Book Update
Well, I finally finished reading Cell, the latest novel by Stephen King. Sorry to say, it kinda sucked. That's why it took so long for me to read it. It doesn't really go anywhere and takes a while to get going. The premise is pretty interesting but it doesn't expand on that premise at all. In fact, it leaves the reader with some major questions unanswered. The ending is very abrupt and doesn't even bother with expounding on anything important in the story. This is the 2nd consecutive King book that I've been disappointed in, the other being Dreamcatcher. That was kind of a crapfest too. It's really unfortunate because the other 2 King books I've read are really excellent. It and Thinner are very good novels and It in particular really freaked me out.
Now it's on to Arraignment by Steve Martini. I have never read a Martini book before but I have heard of him. Several friends have also recommended his works. So when I saw Arraignment on the Bargain Shelf at Borders for only $6, I grabbed it. I hope it's decent.
posted by Myong Choi at 12:30 PM
2 Comments:
Holy goodness, The Man is also reading Cell! It’s taking The Man a while to read Cell also. I’m only 1/2way through, and I picked this one up the first week of its release [!], which was months ago. Usually, I can finish a book in a few weeks at the most. I’ve only read Misery, It, and The Stand (you Lost fans should read that last one if you already haven’t) by King and I think he has a decent style that keeps your attention. I picked up Cell as I heard ‘bout the premise online and, as a non-cellphone owner (like King is, according to the dust jacket; The Man is a non-cellphone user – probably like King – by choice. Can’t stand the things, for a myriad of reasons) I knew I just HAD to read it, especially with the zombie-like thing going on. Spoilers ahead.
Regarding the cellphone zombies, I’m seeing that their acts seemingly don’t translate well into print (the book is dedicated to zombie movie director George Romero), and I think if I ever make a valid opinion, this is one of ‘em – I mean, seems I’ve seen enough zombie movies as there are zombies in ‘em and, this is the first book (fiction or otherwise) I’ve read that includes ‘em. I mean, there is shocking violence in the book, but, not as charged as King has written before. And, I really haven’t been scared out of my pants yet.
The three (so far; I wonder if that headmaster and the school kid’ll join the original three) main characters do stuff . . . and you read their exploits and you want the action to HURRY up. And, the book’s not that big, so, as you go through you really wonder when the gradual pace will stop. One part I thought unlikely was when one of the three breaks into his neighbor (big 2nd amendment fan, let’s put it that way) and manages to acquire much-needed guns in this new zombie-filled world. Quite frankly, I thought it woulda’ been more interesting if they couldn’t get to the guns. Come to think of it, they end up finding a lot of things they need! Right now (and, I realize this might be explained later, whether directly or inferred), I kinda’ don’t buy the nice, predictable attack modes that the unaffected are fortunate enough to know.
I coulda’ sworn I read an article by King in Entertainment Weekly that included anti-American Idol tones (again, another thing The Man shares with King), a few years back, and, so, I wondered if King rethought of renaming his main character (which is shortened to “Clay” a lot) before publication.
Anway, I’m at the point where they’re at the academy and the “cell zombies” are dancing around that boombox. Hehh, thanks for the opinion, Myong. I think I’m gonna’ finish this one and, I think what’s preventing me from doing so is reading other stuff (mostly literary studies, says this nerd).
Two questions I hope get resolved (ooh, don’t spoil it for me whether they are resolved or not, Myong Choi!):
— the origin of “the pulse.”
— will Clay meet up with his son (actually, you kinda’ feel this terror that Clay’s experiencing)?
— how the HECK does the world get back together again (though, there didn’t seem to be any happy endings in the three aforementioned King books I’ve read. Hmmm, come to think of it, King shares this trait with Shakespeare; no real happy endings).
— is this happening ALL over the world?
— more “anti-cell” commentary, King! Yeah, yeah, yeah! What? Only Catholicism can be bashed in fiction??? (i.e., The Da Vinci Cra . . . er, I mean, The Da Vinci Code)
P.S. re: the last book you mentioned, Myong. Waitaminute. The author's name is Steve Martini? Why does that sound familiar . . . ?
Like you, I bought the book a few months ago and only finished it now. It was like I wanted to just get it out of the way because I wasn't enjoying the book at all.
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