If we re-read it now, through today's lens, one thing has become completely clear.

Christine is indeed a YA novel.

Sure, Talisman and parts of The Shining might also have some YA elements, but Christine firmly belongs to the Young Adult territory. We have high school outcasts, a significant number of pages dedicated to sporting events, first love, and the theme of standing up for oneself against what one's parents consider right.

Yes, there is rebellion, jealousy, and an ancient evil possession composed of pure wrath.

In other words, it is another typical YA novel.

Vrrrooom. Vrrrooooooom. Vrrrrrooooooooooooooom!

:)

Seriously, though. King has managed to transform all those sports and car maintenance details into something truly fantastic. Even though I generally have little interest in them, Arnie, Dennis, and Lee made the whole story worthwhile. :)

Oh, and all the music references amazed me during my first read. So, when I was 14, I took the time to explore them all. Of course, there is no need to do that now. But knowing the music makes a significant difference this time. :)

I once witnessed a comedian who made a rather interesting comment. He said that Led Zeppelin could take a simple children's song like “Mary had a little lamb” and transform it into something dark, evil, and threatening. And then, with a fairly decent imitation of Robert Plant, he proceeded to sing that very song in the style of a 70s metal band. It was quite funny.

Similarly, Stephen King has the remarkable ability to tell us about a haunted car and make what might seem like an absurd concept come alive with terror and a menacing darkness. Remember Cujo, his 1981 novel about a rabid dog that terrorizes a town? He managed to expand that idea into a really good book. It's all in the way he tells the story. He leads us down a seemingly ordinary path, which appears normal and uneventful at first. But then, he points out uncommon objects along the way, gradually increasing the creepy factor until, by the end, we are completely hooked – and he is already pulling us out of the water, flailing and scared, believing in his black magic hoodoo.

Christine, King's 1983 tribute to Springsteenesque car culture, is such a story. It's not just about a scary, haunted car; it's also about teenage angst, relationships, and group dynamics. It delves into the themes of winners and losers, the games we play with each other, and how honest we can be with others and ourselves. It explores the distinction between childhood and maturity, between boys and men, and the lines we cross as we grow up. It's about good and evil, right and wrong, obsession and mortality.

King is scary because he describes everyday life, but through a distorted lens, highlighting those aspects of the story that he knows will resonate with us, making us reflect on our own lives, our own souls, and forcing us to ask some uncomfortable questions and accept some difficult truths. Or perhaps it's just about an evil, haunted car, and it's simply fun to read.

In the same year, it was made into a film by John FREAKING! Carpenter, and it has all the right Stephen King elements to make it one of his more entertaining novels.

3.5 Stars.

I am a BIG fan of Stephen King, yet I'm not overly fond of CHRISTINE. Reading a book with 700+ pages, especially one penned by SK, usually doesn't bother me in the slightest. However, CHRISTINE was just too long and too wordy. I was anticipating more wicked deeds compared to the movie.

The storyline is creepy in a good way. There's a possessed red 1958 Plymouth Fury, with her deadlights and "moldering stench", on the prowl seeking justice from anyone who dislikes her. So it's best to stay out of her way.

Besides a feared CHRISTINE, there's a great cast of teen characters, bullies, weird parents, and an evil presence from the beyond to keep things moving along. AND, as in many KING novels, you'll encounter a variety of dark nightmares, hear many a cool oldie from the 50's and 60's, and take a ride to the submarine races. (You're an oldie like me if you remember that one.)

All in all, it's not a favorite (for me), but it's also not bad. It has its strengths in the creepy storyline and interesting characters, but the length and wordiness did detract from the overall experience a bit.

I was initially inclined to award this a four-star rating. After all, it is not without its imperfections. However, I found Christine to be so thoroughly enjoyable that I simply couldn't, in good conscience, give it any less than five stars.

For the past couple of weeks, Libertyville, Pennsylvania, along with Christine, Arnie, and Dennis, have inhabited my mind and dominated my thoughts. When I finally closed the book, I was truly saddened that it had come to an end.

This book offers so much more than just a story about a killer car. Nevertheless, that car has a powerful presence that looms large over every aspect of the narrative.

Five vintage stars, without a doubt. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. It's a captivating tale that combines elements of mystery, horror, and coming-of-age in a truly unique way. If you're a fan of Stephen King's work, or if you simply enjoy a good thriller, then Christine is a must-read.

Reseña

We will encounter the story of Arnie Cunningham, a 17-year-old youth, submissive and characterized as the nerd of the university. One day on his way back home while walking with his friend Dennis, they will come across a vehicle parked in the garden of a residence, a 1958 Plymouth Fury. Arnie immediately falls in love with this particular car, which was in very bad condition. He will be determined to buy it and refurbish it. To his friend Dennis, this seemed crazy, especially seeing the deplorable state of the vehicle.

Arnie will contact the owner of the car, an odious and ill-mannered war veteran, who tells him that the Plymouth has a name, and it is Christine. After a lot of work on Arnie's part, he will manage to buy Christine. But here the worst begins. A series of unfortunate and bloody events will surround his life. People will die, have accidents and disappear from now on. Arnie's obsession with Christine reaches incomprehensible limits. It will change his way of being, his environment and family. For Dennis, Christine is alive and is responsible for all the bad things that are happening, and Christine knows it. That's why she won't allow anyone to get in her way.

Opinión personal

I must say that before reading this story, the plot seemed a bit strange and senseless to me. But the truth is that I was wrong. I came across an extraordinary horror novel. I really liked the atmosphere that King created inspired by the 70s. Christine seems to me a surprising character. It's strange that we are talking about a demonic vehicle, and although it may sound like something far-fetched, I assure you that you will love it. A novel that I thought I wouldn't like and I loved it. It is among my favorite readings of S.K. However, it is not recommended if it is your first King book. It can seem a little heavy at times. Calificación: 4/5

I am truly glad that I drive a normal 2011 Ford Escape which I have affectionately named Winston.

Winston has been a reliable companion on my daily commutes and various adventures. Its sleek design and comfortable interior make every journey a pleasant one.

Despite not being the most luxurious or high-tech vehicle on the road, Winston has its own charm and character. It gets me from point A to point B without any fuss, and I have come to appreciate its simplicity and practicality.

I have many memories associated with Winston, from long road trips with friends to quick runs to the grocery store. It has become a part of my life, and I look forward to many more years of driving and creating new memories with it.

This is an excellent novel and I really loved it.

The character development of Arnie and Denis is very good. Their friendship doesn't seem forced, which is a very distinct feature of King's work - the theme of delving deep into the characters and taking the time to narrate the story. The supernatural elements are very good and at least for me, they generated a certain amount of terror.

Regarding the structure of the book, I thought the introduction was very good as it presents us with the starting point of the characters. The development of the story is quite good, and then comes the excellent and tragic ending.

Of course I recommend it. I didn't think it was a dense book, but it does take time to read it. Perhaps some chapters are a bit long and that makes the reading a little tedious (barely).

If I admitted that I probably enjoyed this more than The Shining – would that amount to sacrilege?

Good Review vs Evil Review

Good Review

There isn’t much I didn’t particularly enjoy about the novel, except perhaps for one or two pacing issues. Then again, the book is only about 500 pages, which is a lot less than some of those other King books. It is incredibly creepy at times, which I found surprising, since the idea of a “haunted car” might seem a bit, well, corny. It’s everything but. In fact, the story is a curious cross between true nostalgia and horror. The musical theme prevalent throughout the novel, with references to songs about cars, was a nice touch. In keeping with the theme, King also incorporates a lot of throwaway references to American muscle cars into the story: “so and so drives a 66 Camaro” and the like. It adds a nice touch of authenticity.

The sympathetic first person narrative of Parts 1 & 3 was striking and I really felt for [name withhold due to spoiler] when things started going awry. “My horror had changed to a deep and terrible sorrow…” I suppose that is really what this novel is about, and Christine is just a vehicle for a bigger story about obsession and possession. Terrible pun, I know, but unintended.

Evil Review

Of course the warning signs were there: the smell of decay every time I opened the book; the fact that the book kept popping up everywhere I went; and then, when my wife told me to choose between her and Christine…

I suppose it is a bit of a problem if you start rooting for the baddie in a horror novel, but the way Christine goes after those shitters varmints is righteous, man!

But seriously though, this is one cool book. It happens to be scary too…

…and there she it is.

My re-telling of the story "Christine" to my sixty-five year old immigrant mother was quite an experience, and here it is for you to enjoy:

Me: "Mom?....are you listening? The story is about a haunted car."

Mom: "A what?"

Me: "A car, mom - the story is about a haunted, evil car that can drive by itself, and it kills people. Because it's haunted."

Mom: "A car can't do that...tell me a car can do that! You'd be lying."

Me: "No, mom, I know a car can't do that, but this one can, and it has killed a ton of people already. There are these two main characters, right, and one guy's name is Arnie and his friend is Dennis - they go to school together..."

Mom: "Oh yea, school is very important! I told your sister the same thing but she was all, "'I do what I want!''. Heh, now look where she is! Fast food....yeesh."

Me: ".....uh...right. So...anyway, this mechanic, Roland D. Lebay, he sells the car whose name is Christine."

Mom: "Oh! Like the movie, right?! Maybe the two are the same!"

Me: ".......yep...mom, the same. Can I finish telling you about the story, it's been almost thirty minutes."

Mom: "Ya, ya go ahead..."

Me: "So Arnie and Dennis are strolling by Lebay's place when he sees a 1958 Plymouth Fury sitting outside all junked out. At first Lebay..."

Mom: "So the car has the devil inside?"

Me: "Yes"

Mom: "Why's it there, who told the car to have the devil? Someone bad?"

At this point I gave up and walked out of the room

This has been, My re-telling of the story "Christine" to my sixty-five year old immigrant mother. Hope you enjoyed.

Rating: 9/10

And, yes, ladies and gentlemen, with "Christine" I have exactly reached the fifty books read of Stephen King. And after finishing its reading, which lasted all four days, I can say that it was a very good choice to celebrate, in a way, the completion of fifty books read of the King of Horror, both because it was an extremely enjoyable and entertaining story, but also because it is one of the... vintage moments of the author.

The truth is that the central idea of the story didn't excite me at all, neither when I bought the book several years ago nor now before starting it: What in the world, a classic car with a soul that kills people and torments them? Where do you come up with these things, dear Stephen? However, whatever insignificant doubts I had, I overcame them quickly, from the moment we are talking about a book of Stephen King. And now that I have completed it and have an overall picture, I regret delaying picking it up for so many years, as it really kept me on the edge of my seat from the first to the last page, while King also managed to write a powerful and realistically presented story, which is based on a crazy idea, if nothing else. How did he do it, he had full control of the story and its characters, he didn't drop the ball. As for the writing, it is of course excellent, extremely easy to read and addictive, with classic and realistic descriptions of scenes, situations and people, with natural and very nice dialogues, as well as with his well-known humor, which I enjoy so much. And, of course, the characters are well-developed and interesting, classic figures that you meet in many of his books.

I must say that King has written many better books than this one, and perhaps if I were more objective I wouldn't give it five stars - since in some parts it was quite verbose (anyway I really like his verbosity) and the book could have been significantly smaller in size without losing anything important - however I had such a great time reading it that I wouldn't want to give it just four stars. So, five from me, since there is no option for four and a half on Goodreads.

The Stephen King Goodreads Discussion Group is embarking on a comprehensive re-read of his works, starting from the very beginning and going all the way to the end. It has been an extended period since I truly immersed myself in Uncle Stevie’s captivating world. However, with a reading rate of one book per month, I am fully committed. My objective is to read and review each work with the utmost honesty and reflection that I am capable of providing.

The background of “Christine” reveals that it was the 16th book penned by King and was originally published in 1983. My over-sized paperback and Kindle both indicate that the novel spans 644 pages.

The plotline commences in the summer of 1978. High school buddies, Dennis Guilder and the nerdy Arnie Cunningham, notice an old, rundown, custom-painted, red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury sitting behind a country house. Arnie is immediately smitten and demands they stop to examine the car. It is love at first sight for him. He manages to convince the owner, an elderly man named Roland Lebay, to sell him “Christine”, the name the owner has given to the dilapidated vehicle. While waiting for Arnie, Dennis finds himself sitting in Christine’s front seat and experiences a terrifying vision of when the car was new twenty years prior, which leaves him scared.

As Arnie’s relationship with Christine develops in strange and dark ways, Dennis’ fears begin to materialize. At first, Arnie seems to change for the better. He gains a newfound confidence, his acne mysteriously disappears, and he even meets a pretty high school transfer student, Leigh Cabot, and starts dating her. However, things soon take a turn for the worse. Arnie’s behaviors become more assertive, and his newfound confidence evolves from self-assurance into outright aggression. Moreover, Christine appears to possess supernatural powers and human characteristics such as jealousy, which manifest in highly destructive ways.

It doesn’t take long for Dennis and Leigh to suspect that there is something amiss with Christine. However, the challenge of separating Arnie from his true love, Christine, seems insurmountable.

My thoughts and reflections on this book are that it is the kind of story that, if described to others, might sound cheesy and almost silly. Yet, King somehow manages to not only make it work but also delivers a modern-day Shakespearian tragedy. He employs an inanimate object, a haunted car, to explore the strengths and weaknesses of crucial life relationships, including true friendship, first love, and family bonds. These are fundamental relationships that we can all relate to, evoking emotional and nostalgic memories.

This is a story about friendship. The friendship between Dennis and Arnie runs deep, having been built on a childhood of bonding and looking out for one another. Dennis is Arnie’s protector and defender. When Christine enters Arnie’s life and replaces Dennis, their friendship is severely strained and tested beyond all reasonable limits. Watching Arnie descend into the dark side truly affects Dennis and forces him to confront how much he is willing to sacrifice in an attempt to save his friend.

This story also delves into the theme of first love. There is Arnie’s love for Christine, his love for Leigh, and Dennis’ love for Leigh. A man’s love for his first car or his first teenage love are significant milestones that we can all identify with. These are memories that rarely fade over time; instead, they become sentimentally rich upon reflection. There is nothing more sentimental than thinking about the first car we owned, its unique smell, and the efforts we put into making it look good. Even more so, our first teenage love brought us both great joy and heartbreak.

Furthermore, this story explores the bonds of family. The relationship between Dennis and his family members is contrasted with that of Arnie and his parents. Dennis is able to openly communicate and discuss his issues with his parents in a trusting manner, while Arnie has been engaged in a passive-resistant game with his mother since childhood. King delves into the realities of parenting and the positive impact that familial support can have on someone facing real difficulties. He shows how family can be a source of strength during dark and scary times.

Other notable points include the fact that this novel was adapted into a film directed by John Carpenter and released in the same year as the book. Additionally, in April 2013, PS Publishing published a 30th Anniversary limited edition.

Overall, it has been over twenty-five years since I last read this book, and I am truly amazed at how well it has withstood the test of time. King has crafted a tightly woven narrative about the power of key foundational relationships. By using a small-town setting, realistic family situations, and a haunted car, he demonstrates that the real horrors in life do not stem from supernatural powers but from the humanity within us when confronted with the fears of loneliness, bullying, and loving others.

This story has really surprised me. It is very good!! I didn't think I was going to enjoy the plot, as it didn't catch my attention much at first.

However, the way everything is unfolding in such a sinister manner, the changes in the characters, the determination and evil of the car itself have really caught my attention.

I am very eager to know what other sinister plan Christine will carry out. The story has a certain charm that makes me unable to put it down.

The author's description is vivid and detailed, making me feel as if I am witnessing everything that is happening in person.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who likes mystery and thriller. It will surely keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want more.