Tuesday 28 July 2015

Stephen King's Revival

I bought Revival, and Mr Mercedes, at the same time. They are not even remotely connected except for the writer, and whereas I tuned into the latter immediately the opposite was true of Revival. After thirty-seven pages I wonder where the hell this book was taking me. The 'gob-speak' between the Morton family members of which there are four children and two 'God-loving' parents is interesting, but what was this about? Okay it moves on, past religion, through adolescence, into music and whatever else. He uses music to help carry it along and that world is locked into some of the story. Dope is there on the sidelines seemingly skated over, but fills in part of this saga of life. It is just a segment that gets woven into the patchwork.

Two main characters carry it on, James Morton, and the Reverend Daniel C Jacobs. The former is the narrator and Jacobs is what some of it is about.

King writes in emotion. He plays the 'feelings game' very well. One minute you are in the story and then in the next minute or so you are wrapped up in your past. Memories float by and there are lumps in the throat. That's what good story tellers do, of course.

But what is it all about? I could say that it is about a 'crack-pot guy' who is on a mission whether it is to 'con' or 'cure' which does yield him untold wealth. For me it is some of both however unlikely the reality actually is. Of course it is all well told and well written, but I did not find it that enjoyable.
If you don't want to know any more of the story don't read the front fly sheet and get the surprises as they come. You may find it 'electrifying' and 'reviving', but.....



No comments:

Post a Comment