Cell: A Novel by Stephen King Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Cell: A Novel
Book Review: A lot written that made no sense!!!
Summary: 2 Stars
There is no question King has written some great books in the past, but this one is one of his worst. Not only was it boring, it just didn't do anything to keep you glued to the story. It was a struggle to get through it.
Not a book I would recommend to read.
Book Review: A post 9/11 Dawn of the Dead!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Stephen King does George Romero brilliantly in his techno-warfare meets terrorism horror homage to zombie movies "Cell". Terrorists send a pulse carrying a techno-virus via cell phone that turns everyone listening to it into rampaging homicidal killers. Artist Clayton Riddell doesn't own a cell phone and is unaffected. But he has to make sure that his estranged wife Sharon and their so Johnny-Gee are safe. You see, they do own cell phones. They may have been listening when the pulse was transmitted. They may have been turned into mindless killing "phoners" like the rest. Claton just has to fid out. So along with Tom, Alice (a teenager who lost her entire family), and a few other "normies" along the way, Clayton sets out to find his family. King is back in fine form creating complex characters that draw you into their lives in such a way that when something bad happens (and it does over and over again) it affects you. Unlike most "stock" characters populating horror stories today. "Cell" is a gripping horror story full of page turner excitement that hits the ground running from the very beginning, grabs a hold of you, and never lets go. For techno-phobes like me this is a modern nightmare and I loved every minute of it. Another book I recommend is the scifi adventure "GAAK" by Darryl Hughes. Four "Goonies" like misfit kids named Zach, Jemmy, Plato, and Chubs overcome bullies, annoying brothers and sisters, and disbelieving grownups as they try to save their small suburban town and the world from kooky aliens from outer space. It's like Spielberg's best stuff.Book Review: A re-hash of his older books....
Summary: 3 Stars
I read Cell fairly quickly, but I was disappointed. The major disappointment is King doesn't provide any conclusion to the story. The book seems to just come to a stop part way through. No explanation is given as to the ultimate cause of the nightmare, or how it was resolved.
The other feeling I had reading it is that it's a re-hash of his other books like The Stand, The Mist, etc. You know, there's some sort of large scale catastrophe, there's a small group of survivors who come together, etc. etc. It even has an old woman with cat's-eye glasses who spouts religious gibberish (reminded me of the religious woman in The Mist). Also there's a character who reminded me of Randall Flagg from The Stand. The characters even share the same dreams just like in The Stand.
In all, it held my interest, but unlike his older books like Firestarter I have no desire to go back and re-read my favorite parts. Final verdict: warmed-over "The Stand".
Book Review: A real foot dragger
Summary: 2 Stars
Hmmm, I have to agree with some of the posts that complained about no ending. Hey, at least the villian wasn't a stupid spider! Stephen has always left something to desire with his endings. He can suck you in with the suspense and fear, and bam!, the ending leaves you hanging.
This story was monotonous. There was paragraph after paragraph, where I said, 'ok ok, lets get on with it'. As if we would be shocked with the gore that was coming. You knew the gore was coming, but it took way too long to get there.
I vowed to not read anymore of his works after "From a Buick 8". Geez, that was a weird one. I decided to give this one a chance, after so much time had passed since I'd read anything of his, and, well, I was disappointed to say the least. I also agree with another poster that I won't waste anymore money on the hardback books.
I will say that he did get you going with his sensational beginning. Didn't waste anytime at all getting the actual story started, but it just began to fall apart. I guess that's why I gave it at least 2 stars.
I will always stay a Stephen King fan from way back, but I'm afraid that it will be a past fan and not a future one. I'm reading better stuff from other authors anyway and when I'm finished with those books, I'm not left cold or confused or disgusted. Just riveted! Sorry Stephen!
Book Review: A really good throwaway tale from the master
Summary: 4 Stars
This is effectively "Stephen King does fast food". Some of King's earlier books are a huge investment of your time, and although usually rewarding anyway, it was nice to grab hold of one that was an easy read and didn't take up weeks of my time. The Cell is a decent modern day horror, up with the times, where vampires and monsters have been replaced by cell phones (monsters of a different kind indeed!). There isn't the usual stream of subplots and in-depth minor characters in The Cell that you would normally get in King novel, but that makes for a refreshing change of pace. This would be an ideal book for someone new to the world of Stephen King to cut their teeth on. Very enjoyable, hard to put down for the most part, and not too long.