An Early Masterpiece (The Dead Zone - Stephen King)

Member Name: barbara107

Product:	The Dead Zone - Stephen King
Date:	13/10/01 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great book and great film

Disadvantages: None

The Dead Zone was written by Stephen King more than 20 years ago, and was one of the very first of his many books that I read. Since then I have read it at least 4 or 5 times along with watching the film at least as many times.

It will not be loved by those who are addicted to the horror/weird aspects of Stephen King's books. However, it is a masterful psychological 'thriller' in the development of the plot and the main characters, with excellent insights, too, into modern life and some of it's conundrums and misunderstandings.

The minor characters, such as the Vietnamese gardener, are also well developed and offer interesting and thought-provoking insights.

John Smith suffers a head injury in a car crash and lies in hospital in a coma for years. Upon awakening, he can accurately 'predict' events for individual people after touching them. Not unnaturally, this causes him pain and 'agnst' and notoriety, this coupled with the heartbreaking realisation that the world has gone on without him, his girlfriend has since married and has a child.

He is asked by police to assist in the pursuit of a serial killer which for me is one of the most memorable scenes ever written by Stephen King, and so graphically portrayed in the film.

Whilst he tries to slip back un noticed into society his “Gift” still haunts him and ultimately destroys him.

I consider this novel King's 'tour de force' and would recommend it to those who enjoy suspense and the study of the human psyche - you will enjoy.

Should you have not yet read the book or seen the film I would recommend you read the book first which will then set the tone for the film, which stars Christopher Walken as the tormented John Smith.

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