Relectura en 2023.

It is truly remarkable how, even in 2023, this work remains highly engaging and of great value.

Each time one revisits it, new insights and perspectives emerge.

The story still has the power to captivate the reader, drawing them in and making them eager to explore every page.

The characters are vividly portrayed, and their experiences and emotions feel real and relatable.

The plot is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, this relectura in 2023 serves as a reminder of the enduring quality of this piece of literature.

It is a work that will continue to be enjoyed and studied for years to come.

I have read this book several times over the years, starting from when it first came out. Mr. King truly has a remarkable ability to draw you into a story, regardless of how far-fetched the plot may seem, like the titular Christine here, a murderous 58 Fury. What struck me during this rereading is that, considering the main protagonists are teenagers, Christine would likely be marketed as a Young Adult novel today. Additionally, it's interesting to note how King began to overemphasize foreshadowing even at this early stage of his career.

I also really appreciated the setting in Western PA, which is similar to that of his From a Buick 8, another 'killer car' novel of his. I had the pleasure of living in Pittsburgh for a while and absolutely loved it! Another aspect that really stood out this time was that Christine is essentially a novel about obsession, from the original owner of the Fury, LeBay, to Artie. Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed humming along to all the song quotes that adorned each chapter!

Overall, I rate this book 4 stars!

  "Love is old slaughterer. Love is not blind. Love is a canibal with extremely acute vision. Love is insectile, it is always hungry"




I had some doubts about reading Christine. As a big fan of the John Carpenter movie, which was one of the early horror movies I watched with my mom many times, I thought I already knew everything in this story. So I had been postponing reading this one, leaving it until the end of my Stephen King reading. Well, good things come to those who wait, and I was completely wrong.



Christine by Stephen King is absolutely amazing. It is both fun and terrifying, and the book offers a completely different and, in my opinion, better experience than the movie. King develops the characters in great detail, and you really start to care about them. Especially Arnie, who is someone every school nerd can identify with. Yes, I used to be that nerd! What do you mean I still am??? The other main characters are Dennis Guilder (Arnie's best friend and high school hero), Leigh Carbot (Arnie's extremely attractive girlfriend, if you can believe it), and Christine (a 1958 Plymouth Fury, Arnie's true love). The story focuses on the love triangle between Arnie, Leigh, and Christine.








  "If being a kid is about learning how to live, then being a grown-up is about learning how to die."




The great thing about this book is that King takes a ridiculous concept... a killer car (I'm sure that's not a spoiler, everyone knows about Christine by now)... and makes it seem both frightening and real, never once silly. It's a truly remarkable achievement.



The story takes place in Libertyville, Pennsylvania, rather than King's usual setting of Maine. But the story doesn't suffer because King describes the town so vividly and takes you back to 1979. Quite possibly the greatest year in history, as that was the year I was born. King really adds a musical touch, quoting rock and roll songs at the beginning of each chapter, which really enhances the atmosphere and makes you feel like you're riding shotgun with the music blasting.



I've heard some people complain that King switches from first person to third person and then back to first person in the course of this story. But for me, I can completely understand why he does it. The story starts being told by Dennis, which makes it personal and emotional. But the horror scenes need to be told in real time, which would be impossible if the narrator wasn't present. So for me, the switch works, and already knowing that this was going to happen made it easier to adapt to.







So overall, this is a brilliant, top-notch horror novel. The best killer car story out there. An absolute classic. So don't be a slacker, and read this as soon as possible.

**2019 Update**

2019 Update

I’m finally upgrading this one to four stars, y’all. This isn’t deep, meditative King. Christine is greasy and bloated and repetitive and features one of King’s most appallingly bland characters in Leigh Cabot. But damn, the ride is fun. The motor under this story’s hood purrs. Written when King was just becoming a bonafide literary rockstar, this one oozes style and confidence. It shouldn’t work, and it sometimes doesn’t. But I can finally (mostly) overlook this iconic novel’s flaws.

The story takes us on a wild journey with Christine, that mysterious and menacing car. King’s descriptions of the vehicle are vivid, making it almost a character in its own right. We follow Arnie as he becomes increasingly obsessed with Christine, and his transformation is both fascinating and disturbing.

Sure, there are parts that could have been trimmed down. The excessive length sometimes slows the pace. But overall, Christine is a thrilling read that showcases King’s ability to create an engaging and atmospheric story, even when it’s not his most profound work.

Read for ‘ghosts’ in Halloween Bingo.

**2018 Update**

2018 Update

I stand by my 3-star rating. This is King at his greasiest, his most shameless. But what this novel lacks in depth it makes up for in atmosphere. The image of Christine, that scorned lover, roaming the chilly streets of Pittsburgh late at night is amongst King’s most iconic.

The story has its flaws, no doubt. The characters, with the exception of Arnie, are rather one-dimensional. The plot can be predictable at times. But King’s writing style is so captivating that it still manages to draw you in and keep you hooked.

There’s something about the way he describes the relationship between Arnie and Christine that is both eerie and compelling. You can feel Arnie’s descent into madness, and it’s both terrifying and tragic.

While Christine may not be one of King’s best works, it’s still a solid read that will appeal to fans of his horror and thriller genres.

**2016 Review**

2016 Review

Stephen King is a literary giant, and he's my favorite author. He's written some of my all-time favorite novels, like Duma Key and The Dead Zone. But he's also written a few duds along the way. It's understandable, considering he's been writing for over four decades.

In the case of Christine, it's a novel that sits comfortably in the middle of the road. It's not bad, thanks to King's incredible writing skills. But it's not phenomenal either.

This was the novel that made me a Constant Reader years ago, but a reread showed its flaws. The dialogue can be cliched, and the scares aren't as effective as they were the first time around. The story could have been told more concisely, without all the excess fat.

However, there are still some things to like about Christine. King's love of cars and rock and roll is on full display, and it adds a certain charm to the story. The character of Arnie is well-developed, and his descent into obsession and possession is both tragic and believable.

Overall, Christine is a decent novel, but it's not one that I would highly recommend. It's a fun read, but it lacks the depth and complexity of some of King's other works. If you're a die-hard King fan, you might enjoy it. But if you're new to his writing, I would suggest starting with something else.

King connections: Christine shows up in several later novels and stories from King, such as IT and 11/22/63. A fellow in this story bears the last name Trelawney, a name that sometimes pops up throughout King's fiction.

Favorite quote: “Maybe that’s one of the ways you recognize really lonely people... they can always think of something neat to do on rainy days. You can always call them up. They’re always home.”

Up next: I'll either backtrack and cover Different Seasons or go forward with Pet Sematary... stay tuned!

Wow,

On the second read of this, it has just shot up to one of my favourite Stephen Kings. I originally read it after watching the Carpenter Movie, and perhaps that influenced my first perception.
Or maybe it's because I now have a different understanding of what constitutes a great horror novel.

I assume that most people are familiar with the basic premise of Christine, as the idea of her being an evil car has permeated popular culture.

In this novel, we have approximately 250 pages dedicated to character development and scene setting. Well, it can probably be best summarized by a quote from the book:

“He was a Loser you know,” I said. “Every High School has at least two. It’s like a national law. Everybody's dumping ground. Only sometimes…sometimes they find something to hold onto and they survive. Arnie had me. And then he had Christine…Leigh Cabot came later.”

So here we have the fundamental premise that Arnie (the purported owner of Christine, a 1950’s model Plymouth Fury) needs Christine. Despite your discomfort that something is amiss with that car, you almost find yourself on his side, believing he should keep her until things spiral out of control and it's far too late.

This novel truly delves deep into the complex relationship between Arnie and Christine, exploring themes of obsession, power, and the consequences of our actions. Stephen King masterfully crafts a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly wondering what will happen next.

Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or simply looking for a captivating read, Christine is definitely worth checking out. It's a classic that continues to stand the test of time and will surely leave a lasting impression on you.

I'm truly glad that Dennis is alive!

This book was simply filled with an abundance of surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

However, among all the elements, I particularly liked Christine.

The concept of a serial killer in the shape of a car is nothing short of genius.

It added a unique and terrifying twist to the story.

The way the author developed Christine as a character, with its own personality and malevolence, was truly remarkable.

It made me question how something as seemingly inanimate as a car could become such a menacing force.

The story of Christine and Dennis was both thrilling and engaging, and I can't wait to see what other surprises this author has in store for us.

Fans of the Netflix series Stranger Things who might be unaware of how freely the creators sampled '80s pop culture - right down to the title font - need look no further than three novels by Stephen King. One I've read (Firestarter), one I'm reading this month (It), and one I'll review now. Published in 1983 - the same year that Stranger Things takes place - Christine is an often haunting and at times bittersweet tale about growing up.

Specifically, it's about that time when adulthood threatens to detour cherished friendships and careen others off Dead Man's Curve. Coincidentally, this tale includes an antique car possessed by evil.

The story unfolds through the fall of 1978 and into a bitter New Year in the fictional town of Libertyville, Pennsylvania. Christine is divided into three parts, with the first and third narrated by Dennis Guilder, a twenty-two-year-old reflecting on his tragic senior year of high school. Dennis, the captain of the football and baseball teams and an All-Conference swimmer, is best friends with Arnie Cunningham. A childhood friend, Arnie's road takes a detour into oily skin, chess, and derision by many of their peers.

The meek only child of two academics at Horlicks University, Arnie takes a bold but troubling step toward adulthood while cruising with Dennis in his '75 Plymouth Duster. Arnie falls in love at first sight with a 1958 Plymouth Fury he spots rusting in a yard. Dennis sees only a lemon but is unable to convince his friend to walk away from it.

With a nest egg built from his summer job with the Penn-DOT on a road crew, Arnie leaves a cash deposit with the car's owner, a nefarious coot named Roland D. LeBay. The old timer refers to the junker as "Christine." Believing his friend is being suckered, Dennis is taken aback by how enamored Arnie - a gifted machinist who has never owned his own wheels - is of the red and white street rod, which he begins calling Christine. Dennis is certain that Arnie's parents, particularly his controlling mother, will scotch the deal.

However, things don't go as Dennis expects. After witnessing Arnie fire the first shot in a rebellion against his parents, Dennis grows wary of Christine. Returning with Arnie to purchase the rustbucket from LeBay, Dennis climbs behind the wheel and has a strange experience. He suddenly finds himself not wanting to walk in front of the car. Watching Arnie drive away in it, Dennis witnesses LeBay break down in tears.

As the story progresses, Dennis begins having bad dreams about Christine. He also learns some troubling things about Roland LeBay and the car's history. Meanwhile, Arnie's transformation is paralleled by the resurrection of Christine. He becomes hostile to any attempts to separate him from the car, and his relationship with his parents and friends deteriorates.

Leigh, who loves Arnie but is spooked by his obsession with Christine, is saved from choking to death in the car only by a hitchhiker. Presenting him with an ultimatum, Arnie chooses Christine over Leigh. Laid up in the hospital with a broken leg, Dennis bonds with Leigh over the disturbing changes they've both recognized in Arnie.

Together, they connect the tragedy of Roland LeBay and the deaths in their town to Christine. They also become romantically involved, but they're wary that anyone Arnie is angry with has met a gruesome end on the road. When he does find out, the teenage lovers have only one recourse.

The conceit of a 1958 Plymouth cruising the streets of America with a corpse at the wheel might seem laughable, but what makes Christine a fantastic novel is King's ability to create complex characters who are forced to confront their own inner demons.

I notice more elements that keep drawing me back to King's work. There's the change of seasons, the role of road conditions in the story, and the bittersweet taste of innocence being lost. I feel myself becoming emotionally attached to the characters and invested in their fates.

As with some of King's longer novels, Christine took me over a week to finish, but it was a journey worth taking. The pleasure of delayed gratification was wonderfully present, and I found myself immersed in the world King had created.

The movie adaptation of Christine, directed by John Carpenter, features Keith Gordon as Arnie, John Stockwell as Dennis, and Alexandra Paul as Leigh. While the movie lacks the teenage angst and desolate winter of the novel, it does have some great performances and a memorable soundtrack by George Thorogood and The Destroyers.

I truly like this book a great deal. It is an amazing horror story filled with numerous twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The level of suspense is extremely high, and I lost count of how many times my jaw dropped in astonishment from what I read. One of the prominent themes in this story is obsession. The characters' obsessions drive the plot and add an extra layer of intensity. Friendship is also a significant theme, as the relationships between the characters are tested and explored. This cult classic really lives up to all the hype surrounding it. It has a unique charm and atmosphere that draw you in and keep you engaged until the very end. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly love this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and thought-provoking horror story.

It is a must-read for fans of the genre and will leave a lasting impression.

Arnie Cunningham is not a popular kid. In fact, he's the polar opposite. He's your typical awkward, pizza-faced goon that you went to high school with. He's probably a nice guy, but not one you'd be caught dead talking to. After all, you have a reputation to maintain. You know exactly who I'm referring to. We all had at least one such person in our high school days.

Arnie has at least one friend, Dennis Guilder, who he's had since childhood. One day, while driving home from their summer job, Arnie first lays eyes on the 1958 Plymouth Fury. To say he was excited would be a vast understatement. Arnie insists on going back to see the car and find out how much it's being sold for. Dennis, rolling his eyes in exasperation, reluctantly agrees to take Arnie back. Dennis begs Arnie not to buy the car, but Arnie is completely smitten. He just has to have the car. Can't Dennis see what a beautiful specimen she is? And did you hear what the owner called her? He named his car Christine, Dennis! Arnie is head over heels in love with Christine.

Shortly after Arnie purchases the car, strange things start to occur. He's constantly arguing with his parents. Miraculously, his skin is clearing up, looking less and less like a pepperoni pizza. In fact, he almost looks good. And what's this about the new girl, Leigh Cabot, talking to him? Arnie never talks to girls, let alone the prettiest girl in the whole school!
But what really puzzles Dennis is how all these improvements keep being made to the car. Arnie surely doesn't have that kind of money lying around. He most definitely doesn't have the spare time to get all that body work done after school and before bed. And why is he doing these improvements in such an odd order?
These are all questions that keep getting pushed to the back of Dennis' mind, but at the same time, they're keeping him up at night. He just can't seem to figure it all out. But when the people who have been giving Arnie and his car a hard time start turning up dead, these questions suddenly push to the front of his mind. Is it possible that Arnie, with his newfound confidence, is responsible for killing these people? Or could it be that the car is...possessed?
No, surely not. That's just some strange science fiction nonsense. It couldn't happen in real life. At least that's what Dennis and Leigh think.
While this wasn't my favorite Stephen King book, it was still a decent read. It was made even more enjoyable by reading it with my favorite pantsless friends. I think it could have been better if it had been told from a different point of view. And perhaps even better still if King hadn't lost the plot along the way. It's kind of a chicken and the egg situation where you don't really know who or what is being possessed by whom or what. But I was able to make do with what I was given and I did enjoy the scenes where Christine made hamburger meat out of her enemies.

This, for me, is my favourite early King. It is one of the few stand-out stories about 1950s cars, similar to Cujo or Pet Cemetery, but with a special charm of its own.

It is a vintage book about a vintage car, with a rock n roll theme. The subject matter is impossible, yet it is presented in a fantastic way.

John Carpenter did a great movie adaptation of the book. Unlike a lot of movies that spoil the original, this one did not. Maybe that has helped me retain my memory of this book. But at 24 years old, this was a book that I truly loved.

The story of the car and its owner is filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural. It takes the reader on a thrilling ride through the 1950s, with all its glitz and glamour.

The characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging, making it a page-turner from start to finish. Whether you're a fan of Stephen King or just love a good story about a classic car, this book is definitely worth a read.

3.5 stars.

This isn't my favorite Stephen King work, but it's not the worst either.

I truly liked the haunting aspects that are not present in the movie. The character of LeBay, his family, and so on added an extra layer of creepiness.

I'm fine with not knowing exactly how Christine came to be alive. It leaves room for the imagination.

I listened to the audio book, and the narrator did an outstanding job with the voices.

Arnie's voice was especially well done, bringing the character to life in a vivid way.

Overall, while it may not be at the top of my Stephen King favorites list, it still has its merits and is worth a read or listen.

Lightning McQueen > Christine

Lightning McQueen is a famous and beloved character in the world of animated movies. He is a sleek and speedy race car with a charming personality. McQueen is known for his determination, competitiveness, and his ability to overcome obstacles. He has captured the hearts of audiences of all ages with his adventures and growth throughout the Cars franchise.

On the other hand, Christine is a fictional car from a horror story. She is a possessed Plymouth Fury that brings terror and destruction wherever she goes. While Christine may have a certain allure for fans of the horror genre, she cannot compare to the popularity and positive qualities of Lightning McQueen.

In conclusion, Lightning McQueen is clearly the superior character. He represents the values of hard work, friendship, and perseverance, while Christine is associated with fear and evil.

Whether you're a child or an adult, there's no denying the appeal of Lightning McQueen and his exciting world of racing.

So, the next time you're comparing these two cars, remember that Lightning McQueen is the one that truly shines.