Rating: 
Summary: Religion and Stephen King, Tak !
Review: For the most part, this book was a suspenseful yet predictable page turner. What I liked most about it was the gory detail (as in all King's novels) and his use of sexuality blended together with a dash of the macabre, a spicy little side dish of S&M ! But boy was I ever disappointed when the religious tones took over the book like a swarm of locusts going to town on a cornfield ! The book would have been great if it hadn't been for the use of religion. I can't say that it was overused because it obviously was the core of the book, something I had missed earlier on but was too curious to stop reading later on when I finally did realize. If it were used in a more superficial sense (good witch vs bad witch) rather then in a biblical sense (David vs Goliath) the book would have been accepted by more readers and would have been alot more enjoyable. Unless its a self help book, any thing I read that has me questioning my own faith is something I can do without.Though books are sometimes meant to make you think, this one was purely fantasy and God just doesn't fit in with that group.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite surprised, I must say...
Review: I admit that I'm not much of a Steven King fan, or even a horror fan for that matter. I've only *attempted* to read a couple other novels of his (just couldn't follow through), so I'm not all too familiar with his writing. However, at the advice of a friend, I decided to give Desperation a shot. It seemed to begin much like any other horror novel -- a bunch of ordinary folk serving as prey for some great evil -- but after the introductions were all made, the book changed into something I would describe more as a science fiction story. There are still horror aspects there, as the characters are essentially preyed upon, but they are far from helpless. The story stays nicely grounded as well, not venturing too far into total science fiction. The characters stay believable, for the most part, although a few of the characters do lack any real depth. This is offset by a couple truly compelling characters though. Also, I found of particular interest the role that God plays in the book. It presents an interesting theory and actually made me stop and ponder more than once, so there is at least moderate depth in there... All in all, as I assume is true of most of King's work, Desperation's true strength is it's entertainment value. It becomes very gripping and, although one will likely be able to predict the end, there are enough things happening to keep you interested up until the final page.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I will admit I read this book avidly cover to cover in two sittings. It is compelling and suspensful, but that's all. It is far from one of Mr. Kings's best works and the characters are cliche and of a formula tht can be found in dozens of other horror thrillers. There is a powerful religious theme to the novel that may offput some readers. The real source of disappointment is the lack of an identified villain and a plot that spirlas down to a weak climax and explanation. The book becomes very predictable toward the end and loses the power and suspense it delivered in the beginning. I received this book as a gift. I think I would feel a bit cheated if I had purchased it myself.
Rating:
Summary: Not Stephen King's worst, but definitely not his best...
Review: The plot here is a relatively original twist on S. King's horror stories: people driving near the small town of Desperation are caught by a large police officer who talks strangely and looks like he's going to disintegrate any minute. They are saved by a very religious boy, and together they find out that a digging operation uncovered a cave and released an evil 'god', who was fought and beaten by God through the religious boy and a writer. I didn't like the religious - somehow Christian theme of this book, since I'm Jewish and not a very religious person. Also, switching back and forth between many sub plots helped form a larger point of view about what was going on in Desperation, but was very confusing and not worth the bother...
Rating: 
Summary: King at his scariest
Review: Stephen King has a standard formula that has made him one of the best selling authors of all time. Essentially, he pits an evil force against a disparate group of highly flawed individuals. That group usually includes a child with extraordinary powers. King uses the formula to create nail-biting tension, explore unspeakable horror, and reflect on the flaws of human nature. Eventually there is a thunderous climax with good triumphing over evil but not without tragic losses on the side of good. Desperation follows the formula and supplies all the elements of which people have become familiar. In this incarnation, the individuals are drawn to the town of Desparation in the American West. The town is under the thumb of a psychotic policeman. It turns out that the cop is possessed by a demon. However, the demon has miscalculated in that the disparate group he has captured includes a boy who talks to God and to whom God talks. The group must learn to follow God's direction via the boy. Ultimately Desparation's theme is submitting to the will of God even though God appears be cruel. Although written in a modern style with graphic violence and coarse language Desparation portrays a conventional image of the Judeo-Christian God and explores man's relationship to that God in a traditional manner. A reader might not take a novel seriously because it follows a formula. It's worth noting that Beethoven followed a formula and explored musical ideas within the formula. So does King. I listened to the audiotape version of Desparation in the car and the suspense was such that I almost got into a couple of accidents. I am also glad I didn't drive down any dark lonely roads while I was listening to it. Enjoy the suspense and action and think about what King is saying.
Rating:
Summary: When the law goes bad.....REALLY bad
Review: A famous writer, a family headed for vacation, and a couple driving cross country for fun all encounter a seemingly normal (at first glance) police officer from the town of Desperation on lonely Nevada highway. He takes all of them 'downtown' either under arrest or because their vehicle is incapacitated. When they get there they are placed in holding cells and realize that something is wrong with both the town and the police officer. What the heck is going on, and who will make it out alive?
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I have read alot of Stephen Kings books. This is by far the best it hooks you and you want to know just what happens next. It twistes and turns throughout the novel with suprizes around every corner.
Rating:
Summary: Bizzare but excellent reading.
Review: It's truly amazing how Mister King managed to combine this book with the regulators. It is exceptional writing and once again, he's proved what fantastic skills he has.
Rating:
Summary: great fun - good reading
Review: I really loved this book. The first story of Desperation - actually a collection of novels which are slightly interwoven - was the one I liked best for King is always at his best when depicting country folks living in a small town and when concentrating on people and their environments and interactions. Great story about the 60ies and the feel of this particular period in time (not to forget that he brought me to reading John Wyndham again!!!).
Rating:
Summary: I dare you to read this on a road trip through Nevada!!
Review: Right from the start, Mr. King sets up the situation and you, as the reader, get to FEEl it. The helplessness, the out of control paralysis that befalls these hapless travelers as they drive their vehicles through that lonely, old stretch of highway through Nevada...known simply as Interstate 50; or "the loneliest place on Earth". Is it random that a selected few fall victim to the evilness that poses as one's savior in the form of the policeman? Or, do his victims really have a destiny to meet in Desperation? One by one, the policeman somehow targets his travelers by altering their reality and inventing their trespasses. In doing so, he comes across as a hero to some..(oh, what a relief..A policeman to help us and we just blew four (FOUR?) tires.) Events quickly turn around and suddenly the travelers are manipulated or forced to the small jail in a town ironically named Desperation. From this moment on, Mr. King excells in describing how it feels to be so vulnerable. Luckily, the young son of one incarcerated family, proves to be a worthy opponent to the evilness that has rendered them helpless. With the joint efforts of each other, the jailed pull together and try to save themselves, all the time exposed to the unbelievable world around them. I won't detail the specifics of the plot, obviously the last 400 reviews have done so quite well. I will say that I read this book on a camping trip through the eastern Sierras and Nevada. My exposure to the setting certainly ignited my imagination, but not as near well enough as Stephen King. Here, in Desperation, he puts out a unique thriller and page turner that is sure to cause more than a little anxiety!
| 
