Revival...do NOT open unless finished book! *SPOILERS*

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cat in a bag

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Aug 28, 2010
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I have a question about Revival that i would like an opinion on. I loved the book but it was one thing i'm not sure i totally got. When the ending at Skytop takes place but then there is the aftermath. The Revs cures going mad and killing themslves and some others. But Jamie is basically OK. He has the talks with the psychiatris, true but he never even has urges to do things like all the other cured did. The only difference between him and them is that he was there, at the Skytop, when it happened. But i don't see why that should save him from any urges to kill, commit suicide or become really mentally ill (like his brother). Has i got it totally wrong? Did i miss something or whatam i overlooking? Opinions, Please!!!

Jamie was "hearing" voices and things, at the very end, and he was sure it was starting to affect him like the others who had committed suicide. The last sentence was him saying he would be seeing Mother very soon.
 

cat in a bag

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Aug 28, 2010
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wyoming
For me, the accident at the beginning and the Terrible Sermon were almost worse (scarier, but just) than the reveal at the end. I was there, in that little church, listening to Charlie rail against faith, belief, and a higher power. I was squirming around, very uncomfortable. Thinking, please don't say those things, (and I was thinking of SK, more than Charlie) you'll be damned! My upbringing coming into play.

The ending did put me in a funk for a while and I did have to tell myself it is fiction, for crying out loud. That's not really what happens.

I did think all the electricity was to bring back the wife and little boy, so finding out that Charlie only wanted to see where they ended up, what is on the other side was a surprise to me, too.

Very good book, extremely dark and uncomfortable, just as promised!
 

~Ally~

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2008
10,095
3,626
I have a question about Revival that i would like an opinion on. I loved the book but it was one thing i'm not sure i totally got. When the ending at Skytop takes place but then there is the aftermath. The Revs cures going mad and killing themslves and some others. But Jamie is basically OK. He has the talks with the psychiatris, true but he never even has urges to do things like all the other cured did. The only difference between him and them is that he was there, at the Skytop, when it happened. But i don't see why that should save him from any urges to kill, commit suicide or become really mentally ill (like his brother). Has i got it totally wrong? Did i miss something or whatam i overlooking? Opinions, Please!!!

Yeh I wondered about that too, and figured luckily Jamie had that extra awareness of what was happening so was able to resist committing these "insane" acts by seeking professional help quickly, and this ongoing support assisted him in ignoring the urges. He is clearly tormented by the other side though, and does hear the voices trying to push him over the edge, but having already seen what is waiting to greet him there he will continue to visit the psychiatrist in hope of holding the temptation to "check out early" at bay for as long as possible. If that makes sense!
 

Kurben

The Fool on the Hill
Apr 12, 2014
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Yeh I wondered about that too, and figured luckily Jamie had that extra awareness of what was happening so was able to resist committing these "insane" acts by seeking professional help quickly, and this ongoing support assisted him in ignoring the urges. He is clearly tormented by the other side though, and does hear the voices trying to push him over the edge, but having already seen what is waiting to greet him there he will continue to visit the psychiatrist in hope of holding the temptation to "check out early" at bay for as long as possible. If that makes sense!
More so than any scenario i thought about. Thanks!
 

AchtungBaby

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Dec 5, 2011
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15,540
I'm getting very annoyed with people saying the book "drags on".....what? Do they want scares constantly, on every page? What's the fun in that? King's strength is creating characters we care deeply about. He never has, not will he ever write a slasher gasher and call it done.

Sigh. I just wish people had patience these days.
 

~Ally~

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Nov 11, 2008
10,095
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I'm getting very annoyed with people saying the book "drags on".....what? Do they want scares constantly, on every page? What's the fun in that? King's strength is creating characters we care deeply about. He never has, not will he ever write a slasher gasher and call it done.

Sigh. I just wish people had patience these days.

Unfortunately too many people expect a quick fix in many areas, instead of strong character development they would rather have the shock horror effect. It's the same with movies, for me a scary movie is something psychological that makes you think, and gets inside your head...not blood and gore just for the sake of a cheap scare! Ah well, if they think this "drags on" they want to try reading something the size of The Stand or UTD. :biggrin2:
 
Mar 12, 2010
6,538
29,004
Texas
I finished Revival yesterday. I enjoyed it. It's so early after release, I don't really want to say too much. One thing I will mention is this: Maybe it's just blatantly obvious to some, but I found it a nice subtle reference that the maiden name of the Mary character's mother was Shelley. Nice touch SK, especially given that character's role in the story.

I was wondering why SK didn't include Mary Shelly on the dedication page and then I got to the page you speak of. I liked the special shout-out too :)
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
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I loved it. This novel has got so many layers that I can re-read it and find something new next time. He really outdid himself with the characters in this one. I love this quote from SK (from a review on oregonian.com that quotes the Bangor Daily News)

King, a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan, says "Revival" is a scorching fastball high and inside. "I've found in my later years, a lot more I've had to go to the slider and the change-up," he told the Bangor Daily News, his hometown paper. "But I can still bring it when I have to. I'm old, but I'm not dead. So I can still wind up and fire."
 

~Ally~

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Nov 11, 2008
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Was mother a spider???

I'm not sure if it was a spider or not, the only real description of the creature was its leg being covered with tufts of spiny fur, and a claw made up of human faces. That sequence did make me think of IT and
the deadlights, especially since Jamie said everything was made up of insane colours that were alive and not meant to be seen by mortals. Looks like we have another addition to King's "macroverse". :smile2:
 

~Ally~

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2008
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3,626
But with the 'great ones..' It makes me think more of the 'leatherheads' from lisey's story and under the dome.

I don't remember leatherheads being in Lisey's Story. :umm: Time for a re-read methinks.
From their description in UTD I've always felt The Leatherheads were
nothing more than "aliens", and the alien children were simply playing with the Dome for entertainment to watch these creatures (humans) that were alien to them suffer.