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Lisey's Story is the newest novel by Stephen King. Now I've been a fan of Stephen King's for years, particularly for the Dark Tower series which came to an unsatisfying conclusion. His hits have been on and off for years now. Sometimes it's confusing how the same guy who brought us The Stand, It, Eyes of the Dragon, and The Green Mile among others also had to bring us Dreamcatcher, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, and Bag of Bones. I mean, they're all fine books in their own right, but none of them are up to par with those others in terms of greatness, how engaging, or how real the world becomes for you. Now we come to the character Lisey (pronounced Leesee, not Lisey like my sister's nickname) who is trying to pack up her husband's things two years after his death. He was a great writer, everyone loved him, and she followed him around on his book tours for years. Her sister, Amanda, after hearing about an ex-boyfriend getting married to someone else, cuts herself and then becomes catatonic. In the process of trying to get her professional care, Lisey finds out things about her husband she wasn't aware of. This brings up many memories that she relives about their time together. Long story short, she remembers finally that he had the ability to pop out of this world and into another he called Boo'ya Moon and that perhaps she could still do this without his aid. She uses it to heal her sister. When a madman stalks and hurts her to get her husband's old papers even when she offers them to him, she takes him to Boo'ya Moon and leaves him there to be devoured by a vaguely described monster. Now I understand he left it vague for the imagination to fill it in, but it was so vague that I had trouble understanding what made it scary or intimidating. Since the creature has now turned his attention to her in the real world, she lives in fear. She finds that her husband left her clues to a story he wrote just for her about a traumatic experience in his childhood and somehow just reading this makes the creature leave her alone? The ending was pretty confusing. I think lately that Stephen King has been writing for just one person-- himself. Or make that two. His editor. It just didn't have the quality that those grander stories had. Seemed kinda thrown together in parts. Like he just assumed we'd come along for the ride without getting hooked in. This book, like the others, was fine. I'd read it over other authors still, but it wasn't amazing. It's a B.Read full review
When I’m curled up in bed with the latest book by a well-regarded author I want to lose myself in the story, and not have to wonder what possessed them to snipe at another of my favorite authors. Well, no such luck with Stephen King’s “Lisey’s Story”. I’ve always thought that King has the greatest ear for language in America today (better than Tom Wolfe’s, for example): and in this book he dives into the pool of language to retrieve some words (”bool”: pity on the man’s translators) that stick in your memory long after you’ve finished the book. Yet, he snipes. In setting out his characters’ intellectual history (chapter 2.8) he spells out where they stand in 1988: “Scott reads people like Borges, Pynchon, Tyler, and Atwood; Lisey reads Maeve Binchy, Colleen McCullough, Jean Auel (although she is growing a bit impatient with Auel’s randy cave people), Joyce Carol Oates, and, just lately, Shirley Conran.” If that isn’t meant to ruffle some feathers at Princeton, I don’t know what it is. Professor Oates - not a woman to be provoked lightly - is not above sniping back. In her “Missing Mom”, she takes King’s wife’s name, Tabitha (the real-life Lisey to Scott’s real-life King), and gives it to elderly Aunt Tabitha, the most oppressive character in the book. Or maybe the provocation worked the other way round - in that case, I’ll be watching out for her next novel. Hell, I’ll be watching out anyway. On a different note: Tabitha King is, if I’m not mistaken, one of four sisters. So is Siri Hustvedt, Paul Auster’s wife. Why do these guys marry women with lots of sisters?Read full review
I collect all of Stephen King's hardcovers. This is one that I've skipped purchasing as new. I don't believe this author is as good as he once was in the 80's, so I don't rush out and purchase and read immediately any longer. I have not yet had time to read this novel, but I know that the author is capable of some really good writing. It has to be at least a good book, he's not an average author by comparing his prior works and what talent he has.
One of my favorite things about Stephen King is that he's not a purely formulaic writer. Each book is a complete surprise, a new, and different kind of pleasure. Lisey's Story is no exception. Lisey has lost her beloved husband, Scott, and now, two years after the fact, has decided to face the painful task of sorting through his personal papers. This leads to a journey down memory lane for Lisey, and since we are along for the ride, we learn about Scott's horrifying childhood, the dynamics of their relationship, and the special healing place Scott went to in order to survive called "Boo'ya Moon." There are other subplots; Lisey has to deal with a menacing Space Cowboy (King's eloquent and fitting term for rabid fan) named Dooley, and we become familiar with the tender, yet at times grueling relationship she has with her sisters. Overall though, this really is "Lisey's (and Scott's) story," one that takes place almost entirely in her head as she sorts through her memories, thoughts, and feelings for her husband. In the end, with Scott's loving presence guiding her, Lisey is finally able to exorcise both of their demons and find peace. Poignant, and mesmerizing are both terms I would use to describe Lisey's Story. What I found most impressive about it is Stephen King's ability to write it as if looking through Lisey's eyes; in depth into her thoughts, into her emotions; she truly seems like a real person. It goes without saying that his rich prose and impressive vocabulary will never cease to amaze. In my opinion, Lisey's Story is one of his best; truly a masterpiece.Read full review
What a good writer does, when he creates a strong woman......from Jack and Lily in the Talisman......to Lisey and her sister in Lisey's story......love.....the lengths we will go to save those we love....the barriers we assail to rescue them....the courage we show and the sacrifice we make.....Stephen King has woven his magic in these two stories and given us a glimpse into our own souls.....captivating......
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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