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 ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

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, ...  Read the complete review

In this novel, Stephen King has taken an everyday problem for millions of people, and turned it into an absolute nightmare. 760 pages lead you through a tale of horror which will ensure you a few sleepless nights. This is another first class book from the king of horror. The heroes aren't young and beautiful; they are elderly, sometimes feeble, but entirely believable people. This is a definite pageturner - you'll just want to read on and on without putting it down. Most books base on insomnia would only ever be read by people desperate for a cure - not this one though. This will be read by the millions of Stephen King and horror fans - and ...  Read the complete review

Ralph Roberts feels old. His wife has died after a long and painful illness, he blames her doctor, and he wakes earlier and earlier every morning. Soon he is limping through life, looking through drooping eyelids as slowly Derry begins to change around him. His neighbour, Ed Deepneau starts to change from an apparently loving family man with a wife and small child to a foul mouthed wife-beater. Things around Derry are starting to look very different to Ralph, especially once he starts to see the auras and the little bald doctors, and the nightmare really begins... The best thing for me about this book, apart from the strong story and Stephen King's ...  Read the complete review