The Talisman by Stephen King, Peter Straub Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Talisman
Book Review: An Over-rated Slog
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this book way back in high school, many moons ago (say, 1985 or so) and I remember it being a positive experience. Recently, I picked up a discount copy of The Talisman, remembering next to nothing about it, other than the briefest of out-of-context glimpses and echoes, thinking I'd re-read it. I did; here's the summary.
It is surprisingly tedious and grueling to read, the main character descending from one difficult, uncomfortable, dreary and hopeless situation to another. This story is an over-written dark ride, and the execution is tolerable at best, head-scratching at worst. I kept waiting for a flash of hope to try and balance out the over-the-top violence and evil, but it really never came, until the very, very end, when the resolution was more confused than anything. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I kept waiting to get to the book that I had such a solid, lingering fondness for, and it never materialized... which makes me wonder about some of the other King books I read as a youth... perhaps I should skip re-reading them as well, and simply hold onto the positive memories I have of them.
This book has a quote on the back jacket, claiming the book is "one of the most influential and heralded works of fantasy ever written." I'm going to have to call BS on that one. It's quite contrived, melodramatic, predictable and ultimately unsatisfying. The version I have includes a sample chapter from the more recent sequel (Black House), which I felt no compulsion to read.
Book Review: An amazing novel
Summary: 4 Stars
I haven't read more than ten Stephen King novels, but this one is different from any others I have read. Additionally, it is one of the most unique and best novels I have read for its genre. I really enjoyed this novel. One thing a reader can count on King to do is to make the reader feel the characters' emotions. In this novel he does an excellent job of making me feel like I am Jack. The plot and action are intense, and I couldn't put it down; I finished the novel in three days. King is a writer who can take the reader into the story.
What happens. There are two worlds that are almost mirror images of each other, and what happens in one generally, in a round about way, happens in the other. Jack Sawyer is trying to save his mom in one world and a queen in another. Jack faces many ordeals as he crosses the country trying to find a cure for his mother. When Jack reaches California, the novel really heats up; especially inside the house. The details King pays attention to make this novel gripping, and I think this novel may have the most climatic conclusion I have read by him.
One of the things I like about this novel is how well King writes it from a child's perspective. It is definetly different than any other novel I have read, and that, in this case, makes it spectacular.
Book Review: An awesome adventure that will have you hypnotized! You'll remember, THE TALISMAN.
Summary: 4 Stars
King teams up with peter straub this time and delivers an amazing unforgettable story. The way king and straub guide us through a parallel world known as the territories with young jack sawyer on a quest to save his dying mother is superb! This novel has tons of great characters and landscapes and is just all around an extremely cool book. Highly reccomended.Book Review: An awesome adventure that will have you hypnotized! You'll remember, THE TALISMAN.
Summary: 4 Stars
King teams up with peter straub this time and delivers an amazing unforgettable story. The way king and straub guide us through a parallel world known as the territories with young jack sawyer on a quest to save his dying mother is superb! This novel has tons of great characters and landscapes and is just all around an extremely cool book. Highly reccomended.Book Review: An awsome book for all
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this book as I was looking for a good book for my English class, but all of the books that I had found were slow starting. I have nothing against these kinds of books but I am more into a book that catches my eye (this book really caught my eye). I really like this book and I think you would too. This book really twists and turns along the way (if you know what I mean). It's about a young child who is dragged across the world by his mother who seems to be running from something. As they settle down in a small town he hears news that his uncle has passed away. He begins to dream horrible things about his mother, as well as seeing horrifying things in broad daylight. He finds a friend in the town they moved to and he finally starts to feel like a human again. He eventually finds an item that takes him were he has never been before. Sorry, the rest is for you to read. This is one of the only books that I have been able to sit down and read without knowing how much time has passed by. One time I even forgot what day of the week it was. I was even so interested in this book I have begun to look into all of these authors' books.