Needful Things - Stephen King

Im sorry, but this will probably be a very long review. I dont know about other people, But my opinion of a book changes throughout, since I get to know the characters, and understand the authors style of thinking and writing. Therefore, this review is written over a large period.

As a huge fan of horror novels, and the films based on the novels of Stephen King, I thought it was about time I actually read one of them. It does, however, ...
...based on the dramas and films.

I acquired 'needful things' just a few days ago, and Ive not been able to put it down! With every sentence and paragraph I read I'm being drawn in further, into the ever increasingly conspiratorial plot of the book.

Set in Castle Rock - a small village (the typical place to find people set in their ways) A small cliche that can be overlooked...perhaps?!

Whats the last thing ... more

Im sorry, but this will probably be a very long review. I dont know about other people, But my opinion of a book changes throughout, since I get to know the characters, and understand the authors style of thinking and writing. Therefore, this review is written over a large period.

As a huge fan of horror novels, and the films based on the novels of Stephen King, I thought it was about time I actually read one of them. It does, however, mean that my 'comparison to similar works' can only be based on the dramas and films.

I acquired 'needful things' just a few days ago, and Ive not been able to put it down! With every sentence and paragraph I read I'm being drawn in further, into the ever increasingly conspiratorial plot of the book.

Set in Castle Rock - a small village (the typical place to find people set in their ways) A small cliche that can be overlooked...perhaps?!

Whats the last thing a small village full of set-in-their-way people need? Did I hear you say 'change'? Ill pretend I did.

Well...whether needed or not, change is what sweeps the sleepy village. Which suddenly becomes far from sleepy, When a mysterious shop becomes the centre of the towns focus. When it finally opens, the almost the whole village turns out, and there just happens to be something that everyone wants, everyone needs, everyone craves. Amazingly, theyre all for an exceptionally low price.

'Little pranks' become part of the price of their desired items, and soon the village is indirectly in the power of one man. surely that can't be good I hear you say?! well, you're right again!!!

Such simple characteristics as eye colour are used to make the 'ordinary' seem extraordinary, and I use the term 'ordinary' very, VERY lightly.

However, I do think that 'eye clour change' is lacking in any real imagination, past the boundaries of a 10 year old. This causes me to think that hes not taking the book seriously, with the links to dated horror films, where all things evil have red eyes. If the author doesnt even take a book seriously, how are we meant to?

*****************************read some more***********************

Another problem I have with the plot is that, I think its all a little too convenient that every single member of castle rock community is prepared to play these tricks on people. Whether they want an object or not, would they really be prepared to do such drastic, and distasteful things such as killing someones dog? (for no reason, I might add!)

I also think that the chapters can be slightly too long in places. with some chapters being less than half a page, whilst others are around 20 pages. With a fairly small print, theres much more than a chapters worth of literature crammed into 20 pages!

**********************read some more**************************

The layout of this book is something Ive not come across before - Firstly, the book is split up into chapters, and then these chapters are split up into sub-chapters (and its the subchapters that can span 20 pages!) most chapters seem to have 15 - 20 sub chapters in them. So its no surprise that the book is a shade under 800 pages.

Currently, Im at the 550 page mark, and Ive realised that I can already guess most of the plot. With so many pranks being played on people and oh so conveniently (again) everyone seems to have 1 person they really hate, or are totally prepared to hate and distrust. As if!

I guess my main problem with this book is that everything seems a little too convenient, and lacking imagination.

************about a week break, before reading more************

At the beginning of the book, I was captivated, but now, I feel like maybe there is something better I could be doing. Dont get me wrong, I dont hate the book, I dont even dislike it, I just feel theres a lot more for Stephen to give. I guess its just...average.

I now firmly believe that this wasnt the book I shouldve read for my introduction to Stephen King. Nobody likes to get off on the wrong foot, but thats pretty much whats happened, I KNOW that King can do better, and I think it wouldve been better to have read one of those novels first, at least then I would have something to compare this book to, other than films such as Carrie, and Mysery.

********************** going to read some more********************

Ok, back... the plot seems to be going better than expected, with some unexpected turns and twists. But Im not entirely sure this is enough to make up for the previous lack of...well...everything I expected!

I still think King is being a little slack, since it blatantly states before forecoming major events, and I quote... "not knowing this would be the last time she saw Nettie alive", "the last real day of castle rocks existence". Like, helloooooooo?!
Surely its parts like those, when King could use his talents to create suspense?

OK, enough of my ranting, I'll go and read some more

***********************ssssshhhhhhh, reading!********************

Right, Im starting to appreciate more, that Kings work gives more attention to the smaller details. Ive finally managed to get to grips with all the characters bow (3/4 of the way through), and hence, I like the mulitiple stories a lot more. (its similar to Love actually in that sense - the many names, faces and stories can be confusing, but once you understand them, its a great plot!)

Its probably time I tell you (before I forget) that, this book isnt really suitable for anyone younger than 14/15 There are extremely detailed, explicit parts of the book. Not only that, but the language is full of explevtives. The normal language and tone of this book used throughout the book, gives a definite sense of being aimed at older readers.

I also think that this book might not appeal so much to younger generations, and its popularity may slowly decrease over time, since the book makes numerous links to the time period in which it was written.

However, I personally like this, although it can be a bit confusing at times (since I dont know who bands etc are) but, I like being able to see the style of writing for that time period. It will also allow me to see how King develops his skills as an author.

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Slight twists are starting to emerge. It seems not everything is being controlled by the 'villain' (Leland Gaunt) , and that the characters are being controlled less and less by him, and more by their own will. The book is starting to redeem itself in my opinion. Everything seems to have changed. I previously thought that I could guess the ending, (and to be fair I guessed a lot of it) but theres still a lot to be revealed. Im super impressed with Stephen King!

It only just occured to me, that this book has no specific market, other than its not for children. The book has characters from all walks of life, with all kinds of social lives etc. (thought it might be worth mentioning)

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Ok, having finally read the book, I think that King just about managed to redeem himself, and the book. It seemed to me like he too the ending a lot more seriously than the beginning.

Being able to focus more on the whole story, as apose to the specific part that Im reading, Im able to appreciate Kings style of writing more.

King uses a mixture of long and short sentences to create emphasis. He also create a feeling of mystery through a lack of description of the infamous Leland Gaunt. Infact...King tends to describe very few things in full. This helps fuel the feelings of uncertainty although, this tends to dip in the middle.

I thought the pace of the book went all too quickly at times, whilst other parts seemed to drag on slightly. In general though, the pace seemed to work well.

I liked the individual characters, I found it very easy to believe the stories of each of these (with possible exception to Leland Gaunt). These characters seemed to have equal coverage which I liked, and I thought no questions were left unanswered about their secrets etc.

Updates will surely follow...

Thanks for reading
Hannah xxx 

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