The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

Rating:
Summary: GRAMMER PLEASE!
Review: To the "reviewer" from Temple, Tx. The word is AFFECTED ninny! Not only that, you duplicated the review and hurt my eyes twice! And to the other reader, if you don't like King, read something else!

Rating:
Summary: The book was 'aw-right', but by no means among King's best.
Review: The book is a 'must read' for Stephen King fans, simply because that's what makes them fans -- they absorb it all no matter what! Nothing new here though folks, the standard 'SK format' minus true demonic entities (instead we got the boogey man). King also seems to think that African Americans aren't fans (ergo, the 'Sambo' analogies). I've been a King junkie since his beginning (plunking down my bucks on the hardbacks only) and he won me over as a fan with the 'Stand', where 'Good' was personified via a little old black woman. Move on Stephen, evolve, not regress!

Rating:
Summary: Not his typical work, but not too bad
Review: I must say that I was a little dissapointed by this last piece. The description was terrific, but the dialog was lacking. I don't know many kids who speak like she does! All in all, not a bad one (it is written by the Master himself, what more can you say?), but I would have to put this on the low end of the "to buy" list.

Rating:
Summary: Atypical King -- not one of his best but a good read
Review: Although it is not the usual Stephen King book, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is not without its pleasures. Trisha is a spunky young heroine; you can't help but care about her. "Supernatural" aspects of the story are limited but effective. The ending is a little bit of a downer, as I would have preferred some more resolution. I think the readers who panned this book were expecting a Carrie or a Pet Sematary; to me it's more like Gerald's Game or Misery. Incidentally, I am also awaiting the next episode of The Dark Tower.

Rating:
Summary: One Night Read
Review: I absolutely devoured this little treasure by King. It's definitely not his typical fare but I'd say it's one of his best! I read it in one night and put it down wanting more. I hope he writes more like this.

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Summary: 101 Ways To Torture A Child In The Woods by Stephen King
Review: Again King evolves as a writer, but his subject matter and the thoughts he puts in the mind of a nine-year-old child just do not ring true. A good couple of hours diversion, "The Girl Who Loved Tome Gordon" should not be a starting place for new King readers. That spot should be reserved for "The Shining" or "Salems Lot". King is, well, King, and so he is here. However, the novella feel of the book coupled with the almost "deja-vu" of other books I have read, made for a flat experience.

Rating:
Summary: Full of vivid, realistic imagery of a lost girl's terror
Review: I loved this book for it's realism; I like it when the events in a horror novel could conceivably really happen, rather than reading about some nebulous monster or spirit that's obviously made up. This book was gripping for it's realistic imagery of a child's terror at being lost in the woods, with a little bit of the nebulous monster thrown in to boot. I like that the book concentrated on Trisha's feelings, rather than going off on a tangent about the unseen thing in the woods. Also, Tom Gordon went to my high school and I remember him playing high school ball here, so I sort of connected with the story on that level too! All in all, a gripping, though far too short, read.

Rating:
Summary: The shame of menstrual spotting in a Norwegian logging town.
Review: A tender recounting of the bitter conflict between desire and bedwetting. I loved this book and truly identified with the actor who portrayed Tom Gordon. I felt that this was a true departure from the recent formulaic works of Mr. King as he plumbed the depths of the soul and patience of the reader.

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Summary: A chilling tale of real horror in nature...
Review: This story was quite the page turner, like most of Stephen King's books, and easy to finish in one or two sittings because of its relatively short length (compared to King's other books). Nine-year old Trisha was definitely wise beyond her years, and was quite a likable character. What I found most compelling about the book is that it is realistic... it can happen... getting lost in Nature's wilderness, striving to survive when dealing with forest, the marshes, the ravines, the cliffs, the bugs, the lack of shelter, and the ever-present ominous spirit that King is so skillful in developing and making real. While I didn't think of Tom Gordon as a character per se, I thought his presence was skillfully used to develop Trisha's character. Overall, a very enjoyable book... upon finishing it at 1:00 a.m., felt compelled to check the locks on my door and the lights in the foyer. And if I every go hiking in the Appalachian Mtns., I've gotten some good tips about foraging in the forest for food!

Rating:
Summary: It is the best book since "The Grapes of Wrath"
Review: Thank you, Stephen King. You are the best writer since John Steinbeck. I really appreciate what you have done, and how you have effected this world. I advise everyone to read this book, and every other book by him, because he is a book genius. He deserves all five stars for this book.