The Tommyknockers Art
Works / Novels

The Tommyknockers

The Tommyknockers Art

Released

November 1987

Available Format(s)

Hardcover / Paperback / TV Miniseries / DVD

Publisher

G.P. Putnam's & Sons

Writer Bobbi Anderson becomes obsessed with digging up something she's found buried in the woods near her home. With the help of her friend, Jim Gardener, she uncovers an alien spaceship. Though exposure to the Tommyknockers who piloted the alien craft has detrimental effects on residents' health, the people of Haven develop a talent for creating innovative devices under its increasingly malignant influence.

From the Flap

Late last night and the night before,

    Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers,

        knocking at my door.

I want to go out, don't know if I can,

    'cause I'm so afraid

    of the Tommyknocker man.

 

It begins with nothing more frightening than a nursery rhyme; yet in Stephen King's hands it becomes an unforgettable parable of dread, a threat from an unimaginable darkness that drags the practical inhabitants of a New England village into a hell worse than their own most horrible nightmares . . . and yours.

It begins with a writer named Roberta Anderson, looking for firewood in the forest that stretches behind her house. Bobbi stumbles over three inches of metal, which unusually heavy spring runoff has left sticking out of the soil. A logger's beer can, she thinks at first, but "the metal was as solid as mother-rock."

It begins with Bobbi's discovery of the ship in the earth, a ship buried for millions of years, but still vibrating faintly, still humming with some sort of life . . .faint . . . weak . . . but still better left alone.

Bobbi then begins to dig--tentatively at first, then compulsively--and is joined by her old friend (and onetime lover) Jim Gardener. Aided by a weirdly advanced technology, their excavation proceeds apace. And as they uncover more and more of an artifact both familiar and so unbelievable it is almost beyond comprehension, the inhabitants of Haven start to change.

There is the new hot-water heater in Bobbi's basement--a hot-water heater that apparently runs on flashlight batteries. The vengeful housewife who learns of her husband's affair . . . from a picture of Jesus on top of her TV, a picture that begins to talk. Not to mention the ten-year-old magician who makes his little brother disappear . . . for real.

The townspeople of Haven are "becoming"--being welded into one organic, homicidal, and fearsomely brilliant entity in fatal thrall to the Tommyknockers.

In this riveting, nightmarish story, Stephen King has given us his tautest, most terrifying novel to date. And the next time someone raps at your door, you may want to keep the chain on. It just might be the Tommyknocker Man.

Characters

Hide List Show List
Name
Description
Annabelle
Friend of Marty
Annmarie
Girl who Jim Gardener liked when he was 17.
Beaver
Fat boy in the car that gave Jim Gardener a ride back to Haven
Candi
Woman in Gallery magazine read by Pits Barfield
Eileen
Telephone operator who tried to connect Jim Gardener to Bobbi Anderson.
Eric
Pomeranian dog in Dr Etheridge's vet surgery when the dog owned by Mrs Perkins began to bark.
Jack
Young boy in Arcadia beach. He directed Jim Gardener to the Alhambra hotel. His mother was killed in a car crash because she was drunk.
Marty
US Senate Councillor
Muriel
Friend of Jim Gardener who worked at the University
Ozzie
Paulson's pet cat
Pennywise
While Tommy Jacklin is in Derry he sees Pennywise while out buying batteries.
Peter
Bobbi Anderson's beagle dog. He was a gift from Jim Gardener
Sylvia
Aunt of Don Blue
Ted
(The power man) Worked for Bay State Electric and had an argument with Jim Gardener about Nuclear Power
Tony
Nephew of John Leandro
Victor
Brown family cat
Wahwayvokah
Micmac Indian who died in the woods. Called Chief Atlantic
Alden, Mrs.
Worked at Dr Etheridge's veterinary hospital
Allison, Dick
Volunteer Fire Chief in Haven
Amberson, Henry
Forest ranger in Newport. Died when his pacemaker literally exploded out of his chest
Anderson, Anne
Sister of Bobbi
Anderson, Mr.
Father of Anne and Bobbi. Died of a stroke.
Anderson, Paula
Mother of Anne and Bobbi
Anderson, Roberta (Bobbi)
The writer who discovered the Tommyknockers ship. Her books all have a distinct western feel and include "Hangtown", "Rimfire Christmas", "The Long Ride Back", "Massacre Canyon", "Boxing the Compass (A collection of Poems dedicated to James Gardener)". Her partially finished book is called "The Buffalo Soldiers"
Anderson, Vera
Best friend of Eileen Pulsifer, in Derry
Andrews, Poley
Works at Cooders Market where Bobbi got her initial load of batteries.
Applegate, Barney
At Hilly Brown's 10th birthday party. He was scalded by hot coffee
Applegate, Henry
Father of Barney
Arberg, Professor
Host of some of the readings of the Poetry Caravan. Assistant professor of English
Archinbourg, Kyle
Worked on the "Projector" in Haven. Real estate agent
Atlantic, Chief
Micmac Indian who died in the woods. His Indian name was Wahwayvokah
Bailey, Peter
Private pilot who saw the Tommyknockers ship, and then he crashed and died. Neurosurgeon
Bailey, Pooch
Owner of an abandoned hot dog stand
Barfield, Albert (Pits)
Card Shark
Barfield, Duke
Spoke about Preacher Colson.
Barfield, Rudy
Brother of Pits
Barker, Andy
Worked on the projector in Haven.
Barker, Elt
Worked at the Shell Service station - Haven's only one
Berringer, Elinor
Dead wife of Newt
Berringer, Newt
Helped with the search for David Brown
Berringer, Ricky
Brother of Newt. House painter in Bangor
Blue, Don
Derry realtor
Bok, Hannes
Writer in a sci-fi magazine
Borns, Dr.
Worked at the university. Would have been interested in the Tommyknockers ship
Bouchard, Corinne
Sister of Rebecca. Gave her the picture of Jesus that eventually "talked" to her
Bouchard, Rebecca
Maiden name of Rebecca Paulson
Bozeman, Andy
Haven's 'only realtor'.
Bozeman, Ida
Wife of Andy
Brand, Max
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Brennan, Joe
Congressman Friend of Ruth McCausland
Bright, David
Reporter who spoke to Ev Hillman about David Brown's disappearance. He later investigated Haven
Brodksy, ?
Closest neighbors of the Paulsons
Brookline, Hester
Went to get car batteries for Haven. Died on the return trip
Brown, Bryant
Husband of Marie
Brown, David Jonathan
Youngest son of Bryant and Marie. He disappeared during his brothers magic trick
Brown, Hillman Richard (Hilly)
Made his brother disappear during a magic trick.
Brown, Marie
Wife of Bryant and mother of Hillman and David. Married name of Marie Hillman
Buck, Henry (Hank)
Poker playing buddy of Joe Paulson.
Chiles, Delbert
Only plumber in Haven area.
Clarendon, Faith
Gave birth to a child by Preacher Colson. She was married to Paul at the time, but he murdered her and the child
Clarendon, Paul
Husband of Faith. He murdered her and the child she had, then cut his throat with a straight razor. Great uncle of Joe Paulson
Claughtsworth, Bill
Poet who committed suicide with a belt in his closet.
Colson, Bradley
Preacher. He was thought to be the illegitimate son of Albion Cooder.
Colson, Stephanie
Girlfriend of Bobby Tremain
Commager, Henry Steele
Writer
Cooder, Albion
Last Cooder in the area. Committed suicide in 1862
Cooder, George
Brother of Hiram. Opened Hostelry and feed store
Cooder, Hiram
Owned Cooders Tavern and lodging house.
Cooder, Pop
He was after Jim Gardener at Bobbi's at the end of the book.
Crane, Hugh
Owned Montville Plantation. Lieutenant in the Civil War.
Crenshaw, Galen
Son of Eileen
Crenshaw, Mrs.
Sold Avon, friend of Marie Brown
Crowell, Emory
Baptist minister of Ilium, Troy, Etna and Unity.
Cullum, Arlene
Wife of Delbert. Had 6 daughters but was run out of town.
Cullum, Delbert
Mechanic at Elt Barkers Shell garage, but was run out of town for molesting his daughters
Cummings, Ron
Poet friend of Jim Gardener
Daggett, Dr.
Was Peter's vet for the first 10 years of his life. Sold the business to Dr Etheridge
Davidson, Orval
Owner of bloodhounds in Unity
Davies, Robertson
Writer of the Deptford Trilogy. The first one was called "Fifth Business"
Dawson, Smokey
Cleaves Mills police dispatcher
Delaney, Ann
Poet in the caravan that Jim Gardener was in
Dockery, Ezra
Owned the field where Peter Bailey crashed his plane
Dugan, Anthony F. (Monster or Butch)
State Police officer. Was the partner of Ralph McCausland.
Duplissey, Myrtle
Historian who was convinced that Colson was the Illegitimate son of Albion Cooder
Elderly, Bill
Killed a deer
Elfman, Dr.
Hypothermia specialist
Ellender, Tug
Police Dispatcher
Enders, John
Worked at Haven Grammar School
Estabrooke, Charlie
Retired post office
Etheridge, Dr.
Vet who looked after Peter and his shrinking cataract at the Augusta Veterinary Clinic
Fannin, Billy
Owner of a little red wagon that killed Lester Morgan
Fannin, Wendy
Next door neighbor of Ruth McCausland
Fenderson, Molly
Niece of Beach Jernigan
Fenderson, Sherry
Friend of Bobbi Anderson, but cut off the friendship with a letter
Finlay, Virgil
Writer in a sci-fi magazine
Gabbons, Peter (Jingles)
State trooper. Partner of Benton Rhodes. Murdered by Haven
Gaines, Darla
Has some marijuana hidden under her mattress. 17 years old and was sleeping with her boyfriend
Gaines, Mr.
Father of Darla. Worked at Splendid shoes in Derry
Gaines, Mrs.
Mother of Darla. Worked at Splendid shoes in Derry
Gardener, James Eric (Jim or Gard)
Ex-publisher and teacher, and now a poet. Bobbi Anderson's lover, and he was the one who gave Peter (The Dog) to Bobbi. His books include "Grimoire" and one poem was "Leighton Street", dedicated to Bobbi Anderson. He is very much against nuclear power.
Gardener, Nora
Wife of James Gardener. He shot her while drunk.
Garfield, Brian
Western Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Garrick, Frank
Owner of the farm before Bobbi Anderson purchased it. Nutty uncle of Bobbi Anderson
Golden, Eddie
At Hilly Browns 9th birthday party. Cut his leg on barbed wire and got 3 stitches.
Golden, John
Helped in the search for David Brown
Golden, Phil
Got the Tommyknocker air supply in Haven going off the truck batteries
Golden, Queenie
Wife of Phil. Committed suicide
Goohringer, Reverend Lester
Did the service for Ruth McCausland
Gorey, Edward
Artist who was mentioned by Bobbi Anderson
Goudge, Pauline
Friend of Hazel McCready
Greenleaf, Dr.
Hilly Brown's doctor in hospital
Grey, Zane
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Hampton, Hubert
Western Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Haney, Elmer
Husband of Iva.
Haney, Iva
Second married name for Iva Jorgenson
Harley, John
Previous Haven Constable before Ruth McCausland
Harley, Maggie
Wife of John
Harlingen, Abel
Father of Moss. Killed by Moss in a hunting accident. He molested his 2 boys once
Harlingen, Emory
Brother of Moss
Harlingen, Moss
Poker buddy of Joe Paulson. Murdered father Abel in a hunting 'accident'. Owner of Big Ditch Construction company
Harlingen, Mrs.
Wife of Abel. Her brother died and she went to visit the family, leaving her husband with her 2 sons. During this time her husband molested the 2 boys
Hartley, Reverend Donald
Methodist Minister in Ilium and Troy
Haycox, Ernest
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Hillman, Ev
Father of Marie
Hillman, Marie
Maiden name of Marie Brown. Daughter of Ev
Hogan, Ray
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Howell, Robert
Character in Buffalo Soldiers
Hurd, Justin
Neighbor of the Browns. Went crazy and plowed his crop under.
Hutchinson, Early
Had an accident when chasing after Jim Gardner
Jacklin, Mary
Friend of Eileen Pulsifer who lived in Haven. Grandmother of Tommy
Jacklin, Tommy
Went to get the car batteries for Haven, and came back almost dead. Saw Pennywise in Derry, Grandson of Mary
Jernigan, Beach
Ran the Haven Lunch Restaurant. Dismantled Justin Hurds 'earthquake' device.
Jernigan, Hump
14-year-old son of Beach
Jernigan, Stanley
At Hilly Brown's 10th birthday party. Hilly stuck him with a pin during a game of pin the tail on the donkey
Jernigan, Vern
Possibly the real name of Hump. Owned an old Hearst and was doing it up.
Joceylen, Archie
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Jorgenson, Benny
Husband of Iva. Died of a stroke
Jorgenson, Bethie
Daughter of Benny and Iva
Jorgenson, Iva
Wife of Benny. Remarried to become Iva Hannes.
Jorgenson, Richard
Son of Benny and Iva
Kimball, Alice
Lesbian. Teacher at the Haven Grammar School
Klingerman, Dr.
University Lecturer
Kroger, Randy
German who owned Cooters Store
L'Amour, Louis
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Leandro, Georgina
Mother of John
Leandro, John
Worked for the Bangor Daily news. Killed by a coke machine
Lester, Dr.
Hilly Browns doctor in Derry.
Lindley, Christina
17-year-old photographer who helped set up the projector
Mantell, Captain
Air Force captain who flew too close to a UFO and died. It was actually a "Sun Dog" - a reflection of Venus on high clouds.
Marius, Richard
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Marshall, John
Chief Justice. Ruth McCausland had one of his daughter's dolls.
McCardle, Patricia
Organizer of the New England Poetry Caravan that Jim Gardener was touring with
McCausland, Chip
Sold Bobbi Anderson egg crates to hold batteries. Owns quite a number of chickens.
McCausland, Ralph
Husband of Ruth. State trooper. Died of a brain tumour
McCausland, Ruth Arlene
Married name of Ruth Merrill. She was a lawyer who went on to become Haven Town Constable. The great niece of Reverend Hartley. Has a passion for toy dolls
McCready, Delbert
Father of Hazel. Got lost in the Big Injun woods in 1947
McCready, Hazel
Good friend of Ruth McCausland. Daughter of Delbert
McGee, Charlene Roberta. (Charlie)
Although not mentioned by name, the Shop's Virginia installation was burned down by a child, and Charlie did this in Firestarter
McKeen, Adley
Helped with the search for David Brown
McKeen, Christina
Was going to go to the fireworks in Derry with Ruth McCausland
Merrill, Holly
Mother of Ruth
Merrill, John
Father of Ruth, husband of Holly. Died in 1962
Merrill, Ruth Arlene
Daughter of Holly and John. Married to Ralph McCausland
Montgomery, Ellis
The town of Montgomery (was a name of Haven) named after him when he died at Gettysburg
Montgomery, Mrs.
Mother of Ellis. Did not agree to a change in name of Montgomery to Ilium
Moon, Reverend
Mentioned by Bobbi Anderson
Moran, Lester
Textbook salesman who has a steel plate in his head. Very interested in fires and died in the Haven fire
Moran, Mr B.
His dog bit Ruth McCausland when she was collecting for the cancer council
Moss, Freeman
Farmer. Gave Jim Gardener a ride to Bobbi's place
Mudgett, Richard K.F.
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Mumphrey, ?
Man who ran against Ruth McCausland for Haven Town Constable Father of John
Mumphrey, John
Son of the man who ran against Ruth McCausland for Haven Town Constable
Nash, Jay R.
Writer. Bobbi Anderson has some of his books.
Noyes, Mabel
Worked at the Junque-a-Torium
Ochs, Phil
Mentioned by Ron Cummings
Parker, Eddie
Band member who gave Jim Gardener a ride back to town
Paulson, Byron
Only son of Joe and Rebecca.
Paulson, Joe
Bobbi Anderson's Postman. He was cheating on his wife with Nancy Voss. He was the great nephew of Paul Clarendon
Paulson, Rebecca
Married to Joe. She killed him, but realized what she was doing at the last minute and tried to help, but died too
Perkins, Mrs.
Owner of Eric the Pomeranian dog. He bit her.
Perry, Fred
Methodist Church deacon
Peters, Buck
Faked the voice of Ivy Ellander on the police radio
Pulsifer, Eileen
Friend of Georgina Leandro and Mary Jackiln
Ramsey, Dunstable
Character in the Deptford Trilogy
Reynault, Peter
Bangor city news editor
Rhodes, Benton
State trooper. Partner of Peter Gabbons
Richardson, ?
FBI Agent who was shot by CIA agent Spacklin
Richardson, Moose
Saw Ruth McCausland on her way to blow up the tower
Rideout, Andy
Orono Police Officer
Rutledge, Alvin
Grandson of David. Went to Haven for the funeral of Ruth McCausland
Rutledge, Dave
Oldest man in Haven
Ruvall, Ashley
Boy who spoke to Ruth McCausland when she tried to escape Haven
Ruvall, Claudette
Mother of Ashley
Ruvall, Luther
Head selectman in Haven in 1901
Sargent, Pamela
Ladies aid member
Simard, Cora
Midwife when Faith Clarendon had her baby, and was there when she was murdered.
Simard, Irwin
Husband of Cora
Skehan, Rosalie
In the chase to kill Jim Gardiner
Smith, John
Teacher who went into a coma then awoke and tried to shoot Greg Stillson
Spacklin, ?
CIA agent who shot FBI agent Richardson
Spruce, Bill
Brother of Frank
Spruce, Evelyn
Wife of Bill. Had a heart attack
Spruce, Frank
Haven's biggest dairy farmer
Stampnell, Eddie
Police officer from Derry
Stevens, Wallace
Jim Gardener and Run Cummings argued about him
Stillson, Greg
US representative who was shot at by John Smith
Summerfield, Joe
In Haven at Ruth McCausland's funeral
Symington, Jon Evard
Poet in the Caravan that Jim Gardener was with. He won the Boston University Hawthorne Prize his poem "Harbour Dreams 1650-1980".
Tarkington, Jud
Bumped into Hank Buck during the search for David Brown
Thibault, Roscoe
Nancy Vass's mail sorter correctly sorted a letter misaddressed to him.
Thurlow, Albion
Lived a quarter mile away from the Cullum family
Thurlow, Edwina
Young girl who did not like playing with Ruth McCullum's dolls
Thurlow, Norma
Mother of Edwina
Tierney, Jim
Attorney General of Maine, on vacation
Tillets, Madge
Friend of Ruth McCausland
Timms, Miss
Haven town librarian 2 days a week.
Tommyknockers, The
Aliens who built the ship that Bobbi Anderson found.
Torgeson, Andy
Cleaves Mills state police officer
Tremain, Alf
Constable who helped look for the lost Del McCready in the woods
Tremain, Bobby
Boyfriend of Stephanie Colson
Tremain, Casey
Helped with the search for David Brown
Underhill, Mrs.
Hilly Brown's 3rd grade teacher
Voss, Nancy
Worked at the post office. Having an affair with Joe Paulson
Warwick, Dr.
Doctor in Town
Weems, Claudell
Black state trooper in Maine
Wilson, Gahan
Artist who was mentioned by Bobbi Anderson
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