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Desperation
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Desperation
Author: Stephen King

Book Information
Publisher: Signet Book
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780451188465 - ISBN-10: 0451188462
Publication Date: 8/1/1997
Pages: 547


Other Versions of this Book: Audio Cassette, Hardcover, Hardcover

Book Description:
This is knock-out classic horror about the loneliest town off Nevada's Interstate 50-and the scariest.

Something is terribly wrong in Desperation, Nevada -- a small mining town just off Route 50 with a played out open pit copper mine. The streets are wind swept and deserted; animals have the run of the town and something horrific is brewing in the now abandoned mine pit. You won't have a good day in Desperation.

En route to Lake Tahoe for a much anticipated vacation, the Carver family is arrested for blowing out all four tires on their camper. Collie Entragian is the arresting officer, the self-made sheriff of a town called Desperation, Nevada, and the quintessential bad cop.

"You have the right to remain silent", the big cop said in his robot's voice. "If you do not choose to remain silent, anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. I'm going to kill you. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights as I have explained them to you?"

Unbeknownst to the Carvers, Entragian regularly sniffs out passerbys on this stretch of road, and in fact has done in nearly every resident of his hometown. He can also change form and summon the help of creepy creatures, including scorpions, snakes and spiders.

Though the family seems doomed, an unlikely hero emerges --11-year-old David Carver--who finds his own way to get around the Law.

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Black HouseInsomniaRose MadderThe RegulatorsBag of Bones


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Rebecca E. (Rebecca) wrote on 6/10/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book grabs you from the beginning and you want to know what is going to happen next. Really scared me. Very good read!!!!

Barbara W. wrote on 3/13/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

As with nearly every one of King's books, this one grabs you quickly and doesn't let go until the last page. This book has a surprisingly profound spiritual message that I didn't expect to find in a book of this genre.

Morgen S. (Crumpet) wrote on 5/2/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book. Very good pace and characters you want to know.

Athima C. wrote on 4/13/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not one of King's best work, but it does draw you in and does keep you interested enough until the end. It's at times uneven, and the characters don't feel as well developed as they could have been. And the gross-out factor is pretty high, even for him. But you want to know what the big mystery is about, so you keep reading and that is King's gift. Good time killer, overall, but not his best use of the language.

Rosendo A. (Rosendo806) wrote on 9/30/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The only Steven King book to ever give me nightmares. Well worth the read. Great book!

Cindy K. wrote on 8/7/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great story, great characters, I devoured this book!

Tina T. (tina-talley) wrote on 7/17/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

One of my favorite Stephen King books of all time!

S W. (TakingTime) wrote on 7/2/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

not a favorite King book, but worth the read. It reads very well with the book the Regulators - by Richard Bachman - AKA Steven King.

Donna B. wrote on 4/17/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Typical Stephen King! I thought it went on and on too long!

Julia F. (Farmerswife) wrote on 3/4/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I haven't read it in awhile, but remember it as a good story.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Sharon J. wrote on 11/4/2009...


Good read.

Milani L. wrote on 7/30/2009...


Not my fave King book, but it was still awesome! It gave me the creepies at night. .

Judith L. (jlessl) wrote on 5/30/2009...


Vintage King. If you are a fan, you will not be disappointed. I have to admit, as a fan who will criticise when warranted, there are a few slow spots, but he delilvers in the end. I do recall that this was made into a TV movie. In fact, I pictured the actor that played one of the primary characters in the beginning of the book. Weird. Because I pictured that actor before I rememebered the TV movie and went, AH-HA, yes, THAT'S why he was in my mind!

I just read a compilation of King's short stories that came out recently, Just After Sunset, which was overall engaging. And no, I can't post it on PaperBack Swap, it is my daughter's hard cover book that I had to return. Darn.

Tanya W. (TanyaW) wrote on 4/28/2009...


Another of Stephen King's masterpieces. Truly a page turner.

Jennifer M. wrote on 12/9/2008...


MY HUSBAND LOVED THIS BOOK.

William B. (uselessknowledge) wrote on 11/10/2008...


one of his weirdest books.

Cory K. (corymkugelman) wrote on 10/26/2007...


WOW!

Rhonda L. wrote on 2/21/2007...


There's a place along Interstate 50 that some call the loneliest place on Earth. It's known as Desperation, Nevada. It's not a very nice place to live. It's an even worse place to die. Let the battle against evil begin. Welcome to Desperation.

Chuck P. (1998SVT) wrote on 1/16/2007...


There's a place along Interstate 50 that some call the lonliest place on Earth, It's known as Desperation, Nevada. It's not a very nice place to live. It's an even worse lace to die. Let the battle against evil begin. Welcome to Desperation! It is a great story, I enjoyed it so much I bought the DVD I hope it is half as entertaining as the book.

Nancy B. wrote on 9/19/2006...


Fantastic and scary!


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