A.J. Sefton
  • Home
  • My Books
    • Growing in Damp Places
    • Crushed
    • Teon
    • Gulfyrian
    • Catnip and Tuck
  • About
    • FAQ
    • What I'm Reading >
      • Reviews Index
  • Contact
  • Home
  • My Books
    • Growing in Damp Places
    • Crushed
    • Teon
    • Gulfyrian
    • Catnip and Tuck
  • About
    • FAQ
    • What I'm Reading >
      • Reviews Index
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

What I'm Reading

Picture
My February Reads

1/5/1992

Gerald's Game by Stephen King

Picture
​Well, I suppose we've all been there at some point. Not necessarily handcuffed to the bedpost with only our dead spouse for company, but wondered what we would do if we were trapped and our life was at stake. I know I have.
In this highly detailed story, a woman is alone with the corpse of her husband and we discover the thoughts she has as she reflects on the discomforts and trauma of her life. Amongst these thoughts are her plans to obtain a drink of water and ultimately to escape.

The story is gruesome in many ways, not only the physical suffering as she tries to achieve her goals, but the mental anguish of suppressed childhood abuse. At times I found it very uncomfortable. There was one particularly (and lengthy, or so it seemed) graphic section, where I did feel queasy. Then again, I had just eaten a large and sickly Cornish cream tea and had stomach ache at this point. Not sure which affected me the most.

As always, Stephen King paints a vivid picture of his character's thoughts and actions and there has evidently been a great deal of research behind this story. Well, what it's like to be handcuffed to a bedpost and some medical stuff at least. There is edge-of-the-seat suspense, psychological horror as well as blood, stomach-turning horror, a hint of the supernatural, abuse, and mental illness.

The story could have ended at a satisfying place, but King chose to add a third section, which took the tale somewhere else, somewhere even darker. He repeated sections in case we thought we could bypass the yucky bits - a very effective literary technique. At no point did I foresee what was about to happen, and that is a positive considering how often I work out endings these days.

An easy to read book (in terms of diction not subject matter), engrossing, original and tense. I was surprised to see that it is not one of King's most popular books but it is an unusual topic and not his typical kind of horror story. Wonderful dark fiction.
​
Picture
Picture
Originally published by Viking in May 1992. This edition by Hodder & Stoughton on 7 July 2011.
​

​Also by Stephen King: The Dark Half, Pet Semetary, Mr Mercedes

Comments are closed.
     📚   Get every new book review direct to your inbox   📚

    Follow my Book Reviews

    * indicates required

    RSS Feed

    A.J.'s bookshelf: currently-reading

    Murder at the Theatre Royale
    Murder at the Theatre Royale
    by Ada Moncrieff

    goodreads.com

    Fire themed books

    Categories

    All Anthology Bildungsroman Childrens Historical Fiction History Memoir Misc. Mystery & Detective Non Fiction Poetry Psychological & Suspense

    Reviews home page
    Reviews Index
    Vertical Divider
    Picture

Picture
RevolverMap
Advertising fees and commissions may be paid on any sales links. This does not affect the price of goods or the impartiality of this site.
Sitemap
© Copyright 2012-2023 A.J. Sefton
   ​Privacy Policy