Stephen King: The Green Mile, Desperation, Under The Dome, & Salem's Lot

Stephen King. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I’ll just say that right off the bat. But, Mr. King is a really good writer. He knows how to tell a story and get his reader hooked—no matter how weird his story line goes. I think that Mr. King’s plan; get you hooked to the characters, so that when the story line goes off key you’re still going to read it, no matter how unrealistic the story line may be.

I recently read The Green Mile. No, I haven’t seen the movie; I think I’m the only one too. But, the book was really good. Mr. King has a way of presenting his characters in way that makes you see them as real people. He makes his characters as human as he can. You understand how that character feels or even acts under the situations they encounter. He writes about real people who face real everyday things in life…but he throws in several sci-fi story elements to spice up their lives. Like this story, a normal guy working his job, a job he may not be fully happy with but someone has to do it, until one day by chance, fate, or destiny? Someone new enters the scene and changes everything he holds to be true.
     I’d already been a fan of Mr. King’s work before The Green Mile; when I starting reading Desperation which follows a family on a vacation gone wrong. King of course throws in your sci-fi plot twist to keep you reading. Ask yourself, when put under the right "life stressors", what would you do?  
     Under the Dome is another thriller and will probably have you biting your nails till the end. It’s your typical story of good vs. evil, but with a sci-fi twist. Once again, Mr. King brings life to his characters in this story so that you want to finish the story and you find yourself rooting for the good guy. Mr. King takes a small community/town and shows what might just happen to people when they’ve been put under unusual circumstances and stress.
     Salem’s Lot also plays with small town life. If you were a fan of Dracula, you’ll definitely like this book—this is not Twilight vampires. But, what makes Mr. King’s stories good or worth reading isn’t the weird sci-fi story lines (yeah they make for interesting plot) it’s how he can mold his characters into real people you care about and how they end up. He takes what makes humans human and puts them to the test under the unusual circumstances they may encounter in their everyday life. Would you crumble under pressure and go against everything you know to be wrong, or would sacrifice your life or the life others to do what is right at the end of the day? That’s what I end up thinking as I read his stories. How would I act? Would I have acted like that character or that one? What would I have done differently to avoid those situations? What would any of us do, if we were put under any of those situations? That’s the real question, what would mankind do, if given the chance to face those life changing moments? Would we disappoint ourselves or make ourselves proud? So, if you ever want to try something new, give Stephen King a try. His movies are okay, but so far his books are way better.


                     

Kate DiCamillo: The Talke of Despereaux & The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Kate DiCamillo. I'll admit when I heard her name surface, I was a little skeptical about her writing. I'm a huge Harry Potter, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Judy Blume fan. So, I find my tastes for reading can be really picky or when it comes to reading, I sometimes judge quickly about authors before giving them a chance. What I lack when it comes to judging other people, I do when it comes to reading. I've recently learned that I need to give all authors a chance. But, back to this DiCamillo character. I heard about her, due to her book made into a movie, The Tale of Despereaux. I was already making assumptions, for some reason, I had this idea that all authors who let the movie industry make their books into movies are schmucks!!! I've changed that idea, now I look it at as a way for authors to bring their love for writing and even reading to people in format they enjoy just as much as their writing. My teacher mind, sees now that to get people to read, you've got to entice them. What better way than a movie? So I was skeptical about the movie, but I watched it. I found myself enjoying it, not because of the cute little mouse, but the story itself wasn't a bad one. Who doesn't love an underdog becoming a hero and wins the girls at the end story??!!! I also picked up the book, decided to give it a try. I was pleased, this was YAL literature (Young Adult Literature), but it played with some grown up ideas and emotions. No wonder children and young adults liked the story and movie so much. This story captivates what I think all people secretly want, love and to be loved back. You may think, reality isn't like that, no one finds that kind of happiness, but how do you honestly know??!! Think about that.
     I was really pleased with Ms. DiCamillo, so I decided to give her another chance. I just read, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and I found it just as charming, if not better then the story of Despereaux. Here is a story that really gives way to how love and life sometimes have a way of not going the way we plan. How one has to choose to live a life with love or without love, despite the hurt that comes with love. The themes that run across this book are very real to life and it makes you wonder, what do young minds think as they read this piece of literature. It doesn't surprise me, that Ms. DiCamillo is highly looked upon as an author. Her audience may be for young readers, but her work is for all ages to enjoy. If you haven't read something by her yet, give her a try. It's very light reading, that leaves you feeling happy and at peace.