Insomnia - Stephen King

Published in 1994, INSOMNIA is the story of Ralph Roberts, a 70-year-old resident of Derry, Maine, who is having serious trouble getting any sleep. This leads to a series of hallucinations which in turn lead to a fight against the forces of evil to save the town from The Crimson King. Joining him in this fight is his old friend Lois, who is also suffering from the same affliction. The opening section of the novel is the most effective. One of the main reasons why I like Stephen King's work is that I like the way he writes his characters. They may get involved in fantastical situations (although not always), but they always feel like 'real' people, and I very ...

Ralph Roberts is waiting for his wife to die. She’s terminally ill and SK describes his suspicion and anger towards the doctor who failed to diagnose her early enough with great skill. Time ticks by and Ralph’s death-watch comes to an end. Shortly after his wife’s death, Ralph’s sleeping patterns start changing. He starts waking up earlier and earlier but at first just assumes it’s related to growing older as people tend to need less sleep as they get older. Presumably that’s why I see so many old folks out strolling at some un-Godly hour of the morning when I would happily be still in bed but instead have to prop my eyes open to drive ...

Ralph Roberts has been waking earlier and earlier every night for weeks, and the forgetfulness and weariness caused by sleep deprivation are starting to affect him. When he begins to see brilliant auras around people and objects, his concern grows. As his nights become shorter, his visions become more terrifying, and yet more real. Strange forces are maneuvering for power in Derry, Maine, and somehow Ralph is a part of the conflict. Well-read students will note references to Greek mythology, the Bible, and to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (Houghton, 1967) interspersed with modern cultural allusions. King's forte, however, is characterization, ...