Marcus W. (SuDongpo) reviewed on 4/3/2010 + 37 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Possibly King's finest book. The journey inside the protagonist's psyche illuminated like nothing else I've read the real thought processes of a 40-something, highly intelligent man coping with the loss of a great love, and the slow process of realizing that the death of a loved one isn't the end of the road and that love has a habit of re-emerging in unlikely places and when least expected. Like in the best of King's work, the horror element in BOB becomes part of the growth process of the hero, illuminating the fears and nightmares that adults can still be prone to, and reminding him that there are things worth fighting for, and people worth loving, even when it's scary and painful to do so.

Despite the presence of the quote lending a title to the book, King's characterization and deft handling of the internal dialogue of the narrator remind this reader, at least, of the probability that King will still be read, filmed, and enjoyed long after most of the bestsellers of today's paranormal, supernatural explosion are nothing, not even footnotes to the future histories of our popular culture.

However, children, if you are unable to suspend your own ego and assume the persona of a troubled middle aged man, you won't get much out of this one. Meyer fans, you are hereby warned.

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