Review Wednesday: Carrie by Stephen King

Title: Carrie

Author: Stephen King
1st Date of Publication: April 5, 1974

ISBN: 9780385086950
# of Pages: 199
Genre: Suspense and Horror

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Carrie knew she should not use the terrifying power she possessed... But one night at her senior prom, Carrie was scorned and humiliated just one time too many, and in a fit of uncontrollable fury, she turned her clandestine game into a weapon of horror and destruction...



Setting: Chamberlain, Maine
Point of View: 3rd person- Carrietta "Carrie" White

Goodreads Rating: 3.93
My Rating: 4.0

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The girl n the cover has a very haunting look. Plus, she is fairly attractive.
View on Title: Whenever I heard the name Carrie or seen it, it has always reminded me of the Stephen King novel, which is this one.

Pros:

• Carrie's character is very odd, but it really works for her. She is obviously misunderstood and simply wants to have peace. Her beauty is overlooked by her odd nature and her family history.
• This story really shows the issues of bullying in a high school setting. Many adults don't take it seriously and shouldering it off as just kids being kids. It really exaggerates the consequences of bullying, but it does make an excellent point. Even though this book is over 40 years old, the issue of bullying still rings true today.
• The writing style was really interesting because it is written as a collection of journals and interviews after the incident has occurred. It makes the third person point of view more interesting.

Cons:

• The religious overtone is a bit much for the story. I understand the overbearing religious mother was important in the outcome, but the religious fanaticism is over the top.
• I felt like the synopsis gives away the entire story. But if you ever hear about Stephen King or horror novels, you most likely have read the entire story of Carrie.

Critics' Reviews:


"A master storyteller." —The Los Angeles Times

"Guaranteed to chill you." —The New York Times
"Gory and horrifying.... You can't put it down." —Chicago Tribune
“[The] most wonderfully gruesome man on the planet.” —USA Today“Eerie and haunting—sheer terror!” —Publishers Weekly

Stephen King's Website:
http://www.stephenking.com/

Other Recommendations:

It by Stephen King
The Shining by Stephen King
Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Review Wednesday: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Title: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Author: Stephen King
1st Date of Publication: October 3, 1999

ISBN: 9781439156810
# of Pages: 291

Genre: Memoir/How-to

Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon 

Book Description:
"Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999--and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it--fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.



Setting: Numerous locations in the United States
Point of View: 1st person- Stephen King

Goodreads Rating: 4.31

My Rating: 4.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Stephen King seems pretty relaxed writing in his room with a little corgi.
View on Title: I wonder what Stephen King has to say about writing and how he came to become the writer he is.

Pros:

• For the story portion of the book, Stephen King is one of the greats in my book. His story is astounding with how he came from nothing to having a huge name. It is really inspiring to a struggling writer, like myself.
• For the craft portion of the book, King does an excellent way to paint a picture with words and humor that makes you want to continue reading. It makes you want to be under his wing as an intern
• For the advice portion of the book, he makes the art of writing seem so easy when it is hard to even start. I felt like I was able to make some progress to writing my own book. I used this book as the pioneer book of many that will lead to my book writing journey.

Cons:

• It was overall a great book. I just wish there was more about Stephen King's life between his publication of Carrie and his accident in 1999.

Critics' Reviews:
" Loving it is essential, though, and having a good "toolbox," full of vocabulary, grammar, and the usage and mechanics prescribed by Strunk and White's perdurable Elements of Style, is next most important. It is invaluable to read a lot, and the key to novel writing is following the story--not a plot that can be charted or outlined, but the developments natural for the characters, given the situation they are in. For himself, King says, good health and a good marriage have been crucial, never more so than during his recovery from the accident. Good advice and a good, ordinary life, relayed in spunky, vivid prose, are the prime ingredients of what must be considered not at all the usual writer's guide." --Booklist
"King stresses character and situation over plotting, and insists on basics-like Strunk and White and, above all, endless reading and writing. While his proposed output might intimidate some, his enthusiasm wins out. A useful book for any young writer, and a must for fans, this is unmistakably King: friendly, sharply perceptive, cheerfully vulgar, sometimes adolescent in his humor, sometimes impatient with fools, but always sincere in his love of language and writing." --Kirkus Reviews

" Along the way, King touts the writing philosophies of William Strunk and Ernest Hemingway, advocates a healthy appetite for reading, expounds upon the subject of grammar, critiques a number of popular writers, and offers the reader a chance to try out his theories. But most important, we who climb aboard for this ride with the master spend a few pleasant hours under the impression that we know what it's like to think like Stephen King. Recommended for anyone who wants to write and everyone who loves to read." --Library Journal

"While some of his guidance is not exactly revolutionary (he recommends The Elements of Style as a must-have reference), other revelations that vindicate authors of popular fiction, like himself, as writers, such as his preference for stressing character and situation over plot, are engrossing. He also offers plenty of commonsense advice on how to organize a workspace and structure one's day. While King's comical childhood anecdotes and sober reflections on his accident may be appreciated while driving to work or burning calories on a treadmill, the book's main exercise does not work as well in the audio format. King's strongest recommendation, after all, is that writers must be readers, and despite his adept performance, aspiring authors might find that they would absorb more by picking up the book." --Publishers Weekly

Stephen King's Website:
http://www.stephenking.com/

Other Recommendations:

Carrie by Stephen King
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury