Isuse Hriste na biciklu _________

Weeks after reading this book, the feeling of exhaustion and devastation still lingers within me, and the impression remains strong. For some inexplicable reason, I had long wanted to read this book, and it turns out that it will be among my favorite King stories.

The descriptions of the characters and the actions, or rather, absolutely everything that happens, make it seem as if everything is unfolding so slowly that at one point you wonder why and for what purpose all this is. On the other hand, precisely because of that detail, I connected with the characters more than I should have. The exact moment when the fight for life begins is unclear because the entire process in which horror occurs is actually described. The manipulation of dramatic time, creating the illusion that the event lasts indefinitely even though everything is over in less than 48 hours, completely fascinates you, and what you have read stays with you even after you close the covers.

Basically, the story and the characters are completely typical - a three-member family, the child is always a boy between 5 and 10 years old, and the action is in one hand also banal. There is definitely no genius involved when we talk about the perpetrators and the setting of the action. The genius lies in the way of creating suspense in the reader, as well as in its pounding with different emotional impacts. Perhaps what amazed me the most is that this story actually has an end. During reading, I became so emotionally invested in whether Don and Tedi Trenton would manage to escape from the enraged Cujo, as well as in whether Vic would even reach them, that the outcome hit me like a fast train and completely blew me away. I still find it hard to believe that after all, Tedi still died, although it seems logical.

2.0 stars. I have three general categories for Stephen King books.

The first category consists of the truly exceptional ones, like the Dark Tower series, the Stand, and Night Shift. These are the works that truly stand out and are considered masterpieces.

The second group is a large category that includes the solid to excellent books that were definitely worth reading. Examples of these are Firestarter, the Dead Zone, It, and the Shining. These books have engaging stories and well-developed characters.

The final group includes those books that range from the not so good and sub-par to the ones that make you wonder, "C'mon, Steve, what were you thinking when you wrote this?" This group includes such examples as Dreamcatcher, the Dark Half, and, as you guessed it, this book. It's not a horrible book, but it's certainly not one of King's stronger efforts.

Winner: British Fantasy Award for Best Novel.

Nominee: Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Original rating: 4 stars
Re-read rating: 5+ stars

It is truly wonderful when a book exceeds your memory of it! In fact, this might just be my favorite Stephen King re-read up until now.

I've noticed that generally, this book tends to receive ratings in the range of 3 to 3.5 stars. Although I haven't delved too deeply into the reason for this, if I had to make a guess, I would think it's likely because a significant portion of this book isn't actually about Cujo. There is a great deal of really excellent additional storytelling and exposition that goes beyond the rabid dog. And, once again, this is just speculation, but I imagine that many people come into it expecting the horror of the monster dog, yet that doesn't truly begin in earnest until two or three hundred pages in. The buildup, however, is fantastic.

This showcases some of King's finest storytelling and character building. I adored learning about every single person in this world and how their lives all converged in the end under the shadow of a drooling, snarling, and insane St. Bernard; a monster of fate, not through any fault of its own - a truly tragic villain.

And the ending? Absolutely heart-wrenching and spine-chilling! I was completely engrossed until the very last page!

I will definitely be adding this to the list of recommendations for first-time King readers. If you don't enjoy this one, I'm not certain that you'll end up liking King in general.

Side note: I didn't recall until the re-read that this book is essentially a sequel to The Dead Zone. So, if you're considering reading both that one and Cujo, it's advisable to read The Dead Zone first.

A truly amazing and great King, with numerous excellently developed characters, exciting scenarios, and really cruel moments. It is a character-driven thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, drawing you into a world filled with mystery and suspense. Each character is unique and well-defined, with their own motives and secrets.

The packenden Szenarien add to the overall excitement, making it impossible to put the book down. You'll find yourself constantly guessing and trying to figure out what will happen next.

And those wirklich grausigen Momenten? They add an extra layer of intensity and horror to the story, making it a truly unforgettable read.

If you're a fan of thrillers, then this is definitely a book you don't want to miss. It's a masterpiece that will leave you breathless and eager for more.

Well, I can probably now clarify that I'm a member of the Stephen King fan club.

I literally devoured this book in a couple of days. If it wasn't for real life interfering, I could have read it in one sitting. This book is a terrifying mind-fuck. It's terrifying because the events that unfold in this story could all actually happen in reality. There's nothing supernatural about it; it's all very real. Apparently, Stephen King wrote this novel at the very height of his alcoholism, and it certainly shows.

There are no chapters, no breaks. There's not even much time to breathe as you get sucked into the next paragraph. The story itself is set over three days, but the pace is constant. I read the majority of this during my quiet time, and I was so edgy that I could feel my heartbeat quickening in my chest, eager to turn the next page.

Cujo, in short, is about a Saint Bernard that, due to an unfortunate event, turns rabid. Around the center of this event, there are other side plots going on too. All of these events tie up incredibly well, and we end up with one huge event. Hell, it's definitely worth the wait. I expected gore, but actually, there was nothing especially significant that caused me to wince. It's the psychological effect that King is ultimately the grand master at. He literally gets under your skin, messes with your mind, and just when you think you're getting a handle on reality again, he hits you with another twist. He's good like that, Mr. King.

Although I loved this book, I didn't love it as much as Pet Sematary, as that one completely blew my mind. But, that said, this was still an amazingly suspenseful and petrifying read. Thank you, once again, Mr. King.

Cujo wasn't initially at the top of my Stephen King reading list. However, I came across it at a dirt-cheap price in a second-hand bookstore and thought, "Why not?" So, I picked it up. Unfortunately, there was a reason it wasn't high on my list, and my fears were confirmed.

Like many of King's stories, this novel is set in Castle Rock, Maine, and follows several characters. There are the Trentons, a family originally from New York, the Cambers, a working-class family who have been longtime residents of Castle Rock, and Steve Kemp, a hot-headed tennis player who had an affair with Vic Trenton's wife, Donna.

When Cujo, the Cambers' big St. Bernard dog, gets bitten by a bat, it turns out to be infectious, setting off a chain of events in the town.

As the story unfolds, various events occur that affect all those involved. Steve Kemp, furious that Donna has ended their affair, wants to destroy her. Meanwhile, the Cambers, after Charity wins $5000, decide to visit her sister, but her bullying husband is not so keen and would rather go on a boozy weekend with his hard-drinking friend Gary Pervier.

All of this is happening as the big St. Bernard Cujo is running wild with rabies and has turned evil, and no one wants to cross paths with this now vicious beast.

This book had its okay moments, and some parts were gripping, but for the most part, it was very tedious for me. It's the least favorite book I've read by the usually excellent Stephen King. However, I know many people who seem to like this book. Maybe it's just me. Who knows? But for me, this gets a 2.5.

⭐⭐1/2 Stars rounded down, sorry Steve.

If you're seeking a spine-chilling read, then look no further. "Cujo" was penned during a period when Stephen King was indulging in drugs, and precisely for that very reason, I had a strong desire to peruse it.

Cujo is an adorable, albeit large, St. Bernards dog. One fateful day, he gets bitten by a rabid bat. This incident transforms Cujo into a monster with an insatiable longing for food, and no one can feel secure in the presence of this once-beloved canine.

The scenes involving Cujo were truly nerve-wracking. However, what I adored the most about this novel were the characters, whom we come to know extremely well. "Cujo" showcases both children and adults who all find themselves in ordinary, everyday situations until Cujo makes his appearance and turns their lives into a living nightmare. I firmly believe that if you have a phobia of rabid animals, this book will undoubtedly strike a chord with you. Personally, for me, it wasn't the most terrifying book I've ever read, but it most definitely contains certain chapters and (car) scenes that will remain etched in my mind.

Even though I don't think it will spoil your reading experience, I have to warn you that there are mild spoilers ahead.

In my review of The Shining, I wrote that it was the scariest book I'd ever read. Well, perhaps that's true, but the horror ended for me when I closed that book. With Cujo, however, the horror starts and doesn't let go.

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Every child fears the monster that lurks in the darkness when the lights go out in the bedroom and mom and dad are safely tucked away in their own room. They hide under the bed or in the closet, knowing that the moment they let their guard down, the monster will slither out and slowly devour them, savoring every delicious bit of flesh. No amount of rationalization can dispel this certainty, at least not in the minds of children. Cujo delves into this primal fear, speaking to the frightened child within each of us, and we can't help but listen.

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Tad Trenton has a problem. There's a monster in his closet, waiting patiently to fulfill its evil intent. Only the "Monster Words" his father has written offer a glimmer of protection. Vic and Donna Trenton, Tad's parents, have their own demons to battle. Vic's ad agency is struggling, and Donna has recently ended an extra-marital affair. Hoping for a fresh start, they move to the town of Castle Rock, Maine. But unfortunately, their monsters follow them.

A different kind of monster attacks Cujo, Brett Camber's gentle giant of a St. Bernard. While chasing a rabbit down a hole, Cujo is bitten by some rabid bats. The virus enters his bloodstream, and his once-happy thoughts turn dark and violent. By the time Brett and his mother Charity leave home to visit her sister Holly, Cujo has fully transformed into a terrifying beast. He kills Brett's abusive father Joe and their neighbor Gary, and awaits a painful death as Donna and Tad drive into Joe's garage to fix the car's starting problem.

What happens next is the heart-pounding essence of the novel. The stalled car, the trapped woman and child, the rabid dog outside - the suspense builds steadily, culminating in a shattering climax that will leave you breathless.

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Cujo is far more disturbing than The Shining for two reasons. First, the horror haunts you long after you've put the book down. Second, the horror is firmly rooted in the real world. Here, too, we have a dysfunctional family, but Tad lacks the special powers of Danny Torrance to see the horror coming. He's just a helpless child. Moreover, the horror in Cujo is random and incidental. As Steve points out, Cujo was a "good" dog. The fact that he was bitten by rabid bats and hadn't had his anti-rabies shots was a cruel twist of fate. As you read this novel, you can't help but feel that the monster in Tad's closet was all too real, and it manifested itself in the form of Cujo. Vic and Donna, as adults, may not have been able to see it, but Tad could. Read Cujo only if you're a die-hard horror fan who craves to be seriously disturbed for an extended period of time.

The antagonist turning into a victim and the protagonist also becoming a victim is where the true horror of this book lies. It's a fascinating and spine-chilling concept. The story takes an unexpected turn, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat. The character of Cujo, once seen as the menacing antagonist, now finds himself in a vulnerable position. It makes you question everything you thought you knew about the story.

First Read: 2014, Rating: 5 stars
Second Read: October 2019, Rating: 5 stars

This book truly deserves its five-star rating. It's a masterclass in horror writing, with a plot that twists and turns in the most unexpected ways. The author's ability to create such complex and engaging characters is truly remarkable. Whether you're a fan of horror or just looking for a great read, this book is definitely worth checking out.