#45 – The Talisman

Plot

On a brisk autumn day, a thirteen-year-old boy stands on the shores of the gray Atlantic, near a silent amusement park and a fading ocean resort called the Alhambra. The past has driven Jack Sawyer here: His father is gone, his mother is dying, and the world no longer makes sense. But for Jack everything is about to change. For he has been chosen to make a journey back across America–-and into another realm.

Review

My Aunt JoAnn suggested I read this book once I finished The Dark Tower since it was one of her favorites. “You got to read about Travellin’ Jack,” she told me. There was no other synopsis given – but she hadn’t steered me wrong yet, so I bumped up The Talisman in my queue.

Honestly as I sit here and type my thoughts, I’ve realized that The Talisman is likely too low on this list. It has all the makings of a great King novel. Fantasy, good vs evil, coming-of-age, different worlds, great character development. It likely ended up in the bottom half of this list because I found the plot a tad confusing and hard to follow. The “twinners” and convoluted rules about how you can die in one world and not the other were too much for my young mind to comprehend.

I have a couple of Stephen King books that could really benefit from a re-read – and The Talisman would be near the top of that list. Speedy Parker is a phenomenal character, there’s a great villain in Morgan Sloat, and twelve-year-old Jack Sawyer is beautifully crafted.

Details

Pages: 735

Dates Read: Pre-2012

Quote: “He began to cry, not hysterically or screaming as people cry when concealed rage with tears, but with continuous sobs who has just discovered that he’s alone and will be for long. He cried because safety and reason seemed to have left the world. Loneliness was a reality, but in this situation, madness was also remotely a possibility.”

Best Part: Our very first introduction to Speedy Parker.

Hint for #44: Stranger Things supposedly was inspired by this novel when coming up with its title. Not surprising, consider they have one word in common.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.