Rating: 
Summary: Working chronologically
Review: I'll admit that I was a little thrown at first by this book. I came across this one while I was working my way through a chronological review of King's literature, and this one happens to fall behind what most people consider to be his masterpiece, The Stand. To be sure, The Stand is an excellent book, particularly with regard to the method by which it blends religious issues with contemporary tone and plot matter, and there was a lot of plot matter to blend with. The result was that this book left me feeling a little empty at first. There just wasn't as much there as I was used to. This was a bit of a departure for King--his previous two novels had been a little bit removed from the more intimate, individual picture that you're given in this book. The ultimate truth, however, is that this book is not just believable, but memorable. I'm not sure how he hit the nail on the head so well with Johnny Smith, but this is perhaps one of the best characters that he's ever crafted, and I mean ever. It's often difficult to relate to the situations that show up in King's writing (really, now, how many of us have been sucked into an alternate reality by a demon living in the body of a small boy or survived a nation-slaying plague), but in this book Steve manages to blend the unknown (psychic power) with the familiar (the world we live in) with startling effectiveness. Basically, I have to give this book five stars if only because I still find myself thinking about it sometimes. The characterizations are all excellent, and the ethical issues that form the heart of the novel are certainly worth considering. Most of all, this book makes you feel as though you're actually reading about a man living in a world, instead of a world going on around a group of men. Events are written in a way that sound believable and very similar to our own world--it's worth noting that this was the novel debut of his Castle Rock setting, in a move that I found particularly interesting. The story about the Castle Rock Strangler blends effortlessly into the rest of the plot, forming a rich backdrop against which Smith's mind and predicament can be showcased. Now, it's worth noting that the movie translation isn't worth have a crap on a crutch. In fact, I think I pretty much owe that movie for the fact that I can no longer think about Smith without attaching Christopher Walken's startling features to him (even though that was not how I originally envisioned him--I thought more of a person who was, um, you know, likeable), or Martin Sheen with the book's "villain." Overall, this is a fine piece of literature that I would recommend for any reader with a little bit of time available--you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Even My Mother Loved It and Said, "Not too weird"
Review: For years my mother wouldn't read any Stephen King novels because she was convinced they were all too weird. However, I did convince her to read this one and she was instantly smitten as a fan by the time she was done. The only "weird" aspect of this tale is that the hero is clairvoyant. His powers become hyper charged when he is in a horrendous car crash that leaves him in a coma for four and half years. When he finally wakes, he discovers that just by touching someone or some object, he can see exactly what happened or will happen to that person. The story is about all of the events that happen to him when using this new power. There is also a love story aspect, which is unusual for King. It's not a major part of the story but it is nicely done what is there. This was made into a movie starring a young Christopher Walken before he became typecast as villains and mobsters later in his career. Walken did a great job and "Dead Zone" is as different for him as it was different for King. Both the novel and the film are excellent and you can't go wrong with either. I recently saw the film on DVD again and it held up beautifully to when I'd seen it when it first came out decades ago.
Rating: 
Summary: A well crafted story
Review: I finished reading Stephen King's "On Writing" and decided to read "The Dead Zone" next, since he wrote about its genesis at some length. What interested me in particular is that he commented that "The Dead Zone" was one of the only novels for which he ever wrote an outline.I could almost feel that structure as I read the book. The action is well-paced, and unlike many other King novels, it doesn't really stray too far from its purpose. From the beginning, you are almost certain of what will happen, but you are compelled to read anyway. And, of course, there's a twist. There has to be in a story like this. This book is a great exploration of the age-old cocktail party question: "If you could have killed Hitler as an infant, knowing what he would do when he rose to power, would you do it?" I think Stephen King may have an answer. Recommended to SK fans and suspense fans.
Rating:
Summary: A "PREETY GOOD" Book
Review: I like Stephen King's writing a lot and in my opinion this is his best work. The Dead Zone is a preety good book that displays all of King's virtuoso writing talents. King knows how to write memorable and engaging characters. In the Dead Zone he creates his best progtagonist yet, Johnny Smith. Besides all the memorable characters King has written, I also like the pacing of his storytelling. There is nothing rushed or hurried, nor slow or contrived about it. It just has a natural flow to it. King might be the best natural writer on the market today. When you read King's work you almost feel like your watching a movie play out in your mind. He creates atmosphere and mood so easily and effortlessly you wonder how he pulls it off. I recommend this book if you're new to Stephen King. It's a compelling read that is enjoyable from the first page turned to the last. Also, I recommend his latest memoir, "Stephen King On Writing".
Rating:
Summary: Great read, although not as universal as it could have been
Review: I've always been a Stephen King fan, and this novel ranks right up there on my favourites list. The main character, Johnny Smith, is very strong and is given relatable and lengthy characterization. The format is also quite good. King allows the piece to fall as they may, showing hints of things to come, but never giving too much away. Early in the novel we're introduced to a lightning rod salesman at a bar, but this isn't pivotal until a great deal later (between 250 and 300 pages later, actually). And pivotal is it. Two things that bugged me, though. King sometimes seems to foreshadow way too much. I know it's just his style -- as I've seen this used in all of his great books, particularly "Eyes of the Dragon", my favourite of his -- and I don't generally mind it too much, but he'll often end several consecutive chapters with clear indication of what happens in the next. In a society that dwells on cliffhangers to keep on reading, I suppose that is one of the reasons he's so popular, but I personally would prefer him allowing the story to tell itself rather than having to end chapters by telling us that the main characters would not meet for another four years. Sure, it gets the reader's interest, but only if the reader's supposed to be uninterested in the first place. Also, the ending fails to be as universal as it could have been. I loved the questions it raises about assassination, but by having Johnny unsuccessful, King fails to keep the question on a real level, something that could be used in consideration of Lincoln or JFK. If Johnny had succeeded without the speculation, notes and scandals associated with it all afterwords, it would have kept the motives mysterious, something which real life assassins are in many cases. Matty J
Rating:
Summary: Undesirable desires
Review: King has repeatedly explored the human nature and its weaknesses. Quite a handful of his books are rich variations on the basic fairy-tale theme of wishful thinking. Snip: (...)
Rating:
Summary: What makes an assassin do what he does?
Review: This novel is enjoyable because it puts you in the perspective of an assassin, but you never really realize it until the end of the book. Johnny Smith is just a regular Joe who by a freak of nature is given the power of seeing the future. Whenever he comes into contact with someone, he is able to glimpse something of their life. When he comes across Gregory Stillson, a politician, he knows what he must ultimately do. This book is a great read, and I highly suggest getting it. I have never really given Stephen King a chance (although the Shawshank redemption is my favorite movie of all time) but I will be reading more of his works in the future!
Rating:
Summary: If I were to write a book, it would've been The Dead Zone
Review: Occasionally a book will come along and it'll affect you in a place you had completely forgotten about. It'll leave a feeling behind that will encompass everything, like a hit below the belt. One of the first books I read for personel pleasure was Crime and Punishment, to this day I consider it the best ever written. Not for any real reason other than it hit me below the belt harder than any other book, and it was the first time for me. I was like a blushing bride on her wedding day...Anyway. Every so often I'll run into a book like that, that hits me somewhere that doesn't get hit too often. I won't bore you with the names of those books, but this one, this "horror" novel did just that. I'm not an emotional guy, but I could feel tears welling up near the end. The only other time in my life that's happened (besides when I was a little tike, ya know) was when Raskolnikov and Sonia professed their love for one another. That was powerful for a thirteen year old boy. This book was no less powerful for me, and I'm a little older than thirteen; not much, but older still. I won't reveal too much of the story, I'd hate to ruin it. God, I wish I could be more expressive, but we all have our deficiencies. I guess. Use your own judgement. If you want a book that will move you, a book that will make you feel alive, a book that you will remember for the rest of your life if you're anything like me, pick up the Dead Zone. It's as close as you'll get. At least in my experience. I've read a large assortment of books, about as ecclectic as you can get, or at least as ecclectic as I can get. My personal library is over a thousand volumes, and I've read just about every one. I say this not to boast, but to put in perspective how much I love reading. I abhor TV, and I'm privileged with the ability to read exceedingly fast. It took me three hours to read this novel, THREE HOURS! I don't know about you, but I can't say I've read a 400+ page book in three hours. I'm sure in the future I'll return to this novel many a time, but it'll never have the affect on me like the first time. It's like heroin, a good book: the first time is the best. And it hits you before you know it. Enjoy. I truely hope you buy this book, you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: The Dead Zone
Review: "The Dead Zone," by Stepehn King, is a book unlike the others i have read. He takes in the common ideas of a car accident, a psychic, and a coma and turns it into a suspenseful story. It begins with Johnny Smith, a young man who loses the prime of his life to some wild teens. As the story unfolds, Stephen King will capture your breath and thoughts. The way he makes this story seem so believable is quite remarkable. The subplots are guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your chair. The suspense delivered by this book is one unlike anyother. It shows a different side of Stephen King. It shows that not all his books are of the unthinkable, but rather this book shows the true creativeness of Stephen King. Only Stephen King can make an everyday occurrence seem remarkable, as you will see as you are unable to put this spellbinding book down. Its resemblence to reality will make you wonder, "Is this actually a true story?" I was very impressed with the way this book was written. The description and detail made me feel like i was there to witness the talents of Johnny Smith. The nature of people also captivated my attention, as when Stephen King portrayed the persistent news reporters. We all know how they crowd the space of the famous, but Stephen King tells of the complexity of being famous, how it may actually feel. Another example is how he shows the heartbreak to see your child in a coma, the pain and agony that people go through. Overall, I was most impressed by the way this book could have been a true story. A few parts may make you think otherwise, but who is to say what is reality. Whether or not it is, this book still recieves praise from me as I rate it fairly high.
Rating:
Summary: The Dead Zone
Review: The Dead Zone is worth reading even if you are not a Stephen King fan. This book is more concerned with good and evil, and the choices we have to make between the two, rather than an outright horror novel. This is one of King's best books, keeping the suspense without all of the gore.
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