I was thinking whether to give 5 stars after all, because the ending wasn't...satisfactory. I think the problem is that over time I have become a "spoiled" reader, and I wanted the ending to be exactly the way I think it should be - happy. However, when I think about it a little better, such a plot and a painfully dark story about possession could never end completely happily.

To make matters even more difficult, King, at the end through the prologue, also left some kind of "cliffhanger", so the reader somehow remains dissatisfied, but also completely enthralled by the book itself.

Warm recommendations to everyone who loves a really good horror.

This book truly exceeded my expectations. It is a classic work by King.

It presents a coming-of-age story that is interwoven with some genuinely creepy elements.

The narrative takes the reader on a journey through the protagonist's growth and self-discovery, while also keeping them on the edge of their seat with moments of horror and unease.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, I would rate this book a 9/10. It is a must-read for fans of King and anyone who enjoys a good coming-of-age story with a touch of the supernatural.

I predominantly listened to the audiobook which was superbly narrated by Holter Graham. Here and there, I supplemented it by reading the book. I observed that the lyrics at the beginning of each chapter were not incorporated in the audiobook, so I made a conscious effort to read those as well. It is a story that truly had a firm grip on me until the very last word.

Favorite quotes:

“Arnie's eyes - like black water under thin gray March ice. Black water and glee dancing far down within them like the twisting, decomposing body of a drowned man.” This description is so vivid and creepy, it really makes you imagine Arnie's eyes in a disturbing way.

“Don foundered backward, his heart a runaway engine in his chest, his terror a monstrous hot rock in his throat.” The imagery here is powerful, making you feel Don's panic and fear as if it were your own.

“I'd like to go to the library.” I love that Stephen King loves libraries so much that he includes them in his books. It shows his appreciation for the power of knowledge and the magic that can be found within the walls of a library.

“A secret needs two faces to bounce between; a secret needs to see itself in another pair of eyes.” This quote makes you think about the nature of secrets and how they require sharing with someone else in order to truly exist.

Without realizing it, this has become one of my favorites by King.

Why? The idea of a malevolent car, although quite illusory, is very interesting, and Stephen King made good use of this theme.

The fact that Christine, the car, creates the atmosphere of terror for us is, in a certain sense, very novel. The arc that Arnie goes through is well-developed. He doesn't go crazy or evil overnight, and that's something I love.

Leigh is one of my favorite characters. Along with Sadie from 22/11/63, they are my literary crushes. I love them!

The death scenes are amazing, very well done and extremely oppressive, in a good way.

Christine appears on the list of my favorite villains. She shines on her own. She is merciless and controlling, jealous and macabre. Dozens of adjectives can be used to describe her.

At first, I gave it 4 stars because the story gets a bit slow in the second third. But, upon further thought, I don't think I should take away a star for that. Maybe half a star, but you know how it's rated here on Goodreads.

3 Stars

The audio of this particular item was as good as it usually is. It's something that I really appreciate. I already own the old mass market and hardback versions, and I have no intention of getting rid of them. They hold a certain charm and value for me.

Mel

I think this is my 40th King novel and I have just as many left to read, but I’m looking forward to it!

King truly is a master storyteller. His storytelling feels so natural, as if the words just flow effortlessly from his pen. His characters are always vivid, leaping off the page and into your imagination. They all have distinct voices in dialogue, making it easy to distinguish one from another. These are the three areas of his writing that I hope I can learn and emulate in my own writing. I’m not always crazy about his pacing or his endings, but he’s still one of my favorite authors.

Despite the occasional flaws, King’s ability to create engaging stories and memorable characters is truly remarkable. His works have inspired countless readers and writers alike, and his influence can be seen in many different genres. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in the remaining 40 novels. I’m sure they will be just as exciting and thought-provoking as the ones I’ve already read.

In 2019, I embarked on a small solo project of reading King's back catalogue in the order of publication.

I also set a goal for myself to consume one of his books per month, although I haven't been doing very well in achieving this.

I noticed that I devoured his work more in Autumn and Winter than in Spring and Summer.

However, I am determined to catch up, and Christine was my most recent binge-read.

Christine, I believe, is one of King's most notorious works.

It was also my favorite type of King: the kind full of intense, burning suspense that sears through the pages until the dramatic ending.

It features an automobile, and King has the unique ability to transform the ordinary into the eerie and otherworldly.

Freud would surely be proud!

This project has been an interesting journey, and I look forward to continuing to explore King's vast body of work.

Each book offers a new and thrilling experience, and I can't wait to see what the next one has in store.

Whether it's the suspenseful plotlines, the vivid characters, or the unique settings, King's writing always manages to captivate and engage me.

I highly recommend his books to anyone who enjoys a good thriller or horror story.

You won't be disappointed!

Playlist

This playlist is a rich tapestry of musical history, featuring a diverse range of artists and songs.

We start with Shaun Cassidy and his unique sound. Then we move on to classics like "Somethin’ Else" by Eddie Cochran and "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters.

The Beatles' influence is felt with Ringo Starr and songs like "Drive My Car". The Beach Boys also have a strong presence with tracks such as "This Car of Mine" and "Little Deuce Coupe".

Foreigner contributes with "Dirty White Boy" and "Juke Box Heroes", while Chuck Berry brings his rock and roll spirit with "Maybelline" and "No Money Down".

The playlist continues with a variety of other artists and genres, including Bruce Springsteen, Donny and Marie Osmond, John Travolta, and many more.

From the doo-wop of The Everlys to the hard rock of Kiss, there is something for everyone in this playlist.

It's a journey through time and music, a collection that showcases the evolution and diversity of the musical landscape.

Whether you're a fan of classic rock, doo-wop, or something in between, this playlist is sure to have something to please your ears.

I am still making my way through all of Stephen King's books in publication order and this was the next on the list.

This is a bit of an infamous book for King, with a lot of people who really don't like it. However, I actually enjoyed this book a great deal.

It's kind of a slow-burn, and I can understand why some might say it's too long. But I adored the way the characters were developed over the pages. The forging and destruction of relationships added depth and complexity to the story. Stephen King does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of doom and suspense throughout.

There are also some gory moments and rather heavy hitting descriptions of mental health and depression, which took me by surprise. As we read this book, we delve deep into the mind of a troubled boy and those around him. We feel sorry for the main character, Arnie, as we watch him slowly drift away from everyone who ever loved him.

I don't think this book was too long at all, and I certainly don't think it's a bad book. I've never read a book quite like this one, and I think it was rather special. It doesn't get 5 stars from me because I didn't find myself truly rooting for anyone, and I think the ending could have been more spectacular. But overall, it was a really fun read, and it didn't feel like a long book at all.

I truly enjoyed this experience more than I had initially expected to!

At the beginning, I had some doubts and was not entirely sure what to anticipate. However, as I delved into it, I found myself completely immersed and engaged.

The details, the atmosphere, and the overall essence of it all captured my attention and held it firmly. It was a pleasant surprise to discover how much I could get out of this.

Each moment brought something new and interesting, and before I knew it, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. It just goes to show that sometimes, we should be open to new experiences and not be too quick to judge. Because you never know when something might turn out to be far better than you ever thought possible.

I'm really glad I gave this a chance and look forward to more such wonderful surprises in the future.

Christine von Stephen King

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)

Christine was my third book by Stephen King this year, and it also managed to thrill me incredibly. At the beginning, I thought, well, what could be scary about a car? But the way King implemented it, I would sometimes get shivers down my spine.

This is a captivating book that delves into the extraordinary relationship between a man and his car. Stephen King, the master of horror, takes us on a thrilling journey as he explores the depths of this connection.

Normally, when we think of a man and his vehicle, it might involve a few cans of polish to keep it shining, perhaps a camera to capture its beauty, and plenty of bragging rights about our pride and joy. However, in the case of "Christine," this is no ordinary car.

"Christine" is a car with a personality and attitude all its own. It possesses supernatural powers that make it a force to be reckoned with. At first, it may seem like a car to love, but as the story unfolds, we discover its dark side. The car has a tendency to kill everyone the owner knows, and it appears to be virtually indestructible.

After reading about Herby, Christine comes as quite a shock. Poor old Herby would be trembling in his boots in comparison. And as for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, that old classic seems like a non-starter.

This book is perfect for those who believe that their car is much more than just a means of transportation. It serves as a cautionary tale, teaching us to be careful what we wish for.