My thoughts and opinions

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

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
An unusual novel for Mr. King in that it's short and fast moving. Very little in the way of extensive backgrounds of the characters (we never really learn all that much about Tom for example) or the towns and areas that the characters inhabit.

To me it feels like Mr. King was writing a graphic novel without the illustrations. The fact that his main protagonist Clay writes and illustrates graphic novels is no coincidence. However it isn't a complete change from his way of writing. There is the wise older character, the helpful and sympathetic cop,the precocious teenager (actually Jordan is more of a Tween),that strange obsession with bodily functions, some Richard Bachman style violence, a little black humor and the State of Maine. It's just leaner and faster.

Actually ,now that I think about it, this work is more like a Bachman novel in many ways. It's also a bit of a scree about cell phones and our wired (now that can ge changed to wireless) society in general. I suppose Mr. King is being somewhat curmudgeonly, but that's okay. Many horror stories are thinly veiled criticisms of society and "Cell" is no exception.

Perhaps it's inevitable that "Cell" should be compared to "The Stand" and I am going to go there as well. "The Stand" has a sense of optimism, the Christian elements and the supernatural aspects. It's a struggle between Good and Evil (capital letters are intentional) while "Cell" is more about a story of survival. Neither side is really better or worse than the other, but there is no room for co-existence. As Clay observes, "Survival is like love. Both are blind." All I can say is that "The Stand" was written by a younger Stephen King in the mid-seventies. "Cell" was written by King in his late fifties in the early 21st century. To say that he and the country have changed during the thirty years between the two novels is an understatement.

The story works. Yes there are a few weak points. I know that many are bothered that there is no explanation for who is responsible for the Pulse. Inevitably there are critics who voice displeasure that King doesn't tell us what is happening in the rest of the world (like they did with "The Stand") and accuse him of being chauvinistic in his world view.The ending of the book also angers people or puzzles them. However it wouldn't be a Stephen King novel if the ending didn't cause some type of ripple.

I know that others don't like the telepathy and finally there are those who seem to be angered by the fact that King has written a zombie novel - evidently a genre that he is not allowed to touch. Well for all, but the latter criticism, all I can offer is a shrug and say that it's Mr. King's book. He can do what he wants. As far as the anger over King venturing into the zombie field....well read "Home Delivery" in the short story anthology "Nightmares & Dreamscapes". This isn't the first time Mr. King has written a zombie story and it probably won't be the last.

In conclusion "Cell" is readable and it holds your interest. It isn't perfect, but it works. Considering that I paid a dollar for my copy I'm okay with that.
 

PatInTheHat

GOOBER MEMBER
Dec 19, 2007
13,362
12,037
63
Lair of the Great Kentucky Nightcrawler
Held my interest it did, but ah, the ending, yes indeed, the ending.
As I recall, I chucked my copy across the room just as hard as I could, and I really ain't no big need for closure kinda guy:biggrin2:...oh man was I frustrated, infuriated even, but a sizable emotional response I reckon, is a good indication one gets one's monies worth, I mean they ain'ts no bidness likes showbidness, I got my ducats worth:thumbs_up:
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
An unusual novel for Mr. King in that it's short and fast moving. Very little in the way of extensive backgrounds of the characters (we never really learn all that much about Tom for example) or the towns and areas that the characters inhabit.

To me it feels like Mr. King was writing a graphic novel without the illustrations. The fact that his main protagonist Clay writes and illustrates graphic novels is no coincidence. However it isn't a complete change from his way of writing. There is the wise older character, the helpful and sympathetic cop,the precocious teenager (actually Jordan is more of a Tween),that strange obsession with bodily functions, some Richard Bachman style violence, a little black humor and the State of Maine. It's just leaner and faster.

Actually ,now that I think about it, this work is more like a Bachman novel in many ways. It's also a bit of a scree about cell phones and our wired (now that can ge changed to wireless) society in general. I suppose Mr. King is being somewhat curmudgeonly, but that's okay. Many horror stories are thinly veiled criticisms of society and "Cell" is no exception.

Perhaps it's inevitable that "Cell" should be compared to "The Stand" and I am going to go there as well. "The Stand" has a sense of optimism, the Christian elements and the supernatural aspects. It's a struggle between Good and Evil (capital letters are intentional) while "Cell" is more about a story of survival. Neither side is really better or worse than the other, but there is no room for co-existence. As Clay observes, "Survival is like love. Both are blind." All I can say is that "The Stand" was written by a younger Stephen King in the mid-seventies. "Cell" was written by King in his late fifties in the early 21st century. To say that he and the country have changed during the thirty years between the two novels is an understatement.

The story works. Yes there are a few weak points. I know that many are bothered that there is no explanation for who is responsible for the Pulse. Inevitably there are critics who voice displeasure that King doesn't tell us what is happening in the rest of the world (like they did with "The Stand") and accuse him of being chauvinistic in his world view.The ending of the book also angers people or puzzles them. However it wouldn't be a Stephen King novel if the ending didn't cause some type of ripple.

I know that others don't like the telepathy and finally there are those who seem to be angered by the fact that King has written a zombie novel - evidently a genre that he is not allowed to touch. Well for all, but the latter criticism, all I can offer is a shrug and say that it's Mr. King's book. He can do what he wants. As far as the anger over King venturing into the zombie field....well read "Home Delivery" in the short story anthology "Nightmares & Dreamscapes". This isn't the first time Mr. King has written a zombie story and it probably won't be the last.

In conclusion "Cell" is readable and it holds your interest. It isn't perfect, but it works. Considering that I paid a dollar for my copy I'm okay with that.
I just woke up - (it's Canada Day and I get the day off!) - anyway, I thought the title of your post was:
"My thoughts and onions"
:cool-new::glee::baffle:
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
SK response to the ending of Cell

12:41pm March 24th, 2006:
Regarding Cell...
CELL SPOILER: "Based on the information given in the final third of Cell—I’m thinking about the reversion back toward the norm of the later phone crazies—it seems pretty obvious to me that things turned out well for Clay’s son, Johnny. I don’t need to tell you this, do I?”

-Steve
 

Ragan

Free-Zone Committee Reject
Aug 3, 2011
620
963
Idaho
I really liked the book, read it the day it came out. I didn't mind the ending, and I think there was a note on this site about it. I liked the ambiguity.

Of course, I also don't trust cell phones in general and never have, so maybe the story connected with me on that level.
 

Checkman

Getting older and balder
May 9, 2007
902
1,989
Idaho
I really liked the book, read it the day it came out. I didn't mind the ending, and I think there was a note on this site about it. I liked the ambiguity.

Of course, I also don't trust cell phones in general and never have, so maybe the story connected with me on that level.

I'm not a huge fan of cell phones either. I knowledge their usefulness (I'm not a Luddite), but I don't like they way they've taken over. I especially don't like having people looking down at their smart phone and texting away when I'm trying to have an actual conversation with them. Guess that makes me a curmudgeon.
 

César Hernández-Meraz

Wants to be Nick, ends up as Larry
May 19, 2015
605
4,416
44
Aguascalientes, Mexico
Exactly. It's done a lot to eye contact, and it's disrespectful not to look at and acknowledge the person you're talking to. At least that how I feel.

I may agree on the not seeming to care about the person they talk to when they seem more interested on their phones, but I disagree on the lack of eye contact being disrespectful.

And this is coming from the acknowledgement that there are people for whom eye contact is very difficult. Expecting them to make eye contact just because others (a majority) want it is not fair.

Of course, that does not apply to everyone else who is avoiding eye contact just because they would rather play with their phones. =D
 

80sFan

Just one more chapter...
Jul 14, 2015
2,997
16,167
Pennsylvania
SK response to the ending of Cell

12:41pm March 24th, 2006:
Regarding Cell...
CELL SPOILER: "Based on the information given in the final third of Cell—I’m thinking about the reversion back toward the norm of the later phone crazies—it seems pretty obvious to me that things turned out well for Clay’s son, Johnny. I don’t need to tell you this, do I?”

-Steve

I'm so glad I read this. "Cell" was not one of my SK faves, but I cried my eyes out over that ending.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I may agree on the not seeming to care about the person they talk to when they seem more interested on their phones, but I disagree on the lack of eye contact being disrespectful.

And this is coming from the acknowledgement that there are people for whom eye contact is very difficult. Expecting them to make eye contact just because others (a majority) want it is not fair.

Of course, that does not apply to everyone else who is avoiding eye contact just because they would rather play with their phones. =D
I think if you are uncomfortable (not meaning "you" personally, just anyone who is) with eye contact, you will have a difficult time in a job interview.

It made me uncomfortable at one time, so I forced myself to become better at it - just something employers will take into consideration.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skimom2

César Hernández-Meraz

Wants to be Nick, ends up as Larry
May 19, 2015
605
4,416
44
Aguascalientes, Mexico
I think if you are uncomfortable (not meaning "you" personally, just anyone who is) with eye contact, you will have a difficult time in a job interview.

That is very true, which is also unfair to people who may be like this in a high degree, but who are actually the perfect choice for a position. Just because sourcing people may expect eye contact, not only as part of their role, but also personally. :a17:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Neesy and skimom2

paper_is_sweet

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2009
261
967
42
Baltimore, MD
That is very true, which is also unfair to people who may be like this in a high degree, but who are actually the perfect choice for a position. Just because sourcing people may expect eye contact, not only as part of their role, but also personally. :a17:
It's amazing how much looking at eyebrows looks like looking at eyeballs.
#TeacherTricks
 
  • Like
Reactions: mal and Neesy