Tag: Writing

Stephen King: #35 – Blaze

On By Luke FlorenceIn Books, Lists, Stephen King, Uncategorized, WritingLeave a comment

#35 – Blaze

Plot

Blaze is the story of Clayton Blaisdell, Jr. — of the crimes committed against him and the crimes he commits, including his last, the kidnapping of a baby heir worth millions.

Blaze has been a slow thinker since childhood, when his father threw him down the stairs — and then threw him down again. After escaping an abusive institution for boys when he was a teenager, Blaze hooks up with George, a seasoned criminal who thinks he has all the answers. But then George is killed, and Blaze, though haunted by his partner, is on his own.

Review

I’ve previously talked about how I structured the order in which I read these Stephen King books. After some back-and-forth, I ultimately landed on reading the older books first (while also reading any new King release). At the end of the day, it led to Blaze being the last book I needed to read to finish my 13-year pilgrimage.

Blaze was published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, but by now everyone knew that this was a Stephen King novel. He originally wrote it back in the 1970s, before he wrote Carrie. Very quickly it became a “trunk novel” and it wasn’t until 2007 that he re-wrote this story and offered it for publishing. Thank goodness this novel didn’t stay in that trunk, because it’s a well-told story that clearly drew inspiration from Of Mice and Men.

One of the many things I enjoy about King is his ability to write flawed – and special – characters. When he writes from the perspective of a dog, or a child, or someone suffering from a stutter, he’s able to bring the reader into their world. He does this with Blaze, who is our main character but is limited in his mental capacity. King expertly allows us to view the world from Blaze’s eyes and by doing so invokes a plethora of feelings – empathy, sorrow, and humor among many others.

Details

Pages: 320

Dates Read: July 2 – July 6, 2022

Quote: “Memories are contrary things; if you quit chasing them and turn your back, they often return on their own.”

Best Part: Blaze returning to the convenient store a second time had me absolutely rolling with laughter.

Hint for #34: Arguably one of Stephen King’s most famous novels. It’s hard to look at clowns and not think of this story.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.

 

Stephen King: #36 – Firestarter

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#36 – Firestarter

Plot

Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson were once college students looking to make some extra cash, volunteering as test subjects for an experiment orchestrated by the clandestine government organization known as The Shop. But the outcome unlocked exceptional latent psychic talents for the two of them—manifesting in even more terrifying ways when they fell in love and had a child.

Review

Firestarter does everything right. It builds plot effectively, involves a couple of massive twists, has characters the reader will be invested in, and includes a well-developed main antagonist. Throw in some supernatural abilities, a family torn apart and an epic climax. Firestarter has very few flaws and instead is just a well-paced, interest-holding novel.

I’ve often thought about what book I would recommend for someone who has never read Stephen King. We discussed this briefly when recapping The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, but Firestarter would be the ultimate choice. It efficiently showcases King’s ability to write plot, build suspense and isn’t massively long.

One day I may rank my favorite Stephen King antagonists. If that list ever comes to fruition, expect to see John Rainbird somewhere near the top. He’s a smart, creative and incredibly manipulative villain who has the upper hand throughout – until he doesn’t.

Details

Pages: 564

Dates Read: September – October 2019

Quote: “Life is short and pain is long and we were all put on this earth to help each other.”

Best Part: Everything that happens at the barn – including some Keanu Reeves Matrix bullet sequences.

Hint for #35: One of Jack’s favorite TV shows as a three-year old, involved Monster Machines and this title character.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.

 

Stephen King: #37 – Finders Keepers

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#37 – Finders Keepers

Plot

As a deadly cat-and-mouse game begins, private detective Bill Hodges, the man who brought down the murderous Mr. Mercedes, is gradually drawn into the mystery of the unknown benefactor who helped the Sauberses through their rough patch. He knows young Pete is hiding something, but he doesn’t know that the missing piece of the puzzle is the answer to the decades-old cold case – John Rothstein’s murder.

Review

Finders Keepers is the sequel to Mr. Mercedes (yet to make an appearance) and the prequel to End of Watch (yet to make an appearance). The second book in a three-piece series is often tough to get right. Usually, they are crafted due to the success of the original and to bridge the gap to the finale. It’s difficult to write a complete story that builds upon the first and sets up the foundation for the second.

Finders Keepers plays in that space and despite a lot working against it, holds its own – for the most part. We are reacquainted with Bill Hodges, Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson, as they have set up a private detective business. They are effectively roped into the mystery, but never really develop much as characters. Essentially, they serve as window dressing to the rest of the narrative. But that narrative is a good one that keeps your attention throughout.

The opening sequence from the 1970s is a work of art and will have Constant Readers thinking about Misery. The time jump to the present is effective and works because of how well King set everything up.

Once the case is closed we get a sneak peek into the third book as Bill Hodges pays a visit to the Mr. Mercedes main antagonist. And in perfect King fashion, a trilogy grounded in reality gets just a small taste of the supernatural.

Details

Pages: 434

Dates Read: June – July 2015

Quote: “No. I was going to say his work changed my life, but that’s not right. I don’t think a teenager has much of a life to change. I just turned eighteen last month. I guess what I mean is his work changed my heart.”

Best Part: The opening scene – set in 1978 – was absolutely perfect.

Hint for #36: Ryan from The Office never wanted a nickname, but tragically was branded as one of “these” due a toaster-oven incident.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.

 

Stephen King: #38 – Gerald’s Game

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#38 – Gerald’s Game

Plot

Once again, Jessie Burlingame has been talked into submitting to her husband Gerald’s kinky sex games—something that she’s frankly had enough of, and they never held much charm for her to begin with. So much for a “romantic getaway” at their secluded summer home. After Jessie is handcuffed to the bedposts—and Gerald crosses a line with his wife—the day ends with deadly consequences.

Review

“Is this really the whole book?” These were my thoughts a couple hundred pages in as I was equally amazed and annoyed by the simplistic setting and plot. Had it not been for my resolve to read every King book, I may have stopped half-way through.

After finishing Gerald’s Game I had no idea where to rank it. Even as we currently speak, I have no idea where to rank it. I’ve never been more perplexed by my own feelings towards a work of art. There are so many unbelievable elements in this novel. The horror is real, raw and right in your face. Completely gripping.

Gerald’s Game also has one of my favorite Stephen King endings which brought total closure to the story and the main character, Jessie. But it also goes long stretches without any major plot developments and lackluster character building. I hated a lot of this book but loved it just as much. Bizarre.

Gerald’s Game is also a great reminder that people’s perception of art is typically based on their own life experiences. I’m sure there are a lot of people who would easily proclaim Gerald’s Game to be the best King novel because they could identify with some of Jessie’s thoughts and feelings. I’m also just as sure there are an equal number who could not relate to anything in Gerald’s Game and would adamantly boast this novel to be one of King’s worst.

Details

Pages: 480

Dates Read: February – March 2021

Quote: “If anyone ever asks you what panic is, now you can tell them: an emotional blank spot that leaves you feeling as if you’ve been sucking on a mouthful of pennies.”

Best Part: Always remember to check the back seat before you start driving.

Hint for #37: In 1st grade, this was the very first book I read in Mrs. Dutro’s class … although the title also included “Losers Weepers.”

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.

Stephen King: #39 – Gwendy’s Final Task

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#39 – Gwendy’s Final Task

Plot

With the passing of time, the box has grown ever stronger and evil forces are striving to possess it. Once again, it is up to Gwendy Peterson, now a United States Senator battling the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, to keep it from them. At all costs. But where can you hide something from such powerful entities?

Review

Stephen King co-wrote Gwendy’s Final Task with Richard Chizmar, whom he also wrote Gwendy’s Button Box (yet to be revealed). Richard wrote a novel that belongs in between the two, called Gwendy’s Magic Feather, which was a major disappointment. Heading into this Final Task I was nervously optimistic but ended up with positive vibes upon completion.

Previously I’ve talked about “The Mystery Box” but King and Chizmar bring it to another level in this trilogy. In the last installment, they bring closure to the entire series in a fitting – and noble – way. Taking place largely in outer space, Gwendy – who started as a 12-year-old – is now 65 and a United States Senator. She was given the box by Richard Farris 50 years ago, and now Richard has asked her for one more favor.

What worked well here was that both King and Chizmar utilize the backstory well with Gwendy to tell her current story. They also sprinkle in references to The Dark Tower and Derry, Maine (IT) which are much appreciated Easter Eggs for Constant Readers like me.

One aspect worth mentioning was the short chapters. Even though I read this in just a couple of sittings, the short chapters were well constructed and made for an “easy-peasy” read (as my 6-year-old son would say).

Details

Pages: 408

Dates Read: February 15 – February 19, 2022

Quote: “People don’t need a button box to do horrible things. There’s plenty of evil fuckery in the human spirit.”

Best Part: Any time Derry comes into the picture – especially when a clown is involved – is usually a highlight.

Hint for #38: Bruce Greenwood starred in the 2017 Netflix movie based off this book.

 

Until next time, peace be the journey.