Rating: Summary: The King has no clothes Review: This book is the latest in a continuing series of mediocre efforts from Stephen King. It displays a particularly obnoxious tendency that has crept into his fiction of late: political correctness. Early in the book, King makes a blatant plug for Clinton. Ralph encounters a very minor character who is ranting about how much he hates Clinton. King then tells us that Ralph thinks that Clinton is doing a good job. This has nothing to do with the action. In fact, it stops the action, however briefly. This is only the beginning. A major subplot is the deterioration of Ralph's neighbor, Ed. King is careful to tell us that Ed and his wife Helen supported Clinton. Then Ed, under the influence of the malign Atropos, begins ranting against abortion and eventually attacks Helen. (Apparently King believes that once you stop being pro-choice, it's only one small step to spousal abuse.) This is heavy-handed enough, but King goes further and involves Ed with an Operation Rescue-type group that is willing to kill for its beliefs. This group's members are nothing more than stereotypes: unkempt, ugly, bigoted, violent, and stupid. This elitist stunt in a writer known for his unique appeal to the masses is simply outrageous. Furthermore, Ed's metamorphosis from normal neighbor to right-wing terrorist is not at all believable. We are not given any scenes from Ed's point of view which would allow us to witness the deterioration of his mind. This could have been very powerful (think Harold Lauder in THE STAND, or Lou Creed in PET SEMATARY). Seeing Ed struggle against and eventually surrender to the forces compelling him could have added a needed note of tragedy. But after Ed attacks his wife and is arrested, we barely see him until the climax of the book, a few hundred pages later. This is a major character? Equally obnoxious is the "explanation" of Ed's new pro-life views: his possession by Atropos. Is King implying that one would have to be demon-possessed to adopt pro-life views? This is extremely poor characterization. We deserve better from a professional writer. This review doesn't come from my feelings about Clinton or abortion, which have no place here. But King's feelings about these topics have no place in his fiction, especially if he can't do a better job of characterizing opposing views. Stereotypes should never replace good, solid characters you can care about. I didn't care about Ed or any of the characters, and this made INSOMNIA a major waste of my time. King once criticized a Harlan Ellison story for its preachiness, saying "I prefer my stories without billboards." Well, so do I.
Rating: Summary: SCARY, One of his best! Review: I have read the hardcover version and am now going to listen to the audiobook version. Having been a Stephen King fan for years, I can hardly wait to revisit old friends, Ralph and all. It's a scary, involved, great King novel.
Rating: Summary: This is one of King's most thought-provoking books. Review: When I checked this book out of my local library, I really had no idea what it was about. I just wanted to read a King book. I picked up the book and read almost all of it while on a road trip over Christmas. I just could not put it down!! The characters are so alive and refreshing. King creates a town that lives in your mind long after you put the book down. I had never read a book in which older people were portrayed with such realism. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in what occurs in the afterlife and the meaning of life in general. Are you a Purpose or a Random??? Read the book and try to find out for yourself. It is a long book, so be prepared for your time to be occupied!
Rating: Summary: This book sucked Review: Man, how this book sucked... once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down - it consumed all of my free time and I was actually reading this instead of doing my schoolwork... it sucked so bad that I failed quite a few classes because I had to read it 4 or 5 times!
Rating: Summary: Thrilling and spellbinding Review: I started on the Norwegian version of Insomnia and I soon learned that this was an extrordonary book. When it seams the end is near you still have som 200 pages to read and then you think can this hold all the way out. It is at that point you know, and truly belive that Mr. Stephen King is a writing genius. It has a really good storry, and if you are free minded, the storry could even be reliable.I'm a beliver of Auras Morten Johan Henriksen
Rating: Summary: Stunning Review: I was skeptical about reading this book after seeing some of the poor ratings it was given here but after reading I have to say BUY BUY BUY !
Rating: Summary: this and IT are Kings best Review: Insomnia is the best book that I ever read. It is wonderful!!! This and It and Eyes of the Dragon are the best. The worst that I have read are Apt Pupil and ALL of the dark tower books. This book is impossible to put down. Anyone who says that its garbage is not in their right mind!!!!!!!!
Rating: Summary: Hard Reading Review: I think King has done an excellent job writting this book. It is very involved though, and sometimes can not be followed without reading over things more than once. King was successful in measuring up what he usually writes.
Rating: Summary: This book stunk. Review: I could not wait to get to the end of this book. It never went anywhere. Not one of his best.
Rating: Summary: Wild & Zaney - Tender & Touching....I liked this book a lot! Review: One of the things I love about Stephen King is his ability to get into all aspects of life. This was a story about a lonely old man. SK introduced me to this old man and as the pages turned, I felt I knew him personally; and liked him. I felt like I livwed across the street - BUT, I'm glad I don't live on that street. Ralph was a dear man and he and Lois went on a super adventure (only the kind of adventure SK could dream up.) Description is excellent. This is a must read SK! Thanks Mr. King!!!
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