11/22/63 BY STEPHEN KING
by: eric.
I have always avoided Stephen King books because I tend to avoid spooky shit in fiction. In real life I’m fine with potential paranormal places and situations such as supposedly haunted houses, grave yards, funeral homes and Pentecostal church services because I have yet to see any really spooky shit and have the long standing belief that, if I did, it would enhance my life (spiritually, financially or narratively). I do try to avoid girls when they get together and do goofy witch shit but that is because they don’t have a sense of humour about it.
But when it comes to horror type genres I am chicken shit. The absolute worst is gimmicky suspense killer movies. I refuse to watch them because the tension makes me shrilly and also farty. It’s not fun and I end up just being pissed off, morose, embarrassed and the room smells.
You see I prefer not to feel negative emotions except when these emotions are a worthy reprimand for negative actions, are necessary reciprocity to good emotions (ie mourning someone you loved when they were alive), or challenge me on top of making me feel negative. If I’m going to get scared and tense it should be worth it. Most horror is simply not worth it as it inspires no emotional or mental productivity in me.
This pretty much encompasses all fictional horror. I do like true life accounts, particularly when they are about:
1. Alien abduction
2. Ghosts/Possessions
3. Mothmen
And so Stephen King’s fiction had no appeal to me. But I heard an interview with him on Q and learned 11/22/63 is about time travel. And how much horror can be in time travel?
BUT it turns out that 11/22/63 is not at all scary and my whole horror stance is moot. It starts out amazing until sentimentality is introduced in the second act and it loses momentum although stays interesting enough. A quick read for how long it was. I will probably read the dome one too sometime.
THE END
RATING 10/11 (FIRST THIRD), 14/22 (SECOND THIRD) , 32/63 (LAST THIRD).
