Needful Things

Rating:
Summary: Think about it!
Review: This is certainly one of King's most original books and the idea is very, very interesting. The book is not as dynamic as some other SK books but certainly hits deep into your mind. It makes you think and it shocks. So if you're a passive non-thinking potato don't read this book, it will be too hard for you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent until the end.
Review: Needful things is a very well written, clever novel with a very unique plot that keeps you going until the end. The end is the problem, though, with the big spider and Gaunt flying away and everything... If King would have thought more about the ending This would be a better book. The bad ending doesn't ruin this book much for me.

Rating:
Summary: Great at the beginning but...
Review: That's right. I've read some of Stephen's books but surely this wasn't the best. It starts like you can't leave the book for a second, but when it comes near to the end it becomes more like you force yourself to finish it. It has too much fantacy, something I don't like. I prefer horror stories more connected to true life, that you'd think maybe that could really happen in some place of the world, but this one, not a tiny chance.

Rating:
Summary: Sam problem as Insomnia
Review: This book has good ideas and great characters but is to long. I'm a huge King fan, and think his newest Bag of Bones is exceptional, but this one wouldn't rate among his best. check out Pet Cemetery or Cujo, my favorites!

Rating:
Summary: A high-speed train of excitement!
Review: Just like a train, "Needful Things" starts off slow and relaxed, but eventually ends up hitting about 300 miles per hour.

Although this was only my 2nd Castle Rock book, the first being "The Dark Half," I enjoyed this immensely. Alan Pangborn takes his place in my Pantheon Of Favorite Literary Heroes thanks to this. But my favorite character was Norris Ridgewick, the deputy. He was one of only three who could shake off Gaunt's power. There's more to him than you first see.

I also liked Danforth Keeton ("aka Buster, aka Zippy's Dad, aka Toad of Toad Hall"). And I loved the reference at the end to "The Library Policeman," the best story in "Four Past Midnight." By the way, Sam Peebles, hero of "Library," has also entered my Pantheon Of Favorite Literary Heroes.

All in all, I loved "Needful Things!"

Rating:
Summary: The "Vintage" Stephen King
Review: The story of a demon incarnate from Akron, Ohio who sells residents of a small town their dreams is unique.. worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Possibly His Best
Review: Five-star reviews are thrown around today like frisbees at the park. But Needful Things, Stephen King's absorbing tale of (what else?) evil in a small town, deserves this rating. With incredible ease, King spins the yarn of a malevolent shopkeeper straight from the depths of Hades. For over 200 pages, King takes his time setting the scene and the characters. But with King, the pages fly by enjoyably. Meanwhile, he is tightening the screws of suspense to an almost unbearable level. The second part of Needful Things introduces us to the carnage, fire and brimstone that will dominate Part Three. King explores the concept of "soul selling" that can be found in this his recent "Storm of the Century." All the usual characters are there: The hero with a checkered past, the well-meaning youngster, the cocaine addict, the pedaphile principal, and of course, the diabolical embodiment of evil. The crescendo reaches deafening excitement in the final part of Needful Things. In a conclusion that tops any of King's works, the bubble of suspense finally bursts into one hundred pages of sheer excitement. The reader watches in awe as King paints the final magnificent strokes on his tapestry of pure horror delight.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book, but.....
Review: The one star is to attract atttention. I actually thought this book was original in prose and content until...I read 'Need', a short story in a book called Beyond, author Theodore Sturgeon circa 1960. The plot and idea of this book, while excellent, as well as the outstanding prose of King combine to make this a Five-Star book. Nonetheless, the credit for this story goes to Sturgeon. For those of you who don't know, Sturgeon was an outstanding SF writer of the 50's and 60's who Stephen King obviously read. If you like King, you'll love Sturgeon who can do the same thing in thirty-five pages that King takes five-hundred for. And if you think King can write, well let me tell you, you'd better read Sturgeon!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book from the King!
Review: Stephen King has done it again. "Needful Things" is another great book by this outstanding author. Each character is so unique, especially Leland Gaunt, the owner of the shop "Needful Things". The way that Mr. Gaunt makes everyone in the small town of Castle Rock turn against one another is absolutely facinating. His little "pranks" eventually lead to murder, and he just sits back and enjoys the show! I highly recommend this book for all fans of Mr. King.

Rating:
Summary: One of his best
Review: This is a grest book, it starts a little slow but once it get's going it is one book that is hard to put down.Stephen King at his best.