Helpful Score: 10
I used to be a huge Stephen King fan -- I loved most of his early work including 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Firestarter, The Dead Zone, The Stand, and on and on. However, I just could not get into this novel. I tortured myself by reading the first 150 pages before I decided to give it up! I really got frustrated with the made-up language King kept using like "bool," "blood-bool', "bad-gunky", SOWISA, and "strap it on" to name a few. This one pretty much made me give up on King!
Helpful Score: 9
I found this book hard to get into at first, had to push myself to stay with it, but I'm glad I did in the end - it's a haunting love story. I read it at night and have to admit it kept me awake long after I had finished it, thinking about the long boy with the endless piebald side.
Helpful Score: 9
I loved this book!! King wrote a good love story, was a little slow in beginning, developed the story a little too much in some areas but then drew me in. Would recommend!
Helpful Score: 8
This has to be one of my least favorite books of King's. I did not like the main character at all. She got on my nerves quite a bit throughout the book. I flogged through to the end but the book never quite grabbed my attention.
Helpful Score: 7
I have read everything ever written by Stephen King... but I just couldn't finish this book. I forced myself to get to page 346, but I still wasn't into it. I read the reviews on here and it seems that a lot of people really liked it... I guess this just wasn't my style.
Helpful Score: 6
I loved this book..it was a little slow to get into but really worth it. I liked the flow and rhythmn of the words, the local accents, It just pulls you in. Lisey is strong,Scott as a child broke my heart. The love between Amanda and Lisey says a lot about sisters..
If you don't understand a word-you will-just be a little patient-Scott likes to play with words, local accents and some parts of the book are a dance of words, rhythmn and local idioms.
I recommend it!
If you don't understand a word-you will-just be a little patient-Scott likes to play with words, local accents and some parts of the book are a dance of words, rhythmn and local idioms.
I recommend it!
Helpful Score: 5
I could not get into this book. Really weird, I had to consentrate really super hard with each page cuz, I just did not get it. I'm an avid reader and when something that is supposed to be for enjoyment is this hard, forget it.
Needless to say, I didn't finish this book.
For Stephen King fans, try The Cell or a classic like the Stand, you can't go wrong with those.
Needless to say, I didn't finish this book.
For Stephen King fans, try The Cell or a classic like the Stand, you can't go wrong with those.
Helpful Score: 4
I had a really hard time getting into this book. I stuck to it for a month and finally finished it. Though is starts slow, the story gets you hooked and you have to finish it to find out whay happens to Lisey. I found myself looking for a bool (not a misspelling) of my own!!
Helpful Score: 4
I am a big Stephen King fan, but when he writes in a woman's voice, it tends to lack the bizarre and grotesque qualities that I come to expect in his writing. I felt the same about "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" but a least that has some baseball references. "Rose Madder" as well. Anyway... I did enjoy this book, but not one of his best works.
Helpful Score: 3
Just finished this, LOVED it. Typical wonderful King, w/a bit of "romance" thrown in. A must read! Stephen King "hollered me home" when I was 12, w/Cujo. He just keeps nailing it book after book. Bool, The End.
Helpful Score: 3
I thought this was a jim dandy book. No, it's not a typical scare the pants off of you King story. He's written great ones. This one is good for it's glimpse into a marriage, into an interior life. It is almost as if you are peeping through a window into Scott and Lisey's marriage and lives. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Good stuff!
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book, my first Stephen King in many years. I think it is one of his very best. I forgot how much I loved his writing style.
Helpful Score: 2
Starts out slow, but gathers a bit of steam midway. To me the payoff here was in the use of language - idiomatic and regional slang, and private language between people.
Helpful Score: 2
Not wonderful and not awful. It starts out real slow but gets progressively better as you keep reading. It definitely was not my favorite by him but it's not the worst book I read either. I really liked the part about Scott Landon's childhood.
Helpful Score: 2
I was disappointed with the pace of the book. It's a bit too psychological for me.
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful blend of a little suspense/mystery and emotions/relationships. I love almost every Stephen King novel, but this one was unique - I don't think I'd classify it as a horror novel, though it has some supernatural aspects. It's not really going to keep you up a night like some others, but it did get me invested & thinking.
Helpful Score: 2
may be a wonderful book but I have tried to read 4 times and could not follow or get into it.
Helpful Score: 2
Did not enjoy this as much as his earlier work. Was hard for me to get into it. Maybe you will enjoy it more than I did.
Helpful Score: 2
This book had me questioning my own sanity at times. I loved it even though it was a bit slow at first. I am always amazed at how well he does write in another voice. It is a very true peek into the closeness of marriage and how you can lose yourself in marriage. The light and dark of this love story, if you wish to call it that,is what pulls you in and keeps you. I actually read it twice because I felt like I didnt do it justice the first time. Really wonderful book!
Helpful Score: 2
King's characters are usually well-rounded, but Lisey is an unfortunate exception. Despite being in the title, Lisey is not the book's main character. She is only the main character's wife, and King never allows her to grow into her own person. Lisey's actions are motivated by her husband. She defines herself by him -- she has no hobbies of her own, no job, no friends, no education. It's no wonder Lisey is lost without Scott. She is nothing but a mirror for him, and as the novel tells, mirrors should be avoided. Look elsewhere for a story about a person.
I absolutely love Stephen King novels. Do you hear a 'BUT' in there somewhere? This is a good novel,(here is the but) but, not his best novel. I also thought he could have said it all in less pages. The story line is wonderful. Let me put it this way... I have read 'The Stand' 6 times. One time is enough for 'Liseys Story'. klb054
Helpful Score: 1
Stephen King is hit or miss for me most days. I have never enjoyed any of his books that involve the process of writing, and although the protagonist in this one is not an author, her husband, who is a very central character even though he is dead by the time the story begins, is an author. These stories just never work for me. This character did not feel like a living breathing woman to me -- she felt like Stephen King talking to you. I just couldn't get into it. I finished it just because I needed something to read in the evenings. I do enjoy other Stephen King novels, most recently, "The Dome".
Helpful Score: 1
Worst Stephen King book EVER. Picked it up twice and really tried to get through it, put it down in disgust both times. Have no idea what book these other readers who gave it a good review were describing, beause it definitely was not this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Another great book by Stephen King! What begins as a widow's effort to sort through the papers of her famous writer husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited.
Helpful Score: 1
This book just could not keep my attention. It was very slow & boring and I just had to put it down. I'm very curious how it ends, but not so much as to pick it up again. I hope you have better luck!
Helpful Score: 1
I love Stephen King and usually his works are easy to read, this is not one of them. It was a little hard to follow through, a bit slow in the beginning, but picked up a bit towards the middle. Not my favorite.
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting story that keeps you guessing all along. this is not your "typical" King at all. I really enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
What a disappointment this book was.
What a disappointment this book was.
Helpful Score: 1
Definitely not my favorite Stephen King book. Not even one of his top 5 in my opinion. I struggled to get through it ... and I'm still not sure I understood everything.
Helpful Score: 1
This is my first Stephen King novel in a number of years. Early in his career, I read everything he wrote and have several first editions of his novels.
This is a most unusual King novel. I was asked about it by a young woman in a restaurant while I was reading and eating dinner one night. I told her it was a love story and she scrunched up her face as if she wouldn't like reading something like that. I then told her it had a Stephen King twist to it and her face brightened. It is a love story, but it's a little haunted, and has Mr. King's famed real life characterization. An enjoyable read, but not a horror novel.
This is a most unusual King novel. I was asked about it by a young woman in a restaurant while I was reading and eating dinner one night. I told her it was a love story and she scrunched up her face as if she wouldn't like reading something like that. I then told her it had a Stephen King twist to it and her face brightened. It is a love story, but it's a little haunted, and has Mr. King's famed real life characterization. An enjoyable read, but not a horror novel.
Helpful Score: 1
My daughter is a real Stephen King fan and could not get into this book. I have to say it certainly was not his best.
Gail
Gail
Helpful Score: 1
I agree with some other reviewers that the book is hard to get into but worth it! There is a lot of playing with words and sayings but after you get used to that, it is an excellent story.
Helpful Score: 1
As a long time Stephen King fan I must say, when I first began reading this one I was disappointed. The "secret language" and the initial distraction of switching between the present and the past made it very difficult for me to fully grasp what was happening. There were times I felt like giving up, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Approximately 1/4 of the way through as events begin to piece themselves together, the story becomes stronger and much more interesting. I eventually found myself engrossed, and like so many other King novels I've read, I was unable to put it down. At the core of this tale lies a beautiful love story definitely worth reading if you can manage to hang in there long enough to reap the rewards.
Helpful Score: 1
It's been a while since I had read any Stephen King. I used to be a huge fan but lost interest after he had a run of extremely mediocre books in the late 80s. This story was mostly a love story with enough horror elements mixed in to still make the shadows seem alive when reading this book late at night. It's a good read and it moves fast.
Helpful Score: 1
I love King, so I know he can be a little long winded and a little too into details for my taste, that being said, I still couldn't "get into" this one or find a plot 250 pages into it so I gave up.
Helpful Score: 1
Although I love Stephen King this book seemed to ramble and drag on for me. It did not hold my attention at all. Just when I thought I understood what was going on with the story line it would drift in another direction all together. Not one of my favorites from Mr. King
Helpful Score: 1
I felt compelled to write my first review because I was suprised so many readers like this book! Ugh, I did not enjoy this book at all. This has been the case for me for many of Stephen King's more recent books. I found it a long drawn out mess. It took me forever to finish. I kept reading because I was thinking "it has to get better", it didn't. If you disliked Bag of Bones you probably won't like Lisey's Story, the writing style is similar. I will stick to his older books.
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty good story. Of his recent ones, I liked "Cell" best.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great story but not one of my King favorites. I admit, I'll read anything that King puts out and will try to grab it right away in hardback upon publishing. I did not like the Lisey character (not to mention the nickname annoyed me). I also thought there was a lot of unnecessary detail throughout the book which contributed to its mammoth 600+ pages. It's a horror story and a love story. If you're a diehard King fan, I'd recommend it. If not, and you're just looking for a good scary story I'd look somewhere else.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a bit different for S.King but I liked it alot.It is a love story that at first is a bit hard to understand,but like all King's books soon turns macabre and grinds at that secret fear, that even YOU didnt know you had.He always finds those places of common man's experience that makes one feel that he can see into our very minds.You are gonna like this one too !
I recommend it highly.
I recommend it highly.
Helpful Score: 1
Lisey Debusher Landon lost her husband, Scott, two years ago, after a 25 yr. marriage of the most profound and sometimes frightening intimacy. Scott was an award winning, bestselling novelist and a very complicated man. Early in their relationship, before they married, Lisey had to learn from him about books and blood and bools. Later, she understood that there was a place Scott went - a place that both terrified and healed him, that could eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. Now it's Lisey's turn to face Scott's demons, Lisey's turn to go to Boo'ya Moon. What begins as a widows effort to sort through the papers of celebrated husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited.
Lisey's story is about the wellsprings of creativity, the temptations of madenss, and the secret language of love.
Lisey's story is about the wellsprings of creativity, the temptations of madenss, and the secret language of love.
Helpful Score: 1
Not a fast read but still very intersting. I have read several Stephen King novels and I must say this isn't my favorite but isn't the worse. For those of you have read several of his books, you will understand when I say there is a difference in his writing since his near fatal accident. This is more character driven vs plot based. It took me a little while to finsh but it was worth hanging in to finsh the book!
Helpful Score: 1
While not the stereotypical Stephen King novel, this book is another example of King's wonderful imagination. If you liked Rose Madder, you'll definitely enjoy Lisey's Story. The balance between partners in true love continues beyond the real world and beyond death. King's deep plunge into the writer's pool retrieved a wealth of clever, contagious language. Bool, the end!
Helpful Score: 1
I had lost faith with Stephen King's writing. Many of his books had enormously long passages of prose that did nothing to move the story along. However, this story was an excellent read and I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
Helpful Score: 1
I guess I just want to read Stephen King and get the gory, scary stuff. This "love" story between the widow and her dead husband, with all the flashbacks and multiple viewpoints was not what I expected. I didn't finish it, since I got bored. So someone else can have it!
Helpful Score: 1
Some of King's best work in years. Reaches down into the vein of feelings that he is so able to communicate. Did not find it particularly scary or gross. Has some of the magical elements of previous stories, alternate worlds fantastical places. I enjoyed it more that any of his recent works.
Even if this isn't a genre I normally read, you gotta give credit where it's due. It's a terrific story and very well written. five stars
This book starts out really slow. However, I stuck with it. Stephen King is my favorite author and I know that sometimes it takes a while to get through the backstory. The story is amazing. King's imagination never ceases to amaze me. The characters in this book are very real and you get to know them very well. I would recommend this book to any true Stephen King fan. You will NOT be disappointed.
Another great by Stephen King! Was a little slow moving in parts but all in all, a great read.
This book took me a little getting into. I thought that it started out slow, however after putting it down for a few weeks and trying again later, it turned out to be pretty good. I am deffinately glad that I gave it a shot even though it started out slow.
I'm usually a King fan, but this fell short of the mark. The oddness factor was simply for the point of being odd, it seemed. Seemed to just be rambling.
This book is difficult to get started, but I think it stems from the fact that the content is so very different than what any of us are used to. I would reccomend that you just keep going...you will be glad you did. Great Read!
Sincerely, brendak82
Sincerely, brendak82
This is without a doubt the best book I've ever read. Not you're typical King adventure, but in my opinion, his best.
I guarantee you will love it!
I guarantee you will love it!
Lisey's Story is very different from what we've come to expect from Stephen King. Yes, it's scary, but it's also a sweet love story. This one really stayed with me.
what a weird book! Not a huge Stephen King fan, but have enjoyed a few of his books (Pet Cemetary, The Stand, among a few) I have my own take on what he was trying to say, but couldn't get anyone of my friends to get past the first 50 pages to see what their opinion was! Anyone else read it and let me know, I am curious!
THANKS!
PS: Good luck getting through the entire book, but stick with it, it will eventually make some kind of sense!
THANKS!
PS: Good luck getting through the entire book, but stick with it, it will eventually make some kind of sense!
I picked this book up on my way to Myrtle Beach and didn't put it down until I finished it! Stephen King at his best. Signed, A Constant Reader
Excellent Stephen King!
I am a huge SK fan, but had heard this was a love story, so I was reluctant to read it; turns out it one of his best works!
Stephen King did a beautiful job of writing from a woman's point of view, I often forgot it was him writing. Yet another bizarre and fascinating story from him.
Having read just about all of King's other works, I came upon this title and thought I had found an unknown treasure. HOWEVER, I just could not connect with this book. In past experience with this author I could not wait to finish the book to see how it all comes together. With this title I just wanted the nonsense to end. UGH.
I really enjoyed this story. It gripped me in spite of its rather slow pace. A love story with a touch of terror, King style.
This King novel is another of his finest: I really enjoyed getting to know Lisey and her family. This book is a different type of King book: 'scary' but not horror novel.
This author does not interest me. I've bought his last book.
it moved slow at first--i got a little confused the first seventy pages or so. i think it was just because i didn't get to sit down and read it through in one sitting.
anyway, once i was able to really sit down and read it... i loved it. not the type of horror novel to give you nightmares, like the stand did. but, it did make me wince a bit towards the end, where scott explains a few things about his life.
the long boy creeped me the "smuck" out. that was about the only part that gave me the creeps.
anyway, once i was able to really sit down and read it... i loved it. not the type of horror novel to give you nightmares, like the stand did. but, it did make me wince a bit towards the end, where scott explains a few things about his life.
the long boy creeped me the "smuck" out. that was about the only part that gave me the creeps.
So many others have given an outline of Stephen King's newest release, but I just wanted to leave a few comments. This isn't a typical King book. I'm not saying it's bad, just different. It also takes awhile to get into the action, but once there the story is quite satisfying. As many have said, this is as much (if not more) a love story than a horror novel. The similarities between King's fictional characters and real life are remarkable (I'm guessing he planned it that way.)
Overall, this is a book for the ultimate King fan. If you've never read Stephen King, though, I wouldn't recommend LISEY'S STORY as a place to start, since it's so divergent from what he normally writes.
Overall, this is a book for the ultimate King fan. If you've never read Stephen King, though, I wouldn't recommend LISEY'S STORY as a place to start, since it's so divergent from what he normally writes.
This book's imagery and use of phrasing will just blow you away. King as always has the ability to draw you in without your even realizing it, and soon hours pass because you just can't put this one down!
Really great book. Wasn't sure what to expect, but got into it right away and couldn't put it down.
This is one of my favorite Stephen King books ever. It's a very moving look at the inner workings of the relationship between a husband and wife, and it also has some very interesting fantasy elements thrown in. This one stayed with me long after I had finished it.
Wow! It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, King doesn't fail to keep me on the edge of my seat. I almost want to visit Boo Ya Moon.
I'm a huge Stephen King fan. The past 15 years I've been working towards reading all his books in chronological order. Seeing he wrote so many before I was even bored, it's taking me quite a while to get caught up.
Anyways, this was definitely not one of my favorites. It took me over a year to get through it because I kept putting it down to read something else. It wasn't holding my interest, but I just finished it a few minutes ago, and I'm glad I did. The end brought all the crazy story telling together and made sense of some of the confusing chaos that went on in the story.
One thing I appreciate about King is that he has a story to tell, and he just goes for it unapologetically. There is even a Author's Statement in the back where he thanks his editor for helping me whittle down parts of the story, but then states he still just went and did his thing. I guess he knows what works. :)
Anyways, this was definitely not one of my favorites. It took me over a year to get through it because I kept putting it down to read something else. It wasn't holding my interest, but I just finished it a few minutes ago, and I'm glad I did. The end brought all the crazy story telling together and made sense of some of the confusing chaos that went on in the story.
One thing I appreciate about King is that he has a story to tell, and he just goes for it unapologetically. There is even a Author's Statement in the back where he thanks his editor for helping me whittle down parts of the story, but then states he still just went and did his thing. I guess he knows what works. :)
A different kind of Stephen King story - more about love and family and less of the super natural (although that's still a part). I enjoyed it. I don't guess he'll ever top his earlier novels like The Shining and The Stand.
My second SK novel. Loved it!
A new genre for Stephen King. I found this one hard to read and understand at first, but once I got into it I really enjoyed it!
I read this book looking for a thrilling Stephen King ride. The further into the book I got, the more and more I ached for my husband (who was sitting right next to me!)
I passed the book on to my sister at a most unfortunate time, her husband was overseas.
She loved and hated the book! The entire journey was exciting and well worth the read.
I passed the book on to my sister at a most unfortunate time, her husband was overseas.
She loved and hated the book! The entire journey was exciting and well worth the read.
Wonderful, wonderful book! When Stephen King combines his shivery horror-stuff with deeply-felt emotion, he is at his very best. This book is one of my favorites of his and I think that you will enjoy it every bit as much as I did!
SNOOZEfest. not the best of the KING.
LISEY'S STORY: Well, alright it's very much two stories that come together. Like is said in a religious manner, " and the two shall become one." They definitely do in this Love Story, and that is what it is. You have Scott and Lisey Landon, love and tragedy, two hearts, one light and one dark. But the darkness slowly comes to light for Lisey after Scott dies and it's a nightmare that reaches out yet can't quite grasp the darkness that seeped into her husbands life as a child. It's beyond her imagination the world her husband lived in and a world he will share with her after he dies the world of the "bools" and "Boo'ya Moon and the "Pool". A true journey that will scare you at times but also know that a journey of Love doesn't walk alone. A great read that only Stephen King could write that will take you along a path that is in the light and then in darkness. A true journey of the heart - unforgetable.
I Loved this book. I used to read Stephen King all the time but have not for many years. Now I understand again why I am such a fan. His writing style,character development, and depth of his story telling is awesome. Plus the story is always a bit twisted, which I like. If you have trouble getting into this book at the beginning, stick with it. You'll be glad you did.
very good book.
WOW - Stephen King has done it again. This is probably my favorite King book, outside of the Dark Tower series or The Stand. This books has classic King elements - trips to a parallel worlds, gruesome descriptions, a writer as a character - but the love story underneath was touching and, in the end, left me sobbing and wanting more. It was a while before I stopped thinking about Lisey and her bools. And it was a while before I could look full into a mirror without expecting to see something (piebald) out of the corner of my eye. 5 stars!
A very different Stephen King novel.
Scott Landon was an award-winning, best-selling novelist and he and his wife Lisey Debusher Landon had been happily married for twenty-five years until his untimely death. Their relationship may have been filled with the typical ups and downs that every couple experiences, but overall, Lisey believed that their marriage was extraordinarily and profoundly intimate - sometimes frighteningly intimate. Scott Landon had recently passed away two years ago, and Lisey is only now coming to terms with what a complicated man her husband truly was.
Lisey had always suspected that her husband had sometimes lived in a world of his own - a world of dark secrets that threatened to consume him utterly. As a matter of fact, Scott himself had taught Lisey about the different sides of his personality - sides that she sometimes found endearingly charming, yet sometimes disturbingly eccentric. Yet, she also believed that their enduring love for each other would always be the key that was strong enough to protect Scott from himself.
Starting early on in their relationship, even before their marriage, Lisey learned about many things from Scott. As a matter of fact, she had to learn about these things in order to better understand the man who would soon become her husband. She had to learn about the importance of books and blood and bools - indeed, there were certain times during their life together, when Lisey believed that Scott was actually trying to teach her a completely different language - a whole new perspective on life that was entirely their own.
It was only later when Lisey began to realize - no, to truly understand - that there was actually a special place where Scott went to be alone. It was a place within his own mind that both terrified and healed him, a place that could alternately eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. It was a place of sunlight and shadow, genius and creativity - a world entirely of his own creation, known as 'Boo'ya Moon'. Now it's Lisey's turn to face Scott's demons; her turn to make her own journey to 'Boo'ya Moon'.
What begins as a grieving widow's effort to sort through her esteemed husband's personal papers, becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness that had enveloped Scott Landon's mind and soul. So now it falls to Lisey, to make her own pilgrimage to honor her husband's memory. She must find her own way to journey to Scott's special place - the place where his wealth of creativity and imagination existed; and dwelt alongside his increasing fear of his encroaching insanity.
I've recently discovered that Stephen King considers this book to be his favorite one of all his works. Indeed, Lisey's Story: A Novel is definitely Stephen King's most personal novel that he has written, as the genesis of his ideas for the story came about during his convalescence from the near-fatal car accident that he suffered in June of 1999. In my opinion, my own favorite book by Stephen King is Pet Sematary - which was written in 1983.
Actually, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Perhaps it wasn't my absolute favorite, but I still found it to be extremely well-developed and highly intriguing. The plot of Lisey's Story: A Novel by Stephen King was extraordinarily imaginative and descriptive. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much, although I found certain parts of the story to be almost overwhelmingly descriptive.
I must admit that while these particular scenes were certainly very well-written; I generally tried to avoid them - as they tended to give me what Mareena calls 'the cringing skin crawls'. I would also like to mention that in my own opinion, this book probably could have benefitted from being approximately one hundred pages shorter. Having said that, I would still give this book a strong A!
Lisey had always suspected that her husband had sometimes lived in a world of his own - a world of dark secrets that threatened to consume him utterly. As a matter of fact, Scott himself had taught Lisey about the different sides of his personality - sides that she sometimes found endearingly charming, yet sometimes disturbingly eccentric. Yet, she also believed that their enduring love for each other would always be the key that was strong enough to protect Scott from himself.
Starting early on in their relationship, even before their marriage, Lisey learned about many things from Scott. As a matter of fact, she had to learn about these things in order to better understand the man who would soon become her husband. She had to learn about the importance of books and blood and bools - indeed, there were certain times during their life together, when Lisey believed that Scott was actually trying to teach her a completely different language - a whole new perspective on life that was entirely their own.
It was only later when Lisey began to realize - no, to truly understand - that there was actually a special place where Scott went to be alone. It was a place within his own mind that both terrified and healed him, a place that could alternately eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. It was a place of sunlight and shadow, genius and creativity - a world entirely of his own creation, known as 'Boo'ya Moon'. Now it's Lisey's turn to face Scott's demons; her turn to make her own journey to 'Boo'ya Moon'.
What begins as a grieving widow's effort to sort through her esteemed husband's personal papers, becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness that had enveloped Scott Landon's mind and soul. So now it falls to Lisey, to make her own pilgrimage to honor her husband's memory. She must find her own way to journey to Scott's special place - the place where his wealth of creativity and imagination existed; and dwelt alongside his increasing fear of his encroaching insanity.
I've recently discovered that Stephen King considers this book to be his favorite one of all his works. Indeed, Lisey's Story: A Novel is definitely Stephen King's most personal novel that he has written, as the genesis of his ideas for the story came about during his convalescence from the near-fatal car accident that he suffered in June of 1999. In my opinion, my own favorite book by Stephen King is Pet Sematary - which was written in 1983.
Actually, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Perhaps it wasn't my absolute favorite, but I still found it to be extremely well-developed and highly intriguing. The plot of Lisey's Story: A Novel by Stephen King was extraordinarily imaginative and descriptive. Overall, I enjoyed the story very much, although I found certain parts of the story to be almost overwhelmingly descriptive.
I must admit that while these particular scenes were certainly very well-written; I generally tried to avoid them - as they tended to give me what Mareena calls 'the cringing skin crawls'. I would also like to mention that in my own opinion, this book probably could have benefitted from being approximately one hundred pages shorter. Having said that, I would still give this book a strong A!
As usual, King's characters draw you into the story. Although a "horror" story, this novel is more aptly deemed a "love story". Main characters, especially Lisey and her sisters, will endear this story to you.
In my opinion, one of the best from Stephen King in a long time!!!
Lisey Debusher Landon lost her husband, Scott, two years ago, after a twenty-five year marriage of the most profound and sometimes freightening intimacy. Scott was an award winning, bestselling novelist and a very complicated man. Early in their relationship, before they married, Lisey had to learn from him about books and blood and bools. Later, she understood that there was a place Scott went - a place that both terrified and healed him, that could eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. Now it's Lisey's turn to go to Boo'ya Moon. What begins as a widow's effort to sort through the papers of her celebrated husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited.
Lisey's Story is about the wellsprings of creativity, the temptations of madness, and the secret language of love.
Lisey Debusher Landon lost her husband, Scott, two years ago, after a twenty-five year marriage of the most profound and sometimes freightening intimacy. Scott was an award winning, bestselling novelist and a very complicated man. Early in their relationship, before they married, Lisey had to learn from him about books and blood and bools. Later, she understood that there was a place Scott went - a place that both terrified and healed him, that could eat him alive or give him the ideas he needed in order to live. Now it's Lisey's turn to go to Boo'ya Moon. What begins as a widow's effort to sort through the papers of her celebrated husband becomes a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited.
Lisey's Story is about the wellsprings of creativity, the temptations of madness, and the secret language of love.
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Following King's triumphant return to the world of gory horror in Cell, the bestselling author proves he's still the master of supernatural suspense in this minimally bloody but disturbing and sorrowful love story set in rural Maine. Lisey's husband, Pulitzer Prizewinning author Scott Landon, has been dead for two years at the book's start, but his presence is felt on every page. Lisey hears him so often in her head that when her catatonic sister, Amanda, begins speaking to her with Scott's voice, she finds it not so much unbelievable as inevitable. Soon she's following a trail of clues that lead her to Scott's horrifying childhood and the eerie world called Boo'ya Moon, all while trying to help Amanda and avoid a murderous stalker. Both a metaphor for coming to terms with grief and a self-referencing parable of the writer's craft, this novel answers the question King posed 25 years ago in his tale "The Reach": yes, the dead do love. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Starred Review. Following King's triumphant return to the world of gory horror in Cell, the bestselling author proves he's still the master of supernatural suspense in this minimally bloody but disturbing and sorrowful love story set in rural Maine. Lisey's husband, Pulitzer Prizewinning author Scott Landon, has been dead for two years at the book's start, but his presence is felt on every page. Lisey hears him so often in her head that when her catatonic sister, Amanda, begins speaking to her with Scott's voice, she finds it not so much unbelievable as inevitable. Soon she's following a trail of clues that lead her to Scott's horrifying childhood and the eerie world called Boo'ya Moon, all while trying to help Amanda and avoid a murderous stalker. Both a metaphor for coming to terms with grief and a self-referencing parable of the writer's craft, this novel answers the question King posed 25 years ago in his tale "The Reach": yes, the dead do love. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Every marriage has two hearts, one light and one dark . . .
Lisey Landon shared a profound and sometimes frightening intimacy with her husband, Scott, a celebrated bestselling novelist -- and a man with many secrets. One was the place where his gifts of imagination came from, a place that could heal or destroy him. Now, two years after his death, it's Lisey's turn to face Scott's demons on a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited . . .
Lisey Landon shared a profound and sometimes frightening intimacy with her husband, Scott, a celebrated bestselling novelist -- and a man with many secrets. One was the place where his gifts of imagination came from, a place that could heal or destroy him. Now, two years after his death, it's Lisey's turn to face Scott's demons on a nearly fatal journey into the darkness he inhabited . . .
I have not read this book.
