Hearts In Atlantis - Stephen King > Reviews

Advantages: Hearts in Atlantis is a great tale
Disadvantages: The rest are rather poor, and won't be considered in the below reviews.

Hearts in Atlantis is a mixed bag of 5 stories from the man whose recent books have been very hit and miss, Stephen King. The first, "long men…" is a treat for Dark Tower fans and may leave casual readers entertained, but feeling that they are missing the big picture. The second, "Hearts in Atlantis", is the books ace and it truly is worth buying the paperback edition of this title just to read this tale of obsession with a card game set against ... Read review

Advantages: The title story is excellent as is 'Low Men in Yellow Coats'.
Disadvantages: Other three accompanying stories are a bit hit and miss.

First off, if you have seen the film don't let that effect your judgement of the book, in fact try to wipe it from your memory completely. As usual the silver screen has masacred the writings of a great author. This book comprises of five stories, the first of which being title 'Low men in Yellow Coats' is about the life of a ten year old boy named Bobby Garfield and the last great summer of his childhood, his best friends Sully John and Carol ... Read review

Advantages: A beautiful book
Disadvantages: no one

Last week I spoke about this book with a friend, and he told me that he couldn't understand why 'Hearts in Atlantis' should be considered one of the best, perhaps the better, among King's books. I think that at the base of this questions, there is an error of misunderstaning. We are speaking about Stephen King a, so to tell, 'horror writer' and when we open a King book what we are looking for is horror, dreadfull creatures and supernatural events. Hearts ... Read review

Advantages: Character based, thought provoking stories
Disadvantages: Won't appeal to Kings horror fraternity

To start this review I must first say that I am a Stephen King fan, although I should also mention that I do not consider SK to be merely a horror writer. This book certainly proves this, and it also shows that SK is just as comfortable writing emotional thought-provoking and intriguing novels as he his horror. It seems to me that King has changed considerably from his Misery/ Shinning / It et al days... Recent works including the stunning Dark ... Read review

Advantages: 5 very well written character stories.
Disadvantages: 'Traditional' King fans may not like the change.

I received this book as a present from my boyfriend, and as I have been a fan of Stephen King for quite some time now I was eager to read it. The book is a collection of five short stories. The first is based around three young friends. The main character, Bobby, meets a strange, but friendly, old man named Ted who speaks of the 'low men in yellow coats' and describes himself as a 'breaker'. The story is told from Bobbys' point of view and is slightly ... Read review

Advantages: King at his best. Vivid, memorable characters.
Disadvantages: Go elsewhere if you're seeking a gore-fest.

Young Bobby Garfield befriends an old man, Ted Brautigan, who moves into the apartment upstairs. Ted becomes a wonderful, trusted friend - a much-needed rock in Bobby's world, which is marred by his appallingly dysfunctional mother. Via the old man, he discovers more about his dead father's murky past; but he is also drawn into Ted's disturbing world. Ted is being tracked by the "Low Men In Yellow Coats", and they're closing in. Bobby tries to help ... Read review

Advantages: five different stories, many pages
Disadvantages: the later stories seem a bit pointless

...into and addicted to playing Hearts for money. This eventually features the girlfriend from the first story. I really enjoyed this chapter of the book, as I too am currently on my first term of university, as well as it being an exciting read and showing some interesting things about human behaviour. This, in my opinion, is by far the best story in the book, and could easily be released as a book in its own right. I would say that this story is amongst ... Read review

Advantages: Examines Vietnam in great detail with the usual King gripping storyline.
Disadvantages: A long book that takes a lot of stamina to finish.

...one of King's usual books, Hearts In Atlantis takes us through a journey of over 30 years, centered over the destruction of America's people through the Vietnam war. The complete book contains 5 stories, the first about 3 best friends in their childhood town. This is situated before the vietnam war, and shows what life was like. The second set in college during Vietnam, the title story, containing the girl from the childhood book. The book continues ... Read review

Advantages: none
Disadvantages: jumps around with no thread to the story

Stranger than Fiction... I am still not sure what to make of this book by King. The first section Low Men in Yellow Coats starts well and seems to be going places and you are really pleased this is such a big book! Then all of a sudden it jumps and you find yourself trying to work out who is who and where have the main characters gone. Then just as you think you have got it clear in your head (Which you haven’t trust me!) It jumps again and you have ... Read review

Advantages: wonderfully written
Disadvantages: not the usual style

Hearts in atlantis , well fantastic smooth flowing and wonderful, great theme and the character relationships magic, wonderful depth to them. Loved it and left wanting more !!!!!! Everyone could relate to the feelings of at least one of the charactrers giving a real feel to the story,. Great to read a story without unnecessary gore but with plenty of atmosphere. I love it when a story affects your everyday life and makes you wonder, gets you ... Read review

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: A very poor effort

I looked forward to the new Stephen King book with glee and anticipation. I was sadly disappointed. This book, although readable was nowhere near as good as his others have been. I found myself in the uneviable position of being able to put this book down and not be in any hurry to pick it up again. There are four stories, all which follow on from each other, but only the first was remotely attention grabbing. At one point I abandoned this book completely ... Read review