Review: King, but not King
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 21, 2013
This is a short story, not a novella or novel, written by Stephen King. You can very much tell it is written by King, as it is a classic King tale. The Amazon review tells you exactly what the story is about...almost completely. I love King and was really looking forward to another excellent story from him as I sat down to read. I was disappointed.The characters in the beginning - age 10 and 12 or 13 (he doesn't say exactly) - are well rounded, but the surely don't act their age. On the one hand, they act too young...a 10 year old too young to go ride his bike at the sandpile? Not when I was growing up! On the other hand, they act too old...a 10 year old using foul language so easily? Not in my world!The beginning of the story really had me going in a different direction. The whole set up was a waste of time, though well written and easy to get into, it didn't really have much to do with the story as it unfolded. It seemed like King had sat down to write one thing, got distracted and a while later sat back down and finished a different story, being too lazy to go back and make the beginning fit better.The horror part of it was pretty good. I did find myself a little tense, hoping they would stay away from the car...don't pick up the phone! But it was poorly ended, as if, again, King got distracted and came back and just finished it without thinking about it because his deadline had come and passed. I was VERY disappointed with the ending.Normally I would never give Stephen King such a low review. His work is exillerating and twisted. This one just didn't cut it. $3 was too much to pay. If he went back and actually finished the story, I might change my mind.