The Talisman

Rating:
Summary: read it twice
Review: I first read this book about 10 years ago, when I was in high school. It was the first fantasy novel I ever read (although I had read a lot of King's horror genre novels). I loved it! When I saw the book at a friend's house recently, I wanted to see if I still liked it just as much now that I'm an adult as I did as a teenager; now that I read completely differnt books.

Indeed, I loved it just as much. I devoured it in a few days. I still think it's a wonderful introduction to fantasy novels. I enjoyed the main character Jack "flipping" back and forth between two worlds that were the same but different. How people existed as "twinners" in both worlds...kind of like alter egos. Great characters and relationships between characters and just a good all around story about traveling and adventure.

Rating:
Summary: a slow start, but then - wow!
Review: I purchased this book from an overstock bin many years ago, and read it not that long after... and promptly forgot about it. But now that the "Dark Tower" series is drawing to a close, I'm trying to read some of the related books, and I decided to re-read this before tackling "Black House." And am I ever glad I did!

The start of the book is slow going... I was concerned I'd set myself up for torture during the first 100 pages or so. But after that it really picks up and I had great difficulty putting it down. Jack's journey is enthralling, as are some of the not-so-subtle lessons he learns.

I've been told this is not a typical King book, and given that the horror elements are definitely downplayed (well... except for some fairly horrific people) I can understand that. But if you've enjoyed the "Dark Tower" books, I recommend this one. I'm very glad I re-read it!