The Science of Stephen King: From 'Carrie' to 'Cell,' The Terrifying Truth Behind the Horror Master's Fiction by lois h. gresh

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Stephen King is often regarded as the literary equivalent of a Bic Mac and fries.

We all have a soft spot for his unique blend of the ordinary and the horrific. But what about the role of science in his works?

The author of this book convincingly shows that most of King's stories are firmly rooted in science.

She meticulously analyzes a significant portion of his works from the last century, pointing out references to Mesmerism and super races in "Carrie", the concepts of artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and artificial life in "Trucks", aliens in pulp fiction, the Apocalypse in "The Stand", and King's exploration of different dimensions in "Dark Tower" (where Clint Eastwood meets Roland).

With "The Langoliers", we witness time travel, parallel worlds, and a glimpse into the Multiverse.

Moreover, she gathers background information on various issues such as longevity, evil, obsession, and fear.

In my view, it is truly fascinating to connect all kinds of scientific theories with King's works.

It not only enhances our understanding but also broadens our knowledge base.

This book is really worth recommending!

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ParadoxDelta

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The Science of Stephen King: From Carrie to Cell, the Terrifying Truth Behind the Horror Master's Fiction by Lois H. Gresh (Wiley 2007) (823 +/-).

This volume delves deep into the science that lies beneath Stephen King's novels, unearthing and demystifying it. It takes readers on a fascinating journey through the works of the horror master, from the iconic Carrie to the thrilling Cell.

The author, Lois H. Gresh, does an excellent job of exploring the various scientific concepts and ideas that King incorporates into his fiction. She provides detailed explanations and analyses, making it accessible to both fans of King's work and those interested in science.

However, while the book is informative and engaging, it does have some drawbacks. At times, the scientific explanations can be a bit dense and difficult to follow, especially for those without a strong background in science. Additionally, some of the connections between the science and King's novels may seem a bit牵强.

Overall, I would rate this book a 7/10. It offers a unique and interesting perspective on Stephen King's work, but it could have been improved with more clarity and a stronger focus on the connection between science and horror. I finished reading it on 10/7/2014.

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werol

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Calling Stephen King's subject matter science is really stretching the boundaries. The 10-page detailed explanation of the neurological makeup of the brain, attempting to explain Carrie's psychokinetic powers, seemed rather excessive. I have never considered SK's work to be real; it is pure fantasy, and that is precisely where its appeal lies. The section on "The Stand" and biological warfare was quite interesting. It was also beneficial to understand how a pandemic functions, especially with the swine flu epidemic at that time. I picked up this book because I had read others in this series, such as "The Science of Michael Crichton". That particular one was good as it focused on an author who wrote science-based novels!

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YuRamasama

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

So far, eh.

It's truly a very cool idea that has been carried out by two individuals who seemingly have no distinct writing style at all.

I really wish that King himself would have written it.

I have a great love for his reflections on his own writing.

This particular piece seems more akin to an eighth grade book report rather than the level of sophistication that I was both hoping for and expecting.

It lacks the finesse and depth that one would anticipate from a work of this nature.

The writing appears to be rather simplistic and lacking in the nuance that would make it a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Perhaps with some further refinement and a more developed writing style, this could have been a more impressive piece.

As it stands, however, it falls short of the mark.

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tuant

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I really enjoyed this book. It seemed to have more of a philosophical bent than a strictly scientific or psychological one. I had hoped for a more in-depth scientific exploration of the topics it presented. However, despite being more on the side of pseudo science, it was still extremely interesting. The ideas and concepts it put forward made me think and consider things from different perspectives.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of Stephen King. His works often blend elements of the supernatural and the psychological, and this book shares some of those qualities. It has a similar ability to draw the reader in and keep them engaged until the very end.

Overall, while it may not have been the scientific masterpiece I was initially expecting, it was still a great read that I would encourage others to check out.

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Yitzki

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Hmm.

This article presents a recommended reading list of science fiction works spanning the 20th century. It does so within the framework of the author's analysis of various types of contemporary pseudoscience, futurism, and pure imagination. Examples include telekinesis, teleportation, and pod people.

The content is both entertaining and educational. However, there is relatively little focus on real science, and not a great deal of in-depth exploration of the work of Stephen King.

Consequently, the book might seem to have a somewhat misleading title. Nevertheless, it is still worth perusing for the insights it offers regarding the science fiction/horror genre as a whole.

By examining these different aspects, readers can gain a better understanding of the evolution and characteristics of this popular literary genre.

Whether you are a die-hard science fiction fan or simply curious about the genre, this recommended reading list provides a valuable starting point for exploration.

So, pick up a copy and embark on a journey through the fascinating world of 20th-century science fiction.

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charoset

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Some parts of this book were truly fascinating, especially when it delved into discussions about the possibilities of time travel, string theory, and immortality.

However, certain subjects received rather brief treatment. For example, the paragraph dedicated to St. Francis felt rushed.

The book also contained numerous descriptions of other books and stories, not all of which were from Stephen King's works.

Interestingly, some of the comments that were intended to be serious actually made me burst out laughing.

I just can't view this as a strictly serious book. Instead, it seems to have a darkly humorous undertone.

Perhaps the author was trying to blend different tones to create a unique reading experience.

Overall, while the book has its interesting aspects, it also has some areas that could have been explored more deeply.

It makes for an engaging read, but it may not be the kind of book that you would expect to be completely serious from start to finish.

Nevertheless, it does manage to capture the reader's attention and keep them entertained with its blend of serious topics and unexpected humor.

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iSakuraSnow

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I really enjoyed this book.

It serves as a primer on a wide spectrum of scientific principles, using King's stories as a backdrop.

Time travel, paranormal psychological powers, the aging process, parallel worlds, diseases - all these topics are reviewed quite well.

The author provides historical background and current research, which makes it a comprehensive read.

It's not a "UFO" book; rather, it's more like "The Science of Star Trek" by former Case Western professor Lawrence Krauss.

I can envision this book being extremely helpful in promoting an interest in Science among readers.

However, the weakest part of the book is towards the end when it attempts to discuss the concept of evil.

Fortunately, they rebound and have an interesting section on the causes of Obsession, both in King's stories and in real life, such as with the killer of John Lennon.

This section adds an extra layer of depth and makes the book even more engaging.

Overall, it's a great read for anyone interested in science and King's works.

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The Science of Stephen King: From 'Carrie' to 'Cell,' The Terrifying Truth Behind the Horror Master's Fiction

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