Publication date
16 August 1979
Standalone or series
Standalone
First time reading this author?
No (nor the first time reading this book).
Why I picked this
There’s a lot of reflection in the author’s note of Stephen King’s most recent short story collection and it’s prompted me another re-read of his back catalogue.
Review copy or purchase
Purchased as ebook, also have previously purchased paperback.
What it’s about
John Smith loses almost five years of his life in a coma following a car accident. He wakes up to find his girlfriend has married someone else, his mother has buried in her fears in extreme religious beliefs, and that he now has an unwanted ability to see the future when he touches people.
Review
I’ve always been fond of The Dead Zone, but on this re-read I’ve realised that it’s actually one of my most favourite King books.
It’s the first appearance of Castle Rock the town in which so many other King novels are set. The first of the Castle Rock Sheriffs who have frequent appearances and are recalled in many other novels. It’s also the first to do a call back with reference to Stovington Prep, the school John Torrance from The Shining was fired from prompting him to take up a post at the Overlook Hotel. Those first signs of the building of the interconnected universe of King novels that is one of the things I love about being a King fan.
For the first time I also noticed that it clearly puts King’s first novel, Carrie, in a separate universe. As while The Dead Zone and The Shining take place in a world that at least both have versions of the same school, Carrie is mention as “just like in that book Carrie”.
While I’ve only just realised The Dead Zone is one of my favourite books, I’ve long been aware that the movie with Christopher Walken is my favourite adaptation. It always feels like it was made by people who really understood the source material. I can’t believe however that it was only on this re-read that I realised Martin Sheen plays the populist politician who could be a threat to the world if he becomes President. The most sinister, but realistic portrayal of a politician taking a populist approach to hide cheating, lying, scamming and downright threat. That it’s the same actor who plays the best fictional President of all time – The West Wing’s Josiah Bartlett – is a tribute to his acting skills.
Rating
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lisey's Reads 