Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone
Author: Stephen King
ISBN: 48418
Pages: 372
Rating:
  • Currently 2.8/5 Stars.
 2

2.8 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Viking
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Write a Review

55 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Dead Zone on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
A man has an accident and goes into a coma. When he wakes up, he finds his latent psychic power to read the future by touch has been amped up to an unbelievable level. This is a pretty good read. It's slow moving in parts, but it's old King and still in his really good years.
kben avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I did run into the same problem I encounter with some of his work. He sets up wonderful concepts and characters in the first third of the novel, they struggle and endure through the second third of the novel, and I spend the final third wondering when the damn thing comes to an end.

Overall, though, The Dead Zone is fun and spooky and weird, which is what I expect when I pick up a King novel.
roarlady avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Not as widely read as some other KING novels, this book will still make you a fan. Concept of novel is as valid today or maybe even more so than when written...chilling
Lenore avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 193 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Much MUCH better than the new TV series....What would you do if you could see the horror of the future...how would you stop it? Definitely worth a read and far better use of your time than watching the USA series.
Spicygirl avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
In my opinion, one of King's best!
Tony500 avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on
Helpful Score: 2
A great read on a dark night!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This novel is very gripping and will cause you to phade into your own gap of time because the pages are so defined and the story is written with utmost detail. Almost like a cause an effect situation which always seems to affect the main character (John Smith's) life. He being an incredible talented teacher and cursed with second sight because a tumor and/or an incredibly large gap in the brain he calls the dead zone. This novel portrays the life of a man who is different and/ or unique and how he is different from society. This gripping novel almost makes you feel sympathy for John- as if a coma wouldn't do that for most. His parents Herb, and Vera Smith are the fairly odd couple; Vera being religious and Herb being sane. Their are multiple scene switches (this being what I liked most) which will keep you guessing at every page because it all links back to John. The Dead Zone is an incredible novel and should be read by all.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One of my favorite Stephen King novels. A good read.
Gashlycrumb avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on
Helpful Score: 2
Liked it enough to read it twice!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 124 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One of my favorite King novels
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is my favorite Stephen King book. It is very suspenseful, and the subject matter is a lot more interesting than many of King's other books.
alysia avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book definitely measured up to King's standards, and kept me fully engaged in the story until the very end. To me, the ending was so disappointing and not at all up to the standards of most of King's work. It was too simple and uneventful for me.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 204 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This has to be one of my favorites my King. King is a master at developing his characters so they can easily become real to you. The book is not action packed but it will keep you flipping the pages at a good speed. An excellent read.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 29 more book reviews
I'm not a real fan of Stephen King; however, this is one of the few by him that I really enjoyed.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 5 more book reviews
Classic Stephen King novel.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 11 more book reviews
Great book.
tlmetz avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 14 more book reviews
GREAT BOOK!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 22 more book reviews
Really a gripping book. Not a bad television series either! But then Stephen King knows how to weave that magic. This is a very entertaining book. Scary too!!
reviewed The Dead Zone on
great read!
gamblerjoyce avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 7 more book reviews
ANOTHER GREAT KING BOOK!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 8 more book reviews
excellent reading and typical nailbiting storyline
schiffer avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 5 more book reviews
It is strange that is book isn't as famous as King's other works, it has been my one of favorite as long as I finished the book years ago. Johnny Smith is the tragic protagonist that not only share my name but also share somewhat of my experiences (of course I did not meant that I can also see the future). The most touching scene that kept replaying in my head was the time when Smith wakes up from his coma and found out the love of his life had married to someone else. The conversation of them when she came to visit still clear in my head. Is more tragic story than a horror one.
barbspaints avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 2 more book reviews
I am a Stephen King fan, so all of his books are great to me. I love to wonder what kind of mind this man must have.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 14 more book reviews
I couldn't put this one down. The ending was really unexpected and left me wanting more but if you're a Stephen King fan then The Dead Zone is a must read.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 725 more book reviews
John Smith awakens from an interminable coma with an accursed power-the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in...the dead zone.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 612 more book reviews
Johnny, the small boy who skated at reakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying minute plunged him into...
THE DEAD ZONE

Johnny Smith, the small-town school teacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a four-and-a-half year trip into...
THE DEAD ZONE

John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power- the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in...
THE DEAD ZONE
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 58 more book reviews
One of Stephen Kings good ones, just loved it
romeo avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 334 more book reviews
Johnny, the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into the Dead Zone. Johnny Smith, the small town school teacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a 4 and1/2 year trip to the Dead Zone. John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power-the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in the Dead Zone.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 69 more book reviews
Great book. The reader really gets to feel for the main character.

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:
Johnny, the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into THE DEAD ZONE.
Johnny Smith, the small town schoolteacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a four-and-a-half-year trip into THE DEAD ZONE.
John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power-the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in THE DEAD ZONE.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 15 more book reviews
I love the TV series dead zone, this was the first Stephen King book I have ever read. I absolutly loved it.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 26 more book reviews
This one was pretty good, one of King's better works.
Kibi avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 582 more book reviews
Amazon.com
In the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, Gary Westfahl predicts that "King has already earned himself a place in the history of literature.... At the very least, he will enjoy the status of a latter-day Anthony Trollope, an author respected for his popularity and social commentary.... More likely, he will be enshrined as the Charles Dickens of the late 20th century, the writer who perfectly reflected, encapsulated, and expressed the characteristic concerns of his era."
If any of King's novels exemplifies his skill at portraying the concerns of his generation, it's The Dead Zone (1979). Although it contains a horrific subplot about a serial killer, it isn't strictly a horror novel. It's the story of an unassuming high school teacher, an Everyman, who suffers a gap in time--like a Rip Van Winkle who blacks out during the years 1970-75--and thus becomes acutely conscious of the way that American society is rapidly changing. He wakes up as well with a gap in his brain, the "dead zone" of the title. The zone gives him crippling headaches, but also grants him second sight, a talent he doesn't want and is reluctant to use. The crux of the novel concerns whether he will use that talent to alter the course of history.

The Dead Zone is a tight, well-crafted book. When asked in 1983 which of his novels so far was "the best," Stephen King answered, "The one that I think works the best is Dead Zone. It's the one that [has] the most story." --Fiona Webster
justus5 avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 36 more book reviews
awesome read loved it.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 8 more book reviews
Thrilling. Terrifying. Don't read this before you go to sleep.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 3 more book reviews
John Smith awakens from a coma with an accursed power - the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind. This is one of my favorite from this author, hope and death go hand in hand in this novel.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 2 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book from Stephen King. As usual he seems to be one of the best at getting the reader involved with the characters.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 1568 more book reviews
Johnny, the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into THE DEAD ZONE
John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power--to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in THE DEAD ZONE.
Stephen King has done it again.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 5 more book reviews
I loved this book. It was so much better than the movie or the series. You must read it!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 33 more book reviews
Amazon.com
In the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, Gary Westfahl predicts that "King has already earned himself a place in the history of literature.... At the very least, he will enjoy the status of a latter-day Anthony Trollope, an author respected for his popularity and social commentary.... More likely, he will be enshrined as the Charles Dickens of the late 20th century, the writer who perfectly reflected, encapsulated, and expressed the characteristic concerns of his era."
If any of King's novels exemplifies his skill at portraying the concerns of his generation, it's The Dead Zone (1979). Although it contains a horrific subplot about a serial killer, it isn't strictly a horror novel. It's the story of an unassuming high school teacher, an Everyman, who suffers a gap in time--like a Rip Van Winkle who blacks out during the years 1970-75--and thus becomes acutely conscious of the way that American society is rapidly changing. He wakes up as well with a gap in his brain, the "dead zone" of the title. The zone gives him crippling headaches, but also grants him second sight, a talent he doesn't want and is reluctant to use. The crux of the novel concerns whether he will use that talent to alter the course of history.

The Dead Zone is a tight, well-crafted book. When asked in 1983 which of his novels so far was "the best," Stephen King answered, "The one that I think works the best is Dead Zone. It's the one that [has] the most story." --Fiona Webster--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 64 more book reviews
Great book and the photos from the film are a lot of fun.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 25 more book reviews
Original movie version, with pictures. One of my collection of Stephen King books. Check out the rest.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 496 more book reviews
Interesting and scarry. I always enjoy Stephen King.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 106 more book reviews
Of all of King's books this is definitly one of his top 5!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 3 more book reviews
awesome read by the master, nothing but excellence as expected.
cyndij avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 1032 more book reviews
Still good forty years later, it moves along nicely. As with almost all of King's books, the good guys are all relatable characters, believable dialogue and also believable situations. You can easily go along with the story without thinking "nah that wouldn't happen". It used to be harder for me to believe in Stillson, but as I write this in 2019 I've changed my mind. I liked the interrupted love story with Sarah, how Johnny comes to terms with his choice, and I liked that it wasn't a standard happy ending.
Mel avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 186 more book reviews
I enjoyed reading this book.
reviewed The Dead Zone on
A short novel, quick read. Not my favorite of King's books but still worth reading.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 17 more book reviews
Another interesting book by Stephen King that lead to a TV Series.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 5 more book reviews
A classic Steven King novel!
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 14 more book reviews
King's usual frightening tale, lengthy.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 504 more book reviews
Wonderful - it is Stephen King after all
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 911 more book reviews
King is always a great and terrifying read.
romeo avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 334 more book reviews
Johnny the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into THE DEAD ZONE... Johnny Smith the school teacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a four and a half year trip into THE DEAD ZONE...John Smith who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power-the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in THE DEAD ZONE...
KrisReader avatar reviewed The Dead Zone on + 8 more book reviews
(From Amazon.com)
In the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, Gary Westfahl predicts that "King has already earned himself a place in the history of literature.... At the very least, he will enjoy the status of a latter-day Anthony Trollope, an author respected for his popularity and social commentary.... More likely, he will be enshrined as the Charles Dickens of the late 20th century, the writer who perfectly reflected, encapsulated, and expressed the characteristic concerns of his era."
If any of King's novels exemplifies his skill at portraying the concerns of his generation, it's The Dead Zone (1979). Although it contains a horrific subplot about a serial killer, it isn't strictly a horror novel. It's the story of an unassuming high school teacher, an Everyman, who suffers a gap in time--like a Rip Van Winkle who blacks out during the years 1970-75--and thus becomes acutely conscious of the way that American society is rapidly changing. He wakes up as well with a gap in his brain, the "dead zone" of the title. The zone gives him crippling headaches, but also grants him second sight, a talent he doesn't want and is reluctant to use. The crux of the novel concerns whether he will use that talent to alter the course of history.

The Dead Zone is a tight, well-crafted book. When asked in 1983 which of his novels so far was "the best," Stephen King answered, "The one that I think works the best is Dead Zone. It's the one that [has] the most story." --Fiona Webster --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
reviewed The Dead Zone on + 32 more book reviews
The cover on the book that is shown is not the same cover as mine,but the contents are still the same. I loved this book! Stephen King at his best as usual. Every bit as good as every book I have ever read by King. In this story, Johnny wakes up from a coma after an accident with new powers that will keep you riveted. A little heartbreaking when he comes to realize how long he has been asleep and the things that have happened as a result.