A small, but delicious cake from a mysterious recipe made with the hands of Basil. Extremely satisfying for me, who since my childhood wanted strangers to "teach me a lesson" in life - just like the young Stephanie.

This little cake holds a special charm. Its size may be diminutive, but the flavor it offers is nothing short of amazing. The recipe, shrouded in mystery, adds an air of allure to it. Basil, with his skilled hands, has crafted this masterpiece.

For me, this cake is more than just a treat. It reminds me of my childhood dreams and desires. I always wished that those strangers in life would impart some valuable lessons to me, just as Stephanie, the young and innocent girl, experiences in her own way. This cake, in its own small way, seems to fulfill that longing within me.

It is a simple yet profound pleasure that brings a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. I savor each bite, relishing the taste and the memories it evokes. This little cake from Basil is truly a gem.

The guy really knows the sport well. It's a simple story. Endless chit-chat but not bothered by anything.

He seems to have a deep understanding and passion for the game. Maybe it's because he has been involved in it for a long time.

His knowledge and experience shine through when he talks about it.

It's interesting to listen to him, even though his words might seem a bit excessive at times.

But that's just his way of expressing his enthusiasm.

Overall, it's a pleasure to have such a person around who can share his insights and love for the sport.

I’m currently delving into a selection of King stories that I either haven't had the chance to read, haven't finished, or read a long time ago.

The Colorado Kid is completely new to me. I've been postponing reading it ever since I became a dedicated reader many, many years ago. Its reputation initially deterred me, but I always knew that I would eventually get around to it. Maybe. Probably. Someday!

Well, that someday has arrived. After rereading and adoring From a Buick 8 a couple of years ago, I was certain that I had to read this one. It's common knowledge that the two share thematic DNA.

Buick 8 is truly a masterpiece - it's firmly in my top 10 of King's works, without a doubt. And Colorado Kid is almost as good. It's a deconstruction of mystery, an exploration into the very mechanics of storytelling itself. Mystery stories typically have a clear through-line and a conclusion. However, real life doesn't always work that way. Sometimes, the inexplicable remains just that - inexplicable. What is unknowable can be the most unsettling of all. And that's precisely what King is aiming to convey here, enhanced by a setting that I absolutely loved and didn't even realize I needed to "escape to" at this particular moment in my life (a small coastal town in Maine, of course).

I had an absolute blast reading this. The entire experience was thoroughly pleasurable, and I wouldn't change a thing. So, fuck it: 5 stars. This book truly worked for me, just like The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon did.

Now, the question is: should I give Elevation another try?

A very cool little "unsolved mystery" that can be read in one sitting and not forgotten. It's truly a captivating piece. I find myself appreciating King more and more as I grow older. This story is unique for him. Indeed, aside from the Maine setting and the well-realized characters, it presents a different style from any of his other work that I can recall. It's quite fascinating. If we were to ask everyone who reads this to explain what they think happened, it would be an amusing Rorschach test. It would be interesting to see the various interpretations and theories that people come up with. Each person's perception might be completely different, adding to the allure and mystery of the story. It makes you wonder about the power of the human imagination and how we all view and understand the same thing in our own unique ways.

The Colorado Kid is a truly unique story. “It was that kind of story. The kind that’s like a sneeze which threatens but never quite arrives.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the essence of this book. At 4.5, it might seem like an odd rating, but it makes sense once you understand my perspective.

I understand why many people might dislike this book. It's not your typical straightforward narrative. However, I could not help but be drawn to its charm. The story is about mystery, specifically an unsolved mystery. I firmly believe that unsolved mysteries have a way of lingering in our minds far longer than those that are neatly resolved. Once we have closure, we often move on quickly and stop thinking about the matter.

Despite its relatively short length, this book had a significant impact on me. I adored the three main characters, each with their own distinct personalities. And I loved the 'story', even though the characters themselves admit that there isn't much of a traditional story in The Colorado Kid. It's more about the atmosphere, the mystery, and the questions that it leaves unanswered.

Even though I have a deep love for this book, I also believe that King was right when he said that people will either strongly hate or strongly love it - there will be no middle ground. That being said, I would still wholeheartedly recommend it. It's a book that can be devoured in one sitting, and there's a chance that you might find yourself in the group of people who loved every single second of reading it.

Ooof.

I just couldn't do it. I simply couldn't finish it. You know, I have this *immense* sense of readers-guilt because I didn't finish The Colorado Kid. Stephen King is my absolute favorite author and a truly famous human being. So, this really hurts, man.

The Colorado Kid has been sitting there, staring at me from my unread bookshelf for way too long. I really tried to end my "reading slump" or hiatus - or whatever you want to call it - with this book. But alas, it was no go. It was like No Tea for the Tillaman. Overall, the main issue was that I was just so bored. I just couldn't buy into the characters. I couldn't seem to sit right next to them and really hear their tale.

Sorry, Mr. King. But I still love you with all my Annie Wilkes heart. (I know how creepy this sounds, but I really don't care LOL).

I loved this book way more than most.

Maybe it’s because I have a genuine aversion to most books where everything is neatly wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end.

In real life, things rarely work out so perfectly. For me, it’s always about the journey, the process of discovery, the challenges faced and overcome.

This book captured that essence beautifully. It took me on a wild ride, filled with twists and turns, and I found myself completely engrossed from start to finish.

I simply couldn’t put it down. It was like a drug, pulling me in and keeping me hooked until the very last page.

Even now, as I reflect on it, I can still feel the excitement and emotions that it evoked within me. It’s a book that will stay with me for a long time to come.

**3.5 Stars. No horror here, but still a worthwhile read in my book!**

Stephen King makes a bold statement about this novel, claiming there will be no middle ground. He believes readers will either despise it or adore it. In my case, I truly relished it. Moreover, the Afterward was an eye-opener, revealing the inspiration behind what is presented as a hard-case-crime mystery.

I was particularly fond of the two "old geezers" (as Mr. King refers to them) who own the Weekly Islander Newspaper on Moose-Lookit Island. Their interactions with the 22-year-old summer intern, Stephanie, were both entertaining and inspiring. They quizzed her and sparked her curiosity, which added an interesting layer to the story.
The case of **THE COLORADO KID** itself was captivating. I raced through the narrative, eager to uncover the truth about the mysterious dead man with no identification. And surprisingly, I was content with the ending.
Although this book won't find a place on my favorites shelf, it did manage to hold my attention throughout. And I have to admit, I'm quite smitten with the book cover, even though "she" doesn't match my mental image of Stephanie. All in all, it was a satisfying read.

I liked it.

It was a mystery that remains a mystery, an enigma that defies easy explanation.

It was nothing more and nothing less than what the story set out to be. It's a way that King is able to show that not everything in real life has answers and not all loose ends get tied up.

I mean, this is pretty much more accurate to how life turns out, isn't it? We often find ourselves facing situations that lack clear resolutions, and that's just the way it is.

It was a perfect little, quick read, which is just what I wanted. It was something different to enjoy, a departure from the ordinary.

If you go into this with great novel expectations, I imagine you will not enjoy it and see it as a waste of time. Instead, maybe go into it as a little bit of a downtime, quick and fun read, and you may find enjoyment without the risks of those high expectations sabotaging the simple things in life.

'It's the beauty of the mystery that allows us to live sane as we pilot our fragile bodies through this demolition-derby world. We always want to reach for the lights in the sky, and we always want to know where the Colorado Kid (the world is full of Colorado Kids) came from.

Wanting might be better than knowing.'

Stephen King

Many things in life will always just be that.

A mystery with no solutions, a puzzle that we may never fully solve. But perhaps that's what makes life so interesting and worth living.

OK, this is one of the best novels I've read for this year.
I firmly believe that the word I could use to describe it is engrossing!

Stephen King is an author I started reading in my early twenties. I'm now 61 years young, but still, I get a great deal of excitement out of his novels.

"The Colorado Kid" deals with an unsolved mystery.
A dead man is discovered on the coast of Maine, and nobody has the slightest clue about his identity.

Only a few journalists do their utmost to unlock the enigma.
However, 25 years later, the mystery still remains unsolved.

Only Stephen King could pen such a novel because it holds your attention right until the end!

It's a quick but highly rewarding read!!!

Dean;)

‣ After reading "Later" by Stephen King, which is another one of his Hard Case Crime novels, it becomes quite interesting to explore more of his non-horror work.

‣ This particular story is an ode to a rural Maine island and its locals. It vividly描绘s their mannerisms and speech, as well as their small town convictions.

‣ There is a long-unsolved mystery that is recounted over the course of an afternoon by two old timer newspaper reporters.

‣ The story's audience is 22-year-old Stephanie, the intern at the tiny local newspaper. However, there is a rather weird gender element here. She is initially introduced with a line about a tertiary character looking at her breasts, and it's not clear why. She almost seems like a young, beautiful, earnest, studious, and feminine foil to the old, storied, cynical, and well-established old men who are telling the story. This aspect makes it a bit uncomfortable.

‣ The story itself, "The Colorado Kid," is a decades-old unsolved mystery with no resolution. It reflects on the fact that real life is full of stories that don't have satisfying endings. It also brings up questions about the veracity of news writing and feature writing when neat endings are applied to complex mysteries.

‣ There is a lot in the book about the meeting of the young and the old, the passing of the torch, and the pleasure of having the trust of a wise mentor.

‣ I really enjoyed the beautiful seaside setting and the deep nostalgia for old school Northern New England culture. Although much of the book seems to consist of the chatter of two old men, it's a quick enough read to be well worth the ride!

I buzzed through this little book in one day.

It was told in such a charming and engaging way that I truly felt as if I was sitting by a campfire, listening intently to an old friend sharing a captivating tale.

I raced through the pages, eagerly gathering every tiny detail, formulating my own personal notes and theories along the way.

Surprisingly, I even had a soft spot for the ending. It was one of those that would linger in my mind for a good long while, constantly making me wonder about what actually happened to the main character.

Despite being such a short book, I was able to develop a strong sense of kinship with the characters. It was as if I was right there beside them, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

I understand that this story has received some rather disparaging remarks from others, but I'm going to firmly state that I liked it rather well.

It had a certain allure and charm that managed to draw me in and keep me hooked from start to finish.