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Summary: The Best Stephen King book ever!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It brought back many memories of the 60's era and made me keep one eye on my Viet Nam vet husband. No sign of a Zippo lighter but....! I only wish there was mention of what happened to "Blind Willie" and did he ever get revenge on the cop? And how did the glove get from Willie to Sully? Although I know Ted had something to do with this. It was a great read.
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Summary: A heartfelt, touching piece of storytelling
Review: I have to admit to being a HUGE King fan, so I may be biased, but...I loved this book! (I can be objective- I was really disappointed in Bag of Bones, and I LOATHED The Tommyknockers.) King uses the 5 interconnected stories to weave a tapestry of life in the Vietnam era, not by putting the reader IN Vietnam, but by showing us the mood on the homefront. The lead story, Low Men In Yellow Coats, is by far the best; Dark Tower fans will especially appreciative of it. I was impressed by the title story as well. While I miss the "Go for the guts" King of old, to judge by "Hearts In Atlantis" and "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon", the kinder, gentler King is pretty damned good too. And P.S.- I you love Randall Flagg as much as I do, try to pick out his cameo appearance in this book. OK, Steve.....when are you gonna finish The Dark Tower...?
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Summary: Softer King speaks on Vietnam
Review: First, I always love when King crosses the plots of his books, and in "Low Men...", he adds to the collective work known as "The Dark Tower". The short stories all do come together in the end, but there are still a few too many loose ends to fit my tastes. A worthwhile read, but not Kings best.
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Summary: Hearts in Atlantis - a must read
Review: This book is fantastic! I echo some of the sentiments of other reviewers - it certainly not as good as "The Stand" or the "The Shining", but it is definitely one of King's finer works. Of all of his "departures from horror" I think this one is my favorite. Looking to buy a book for someone who grew up in the '60s? You MUST buy them this book! I'm not even a '60s child and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the references to popular culture, Vietnam, sports, etc. This book even made me want to learn how to play the game hearts. Enjoy!
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Summary: Average King
Review: I had to read this book immediately, as I do all of Kings work and have since 6th grade. I like it, I cared about the characters and was drawn "in to" the story as I am only when reading King. I didn't thik it was on the par with "The Stand", which I consider a modern masterpiece, but lets face it folks....Kings avererage is better than the rests best. Mr. King, I'm your number one fan! Hahahaha -Annie(aka Angela Pickle)
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Summary: A most entertaining audio book,Read superbly by William Hurt
Review: This audio book was a real treat for me.Growing up in the sixties, this was a trip down memory lane. King does such a fine job of writing about being a kid and all the feelings involved in being out of school for the summer and friendships and of course all the weird scary stuff too.If you havent experienced King's audio books. You're really missing out.William Hurt read most of this book and he did a spectacular job. That along with Stephen King reading the rest of the stories and the wonderful music of the era played throughout the book made this a most satisfying listen.I HIGHLY recommend the audio version.It was beautiful.
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Summary: growing with us
Review: You people who think king should "give us more of what got you here" need to grow up! People change and grow they don't stay the same.I just wonder if you people are just kids catching on to king and don't realize how long he has been around.Let him grow up!
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Summary: A great read!
Review: I am a very big SK fan and have read all of his novels. Hearts in Atlantis ranks in at least the top ten, maybe the top five of his best books ever. The first two stories are the best (also the longest). As many of his more recent works, Hearts in Atlantis does not fit in the horror realm - for which SK is best known. However, the things which make SK stand apart from his contemporaries (i.e. strong characters, great humor, surreal American themes, and vivid imagination) are to be found in this latest book and gladly welcomed by the reader. This would be a great book to recommend to someone who typically spurns SK novels due to an aversion to his reputation of producing books which are filled with gore, demons, and the like. Hearts in Atlantis is quality literature that most any open-minded, sophisticated reader will enjoy. And as far as the SK fans, like any of his works it is a must read. Don't mistake me, this is no "The Stand" but on the other hand - it isn't "The Tommyknockers" either. Some books inspire and amaze, others merely entertain or fill the void; Hearts in Atlantis is somewhere in between. But compared to most modern literature, it can't be beat. I give it a hearty thumbs up. You won't be dissapointed!
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Summary: Hail Atlantis!
Review: I've been a constant reader of King's since 'Salem's Lot (Gee... I guess that dates me). I've watched with growing wonder the changes in his style, the themes he tackles, etc. And I must say I'm rather annoyed at those who say he's lost his touch or whine because he doesn't write "real" horror anymore (what IS that, exactly?). Face it, folks -- King is one of our greatest, most important writers. He isn't just a "horror" writer, nor is he now trying to be a "literary" writer. For the most part he simply writes plain ol' fiction -- you know, the good stuff, or as he's often called it, "the truth inside the lie." He's an original, and there'll never be another with quite his narrative power again. Yes, his style may have changed a bit (but, hey, I thought life was supposed to be about change), but no one else can turn a phrase so it'll stop your heart the way King does, or write a sentance that's just so damned right it'll bring tears to your eyes. Everyone needs to read this beautiful book about love and loss. The so-called "great American novel" might be a pipe-dream, but after you read this book you may not be so sure. If this ends up being King's last novel, then it makes a fine capstone to a brillaint career. If not, then maybe the best is yet to come. Get well, Mr. King. As I said before, no one writes like you...
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Summary: Is Stephen King a Racist?
Review: I love Stephen King's work. I've read everything the man has written. But am I the only one who notices the unnecessary racial slurs in his writing? I'm more than halfway through Hearts in Atlantis and I am enjoying it the same way I enjoyed The Tommyknockers, The Stand, Carrie, The Green Mile, and so on. But the consistent use of the "n" word, when it is so easily could be avoided has me a concerned. I think Hearts in Atlantis is another Stephen King triumph (even if I have 200 pages to go). I just hope I won't have to stop reading - and start boycotting - Mr. King - because of this offensive behavior.
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