The Tommyknockers by Stephen King

“Stephen King never stops giving us his all” (Chicago Tribune) in this #1 national bestseller about the idyllic small town of Haven, Maine, and its encounter with a deadly evil out for a diabolical invasion of body, soul—and mind. Something was happening in Bobbi Anderson’s idyllic small town of Haven, Maine. Something that gave every man, woman, and child in Haven powers far beyond those of ordinary mortals. Something that turned the town into a deathtrap for all outsiders. Something that is buried in the woods behind Bobbi’s house. With the help of her friend, Jim Gardener, they uncover an alien spaceship. And as they learn more about this strange discovery, the citizens of Haven begin to change: The townspeople are being welded into one organic, homicidal, and fearsomely brilliant entity in thrall to the Tommyknockers, who piloted the alien ship. In Tommyknockers, “Stephen King at his best” (San Francisco Chronicle), King has given us a “brilliant, riveting, marvelous” (The Boston Globe) novel. “You will not be able to put this down” (Los Angeles Times Book Review). And the next time someone raps at your door, you may want to keep the chain on. It just might be the Tommyknocker Man.

Gripping story. I just couldn't put this book down each time I had it in my hands.

I think I was in hospital when I read this the first time so possibly 1990? Round about then anyway I'd guess. I always like a Stephen King novel for long drives and this one hit the spot - not too thinky but engaging enough that the miles pass by and keeps the tiredness at bay. Trouble is, my drive was only 14 hours. That left another 10!

[b:The Tommyknockers 17660 The Tommyknockers Stephen King http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1193781002s/17660.jpg 150226] tells the story of Bobbi Anderson discovery of an object in the woods that slowly begins to turn the minds of the residents of Haven, Maine. This book was long. I did (and continue to) enjoy [a:Stephen King 3389 Stephen King http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1261866457p2/3389.jpg]'s method of setting- and character-building; he isn't afraid to create a detailed minor character, just enough for you to care when he mercilessly kills them off in the proceeding five or so pages.This character building trait is the sole reason why, at the end I felt simultaneously ecstatic and grieved over Gard's death. I spent seven hundred pages with this guy, saw him at his highest and experienced his deepest lows. His death was what impacted me the most, and I felt that the way Gard went was the most appropriate way.The multiple points of view and slight altering of timelines made this story an engaging read. However, as others have pointed out, the book was a little too long. There are several excellently-written peaks within the buildup, and it illustrates [a:Stephen King 3389 Stephen King http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1261866457p2/3389.jpg]'s ability to write a nail-biting, suspenseful scene. But between these, the story seemed to drag a bit and I had to exert discipline to finish. I reason this is why it took me two weeks to finish, but the ending was definitely worth it!Also- and this may be a personal preference- the blending of science fiction and reality was jarring. The initial concept boasts of a story about wildest dreams coming true (In my paperback copy, “Would you like to make your wildest dreams come true?”) this notion is highly misleading; wishes don't particularly play into the plot at all. Its kitschy scifi mixed with reality and adult horror. Because of this, the story shook me from its depths and made it a bit hard to get into. Overall, I enjoyed [b:The Tommyknockers 17660 The Tommyknockers Stephen King http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1193781002s/17660.jpg 150226]. I wouldn't read it again, but I would recommend it to others!