Rating: 
Summary: The Dark Half was King's look at writer's mental worlds
Review: I loved this book. It was more gruesome, and more of a crime novel than others. Explaining how Stark comes out of Beaumont's subconscious is sketchy. King dialogue and developing internal tension in Beaumont make this a good read. Definitely has influences from Koontz. Machine Dreams is about how the most graphic of writers sell more books than quiet docile types. He may be the devil, the dichotomous underling lurking in the shadows to take, take, and rob and pillage others. The chase from Pangborn, the fiery personality of Liz, the references to his own Richard Bachman, and description of how one sells a book are all fodder for page turning power. Arsenault and the guy who gets beaten to death with his own arm are described beautifully. King knows his characters inside and out, and makes sure, the logical steps to solve their mental fugure are taken. Split consciousness, is a subject he explored in The Dead Zone, and The Shining. Why does King write horror? Does his own mind need this furious id to balance out dreams or nightmares? It seems to me that The Dark Half pinnacled two decades of a explosive writer and his own hellish publications. For the guy who read this at a track meet, I say, be careful, George Stark could be lurking around every bend.
Rating: 
Summary: The duality in King's personality.
Review: In many ways, it's very hard to understand how Stephen King, a decent family man and a law-abiding citizen, can come up with stories that have, in addition to remarkable characterization and wonderful prose, unbelievably gruesome and violent scenes a common reader would never have imagined on his own. This novel is an endeavor King makes to shade some light on the cognitive processes inside his brain. For that end he tells the story of Thad Beaumont, a bestseller author - only thanks to his pseudonym, George Stark. King illustrates a creepy tale about Beaumont's dark half / twin brother that comes to life and wears a devilish form when "his" other half decides to terminate his fictional existence. This is a brilliant means in demonstrating the duality of King's personality, which stands on even a higher ground as King himself has had a nom de plume - Richard Bachman - and evidently he writes from a first-rate experience. If you want to know how some people can write about things that are completely detached from their world - try King's explanation. ============================================================= By and large, this book is a fast read. There is a certain amount of depth to it, but much less than what his fans would expect; the best way to describe it is to call it "a psyichological action novel with a few horror twists". The major events are set in a scope of two to three days and as a result the rhythm is quick and leaves little room for thorough character development; I have almost zero information about the major events in Thad's childhood that shaped him as a man, not to speak about a better and fuller characterization of his wife, father and mother, not to mention the Sheriff that was an integral part of the story. In other novels, King has demonstrated his talent to orchestrate complicated creations that had it all - they have been a lot longer, but it was always worth the extra reading effort. Strange enough, the mysterious character the pseudonym author in book created strikes me as a very interesting, but sadly it is the least developed character of them all. The good news, however, is that King has borrowed this character from the novel "Dead City" by Shane Stevens to pay tribute to this author, so anyone can read more about the notorious Alexis Machine... ============================================================ In the past I was told that this book is one of King's scariest. It could have been the case for me - had I read it a few years ago - but it is certainly not the case today. Maybe I got so used to King's style that he can't really get under my skin as he used to - I guess I grew up. Yet, now that the horror he tries to create is not so horrifying anymore, I can pay a closer attention to his language; the man really knows how to describe things. King's admirable ability to put what he sees and feels into words is a wonderful way for the reader to learn and improve his own means of expression. For that and for the above positive points I recommend this book as a pastime and a light read.
Rating: 
Summary: WAY too long!!
Review: When I started this book, it was pretty good, but it just dragged on too long. During the second half of the book, I already knew what was going to happen and it got so boring that I didn't even finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: The Dark Half
Review: THE DARK HALF reviewed by CHRIS KENT In Stephen King's The Dark Half the main conflict is between a writer named Thad Beaumont and his alter ego, which Beaumont has used as his pen name to get other books published. King has had personal experience in writing under a pen name. That name was Richard Bachman. King wrote five novels under this name including Rage, The Long Walk, Roadwork, The Running Man, and Thinner. Little was known about Bachman except were he came from and what other work he had done, which is also the case with Beaumont and his alter ego George Stark. When both King and Beaumont decided that they no longer needed the alter egos they killed them off. That is were the similarities end. King uses a variety of complex characters throughout the novel. Of course one is Thad Beaumont who has to figure how he was going to be able to defeat Stark. Next there is Thad's wife Elizabeth (Liz) who has to try to stay calm and sane, while watching out for her twin children. Third, is Sheriff Pangborn who is trying to rationalize everything that is happening, and eventually he changes his thoughts and thinks about impossible. Finally there is George Stark. Stark is portrayed as the "bad guy," but he is fighting for his survival. As pointed out several times in the novel Stark asks Thad if he would do everything needed to insure survival. You can imagine what Thad's answer was. A struggling author who needed to get himself out of writers block finds that he can escape his problems by writing under a different name, but when this alter ego becomes a physical being will Thad Beaumont be able to escape? It seems like a far-fetched idea for a novel, but King really came through. Giving more than enough insight to details of every character makes it possible to believe. One of the skills every great author must have. Some might think that a few of his details are a little to graphic, so if blood and gore is not your forte I would not recommend this novel. It is not just another horror novel though; it deals with very important moral issues. The main one being that you should never change who you are. Although it may seem better to try to be something your not, but eventually you will regret it. Thad's "battle" with Stark can also recognized as an internal fight. Possibly fighting his inner demons and by fighting them he will become a stronger, better person. Giving Beaumont a sense of achievement that was earned by who you really are and not who you can act like. In the end Thad realizes what he will have to do to defeat Stark, but is not sure if he will be able to complete the task. He feels that he has no choice because there are more important things in his life like his wife and children. If no action is taken by Thad, Stark will surely kill them as he did Thad's agent and publisher. Beaumont is willing to put himself in position in which he can fail. This is the key point for Thad where he transitions from someone who is afraid to fail to someone who will always express his opinions and those who are confident in themselves, some may say cocky, come out on top more often than not. I would highly recommend this book who likes other novels by King and if not familiar with his works I would still recommend it. You will become acquainted with one the best modern horror writers ever. The only dull moment is at the beginning when the story is being set up, but what book isn't? There is enough action to fulfill your every want and need while entertaining your brain because like a lot of kids now days you are watching television. more than reading. A very exciting ending completes the novel and makes me wish there was a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Stephen King's Darkest Work
Review: THE DARK HALF, which was published in 1994, and bought/read by me during the following year, is a fantastically twisted journey of a writer's alter-ego somehow coming to life and wreaking havoc. Actually, it's not so simple: is George Stark simply a character that Thad Beaumont made up, or was he really the blinking-eye twin that had been removed from Thad's brain, and subsequently buried, when he was 12? THE DARK HALF is part of The Castle Rock series (CUJO was the first, NEEDFUL THINGS was the last); although it begins in the town of Ridgeway, New Jersey where Thad Beaumont grew up, most of it indeed does take place in the fictional Maine town made famous worldwide by Stephen King. After settling down, marrying and becoming a famous Horror/Mystery/Suspense author (hint, hint), Thad's world is suddenly turned upside down when he receives a very confrontational visit by Sheriff Alan Pangborn (who, in true Stephen King fashion, would pop up again in NEEDFUL THINGS), who matched up Thad's fingerprints exactly to those found at a completely grotesque murder scene. After vociferously defending himself, Thad begins to realize that this isn't just a simple case of mistaken identity. Something else is happening. He convinces a skeptical Sheriff Pangborn to bear with him as he begins to unravel the mystery, and the evil, that is THE DARK HALF. Thad's dark half is known as the murderous George Stark, a man with no soul (literally), who is unafraid of anything and will kill with reckless abandon. THE DARK HALF is a completely fascinating read. Even at nearly 500 pages, it never becomes boring. However, those of you with weak stomachs should probably not read it, as it is undoubtedly the most graphically violent novel Stephen King has ever written---and that is saying a lot! For the rest of us, however, it is MOST RECOMMENDED; AGES 18 & UP
Rating:
Summary: Far too Long
Review: Sorry, folks, but King doesn't know when to shut up. I like his short stories a lot, which are vivid and well-written. Most of his novels, with the exception of _Carrie,_ his first, just go on far too long. _The Dark Half_ is no exception. You can read the beginning and the end and skip everything in between, and you wouldn't miss much. Where's an editor when you need one? This novel could easily been half as long.
Rating:
Summary: Suddenly...........I'm not half the man I used to be...
Review: This book takes a fresh and interesting approach to the Jekyll and Hyde story, when a writer (Thad Beaumont, mispelled I'm sure}decides to divorce himself from his pseudonym aka George Stark and to hold a mock funeral for this writer of substantialy darker fiction than his own.
Unfortunatly, Thad has already indulged this darker side of his psyche on too frequent a level and suddenly the make believe grave of his make believe author is found open with footprints leaving the scene. Could this be some joke? Perhapse in this world but in the ,miraculous world of Stephen King..I think not!
A monsterous game of cat and mouse follows and the result is an exciting, grotesque, and genuinly creepy novel.
Hidden more subtly beneath the story of this book is once again a social statement about the way we deal with the different sides of our personalities and also the idea of the Celebrity and the life given to it by the public.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I read this book 10 years ago (when I was in high school). It's a good read...and it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. HOWEVER...I do have one bone to pick. I was very disappointed with the ending. The book was very witty and clever...so I thought the ending would also be clever. It's almost like King didn't know the ending until he got there and the ending was just an after thought. Even with the ending, I give this book 5 stars, and I recommend it. I also recommend "On Writing" "The Shining" "Misery" "The Talisman/Black House" & "The Dark Tower Series" by this author. I did not like "the tommyknockers" at all....but that was me...it just wasn't my cup of tea. In closing...Stephen King is a talented writer....which is refreshing because there are so many horrible horror/sci-fi writers out there.
Rating:
Summary: Good book but...
Review: This book was a good book but I found it some what difficult to read. I thought the book was written differently from other SK books. It seemed like SK had a quota of large words per each page which sometimes jumbled up sentences and took a while to get used to. After about the third chapter I adapted to the style of writing.
This book was more of a mystery/suspense/thriller book rather than horror. Some of the scenes were haunting but more suspenseful and thrilling. This book reminded me of Pet Semetary. If you like the traditional SK, horror and easy reading, I wouldn't highly suggest this book; but it is a good short read.
What I did like about this book was it had little cursing, sexual scenes, and those annoying long flashbacks. That is great, no flashbacks! None!
Overall this was a good book but I enjoy the more traditional horror SK books. If you are like me I highly suggest: IT, Salem's Lot, Misery, The Shining, or Christine.
Rating:
Summary: Creepy in all the right ways
Review: Stephen King is much more than a schlockmeister. He uses his books to examine the human condition and see where we are lacking. For years, I avoided him because I was under the impression that he wrote the literary equivalent of the Friday the 13th series, albeit with a much higher page count. The first story I read was his prequel to the Dark Tower series that appeared the "Legends" anthology back in 1998. I bought that book for the other authors, of course, being a fan of epic fantasy. I thought, "Stephen King in a fantasy anthology?" I read the story since it wouldn't cost me anything extra to do so, and loved it. Shortly thereafter, I made it my mission to read the entire series. When I'd done so, and couldn't stand to wait another five years for Part V, I decided I'd give some more of his stuff a shot, so I read the complete volume edition of "The Green Mile." After that, I was hooked. "The Dark Half" is just the latest book of his I've read. It's not my favorite (that goes to the entire Dark Tower series) but it's not my least favorite, either (that would probably be Cujo, if only because I knew how everything came out, thanks to references in "Needful Things"--fair warning if you've read neither about the order there). I guess what it boils down to is this: if you've read several of his other novels, and enjoyed them, you'll enjoy this one. I don't mean that it's a rehash, but that it has the elements of every good King story: interesting and imperfect characters, realistic relationships between those characters, lots of background on those characters and why they act the way they act, and a story that deals with the supernatural in a perfectly plausible way. If, on the other hand, you've read his stuff and can't stand it, for whatever reason, you probably won't like this one, either. If you've never read his stuff but you're the type that can suspend your disbelief long enough to ask "What if?", then I believe you'll enjoy it.
|
