"Gerald's Game" -- what I didn't like

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
This actually was an incredible book in many ways, although as some have said, it is difficult to call this one a favorite (even though this is one of the best premises ever).

I haven't looked at it in a while, but I do recall that I did not like the intruder in the room and I absolutely did not like the long denouement which, if I recall, explained what happened after she survived the cabin ordeal and something about her following the court case of Joubert. This was written in epistolary form, I think.

I did love the passage with the dog's point of view. Without a doubt, that bit showed off King's immense writing skills.

Instead of having a real lunatic in the room, maybe something else could have invaded her space. A bat that might be rabid, maybe hornets start building a nest in her room, whatever (as far as I can recall, nothing like that happened, although maybe my subconscious is remembering things I thought he didn't write).

Actually, that might have been cool...imagine if the story had been about Jesse being put in that position purposely and whoever put her there brings a queen hornet in the room to begin a nest (and then you can guess the rest).

Nevertheless, the way King did it was very interesting. Again, one of his best setups.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
This actually was an incredible book in many ways, although as some have said, it is difficult to call this one a favorite (even though this is one of the best premises ever).

I haven't looked at it in a while, but I do recall that I did not like the intruder in the room and I absolutely did not like the long denouement which, if I recall, explained what happened after she survived the cabin ordeal and something about her following the court case of Joubert. This was written in epistolary form, I think.

I did love the passage with the dog's point of view. Without a doubt, that bit showed off King's immense writing skills.

Instead of having a real lunatic in the room, maybe something else could have invaded her space. A bat that might be rabid, maybe hornets start building a nest in her room, whatever (as far as I can recall, nothing like that happened, although maybe my subconscious is remembering things I thought he didn't write).

Actually, that might have been cool...imagine if the story had been about Jesse being put in that position purposely and whoever put her there brings a queen hornet in the room to begin a nest (and then you can guess the rest).

Nevertheless, the way King did it was very interesting. Again, one of his best setups.
...ok, the bat was done in Cujo...hornets in The Shining...no need for him to be derivative, plus I thought the "creep" factor was well handled...try reading it again, and see if your opinion remains the same...
 

Autumn Gust

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2012
3,360
15,346
I thought the person in the room was pretty terrifying. Just think about it.. tied down with absolutely no means of escape and completely at the mercy of an evil being… I like the way Mr. King handled that situation; his writing was subtle and left a lot to the imagination. Different readers will take away different impressions from it. I've always pictured the guy as a combination of Boo Radley and Freddy Krueger.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
I thought the person in the room was pretty terrifying. Just think about it.. tied down with absolutely no means of escape and completely at the mercy of an evil being… I like the way Mr. King handled that situation; his writing was subtle and left a lot to the imagination. Different readers will take away different impressions from it. I've always pictured the guy as a combination of Boo Radley and Freddy Krueger.
...gotta admit, had to Google Boo Radley...
boo.jpg
...I have never read the book, nor seen the movie...I know, I know-I'm a heretic....