You will be hungry like a wolf for this one (Cycle of the Werewolf - Stephen King)

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Cycle of the Werewolf - Stephen King
Date:	09/10/05 (397 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Varied style, action - packed, vivid illustration .

Disadvantages: Short, stereotype ridden .

There has been a series of killings in the subdued small town of Tarker Mills. Reports of a large wolf like creature prowling the town are greeted with a mixture of disbelief and fear. Yet as the killings become more and more violent it is clear that no human being could be capable of such savage, animal violence. Or could they?

"Cycle of the Werewolf" by Stephen King is a real crossover book in that it does not fall neatly into any particular style. It is written with the style of a full-blown horror novel yet its length is that of a novella or short story. A book that refuses to be pinned down by a particular style it has a format that is almost calendar in style as events unfold not in chapter form but rather in a "cycle style" monthly form. King uses the lunar cycle as a loose means of telling his tale with monthly events being his mode of presenting the story yet again confounds the reader in that littered throughout are vivid illustrations of action sequences presented in an anime/comic book style. Perhaps, it is just due to the novels short length that these illustrations are often more descriptive than the words of King himself.

King has a penchant for experimentation and this book certainly seems to be that. Gone are the morbid imageries and apocalyptic visions we are used to from King to be replaced by action sequences similar to that in a gory horror film. This book reads more like an early James Herbert novel than King but is refreshing for it. Pages are not wasted by lavish description and setting and as a reader we are simply expected to read, enjoy the adrenaline rush and take in the horror as the killer leaves a trail of savaged bodies.

Of course in a book of this type it is important to suspend all disbelief and critical examinations. Great liberties are taken with the lunar cycle so those events such as Valentines Day can be exploited as unusual settings. King's obsession with small town America in particular those created by him in his home town of Maine leads to a book of stereotypes from self righteous vicars to disbelieving townsfolk. However, this is not a book in which to dwell on the details. With no real central character this book maintains a comic like quality that gives little in the way of depth but plenty of action.

I have already hinted at the importance of the illustrations in this book and I feel I should further stress this. King does not allow himself any room for characterisation or imagery so it is masterstroke employing the obviously hugely talented Bernie Wrightson to leave the reader with a memorable image for each month of the story. Although I have said the drawings have an anime style they and King's writings actually turn this book into a Grimm Brothers type fairytale in which the big bad wolf comes knocking. Both King and Wrightson create a tale that gives a real 'hiding under the sheets' quality.

You will not be surprised that such a short book reads fast, in fact so much so I read it in two hours. However, this is two hours of pure excitement and all great books you long for just one more page despite its satisfying conclusion. King fans will enjoy this as a no frills version of "Salem's Lot" whereas non-King fans should enjoy it for what it is a dark horror that rattles the nerves and gets the adrenaline flowing. You will never read a book like this again, it is truly unique and well worth the £6.99 I paid for it. 128 pages of pure, unadulterated entertainment.

Price: £6.99 paperback at Amazon.uk
ISBN: 0450058786
Publisher: Hodder&Stoughton

Summary: A short but exciting read.