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The content is almost ageless. Placed in today's environment, with a minimal amount of tweaks it seems totally appropriate, and totally interesting. It's good - really, really, really good! - surely one of his best. If you need a synopsis, that's readily available elsewhere. I won't bore you with repetition.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Stephen King had just published his magnum opus (at that time) The Stand - a huge sprawling story dealing with the decimation of the human race and the battle for the souls of the survivors. How do you follow up a story that followed dozens of characters through earth-shaking circumstances? King did it by writing The Dead Zone. The two stories couldn't be more different. In The Dead Zone, King focuses on one man, Johnny Smith (representing Everyman) and how his life was changed by a tragic accident and the subsequent gift he didn't want. Instead of dozens of storylines, as in The Stand, The Dead Zone deals with two - the extraordinary life of Johnny Smith and the political rise of Greg Stillson. Early in the novel Johnny Smith, an ordinary English teacher, has his life interrupted by a horrible auto accident which leaves him in a coma. He awakens five years later to find his girlfriend has married another man, his mother has become a religious zealot, and the political landscape of his country has changed dramatically (Johnny is in a coma from 1970 to 1975). He discovers soon after his awakening that he has a psychic talent. He can, by touching a person, become aware of things about that person - sometimes their secrets, sometimes their future. At the same time, Greg Stillson is becoming a political mover and shaker. It is revealed, however, that Stillson is a psychopath with a frightening, violent temper. Their stories come together at a political rally where Johnny shakes Stillson's hand and has a vision of Stillson as President of the United States, unleashing a nuclear holocaust. Johnny is horrified by the vision and eventually comes to realize that Stillson must never become President. Overall it is an engaging story, with much more depth than in the movie. If offers a unique insight in the politics of the 70's and how much and how fast things changed. There are some plot holes - Johnny's talent sometimes works through touch, sometimes not, there are other ways of stopping a political career other than assassination, etc. - but they don't detract from the story much. The ending is both depressing and surprisingly uplifting and hopeful at the same time. While not his best work, The Dead Zone is one of Stephen King's best character studies.Read full review
This book is super awesome! Worth every cent! Especially when books back then were still typewritten. Many thanks!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Gripping from beginning to end in typical Stephen King style. I get so involved in the story I am almost part of it. Great book and I recommend it to anyone.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I read this many years ago when it came out originally. I remembered liking it but had forgotten much of the story. It was definitely worth buying another copy!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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