Christine

OH MY GODS! What a f*cking treat! I truly adored this book.

I have no recollection of why I overlooked it way back when. I was on the King express from THE SHINING and onward, devouring every release.

I even splurged on the hardbacks, which was an unthinkable luxury in my boyhood home.

What a unique pleasure it was to have concealed from myself. This is an early King masterpiece. I had forgotten that he could be this outstanding!

It has compelled me to re-evaluate King. I must re-read his early works that I cherished so much.

And I have to go back and read that small number of books I've missed over the past decades.

Surprisingly, CHRISTINE is one of his finest novels. I believe I would have to rank it among the top 5 or so.

Wow. What a remarkable writer. A 700-page novel that flies by. There's no excess here, as you'll notice in some other King works.

It is a flawless American horror novel. I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Christine is truly Stephen King at his absolute best. I'm not exaggerating in the slightest; it is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite book of his. (And to all the Dark Tower fans out there, please be gentle with me.)

In this captivating tale, Christine is an old Plymouth that Arnie Cunningham decides to purchase and restore. As he works on the car, he gradually becomes 'in love' with it. And as Christine is brought back to life, Arnie undergoes a transformation as well. He becomes darker and starts to exhibit some of the personality traits of Christine's former owner, Roland LeBay.

The other main character in the book is Dennis, Arnie's friend. Dennis witnesses all of these changes unfold. Now, the story might sound a bit silly on the surface, but remember, this is Stephen King we're discussing. The book is deeply character-driven. Arnie's journey is truly incredible to observe. His gradual transformation from a loser/nerd to a smuggler (eventually) is simply mind-blowing.

Dennis is also an interesting character, although perhaps a bit less so than Arnie. The book also serves as a great reference point for anyone who loves a good love triangle. And yes, there are not one, but two love triangles in this story. The first one is the so-called HELL LOVE TRIANGLE: Arnie-Christine-Leigh. The second is the more traditional love triangle: Arnie-Leigh-Denis.

The ending is classic King, and if you've read even just one or two of his books, you'll know exactly what I mean. I truly hope that one day we'll get to see a sequel to this amazing story.

Not my favourite.

King is a talented writer, and he writes well as usual. However, when it comes to the topic of cars, it just doesn't interest me. I find cars to be rather boring.

No matter how hard others might try to convince me otherwise, I simply can't see the appeal. Maybe it's because I'm not into mechanical things or the idea of driving around.

There are so many other things in the world that I find much more fascinating and engaging. While King's writing may be excellent, it can't change my opinion about cars.

Sorry, but that's just the way I feel. I'll stick to my own interests and leave the car enthusiasts to their passion.

At this moment, I understood why people are afraid to grow up - because it means taking off one mask and replacing it with another.

"Christine" is an incredibly powerful and touching story! Of course, the book has a rather interesting horror element - the alluring and dangerous supernatural car called Christine. However, at its core, its plot focuses mainly on the dramatic human relationships. In my opinion, this work reaches the level of the great "It" because in both, the growth of a person as an individual and various complex social problems are touched upon... Stephen King ponders on friendship and love, the relationships between parents and children, school violence, and other significant themes, masterfully telling the nightmarish story of the youth that unfolds in Libertyville during their last year of high school.

Arnie has always been considered a loser in school, and his only friend is Dennis. One day, the two come across a very old and unattractive car that mysteriously attracts Arnie, and he decides at all costs to buy it from the old man LeBay and repair it. Soon his life changes, and he starts arguing with his strict parents, confronting his malicious classmates, and falling in love with Leigh... Meanwhile, Christine is left in Darnell's garage and is restored in an inexplicable way. However, Arnie's happiness turns out to be short-lived because he becomes increasingly malevolently obsessed with his car, and tragic events occur later...

"Maybe that's how lonely people are recognized - they will always invent something to do on rainy days."

"The bad thing was that they approached the question completely rationally. They played a huge role in turning it into what it was. They were too rational to realize it."

"Love is an old brainwasher. It's not blind, but a cannibal with extremely sharp vision. Love is a predatory animal and is always hungry.

- What does it feed on? - I said against my will. My lips moved even though my mind dictated that the whole conversation was senseless.

- With friendship - George LeBay replied. - It feeds on friendship."

I am extremely excited to have completed this book! Future Matthew might look back and question why this is the case. So, for the sake of historical reference, this is the first book I have finished since the Coronavirus panic commenced. It is now Monday, March 30th, and the last time I completed a book was on Saturday, March 14th. Even the remainder of March before that was sluggish because the panic was approaching! I'm quite certain that this is the longest period I have gone without finishing a book since joining Goodreads in 2012. I simply haven't been able to focus on reading at all. Two factors contributed to this one - it was a reread and it was an audiobook.

I do have an affinity for these classic Stephen King novels. This particular one is not my absolute favorite by any means, but it is widely known and truly encapsulates the 80s era of King. I wouldn't recommend anyone to begin their King exploration here, but it's not a bad read if you've already tried a few others. As you may be aware, King has had several demonic automobiles in his works (and even inspired his offspring to follow suit with NOS4A2), but this is where it all started. A reread was a great idea because I had forgotten so much, even some of the major plot points like the fact that the evil car was not so much an inexplicable possession as it was the demon of its former owner, LeBay. I think that overall, it wasn't quite as tightly written as some of his other early books - it dragged in certain parts, which kind of made me think of Firestarter, his lowest-rated early novel for me - but once you get past those dragging parts, it's an exciting ride.

This book may also have the questionable honor of having a movie adaptation that is better than the book. I'm sure there are many who will disagree with me, but the John Carpenter movie is some really great 80s horror cheese. I remember watching this movie repeatedly during my teenage years. If you love the movie, you may not be as fond of the book, or if you thought the book was just average, don't let that prevent you from watching the movie!

Or, if you're fortunate, you'll love both!

It’s time to take a trip down memory lane to an era when payphones were a common sight, engines boasted more than four cylinders, and teenagers would pile into cars to watch movies and engage in amorous activities with the beautiful backdrop of the hills above the city. However, this story is far from being a simple tale of nostalgia and romance. In fact, it’s a dark and twisted journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I was lucky enough to approach this book without having seen the movie or heard much about it. Following in the footsteps of some of my other favorite Stephen King books, Christine offers a thrilling mix of chills, laughs, panic-inducing segments, supernatural occurrences, and a love story. The plot races along at a breakneck pace, offering much more than just a story about a possessed car on a rampage. Christine is like a malevolent force, similar to Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger, with her own agenda and a strange connection to those who lay eyes on her or dare to take a ride. It’s truly creepy, and I was completely hooked from start to finish.

The story begins with two friends driving around the city when they stumble upon a 1958 Plymouth Fury. One of the main characters, Arnie, is immediately drawn to the car and has to have it. As you might expect, once the car is restored and begins to come to life, people start to die. What I found most fascinating was the way the car seemed to have a life of its own and how it influenced those around it. It made me think of friends who become addicted to a particular vice or mindset and refuse to listen to reason, no matter how hard you try to help them. This book delves deep into the psychological and physical breakdown of its characters, and the descriptions of the physical changes that occur as they fall under Christine’s spell are truly terrifying.

As you get deeper into the story, there is a glimmer of hope that shines through, something that King is a master at weaving into his tales. I also loved the investigative aspect of the book, as the characters try to figure out whether Christine is just a car or something much more sinister. The “action” scenes are also well-written, with Christine driving (literally) to take out those who have wronged her. It’s a unique take on the horror genre, and King manages to make it both thrilling and believable.

Now, I do have a few minor gripes. One, I could see where the main character’s love triangle was headed from the beginning. Having had a similar experience myself, I had a hunch about how it would all end. Two, the hamburger scene was a bit of a strange plot device. I understand the need to explain something that happens inside the car, but it just seemed a bit odd to me. Finally, I thought Arnie’s parents were a little too accepting of Christine in the beginning. I would have liked to see a bit more conflict or resistance from them.

Overall, though, I found Christine to be an incredibly captivating read. I would love to hear what my Goodreads buddies think of this book. If you haven’t read it yet or have been putting it off, I highly recommend adding it to your Halloween reading list. You won’t be disappointed.

A story of a loser with a moment of glory, in which the terror of the incomprehensible is felt. But what touches me the most and evokes nostalgia in me is the description of the friendship between the protagonists.

The loser in this story may have faced numerous setbacks and disappointments in life. However, that one instant of glory gives him a taste of something extraordinary. It's a moment that stands out in his otherwise ordinary existence, a moment that makes him feel alive and special.

Amidst the terror and the unknown, the friendship between the protagonists shines through. They support each other, share their fears and hopes, and find strength in each other's company. This friendship is not only a source of comfort but also a driving force that helps them overcome the challenges they face.

The description of this friendship is so vivid and heartfelt that it makes me long for such a connection in my own life. It reminds me of the importance of having true friends who are there for us through thick and thin, who understand us and accept us for who we are.

Overall, this story is not just about a loser's moment of glory or the terror of the incomprehensible. It's also about the power of friendship and how it can transform our lives.

Now I know why I don't like old cars.

They often have a lot of problems and require frequent maintenance. The engines may be noisy and unreliable, and the interiors may be worn out and uncomfortable.

However, there is one exception. I can think of only one old car that I might actually enjoy reading about in a book.

And that is the car in Stephen King's novel "Christine."

King has a way of making even the most ordinary things seem extraordinary, and "Christine" is no exception.

The car takes on a life of its own in the story, and it becomes a character that you can't help but be fascinated by.

Maybe that's why I don't like old cars in real life, but I can enjoy reading about them in a book by Stephen King.