Eric Stone
This is a classic fairy tale from the mind of Stephen King. It is easily his most child-appropriate work, and likely one of the first I’ll give to my kids to read when they’re ready for his stuff. It was, afterall, written specifically for his thirteen-year-old daughter who - up to that point - not read any of his work.
The story features familiar names for King fans - Roland the Good and Randall Flagg - in a tale of wrongful conviction, escape, and the retaking of a throne. It definitely gives off some Count of Monte Cristo vibes, but set within King's specific brand of fantasy. It reminded me quite a bit of The Talisman, as well as his much later work, Fairy Tale - which is one of my personal favorites. It’s interesting to see the DNA of his more recent fantasy epics starting right here.
Because it’s earlier King, the prose is quick and clean. It’s an unmuddled story that moves exactly where it needs to go without the sprawling detours he sometimes takes in his later epics. I also have to tip my hat to the narrator, Bronson Pinchot; the atmosphere he created for Flagg's voice was excellent. An all-around enjoyable read.
This is a classic fairy tale from the mind of Stephen King. It is easily his most child-appropriate work, and likely one of the first I’ll give to my kids to read when they’re ready for his stuff. It was, afterall, written specifically for his thirteen-year-old daughter who - up to that point - not read any of his work.
The story features familiar names for King fans - Roland the Good and Randall Flagg - in a tale of wrongful conviction, escape, and the retaking of a throne. It definitely gives off some Count of Monte Cristo vibes, but set within King's specific brand of fantasy. It reminded me quite a bit of The Talisman, as well as his much later work, Fairy Tale - which is one of my personal favorites. It’s interesting to see the DNA of his more recent fantasy epics starting right here.
Because it’s earlier King, the prose is quick and clean. It’s an unmuddled story that moves exactly where it needs to go without the sprawling detours he sometimes takes in his later epics. I also have to tip my hat to the narrator, Bronson Pinchot; the atmosphere he created for Flagg's voice was excellent. An all-around enjoyable read.