Book Review: Christine - Stephen King

In 1983 Stephen King published his eighteenth book. This book, called Christine, was described as "very suspenseful" and "a book that will keep you awake for many nights." That same year, director John Carpenter decided to turn the book into a film. I'm probably one of the few who hasn't seen this film yet, but I like films less than books. And what book had its turn to be read two weeks ago? That's right, Christine by Stephen King was finally taken from the cupboard.

Christine

Christine is the story about a Plymouth Fury from 1958. Main character Arnie immediately falls in love with "her" when he, together with his best friend Dennis, sees the car, which looks like a wreck, for sale. Arnie won't be dissuaded. Christine (the car has a name and is a "she") is bought and Arnie starts up the long road to fix her up. Stranger and stranger things are happening in the little town and Christine seems to be behind it. But how do you kill something that cannot live?

Fifth Stephen King

Last year I had the resolution to start reading Stephen King's works. This is not a small chore, because this good man has written no less than 66 books and in February 2011 the newest one will be released. A writer who manages to produce several amazing books every year. And a writer I haven't read that much from yet. My King exploration started with Carrie, a wonderful book in which I thought King's talents could be seen really well. The books I read after that one, Salem's Lot, Rage, The Shining and Night Shift, were missing something for me which Carrie did have. This meant I also thought the books weren't that good and I didn't even finish Night Shift.

Happy surprise

Luckily I found the ingredients from Carrie again in Christine. After a long time I once again read a book by King with characters who appealed to me. Arnie, the geek of the school, who became more and more agressive and crazy, who changed in a subtle and believable manner. Dennis, who supported his friend Arnie unconditionally, who knew what true friendship meant. Leigh, who captured my heart and managed to get tears in my eyes at some parts. King knew how to bring the main characters to life. They were real people, whom I could see move and who made it so I could feel the emotions run through me. That is what writing is, that is making sure you offer the reader quality.

Long-winded

Unfortunately King lost me a little over halfway into the book. It happens more often that King is "long-winded" in his books. The pace is suddenly gone from the story and it babbles on for a while. Christine also contained a long-winded part and for a moment I even considered giving up. Sometimes it's convenient when King sticks to the essence and doesn't tell many other, for me unimportant, things too. Looking back, I'm happy I kept going, because the ending was spectacular and had an unexpected twist which dazed me for a moment. Extraordinary, not many books have that effect.

Final verdict

All in all I really enjoyed the book. There could have been more speed in the story, but King did his best with this. For someone who is naturally rather long-winded - think of introductions of, at times, twenty pages - he did a good job with Christine. I was captivated from the first sentence onwards, something King hasn't always achieved so far. All of this is why I am giving Christine an 8.

Sources: www.todio.nl