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Secret Window, Secret Garden
The second of a four-part audio series from Stephen King's bestselling book, Four Past Midnight.
Recently divorced writer Mort Rainey is alone at Tashmore Lake--that is, until a figure named John Shooter arrives, pointing an accusing finger.
Audio Cassette
First published September 24, 1990
103 people are currently reading
6,716 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,579 books871k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 447 reviews
April 4, 2023
Στην υποθετική ερώτηση, «αν ήσουν ένας επιφανής συγγραφέας, λ.χ. ο Πολ Σέλντον ή ο Μορτ Ρέινυ» (έτσι, για να δανειστούμε δύο ονόματα από το συγγραφικό σύμπαν του Κινγκ, το πρώτο από το Misery, το δεύτερο από το Secret Window, Secret Garden, «ποιος θα σε τρόμαζε περισσότερο: η νοσοκόμα (και νούμερο ένα θαυμάστριά σου) Άννι Γουίλκς ή ο επίδοξος ομότεχνός σου Τζων Σούτερ που δεν έχεις δει ξανά στην ζωή σου αλλά διατείνεται ότι έκλεψες το διήγημά του και είναι αποφασισμένος να σου στερήσει τον ύπνο γι αυτό», θα απαντούσα, όχι χωρίς κάποιον δισταγμό, «ο Τζων Σούτερ». Διότι, στην περίπτωσή του, δεν είσαι σίγουρος για τίποτε: ούτε για το ποιος στ’ αλήθεια είναι (ένας φτωχός αγρότης από τον Νότο, ένα φάντασμα από το παρελθόν ή μήπως ο ίδιος ο εαυτός σου;), ούτε για το μέχρι που μπορεί να φτάσει.
Συναρπαστικό, ευφυές, εθιστικό. Το απόλαυσα όσο λίγα βιβλία του.
Συναρπαστικό, ευφυές, εθιστικό. Το απόλαυσα όσο λίγα βιβλία του.
April 24, 2017
this was a little bit disappointing for me but i know Stephen king good author and he have a lot of books out there i didn't read it yet so i'm just gonna keep going and read it all if i can 💜'
August 23, 2021
2021 re-read:
I'm glad I don't have to change my rating of this one, like I had to with The Langoliers. This story of a writer that sees himself pressured by a stranger who accuses him of having plagiarized one of his stories was just as much fun as the first time around. It's super interesting to see Mort's life come undone and to question what is real and what is imagined. Yes, the epilogue is unnecessary and what King did on the last eigth pages almost feels like he wanted to live up to his reputation of writing bad endings. But otherwise this is almost perfect.
Old, still kinda idiotic review (because of the Langoliers part):
I've actually read this pretty short (a little over 200 pages) SK story as part of this book:
But since it doesn't even get mentioned on the bookpage for that particular edition and also because I thought that Langoliers was pretty meh while this one here is suspenseful and fun, I decided to rate it separately.
So, sue me.
Upon further consideration, don't sue me, please. That would be pretty mean.
I'm glad I don't have to change my rating of this one, like I had to with The Langoliers. This story of a writer that sees himself pressured by a stranger who accuses him of having plagiarized one of his stories was just as much fun as the first time around. It's super interesting to see Mort's life come undone and to question what is real and what is imagined. Yes, the epilogue is unnecessary and what King did on the last eigth pages almost feels like he wanted to live up to his reputation of writing bad endings. But otherwise this is almost perfect.
Old, still kinda idiotic review (because of the Langoliers part):
I've actually read this pretty short (a little over 200 pages) SK story as part of this book:
But since it doesn't even get mentioned on the bookpage for that particular edition and also because I thought that Langoliers was pretty meh while this one here is suspenseful and fun, I decided to rate it separately.
So, sue me.
Upon further consideration, don't sue me, please. That would be pretty mean.
June 19, 2021
There is something very reassuringly King about this novella. A quintessentially King short story, which concludes in typical Kingy fashion. However, I didn't like how it ended; I didn't like the ending at all. And it's all about the endings. Good thing Depp changed it and made it better. Savvy?
June 8, 2024
Read in Four Past Midnight.
Five stars, but it's the twist that gets it there. Fantastic, and I didn't see it coming. Looking back, I see that plenty of clues were there, but it still caught me off guard. And boy, am I ever glad that I didn't see the movie before reading the book, because that would've ruined the reading experience. Actually, I still haven't seen the movie. I understand it's a little different from the novella, so I might just let it be.
I think Stephen King does really well with Novellas. This is the 12th of his I've read, and while a couple were lackluster, none of them were bad. He's had a few bad novels, and a few bad short stories so far, but most of the novellas are really good. He tends to cut the superfluous crap in those. Of course, all the ones I've read are his earlier works, and he was more concise back in the old days. We'll see if this trend continues.
As for this story, I'm not even going to go into it mostly because I seem to be uninspired and have nothing to say about it. Maybe I'll throw something on here another time. But it was fun. I liked it, and I enjoyed the twist. Go read it for yourself, and have a good time.
Five stars, but it's the twist that gets it there. Fantastic, and I didn't see it coming. Looking back, I see that plenty of clues were there, but it still caught me off guard. And boy, am I ever glad that I didn't see the movie before reading the book, because that would've ruined the reading experience. Actually, I still haven't seen the movie. I understand it's a little different from the novella, so I might just let it be.
I think Stephen King does really well with Novellas. This is the 12th of his I've read, and while a couple were lackluster, none of them were bad. He's had a few bad novels, and a few bad short stories so far, but most of the novellas are really good. He tends to cut the superfluous crap in those. Of course, all the ones I've read are his earlier works, and he was more concise back in the old days. We'll see if this trend continues.
As for this story, I'm not even going to go into it mostly because I seem to be uninspired and have nothing to say about it. Maybe I'll throw something on here another time. But it was fun. I liked it, and I enjoyed the twist. Go read it for yourself, and have a good time.
March 10, 2016
STEPHEN KING SHORT STORIES ARE MY FAVOURITE THING IN THE WHOLE WORLD
Okay I'm being dramatic. But I do love them. A lot. Like a lot a lot.
Okay I'm being dramatic. But I do love them. A lot. Like a lot a lot.
November 20, 2022
“I know I can do it," Todd Downey said, helping himself to another ear of corn from the steaming bowl. "I'm sure that in time her death will be a mystery, even to me.”
The premise is simple and claustrophobic. What happens when an author, going through the legal and psychological harrows of a divorce, is accused of plagiarism by a stalking psychopath?
Now, of course, it’s Stephen King, so the storytelling is just as amazing as ever. And the Cabin in the Woods format was just so perfect for this particular story, however, it meanders quite a few times, especially in the parts where our protagonist leaves the cabin. Whenever the story shifts from the two-man show to the city (for instance), they’re significant for the plot development, but you may turn impatient quite a few times.
What was meant to be the twist, it’s also foreseeable, but you know, it’s only one of the bad sides of overconsumption of thrillers. At the time this story was written, however, the impact must have been huge. There are definitive influences of several story elements used here on the likes of Palahniuk’s Fight Club and Keigo Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X.
What I like the most about this story is the unapologetic tonality. Some people are just bad, they don’t become bad while trying to seek redemption. And I like the way King uses the theme of vengeance like it’s something you will have cravings for.
“Good! he wanted to cry out to her. Good! Because you only had to see it! I had to wear it!”
You’re almost going to find yourself guilty of seeking satisfaction from all the villainous acts performed.
No. Not the dog Chico.
The premise is simple and claustrophobic. What happens when an author, going through the legal and psychological harrows of a divorce, is accused of plagiarism by a stalking psychopath?
Now, of course, it’s Stephen King, so the storytelling is just as amazing as ever. And the Cabin in the Woods format was just so perfect for this particular story, however, it meanders quite a few times, especially in the parts where our protagonist leaves the cabin. Whenever the story shifts from the two-man show to the city (for instance), they’re significant for the plot development, but you may turn impatient quite a few times.
What was meant to be the twist, it’s also foreseeable, but you know, it’s only one of the bad sides of overconsumption of thrillers. At the time this story was written, however, the impact must have been huge. There are definitive influences of several story elements used here on the likes of Palahniuk’s Fight Club and Keigo Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X.
What I like the most about this story is the unapologetic tonality. Some people are just bad, they don’t become bad while trying to seek redemption. And I like the way King uses the theme of vengeance like it’s something you will have cravings for.
“Good! he wanted to cry out to her. Good! Because you only had to see it! I had to wear it!”
You’re almost going to find yourself guilty of seeking satisfaction from all the villainous acts performed.
No. Not the dog Chico.
February 16, 2018
Another well done read by King. A Suspenseful, intriguing and horror filled mystery.
May 18, 2012
First Stephen King I have read. Loved it...absolutely love his style. As with many of his books I have committed the sin of watching this as a movie before reading it and yes the book is better. It has a completely different ending, and deeper meaning. But (shamefully) it was made all the better that I read Mort Rainey in my minds eye as Johnny Depp. I think that added to the intrigue of the character and I can't say if I regret it or not.
January 13, 2018
KMK izazov 2018.
6/12
Knjiga po kojoj je snimljen film.
6/12
Knjiga po kojoj je snimljen film.
July 13, 2023
Ο Στίβεν Κινγκ είναι ένας εκ των κορυφαίων συγγραφέων και καλό είναι να τελειώνουμε με το στερεότυπο ότι γράφει μόνο βιβλία με τέρατα! Μπορεί να δημιουργήσει εξίσου πολύ «δυνατές» ιστορίες σε άλλα πλαίσια και ένα από αυτά τα δημιουργήματα είναι το Κρυφό Παράθυρο, Μυστικός Κήπος! Χωρίς πολλές «σάλτσες», όπως σε άλλα του έργα, με μία αρχή μέση και τέλος, σε 250 ,μόλις, σελίδες, εξελίσσεται ένας αγωνιώδης αγώνας με το χρόνο για την αποκάλυψη της αλήθειας! Βιβλίο που διαβάζεται «απνευστί» χάρις τον εκπληκτικό τρόπο γραφής του Κινγκ που μαγνητίζει!
Πλέον είναι δυσεύρετο, αλλά εάν πέσει στα χέρια σας, κάντε τη χάρη στον εαυτό σας να το διαβάσετε!
Πλέον είναι δυσεύρετο, αλλά εάν πέσει στα χέρια σας, κάντε τη χάρη στον εαυτό σας να το διαβάσετε!
February 7, 2016
Το Κρυφό Παράθυρο, Μυστικός Κήπος είναι ένα βιβλίο που περιγράφει κατά μία έννοια την εσωτερική σύγχυση, ή και πόλεμο, που μπορεί να βρεθεί ένας συγγραφέας. Σε αντίθεση με άλλα κείμενα του King δεν ήταν ιδιαιτέρως περιγραφικό και είχε γρήγορη ροή, και ακόμα μια φορά κατάφερε να με κάνει να ανατριχιάσω αρκετές φορές. Το 5 χάνεται μόνο και μόνο επειδή σε στιγμές μπορούσα να μαντέψω τη συνέχεια και επειδή ίσως μου θύμισε γνωστή ταινία με τον Edward Norton. Ίσως γι' αυτό μπορούσα να μαντέψω τη συνέχεια. Αλλά σίγουρα και εδώ αποδεικνύεται πόσο μεγάλος συγγραφέας είναι ο Stephen King.
ΥΓ: Δεν υπάρχει χειρότερο πράγμα από εξώφυλλα ταινιών στα βιβλία..
ΥΓ: Δεν υπάρχει χειρότερο πράγμα από εξώφυλλα ταινιών στα βιβλία..
July 24, 2011
I had seen the movie in theaters when it first came out and loved it. I had no idea that is was a Stephen King story. Since I am trying to read the back catalog of King I decided this would be a great quick read.
I really enjoyed it, it has been so long since I have seen the movie that this was almost like my first exposure to it. I did remember a few details so it was easy to follow along. The ending of this was different from the movie, and to be honest, I liked the movie ending better. This was a great story and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick entertaining read.
I really enjoyed it, it has been so long since I have seen the movie that this was almost like my first exposure to it. I did remember a few details so it was easy to follow along. The ending of this was different from the movie, and to be honest, I liked the movie ending better. This was a great story and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick entertaining read.
June 2, 2020
4.5 stars. I do love this story, but I prefer the movie ending because it so beautifully reflects so many things that are set up in the story. I do like this ending, but the movie is better. Review to come.
July 3, 2017
Ο καθένας βλέπει κάτι. Ο καθένας βλέπει κάτι ξεχωριστό. Ο καθένας διακρίνει διαφορετικά πράγματα. Άλλος το παρατηρεί από άλλη όψη.
Ο συγγραφέας, γενικά ο καλλιτέχνης, παίζει πολλές φορές με το μυαλό του. Πατάει συχνά αυτή την γραμμή που τον διαχωρίζει από την τρέλα. Μια γραμμούλα που μοιάζει με ένα γυάλινο παράθυρο. Τι γίνεται, όμως, όταν το γυαλί αρχίζει να ραγίζει και η πραγματικότητα γίνεται ένα με την φαντασία??!
[Εκτός ότι το βιβλίο είναι ένα α-ρι-στούρ-γη-μα, είναι καταπληκτική η έκδοση που έχει ως εξώφυλλο τον πίνακα του Salvador Domenech Dali • Swans Reflecting Elephants • ]
Ο συγγραφέας, γενικά ο καλλιτέχνης, παίζει πολλές φορές με το μυαλό του. Πατάει συχνά αυτή την γραμμή που τον διαχωρίζει από την τρέλα. Μια γραμμούλα που μοιάζει με ένα γυάλινο παράθυρο. Τι γίνεται, όμως, όταν το γυαλί αρχίζει να ραγίζει και η πραγματικότητα γίνεται ένα με την φαντασία??!
[Εκτός ότι το βιβλίο είναι ένα α-ρι-στούρ-γη-μα, είναι καταπληκτική η έκδοση που έχει ως εξώφυλλο τον πίνακα του Salvador Domenech Dali • Swans Reflecting Elephants • ]
May 28, 2020
I saw the movie a long time ago, so I knew the big twist going into this. I don't mind knowing the ending to books when I go in. If it sounds interesting enough I'm willing to go along for the ride and see how it plays out. I just didn't like being in this character's mind as much as I liked being in the many, many other King characters I've read about. He was kind of whiny and annoying. Meh.
March 25, 2020
Γραμμένο σχεδόν 30 χρόνια πριν, διατηρεί την ανατριχιαστική φρεσκάδα του.
Διαβάζεται γρήγορα και κρατάει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον μέχρι τις τελευταίες σελίδες.
Μου άρεσε το ότι ο συγγραφέας, εμμέσως πλην σαφώς, καλεί τον αναγνώστη να επιλέξει μεταξύ 3 εκδοχών, πραγματικών και μεταφυσικών.
Σε σύγκριση με άλλα βιβλία του ίδιου, θα έπαιρνε κανονικά 3 αστέρια αλλά αν αναλογιστεί κάποιος ότι ο φουμαρώδης Φίτζεκ λαμβάνει διθυραμβικά 4άρια και 5άρια, είναι ύβρις ο Κινγκ να πέφτει κάτω των 4.
Διαβάζεται γρήγορα και κρατάει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον μέχρι τις τελευταίες σελίδες.
Μου άρεσε το ότι ο συγγραφέας, εμμέσως πλην σαφώς, καλεί τον αναγνώστη να επιλέξει μεταξύ 3 εκδοχών, πραγματικών και μεταφυσικών.
Σε σύγκριση με άλλα βιβλία του ίδιου, θα έπαιρνε κανονικά 3 αστέρια αλλά αν αναλογιστεί κάποιος ότι ο φουμαρώδης Φίτζεκ λαμβάνει διθυραμβικά 4άρια και 5άρια, είναι ύβρις ο Κινγκ να πέφτει κάτω των 4.
April 21, 2015
Κλασικό θρίλερ με στοιχεία τρόμου, που μόνο ο Στήβεν Κινγκ μπορεί να γράψει. Να σας πω την αλήθεια, όσο έφτανα προς το τέλος του βιβλίου, δηλαδή κάπου στις 30 σελίδες πριν το τέλος, είχα αγχωθεί πραγματικά για το τι θα γίνει παρακάτω. Μόνο και μόνο γι'αυτό, του βγάζω το καπέλο του Κινγκ. Δεν είναι από τα καλύτερά του βιβλία, φυσικά, αλλά γενικά είναι πολύ καλό.
March 2, 2016
The true secret is Mort Rainey is nuts! Not as predictable as some King stories. Enjoyable, short mystery. Shooter, Amy and Ted are all Mort's nemesis--everyone is out to get him or so he thinks as he continues to spiral down into insanity. Worst case of writer's block I've ever seen!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2024
This one just did not work for me. The even for a storytelling master like King. It came across as plot holes to me and a lot of it didn’t make sense. 2/5
August 2, 2019
I enjoyed listening to this reading of the second novella from Four Past Midnight. It's one of King's most deftly played tales with an unreliable narrator. It's a very depressing story (What? King? No way!), but it has some very clever and surprising twists and turns, and an added little delicious fillip of mystery at the end. I was also rather surprised at how jarring I found the continuous references to 1980's technology (phones, faxes, word processors, etc.) When I first read the book I never would have believed that I'd one day partway categorize it as an historical period piece.
November 5, 2024
“Maybe Shooter was a writer. He fulfilled both of the main requirements: he told a tale you wanted to hear to the end, even if you had a pretty good idea what the end was going to be, and he was so full of shit he squeaked. ”
I wanted to really like this, I really did. BUT it was honestly kind of boring. The whole unreliable narrator thing is hard to pull off and I came across a lot of plot holes when reading.
The ending was interesting, though it started to become apparent what was going to happen halfway through the novella.
March 2, 2012
Note: this review contains spoilers.
I read this novella years ago when FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT first came out, and the story - well, quite frankly, it shocked me. The way that Agatha Christie's MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD had shocked me, and the way that THE SIXTH SENSE would shock people everywhere so many years later.
At the time I considered myself a very jaded, worldy reader (I was all of eighteen then), and yet this novella was so unsettling that I never read it again. I loved it almost to the point of reverence, but never afterward did I feel the need to revisit Mort Rainey and his big old house on Tashmore Lake.
When the story was made into a movie in 2004, it was a bit of a disappointment. Certainly Johnny Depp is an excellent actor, and the director David Koepp had written some wonderful screenplays (he also directed STIR OF ECHOES, which is one of my favorite haunted house flicks of all time). But the movie adaptation of SECRET WINDOW left a lot to be desired. And to the new generation of savvy moviegoers (this was post-SIXTH SENSE, of course, and have movies ever looked the same since?), the surprise ending was anything but. So again, Mort Rainey's story was tucked away. Not just for me, but also, I suspect, for many horror fans.
That is, until I stumbled on this audio adaptation, read by James Woods. The combination of Stephen King's words and James Woods' voice seemed too good to pass up. So I popped in my earbuds and took a trip back to Tashmore. And it was definitely NOT a disappointment.
SECRET WINDOW, SECRET GARDEN is the story of a man going mad. Not outwardly, in a toss-him-in-a-rubber-room kind of way, but silently and tragically mad. The worst part is that we like this man. We firmly believe that his delusions are real because he is sympathetic and seems like a stand-up guy.
It's only when the insanity is completely revealed that we allow ourselves to understand that our hero, whose head we've been inhabiting for the past few hours, is completely and irrevocably cracked. His psyche and soul are damaged beyond repair. We mourn the loss of his goodness and reason, even while we fear what he might do next.
It had been so long since reading the story that I'd forgotten how the story wrapped itself up (the movie ending was slightly different). Like so many Stephen King stories, this one finishes with melancholy ambivalence: relief for those who got away, sorrow for those who didn't. And of course, the lingering sense that although this chapter may be closed, evil is still out there, waiting. Maybe for us.
I read this novella years ago when FOUR PAST MIDNIGHT first came out, and the story - well, quite frankly, it shocked me. The way that Agatha Christie's MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD had shocked me, and the way that THE SIXTH SENSE would shock people everywhere so many years later.
At the time I considered myself a very jaded, worldy reader (I was all of eighteen then), and yet this novella was so unsettling that I never read it again. I loved it almost to the point of reverence, but never afterward did I feel the need to revisit Mort Rainey and his big old house on Tashmore Lake.
When the story was made into a movie in 2004, it was a bit of a disappointment. Certainly Johnny Depp is an excellent actor, and the director David Koepp had written some wonderful screenplays (he also directed STIR OF ECHOES, which is one of my favorite haunted house flicks of all time). But the movie adaptation of SECRET WINDOW left a lot to be desired. And to the new generation of savvy moviegoers (this was post-SIXTH SENSE, of course, and have movies ever looked the same since?), the surprise ending was anything but. So again, Mort Rainey's story was tucked away. Not just for me, but also, I suspect, for many horror fans.
That is, until I stumbled on this audio adaptation, read by James Woods. The combination of Stephen King's words and James Woods' voice seemed too good to pass up. So I popped in my earbuds and took a trip back to Tashmore. And it was definitely NOT a disappointment.
SECRET WINDOW, SECRET GARDEN is the story of a man going mad. Not outwardly, in a toss-him-in-a-rubber-room kind of way, but silently and tragically mad. The worst part is that we like this man. We firmly believe that his delusions are real because he is sympathetic and seems like a stand-up guy.
It's only when the insanity is completely revealed that we allow ourselves to understand that our hero, whose head we've been inhabiting for the past few hours, is completely and irrevocably cracked. His psyche and soul are damaged beyond repair. We mourn the loss of his goodness and reason, even while we fear what he might do next.
It had been so long since reading the story that I'd forgotten how the story wrapped itself up (the movie ending was slightly different). Like so many Stephen King stories, this one finishes with melancholy ambivalence: relief for those who got away, sorrow for those who didn't. And of course, the lingering sense that although this chapter may be closed, evil is still out there, waiting. Maybe for us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
ALERTA DE SPOILERS. Es el tipo de historias en las que es mejor no saber nada de nada.
Sigo en mi trayecto de buscar algo de King que realmente me impresione y no lo encuentro todavía.
A diferencia de “El mono”, que maneja bien la ambigüedad, en esta historia rápidamente se ve venir el giro. Desde el sombrero me quedaba claro que Shooter no era real, pensé brevemente en algo sobrenatural pero el tiempo de sueño e inconsciencia, que Tommy solo vio una persona, la vocecilla y la crisis nerviosa quitan toda ambigüedad.
El epilogo es completamente innecesario. Se nota que se agrega para internar introducir una duda inverosímil.
Además, y en linea con la temática de la historia, es algo que ya he leído o visto en otras historias y no se destaca por su ejecución.
Leído con el club de lectura “Cementerio lector” (marzo 2025
Sigo en mi trayecto de buscar algo de King que realmente me impresione y no lo encuentro todavía.
A diferencia de “El mono”, que maneja bien la ambigüedad, en esta historia rápidamente se ve venir el giro. Desde el sombrero me quedaba claro que Shooter no era real, pensé brevemente en algo sobrenatural pero el tiempo de sueño e inconsciencia, que Tommy solo vio una persona, la vocecilla y la crisis nerviosa quitan toda ambigüedad.
El epilogo es completamente innecesario. Se nota que se agrega para internar introducir una duda inverosímil.
Además, y en linea con la temática de la historia, es algo que ya he leído o visto en otras historias y no se destaca por su ejecución.
Leído con el club de lectura “Cementerio lector” (marzo 2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2017
wowww! tou sem palavras!!!
May 30, 2017
για άλλη μια φορά ο Κίνγκ κάνει και πολύ απλό να φαίνεται τόσο δυνατό και σπουδαίο... απλή ιδέα... απίστευτη αφήγηση... εξαιρετικό
February 18, 2021
At first, when I started reading this book, it didn't make such a good impression on me. I was a little bit disappointed because Stephen King, never failed me as an author, and I never thought that he ever will. In the beginning I was reading without any special interest, but somewhere between the middle of the story, I found that sparkle that made this book unique. This wonderful story describes with every little detail how easily a perfectly healthy person can go mad. The human mind is very fragile, a very thin line separates it from the real madness. Every human being have to balance in this very thin line, without step left or right, while life is trying to make him fall. I got shivered and shoked in this journey with the story of Morton Rainey, a simple man, an author that his actions, and his perception led him in the total madness.
Lastly, I want to say that I love the fact, when I can't really understand where the story is leading, when the story has hidden parts that I can't guess, when it acquires a mysterious character that unfolds in front of my eyes. And now I can say with confidence that this story succeeded these facts completely.
My rate is 5/5, I strongly recommend this book, If you like mystery and want your total existence to turn upside down with the reading of a "simple" story.
Lastly, I want to say that I love the fact, when I can't really understand where the story is leading, when the story has hidden parts that I can't guess, when it acquires a mysterious character that unfolds in front of my eyes. And now I can say with confidence that this story succeeded these facts completely.
My rate is 5/5, I strongly recommend this book, If you like mystery and want your total existence to turn upside down with the reading of a "simple" story.
August 8, 2023
es demasiado adictivo y entretenido, me encanta la manera en la que está escrito, antes leí "misery" del autor y me decepcionó bastante que creí que no volveria a leer otro libro de el xq todos serían igual pero este me impresionó para bien, a pesar de que es bastante predecible todo lo que realmente está pasando me tenía arrancandome los pelos de los nervios, creo que para mí fue aún más predecible xq a mitad del libro me acorde que ya había visto la película entonces supe como terminaba todo capaz si no me hubiera acordado lo hubiera podido predecir igual xq durante el libro te van dejando pistas y puedes unir las piezas desde mucho antes de terminarlo, a pesar de todo eso me parece un muy bien libro y buenisimo para pasar el rato, sin duda se merece las 4 estrellas, estoy totalmente satisfecha a pesar de todo
September 12, 2015
When I have a book hangover, either from something I really loved and don't want to let go of or something bad that got me into a slump, I turn to Stephen King. His books are brain-clearing for me: dust out the old books, in with the new.
December 23, 2023
I know that most people wouldn't cry at a Stephen King book, but I cried so hard at the end....
Also, the plot twist is one of the best I've ever - EVER - read!
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