Thoughts after reading...

[sarahg123]

The Talisman is great! I can 99% guarantee that you'll like that book. Have you read Black house already? If not the read that one second, of course.

King has quite a lot of characters floating around that are alcoholics and I get the feeling that he has a good knowledge of the genetic and environment factors that are stacked up against people who come from families with a history.

Spoiler: Dr. Sleep - Character development point

I think that Danny's own struggle throughout Dr. Sleep with his problem is definitely one of the defining elements of his character. From the super low points to his constant struggle over it, it adds a well informed and believable depth to him.

I haven't read either, so I'll start with Talisman. Thanks!

Spoiler

i agree with you there. Giving more thought to Danny's arc, i liked how SK have Danny a new demon to conquer, himself as the alcoholic and how the memory of Deenie and her son follows him throughout. I was happy when he finally told his memory and nobody was upset by it, allowing Danny to finally let it go. Interesting since Jack couldn't let go of the memories from his drunkeness and we know how that ended!

 

[César Hernández-Meraz]

Sad as this is, even though young people swear they will do the opposite of their parents (when talking abou bad habits), many still end up falling into the same behavior. It is good Doc managed to break free from this, but only after having "touched bottom", and thanks to someone who made him see he had to do it.

As for the lack of suspense by not fearing The Knot would actually manage to achieve their goals, I think that is true. But I found more suspense in seeing

Spoiler

how Abra became more and more powerful, and how she, just like the rest of the Torrance family tree, had a temper, which could drive her to use her abilities for things that were not entirely good. We see how having a good family relationship gives her a good foundation so she can stay away from "becoming bad", but I guess we can never be sure (we can be optimistic in Abra's case, I guess, since she has family support and good advice from her uncle, who would keep an eye on her). Even someone with good intentions may react explosively in real life. Add super powers to this and we get a catastrophe in the making.

 

[Sunlight Gardener]

I am just finishing up my 2nd time through on Dr. Sleep. I really, really liked it the first time. I love it this time. Fabulous book and fabulous characters. This and Joyland are easily my favorites of SK's "recent" works by far.

 

[sam peebles]

Finished this a couple months ago and was pleasantly surprised. I strongly felt that The Shining didn't warrant a sequel (when it came to the voting I went with the Dark Tower choice). Also, one of my friends whose opinion I respect told me it wasn't very good.

But I dug it. I dug the villains. Although the psychic vampire has been done before, and even in some iterations by King himself, I really thought the way he depicted the True Knot was original, imaginative, and delightfully gruesome.

I found Danny's character believable. I still kind of wish I didn't know what happened to him later in life, I'd rather leave it up for grabs (still prefer King's ending to the Mist than Darabont's), but come on...I'm only human. How could I resist the temptation of a sequel to The Shining? And the path King led him down was satisfying and realistic.

I was a little disappointed by the lack of Dick Holloran. Love the guy and could've used more of him.

Also, the lead vampire in the top hat (can't recall her name) is described as having a single, large fang in her gums. Does anyone know if this is similar to another King character? Her appearance tickled my memory in an agonizingly familiar way, but I can't put my finger on who--if anyone--she reminded me of.

My one small complaint was having Danny related to the little girl. I buy that Jack Torrance would cheat on Wendy in a drunken stupor, but this familial relationship seemed unnecessary to me. Why can't they just have a connection through their powers? Why does it have to be through blood as well?

Overall a great read, especially with my preconceptions based on my own bias and a friend's negative review.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Finished this a couple months ago and was pleasantly surprised. I strongly felt that The Shining didn't warrant a sequel (when it came to the voting I went with the Dark Tower choice). Also, one of my friends whose opinion I respect told me it wasn't very good.

But I dug it. I dug the villains. Although the psychic vampire has been done before, and even in some iterations by King himself, I really thought the way he depicted the True Knot was original, imaginative, and delightfully gruesome.

I found Danny's character believable. I still kind of wish I didn't know what happened to him later in life, I'd rather leave it up for grabs (still prefer King's ending to the Mist than Darabont's), but come on...I'm only human. How could I resist the temptation of a sequel to The Shining? And the path King led him down was satisfying and realistic.

I was a little disappointed by the lack of Dick Holloran. Love the guy and could've used more of him.

Also, the lead vampire in the top hat (can't recall her name) is described as having a single, large fang in her gums. Does anyone know if this is similar to another King character? Her appearance tickled my memory in an agonizingly familiar way, but I can't put my finger on who--if anyone--she reminded me of.

My one small complaint was having Danny related to the little girl. I buy that Jack Torrance would cheat on Wendy in a drunken stupor, but this familial relationship seemed unnecessary to me. Why can't they just have a connection through their powers? Why does it have to be through blood as well?

Overall a great read, especially with my preconceptions based on my own bias and a friend's negative review.

I was less than impressed with this book. But not all of his books are for all readers, even us Constant Readers. As for Rose the Hat and her one fang, once I read that description all I could think of was this...

Spoiler

and that was it for me. I think I watched way too many cartoons as a kid (and into adulthood).