Rating: 
Summary: Hail Atlantis!
Review: I've been a constant reader of King's since 'Salem's Lot (Gee... I guess that dates me). I've watched with growing wonder the changes in his style, the themes he tackles, etc. And I must say I'm rather annoyed at those who say he's lost his touch or whine because he doesn't write "real" horror anymore (what IS that, exactly?). Face it, folks -- King is one of our greatest, most important writers. He isn't just a "horror" writer, nor is he now trying to be a "literary" writer. For the most part he simply writes plain ol' fiction -- you know, the good stuff, or as he's often called it, "the truth inside the lie." He's an original, and there'll never be another with quite his narrative power again. Yes, his style may have changed a bit (but, hey, I thought life was supposed to be about change), but no one else can turn a phrase so it'll stop your heart the way King does, or write a sentance that's just so damned right it'll bring tears to your eyes. Everyone needs to read this beautiful book about love and loss. The so-called "great American novel" might be a pipe-dream, but after you read this book you may not be so sure. If this ends up being King's last novel, then it makes a fine capstone to a brillaint career. If not, then maybe the best is yet to come. Get well, Mr. King. As I said before, no one writes like you...
Rating: 
Summary: Is Stephen King a Racist?
Review: I love Stephen King's work. I've read everything the man has written. But am I the only one who notices the unnecessary racial slurs in his writing? I'm more than halfway through Hearts in Atlantis and I am enjoying it the same way I enjoyed The Tommyknockers, The Stand, Carrie, The Green Mile, and so on. But the consistent use of the "n" word, when it is so easily could be avoided has me a concerned. I think Hearts in Atlantis is another Stephen King triumph (even if I have 200 pages to go). I just hope I won't have to stop reading - and start boycotting - Mr. King - because of this offensive behavior.
Rating:
Summary: i could see it all
Review: The beauty of Hearts was that i could see it all like i was there. I must have read at least 20 books by SK in the past 10 years and never has one kept me reading like this one. The connections of the 5 stories and the perceptions of the principal characters in them was masterful. Hope he keeps writing like this, in this style.
Rating: 
Summary: I almost gave up half-way through
Review: I have never before almost given up on a SK book, however, Hearts in Atlantis almost did it for me. Honestly, I am wondering what has happened to the old Stephen King style. In Hearts in Atlantis we are introduced to drivel such as "cars that aren't really cars" but evil entities, more mind-reading and other non-scary, non-compelling ideas. My next Stephen King book will be borrowed from the library and purchased only if I have had an enjoyable reading experience. My favorite book is still Misery, a book that is horrifying because it is something that could truly happen.
Rating:
Summary: A Spellbinding Masterpiece
Review: As an avid fan of King and an '80s baby who was formerly obsessed with the Beatles and the Sixties, I was eager to get his view on that important time as well as our most painful war. The excellence of his writing and his connection to other cultural tie-ins (I read Lord of the Flies right before this) helps me to understand what is must have been like to live in that time, which seems so far away (although I wasn't even alive then). I hate to sound pretentious, but I can really picture the Sixties he described as though I "remember" them (a past life?). One comment: I was disappointed after read Low Men in Yellow Coats (a true masterpiece) to read stories that slowly dwindled down. And why was Blind Willie so unconnected? Quite possibly because it appeared in Antaeus Magazine. However, Heavenly Shades of Night are Falling tied up the book in an excellent way. It is a modern classic which fits into a nice (albeit 525-page) package.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fantastic
Review: This book shows a whole new level of King. His stories flow together so well, and King has proven that he can tackle the task of writing about romance just as well as writing about horror. Unfortunately as those of you who saw the Dateline interview know, King himself says he may not write any more novels. If this book is truly his last I cannot think of a better way to end a remarkable career.
Rating:
Summary: One of his best, definitely in the top 5.
Review: I truely enjoyed this book. Even though I am too young for the 60's and Vietnam this book held my attention from start to finish. Each story stood well on it's own and combined to provide a great novel. Although I enjoy most of King's books I would not say that all of them are this good. If you're looking for blood and guts this is not the book for you. If you enjoy a story that stays with you and makes you think this is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: King is the master of horror..........
Review: ......but he can sure write drama as well. This book is Awsome! Loved all 5 stories (Low Men in Yellow Coats is my fav.). Loved the Dark Tower refrences in Low Men. Could this mean The Dark Tower 5 is on it's way? One can only hope! BUY THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: What happened to the old Stephen King
Review: Is there any way to give less than 1 star? King used to be fun (and spooky) to read. Not so anymore! It seems as if he's used it all up and is now selling us political diatribe under his name. I will buy no more King "stuff" nor will I read anymore until he returns to what got him where he is.
Rating:
Summary: Really well done except for Blind Willie.
Review: As a slow reader (my excuse is looking for the imagery), I finished this book in 4 days (nearly a record for me). I especially liked the characterization of Bobby's mom in Low Men. We've all met those people who are just never happy and are maybe just an innocent comment away from being mean. Hearts in Atlantis seems very real for me only we had contract bridge disease and dope at Northwestern in 64-65, but I remember the signs posted in the bathroom near the end of the quarter reading: "Study Now Or Vietnam" or maybe it was a rhyme. It's been a long time and thank God, when I was drafted, they didn't take me anyway. Blind Willie was an interesting story that just didn't seem to fit. It should have really gone on longer and it seemed contrived as far as its connnection to the other stories (you really don't have to read the Author's Note to realize that). A personal aside to Mr. King who's not going to read this: Don't do that again. We know where you live. Why We're In Vietnam did a nice job of tying up some loose ends and untying some others. A look into Carol's life since U of M might have been fun, but I'm hoping she meets a gunslinger soon.
|
