New reader thoughts

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jdt827

Member
Jan 30, 2019
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I just started Revival because I find religion to be horrifying at times. But so far, I'm not very captured. This is the first book I've read by King (so far, I've only read a handful) that is in first person as Jamie and not sure I like that. On a scale of 1 to 10, how dark is this book? I like dark. I really want to find the motivation to forge ahead. Would love any thoughts on this one.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I just started Revival because I find religion to be horrifying at times. But so far, I'm not very captured. This is the first book I've read by King (so far, I've only read a handful) that is in first person as Jamie and not sure I like that. On a scale of 1 to 10, how dark is this book? I like dark. I really want to find the motivation to forge ahead. Would love any thoughts on this one.
I felt this way about Sleeping Beauties (but that was written by two people).

- all I can suggest is to keep trying and maybe you'll get into it, but if not there are a lot of other titles to choose from!
 

RichardX

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2006
1,737
4,434
On a scale of 1 to 10 the darkness factor ramps up to 12. It's right up there with Pet Semetary.

Revival was marketed as a "dark" book along the lines of Pet Sematary and a return to King's horror roots. But I don't really see how this one is any more dark than any other King book. There is tragedy, addiction, and obsession but nothing that marks it as "darker" or "scarier" than most of King's other books in my opinion. It is an odd feeling book. Written in first person, it seemed like almost every sentence began with "I". I think this was supposed to be King's "Frankenstein" like Salem's Lot was his ode to "Dracula" but the story itself was all over the place. None of the characters was particularly likable or interesting. None of the themes about science and religion really hit the mark. Not one of my favorites from King.