Hearts in Atlantis

When we like the works of a writer, the most important question we should ask ourselves is exactly what elements in that work we like. This is a question that everyone has a different answer to regarding King's works. Some say it's because of his good character portrayal, some say it's because the story is engaging and we can easily follow his books, some say it's because we like horror works and this writer is very skilled in this field. But the main reason for me is none of these. If character portrayal is the main criterion, there are better writers, especially in classical literature, who look at human life and human nature more deeply and philosophically. If we are looking for beautiful prose, there are also much better options that can delight the reader of their sentences. Publishers use titles like "One of the best current storytellers" or "Charles Dickens of the 21st century" to promote King's works. But Stephen King himself said that he is not a postmodern Charles Dickens and has often said that other writers are the heirs of this title. So what exactly makes this writer different from other writers?

My answer to this question is much more fundamental than these words and was not something I realized with the first books I read from him. King's stories take place in worlds similar to ours with a history that is numbered for us. These worlds are all connected to the post-apocalyptic world where the Dark Tower series of this writer takes place. A place where a tall tower feeds all the creatures. This is almost directly and indirectly observable in all of King's stories, a point that many newcomers to this writer's world do not realize, and if they do, because they have not studied the series, they reject the method indifferently and sometimes may misinterpret it.

The book Hearts in Atlantis is one of those books that is directly related to the Dark Tower, in such a way that if someone doesn't know the points I mentioned and hasn't read any of this series, they will have difficulty understanding it and many of the events in the story will seem unimportant to them. Characters enter the story who do not belong to the world of the story and have a much more important role than the events only in this story in the universe, and this book is just an introduction to get acquainted with these people and their connection to the Dark Tower series, which is the heart of King's stories. But aside from these issues, this book also pursues an independent storyline while being related, a storyline that the writer has often proven has a special charm, and it is summarized in the magic of childhood and the hardships of transitioning from this period to adolescence and youth. A place where one loses the magic of one's own life and most people do not become what they always desired. A world where the more time passes, the more it enslaves humans to mortality, and the older one gets, the more nostalgically one looks at the simplicity of childhood.

The book Hearts in Atlantis is composed of five separate stories, and except for the second story, the main role of each is to complement or be a secondary character in the first story. In this book, there are elements of magical realism, but a precise genre cannot be defined for its entirety. The Atlantises, who grew up in the Vietnam War era and, like King, experienced the difficult 1960s in the US, are the burned generation of this country according to the writer. A generation that raised many dreams in their heads but their lives did not progress as they wished, and most of the people who either participated in the Vietnam War or opposed the war and took a peaceful protest stance against this matter did not find happiness. This book is actually a realistic and unadorned look at the dark period in American history, and its bad smell can be felt in each chapter of the stories. Each story shows a period of the life of this burned generation, in such a way that the first story takes place in the early 1960s and the last story takes place at the end of the 20th century. I said all these things, but after passing through the political and historical events, my initial question still remains unanswered, and its answer is exactly hidden in this book. The most beautiful aspect of this novel, which I had also observed in other works of this writer before, is summarized in the way of using supernatural elements in our own world. King knows that to write a fictional novel, one must first bring in the elements of realism, which are the characters and the setting, well and then gradually introduce us to the magical land. Magic in most of this writer's books is not an obvious and artificial thing that everyone has access to, but a special group with a different perspective realizes its existence, and the life of these people, among the other people in society and historical events, creates a strange conflict similar to our history throughout the story, and this is where King's works are different from other writers and find their own mark, and this book is one of the best examples of this. Hearts in Atlantis is the life of Atlantis that has fallen and sunk. Atlantis that has buried the wonders of the world with itself and has reached the end of its work. The stories in this book end exactly where they begin, and the secondary characters also play an effective and important role in this cycle that is not similar to the cycle of life.

In general, this book is one of those books that the older a person is when reading it, the more connection they will have with it, and because of the issues I mentioned above, it is by no means suitable for newcomers to King's world and is preferably read after the novel Carrie and before reading the last volume of the Dark Tower series.

The Stephen King Goodreads Discussion Group is embarking on a comprehensive re-read of his works from start to finish. It has been a considerable time since I truly immersed myself in Uncle Stevie’s captivating world. At a rate of one book per month, I am fully committed. My aim is to read and review each one with the utmost honesty and reflection that I can offer.

“Hearts of Atlantis” was originally published in September 1999 in hardcover by Scribner. In terms of length, my oversized paperback lists it as 673 pages, while my Kindle shows it as 339 pages. It is a collection of two novellas and three short stories. One of the stories is connected to “The Dark Tower”, and they are all interconnected by recurring characters and presented in chronological order. King focuses these stories on the Baby Boomers and examines whether their generation lived up to its promises and ideals.

The book presents five sequential and interconnected stories spanning from 1960 through 1999, encompassing the impact of the Vietnam War, politics, culture, and growing up in America. “Low Men in Yellow Coats” (1960) introduces young Bobby Garfield, who befriends a mysterious neighbor, Ted Brautigan. Ted shares a secret with Bobby about being chased by “low men” in yellow coats. “Hearts in Atlantis” (1966) follows Peter Riley, a freshman at the University of Maine, who becomes addicted to the card game of hearts, affecting his college studies and personal relationships. “Blind Willie” (1983) tells the story of Vietnam veteran Willie Shearman, who begs on the streets of New York City as a form of penance. “Why we’re in Vietnam” (1999) centers around John Sullivan, a successful auto dealership owner, who is haunted by memories of the Vietnam War. “Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling” (1999) brings all the stories full circle as Bobby Garfield returns home for John Sullivan’s funeral and reunites with his first girlfriend.

Thoughts and Reflections: This collection feels like the most personal set of stories King has ever written, with his scars from the Vietnam War running deep. I appreciated how the stories linked the lives of three characters during a time of great change in the United States. The interconnections and the way traumatic moments in their early lives shaped them as adults were the strengths of these stories. However, I also had some reservations. The storylines sometimes lacked substance, and the first two stories felt overly long. Additionally, the book made me feel various forms of sadness, and I struggled with the bittersweet endings.
Looking at other readers’ reviews on social media, I found that they tended to fall into two groups: those who loved the book and gave it 5 stars, and those who had similar struggles as I did and gave it 3 stars. On Goodreads, the reviews were mostly 5 stars. I can understand both perspectives. The passionate storytelling and the reflection of King’s transition into adulthood during a turbulent time in history are appealing. However, the slow pace and the less than fulfilling content may also be a turnoff for some readers.
On a personal level, this book reminded me of my experience reading “The Color Purple” in college, which I hated because it was so depressing. While “Hearts in Atlantis” is not as painful, it is King’s saddest book for me, evoking emotionally sad feelings. I recognize that some may argue that this is what makes the book good, and I respect that perspective.
Other Notes: There was a film adaptation in 2001 that combined “Low Men in Yellow Coats” and “Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling” and starred Anthony Hopkins. However, all references to “The Dark Tower” were removed. There are also several references in the stories to other works of King, such as the town of Derry and the Regulators.
Overall, this was a challenging read, and my review may seem as long and winding as the book itself. I am going to meet in the middle and give it 4 out of 5 stars. For those who love it, I tip my hat to you. For those who struggled, I understand your pain. Let’s be honest, like REM, I’ve probably said too much.

I have always harbored a rather peculiar desire to throw a duck at a man, yet the opportune situation simply hasn't arisen... as of yet.

I didn't have the experience of living through the 1960s, but I do share the sense of collective and generational failure that is so fundamental to this book. I firmly believe that every generation should closely examine their role and their relative success within that role in terms of how it contributed to the advancement of the greater social order. Did we seize the opportunities and make sacrifices to facilitate a propulsive and material progress? Or did we act selfishly and make parochial choices solely aimed at improving our personal circumstances? Let's just say that some generations have been more successful than others in this regard.

This book is truly excellent. As King states in its first story, "good books don't give up all their secrets at once". Each story within this collection progresses the overarching theme at its own unique pace and with its own thematic significance.

This isn't your typical King book. Although I would argue that there isn't a true King archetype since he approaches each book without being confined by a particular genre in mind. But this one feels truly exceptional and distinct from anything else he has ever done.

Yes, there are connections to The Dark Tower, and yes, much of the book is centered around the very familiar themes of lost innocence and missed opportunities. However, this is King operating at a different and higher level, and it's a level that everyone should really experience for themselves.

I truly adored the title story that was set within the college premises.

The character of Peter Riley bore a certain resemblance to Holden Caufield, in the sense that he wandered through college life without much purpose.

Peter's love story with Carol was truly captivating, especially that love scene in the car right after they broke up. It was extremely touching and showed King at his absolute best.

There was a scene where a group of students made fun of a disabled student, which immediately made me recall the events in Carrie.

As the characters dealt with their own smaller troubles, the Vietnam war loomed large in the background, adding an extra layer of complexity and tension to the story.

Overall, it was a wonderful and engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Low Men in Yellow Coats 5⭐️

This story is truly a gem. It has a captivating plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and the atmosphere is eerie and mysterious. It's a must-read for fans of the genre.

Hearts in Atlantis 4⭐️

This book is a bittersweet exploration of love, loss, and growing up. The story is told in a series of interconnected vignettes that offer a glimpse into the lives of different characters. It's a touching and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

Blind Willie 5⭐️

Another outstanding story from this author. Blind Willie is a complex and fascinating character, and the story of his life is both tragic and inspiring. The writing is beautiful and the pacing is perfect, making this a page-turner that you won't be able to put down.

Why We’re in Vietnam 4⭐️

This is a powerful and poignant story about the Vietnam War and its impact on the soldiers who fought it. The author does a great job of capturing the emotions and experiences of the characters, and the ending is both surprising and moving. It's a great read for anyone interested in history or military fiction.

Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling 5⭐️

I am still engaged in my extremely long journey of reading or re-reading all of Stephen King's books in publication order. Hearts in Atlantis was the next one on my list, and it received one of the lower ratings during my journey. This is one of SK's short story collections, which I usually love, but I just couldn't get into this particular one.

Although this collection doesn't earn a high rating from me, I find it really interesting that all the stories are connected, spanning from 1960 to 1999.

Low Men in Yellow Coats gets 2.5 stars. By this point, any regular reader knows how well SK can write from the perspective of a pre-teen boy, and this was no exception. The writing style was fairly simplistic yet still beautiful. Bobby's view of his mother, in particular, was outstanding. It was truly tragic, and you can't help but feel sorry for him and even a little sorry for her. You can really sense her pain through what Bobby sees and doesn't see. The plot isn't the main attraction here; it's all about character exploration, and we get to see them develop a great deal in a relatively short time. Their innocent outlook on life is gradually eroded.

This book has strong ties to The Dark Tower. If you haven't read that series or started it before delving into this one, you might get a bit lost, which is another reason I'm glad I embarked on this journey. Like The Dark Tower, there's a lot of 'boy' humour, which was necessary to break up the bleakness of this book. I would have liked a lot more horror; there really isn't any that I can recall.

Hearts in Atlantis gets 2 stars. It's not for me. This is again a character study, more of a coming-of-age story than anything else. It dragged for me as most of the book's focus was on a card game that I have no interest in at all. The card game was mentioned repeatedly, and I couldn't stand it, to be honest. However, the background of the Vietnam War was really interesting, and how these 'kids' were trying to figure out which side they were on was captivating. There was well-done commentary on all of humanity being a little bit evil, and seeing these young people grow up and learning about how they died was heart-breaking after just getting to know them as college students.

Blind Willie gets 2.5 stars. It was the worst for me as it didn't evoke any emotions in me. I neither hated it nor loved it. I was just plodding through this one, luckily it was short.

Why We're in Vietnam gets 3.5 stars. It's a book about the aftermath of the war, focusing on just a few familiar faces. There was a little bit of body horror in this one, but what stood out were the people. All these short stories almost form one book as they all revolve around a few different characters and span their lifetimes, and that's what made this worth reading. Seeing how these people had grown, what they had been through, and how their lives ended up after seeing them as little kids just enjoying life was pretty epic. I wish this short story, like all the others in this collection, had just taken everything a step or two further. I understand the realism of these stories and why they are important, but they weren't the most enjoyable for me personally.

King's last book of the 90's is likely the most pleasant surprise in my King reading project thus far.

This book showcases enchanting storytelling to such an extent that long passages with little action and minor inconsistencies or lack of explanations simply don't matter at all.

The first and longest story is a brilliant one about small-town kids, echoing Ray Bradbury, Dan Simmons' Summer of Night, and King's own It, The Body, and numerous others. It's a perfect blend of kids' real, imagined, and unusual problems with growing up.

I was truly stunned when the connection was made to a series of the author's other books. For a split second, I thought to myself, "if this theme can be this good, do I have another 4,500 or so pages to add to the plan?" But after a second thought, I told myself to calm down and not be silly.

When the first story ended, I thought I had read the best part of the book. I believed the other, interconnected stories couldn't possibly be as good, or I would have heard more about the book.

The second story is set on a college campus and involves the game of Hearts. Not being familiar with the surroundings, I initially thought it wouldn't engage me like the first. But after 10 pages, I was lost again.

The last 3 stories are shorter but carry the suspense superbly. I felt the book or stories never lost focus, and overall, it ranked high on the list of the great man's many great books.

The first story, "Low Men in Yellow Coats" (which spans 250 pages, approximately half of the book), showcases some of King's most outstanding writing. It features sensitive portrayals not only of children (as is typical of King), but also of women. Liz Garfield, the mother of the central character Bobby, is not an especially likable individual, yet she is a complex one. As a single working mother, she struggles to make ends meet. Simultaneously, she has to deal with extreme sexism in her workplace and her own anger issues. In my opinion, she is one of King's greatest fictional creations.

However, once King delved into the Dark Tower aspect, I lost interest. The much-feared Low Men in Yellow Coats were far more ominous when they were offstage. When they finally made their appearance, they were rather laughable.

I'm not a fan of the Dark Tower series, although I have attempted to engage with it several times. Additionally, I'm generally frustrated with King's insistence on connecting his other fictional works (some of which preceded the Dark Tower series) to the Dark Tower. It's akin to watching a Spielberg movie with props from other Spielberg movies cluttering the set. Is this a marketing strategy or a matter of art? That's perhaps a harsh question since King has repeatedly indicated his imaginative investment in the Dark Tower. There's no reason to question his sincerity, but (in my humble opinion as a reader who has followed him from the beginning) perhaps his judgment is in question. I'm aware that I'm in the distinct minority, but that's the way it is.