Just finished, My impressions

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

William8675309

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2018
106
476
56
I read the Talisman many years ago and enjoyed it very much. the concept of Jack Sawyer on a quest to save his mother, his ability to flip into the territories and his adventures along the way left a good impression of Mr King and his books. Knowing Black House was available but having not read it, i re-read the Talisman first to refresh my memory as to the events in the first book then, on to Black House.

I was put off by the book initially. The character of Jack doesnt appear for multiple chapters and hundreds of pages (maybe not hundreds, but quite a few). Having just re-read Talisman I was eager to find out what happend after and was dissapointed that there were so few answers. I disagree with the authors approach to Jack and his rather mundane chosen career. It seems to me that after an adventure like to one he had and being exposed to what he was that he should have become a Senator or President, something worth of his experiences and talents. I have nothing against the police by the way or the vital work they do, but Jack was described and being special due to this time in the territories and should have remade the world, not solved crimes in LA. No metion of Wolf, His mother's fate, Richard other than in passing. I wanted reunions and felt cheated. I understand Lily's fate is mentioned in Tommyknockers but when I read that I had'nt read the Talisman. After getting past my irritation and expectations I looked at the story as a simple detective tale with some supernatural elements I was familiar with and was able to enjoy it. I do hope there is a third story and that it can better meet some of the expectations I had going into the Black House.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
....I say "Welcome"....also, while I understand the want and desire from readers to have all their questions answered-I think it disrespects the author, he or she is giving you a tale, one that they fleshed out to their own satisfaction and then left it up to our imaginations to concoct the remainder......there would be no reason for books, if everything were tied up in a neat little bow.....
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Hi and welcome. Just as in real life, characters in books do not always take the path others would chose for them. The author of any book guides us on their path, what their muse spoke to them. I completely enjoyed Black House. If and when the third book is published, may I suggest you approach it with open mind. Sit back, read and enjoy the escape into the author's world.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
Welcome. I have to disagree with you about Jack's profession. We all make a difference in our own way. It doesn't have to be on a big stage to be important. I actually read Black House way after Talisman and had to re read Talisman for it to make sense. On it's own Black House was so good, but the two together put it on another level.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I read the Talisman many years ago and enjoyed it very much. the concept of Jack Sawyer on a quest to save his mother, his ability to flip into the territories and his adventures along the way left a good impression of Mr King and his books. Knowing Black House was available but having not read it, i re-read the Talisman first to refresh my memory as to the events in the first book then, on to Black House.

I was put off by the book initially. The character of Jack doesnt appear for multiple chapters and hundreds of pages (maybe not hundreds, but quite a few). Having just re-read Talisman I was eager to find out what happend after and was dissapointed that there were so few answers. I disagree with the authors approach to Jack and his rather mundane chosen career. It seems to me that after an adventure like to one he had and being exposed to what he was that he should have become a Senator or President, something worth of his experiences and talents. I have nothing against the police by the way or the vital work they do, but Jack was described and being special due to this time in the territories and should have remade the world, not solved crimes in LA. No metion of Wolf, His mother's fate, Richard other than in passing. I wanted reunions and felt cheated. I understand Lily's fate is mentioned in Tommyknockers but when I read that I had'nt read the Talisman. After getting past my irritation and expectations I looked at the story as a simple detective tale with some supernatural elements I was familiar with and was able to enjoy it. I do hope there is a third story and that it can better meet some of the expectations I had going into the Black House.
I'm a bit late, but Welcome to the SKMB!

11-22-63 Welcome.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: GNTLGNT