Rating: 
Summary: King Writes A Non-Terror Novel, And It's Great!
Review: Kirkus Reviews has it right. This is a wonderful reflection on the innocence we lost in the Viet Nam era, with interesting, multi-layered characters you won't soon forget. There's little terror or suspense, so don't look for that here. And it's possible to find some minor quibbles (though perhaps the cartoonish nature of the characters in "Low Men" is all in Bobby's mind, a way for him to rationalize not helping his friend?). But if you like characters so real you can hear them breathing, people who are trying to deal with life's difficulties as best they can (even as you and I) and who can never escape the child they once were; if you like a story that's set against the backdrop of one of our most important and unforgettable eras, and is told imaginatively in five separate but related segments; if you like an upbeat ending that will touch your heart and raise your spirits, don't miss this book. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Now we know: Stephen King CAN write a boring book!
Review: I am a great admirer of King's story-telling abilities. The man is amazing: he can take the most unpromising premise (haunted car, haunted dog, haunted writer, etc.), and weave a compelling, scary, can't-put-down page-turner out of it. While I have found some plot turns (Pet Sematary) and features (King evidently has never met anyone, of any age, whose speech doesn't feature a constant flow of filthy language; nor has he ever met a practicing Christian), I have always marveled at his ability to weave a yarn.But not this time. The first part starts a promising story, and then drops it. The next and largest portion is a yawning, endless, go-nowhere chasm of a non-story, written as if it were a parody of all of King's pet obscenities and phrases *without* the redeeming factor of a hurtling plotline. I read it solely out of faith in King; I was sorely disappointed. Then a re-warmed short is stuck in, which goes nowhere; then the book ends, like a song dropped mid-verse. Someone may need to tell King that it's OK, he can rest and take a year off. We won't forget him. Go out, meet some *different* kinds of people, broaden your scope. Then by all means get back to it, and weave your spell again. We'll be waiting anxiously.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read, I couldn't bring myself to set it down.
Review: It was totally engrossing, I was sucked into the story line from the first sentence to the end of the book. Another outstanding book by the master of all, Stephen King. It varies from his known genre but no matter what he writes about he is sure to keep you turning page after page. I recommend this book to every King fan. Superb!!!!
Rating:
Summary: I remembered what is was like to be a kid again.
Review: Stephen King does a wonderful job of getting into the mind of a child. As I read the first story, I could almost beleive that 11 year-old Bobby Garfield was writing it. I thought this was an excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: A nostalgic trip back into the 60's and up to the present
Review: I am extremely pleased with this book. Stephen has taken me on a trip that has brought back so many memories, both bittersweet and happy. Due to the fact that I grew up in New Haven I am thoroughly familiar with Savin Rock and Harwich(Stratford), as well as Milford and Bridgeport and even the mention of Hartford. I remember what life was like during the 60's and the protests against the war, young men dying for no good reason, college students frittering their lives away. Stephen portrays the lifestyle as though he lived it (and perhaps he did to a certain extent, but he did get something out of his education). During the story HIA, I felt at home again as I now live in Maine and Orono, The County, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Houlton are all very familiar names to me. The only problem I had with the entire book is that some of the characters were so interesting that I wanted more about them. I also could not understand a certain sequence in Why We Are In Viet Nam, when things start falling out of the sky. I couldn't figure this part out. Perhaps someone can help me here. All in all, I think Stephen has surpassed himself with this one. Thanks, Stephen, for the walk down memory lane. And thanks for accompanying me.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!!!
Review: Absolutely one of his best! So good I went through it in one day. I couldn't put it down. I notice that some seem so disappointed that this is not pure horror. Forget that. I like the horror stuff too but this is just a great book. I just loved the characters. The only part that puzzled me a bit was the Willie section but that was pretty short. If you only like the horror, this isn't the book for you. But if you want a great read...read this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Just not worth the time.
Review: The 2 stars are for the first story after that this book is BORING. The second story is good if you want to learn to play the card game hearts,But other then that just a total waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: I am never buying a Stephen King hardcover again!
Review: Wait 'til this comes out in paperback-- better yet, get it out from your library. The first "story"-- "Low Men in Yellow Coats"-- was the only part of this book worth reading. However, hasn't King been through this territory before (i.e. "It")? He'd have done better to develop that "story" into a stand-alone novel than to string it with the character studies he places after it.
Rating: 
Summary: A recap and retrospect of the sixties
Review: I have read a lot of Stephen King's books and this is one of the few that did not have an obvious ending. It was more of a trip back to the sixties and for those who were a part of it could be quite disturbing. It touched on alot of different aspects of growing up and living during one of this countries most volatile periods. Although it covers both sides of the war issue, a lot more of the veteran's insights were dealt with. Who were the real victims? One thing I really disliked was the implication that almost every Viet-Nam vet ended an extremely disturbed individual. It also had a touch of supernatural (would it be King without it?). It reminded me a lot of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five -Life just keeps going on- can you really change anything? A book you'll keep thinking back to after you've finished it.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: As a recently returned fan of Stephen King's I have just loved his last 3 books. He is a storyteller without rival. This book swept me up and I even found myself checking the supermarket bulletin board for notices.
| 
