The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

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Summary: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Review: I have long been a fan of Stephen King. What makes this title particularly good to read is King's ability to meld the actually fears of being lost in the woods with the fear of the imagined. Throughout the story the reader is led to wonder if what the girl is experiencing is really happening or if it is just her imagination running away with her. Over time her fear and desperation become yours and in the end both you and she are glad to get out alive.

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Summary: Heart Wrenching
Review: I have read most of everything King has written. this was such a strange change. If I had been given it with out the authors name I would not have identified it with King. I was drawn into this childs life, she was not only lost in the woods but also lost in the aftermath of a divorce. You walk every step with her through the woods and her efforts to survive. You follow the mystic love and belief she has in Tom Gordon. I felt the same way about Norm Charlton, the Seattle Mariners closer, that faith that he can save the day. I would hope my daughters would have the same mental support system if ever placed in this situation. It is the first time I have ever cried at the end of a Stephen King Book.

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Summary: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Review: This was a different route of horror for King. Imagine being lost in the woods for several days, the terror of hearing every little noise and imagining the worst. For any King fan, this is a great read.

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Summary: Among King's Best
Review: This book has revived my faith in Stephen King. After reading Bag of Bones and being bored to death (Well, I only made it through about 150 pages. After reading this I may take another whack at it), I thought King may have lost his touch. I was dead wrong. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon rates up there with The Green Mile, and even comes close to touching what I like to call the "untouchable" "Stand." I read this book in less than 2 days, and during those two days I had several distractions that took me away from the book much longre than I would have liked. It is refreshing to read a King novel that is less than 500 pages long. I went into the book thinking it would be boring (considering the storyline, how exciting could it be?). But, once again I was dead wrong. This was THE most suspenseful novel I have ever read. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire journey. I got to know the character more than I ever got to know any character, movie or book. Thank you, Mr. King... for another great book.

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Summary: Engages the fearful child in all of us.
Review: Although this is one of King's shorter books, it is quite a journey. The reader is taken to places and through situations that would terrify anyone. This tale is told through the eyes of a child, something which King is a master of. What makes this book more frightening to me is that most of what happens is possible. It's not all flights of fancy, although there is some typical King outrageousness. I loved it.

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Summary: A postcard from the King . . .
Review: I have to admit that I have never been a baseball fan. Even a few years ago when the Braves started their thing, I pretty much ignored it. But now, thanks to King, I may be looking at the game in a whole new light, or at least have a better understanding as to why it's so important to so many people. I heard somebody once say that a baseball game is a microcosmic version of life. Aside from all the B.S., salary disputes, and silly mascots, I think that's not too far off the mark. Maybe I can learn something from the game after all.
Regarding the book, King's writing never ceases to amaze me. I don't agree with people who say he's declined in the past few years. The truth is, he's only gotten better. His ability to convey the inner monologues of a person is amazing. And he's given us a hero in the shape of a nine year old girl. Ignore those shallow reviews below that bash the book because it "lacks horror" or has no "scariness". I don't think that's the point. The point is to give you characters you can get to know, make friends with, and care enough about to see them through to the last page. That's what King has done . . . again.

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Summary: not this time, king
Review: I didn't really like this book. King uses his same old mastery of mental pictures to make the book vivid... but in my opinion, it really wasn't a very good story to begin with.

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Summary: A great book for teenagers
Review: When I first picked up this book I thought that it was about a little girl who gets attacked or murdered. "WRONG" This book is pretty mild, its all about a little girl who gets lost in the forest and it talks about all the things she has to go through to survive. The book was still interesting even though it was basic. It is not really adult reading but its great for the younger audience. I don't think it should have come out in hardcover its more of a paperback novel.

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Summary: Gotta love it.....
Review: Always a King fan, I must say, I haven't picked up anything so utterly suspensful in a very long time. While more complex King books almost always satisfy, once in a while the pure simplicity of a book like this is like having a really long drink of cool water on a hot day. This is also possibly the most reality driven King book I have experienced. No supernatural occurences here, only the harsh horror of a worst nightmare come to life. A great read! Demands to be read from start to finish!

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Summary: Much More than a Walk in the Woods
Review: While Stephen King continually gains respect from literary critics, his work remains controversial to many. People often dismiss him out of hand as a crass horror author. Rather than being so narrow minded, I would suggest reading this book. I will freely admit to being a fan of his work since I was in junior high, and as a fan, I felt that this novel took me places that even King's work sometimes misses. I was IN those woods, feeling every bug bite and painful bodily function that Trisha went through. I held my breath and read non-stop to see if she would make it out. And most importantly, I totally bought into her faith in Tom Gordon--if she could just believe enough, he would be her savior. Yet, he was also a part of her own mind, so in essence, she was her own savior. This work displays King's ability to leap outside of the horror pigeon-hole in which so many place him. His writing ascends to the lyric, while retaining its everyman feel. I think that this book could convert even King-haters into his camp. I've recommended it to a few that I know and the results have been completely positive. Even if you do not usually read Stephen King's work, try this--I think that you'll find it hard to put down.