Customer Reviews

Lisey's Story: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I find that I either love Stephen King's books or want to throw them, but they never leave me feeling neutral, that's for sure. I loved this one, but wanted to throw it for the first 50 pages, because it seemed poorly edited. I actually suspected a ghost writer because there were faux pas that Stephen just knows better than to make (e.g. referring to Lisey's sister as Amanda, Mandy and Manda in the space of a page, and not in diaglogue where it's more appropriate, and there were some jarring tense changes). But after that 50 page mark, it either improved or I didn't care because the story got mighty interesting. This book got better and better as it moved along. I could have taken a little less of Boo'ya Moon, but every visit there did advance the story, and the reality/unreality of the place is forever imprinted on my brain. The final visit revealed the last pieces of the puzzle (although we didn't really know there was a puzzle), but I wish it had been handled differently because the story felt over by then. I also had a hard time with reading the name Lisey ("rhymes with Cee Cee") as it is a pet name vs. nickname, and not one I'm familiar with for Lisa, so for much of the book, I corrected myself every time I said "Lyzee" in my head. Nevertheless, it is an excellent read. With these little issues I've discussed addressed, though, it may have been a 5 star novel.

Lisey's Story is definitely destined to go down as one of King' top ten best books. The story, the characters and the writing are all way above the average. I was sorry to see it end. It is of the same memorable quality as King's TommyKnockers (an older Stephen King that is another favorite) and Delores Claiborne (don't be discouraged by the movie...the book is definitely worth reading). King's exceptional wit comes through in all of these books. And from other authors I would highly recommend The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and Enchanted by Nancy Madore.

I really enjoyed the characterization as each of the characters were introduced and as they flowed thru the story. It is a long build up to the climax and life is sort of like that too. Highly recommend ordering it and spending the time to sit back and listen.

I found Lisey's Story to be one of Stephen King's more beautiful works, a love story rich in imagery that takes you away to another world, where adventures in the dark forest reach an unprecedented peak.

This other world felt, to me, like a brilliant projection of the subconsious mind--an analogy to the way a creative person might experience the muse or the mysterious source of art.

Its a book to read for pure pleasure, and to cherish the feeling of what real and tender romantic love between two people can be.

I am an avid King fan and was very excited for 2006 because now his fans would be getting 2 books in one year Cell and Lisey's Story. Both totally different books. I really did like Lisey's Story, although I would still say that some of his older works stand out more in my mind as my favorites (The Stand, Salem's Lot). However LS is a new book for a newer time and I think it is best not to dwell too much on books of the past. The book is about Lisey Landon, the widow of a writer Scott, who was to say the least the love of her life and a man with a dark past. In going through her late husbands papers Lisey is set on a sort of scavenger hunt (a bool hunt, trust me it'll make sense eventually). The book is interesting in that it has many genre feels to it, the most obvious is that it is a love story in the sense that throughout the book you see the love that Scott and Lisey had for one another and all the little things that come with being married to someone for 25 years. Sometimes the "inside" jokes or terms that Lisey uses, ones that came from both her marriage and childhood, can get a little troublesome. Overall I really did enjoy this book and at the end I was left with a positive feeling and sense of completion. If you're a King fan you're probably going to read this anyways but I think that any reader would enjoy this book even if you aren't usually a fan of King. And besides it's not even that long of book so if you totally disagree with me you won't be too inconvenienced.

King has always fascinated me---the way he blends seeming truths with fiction and sci-fi, but not in the way that would turn off anyone who doesn't like science fiction. And yet he always manages to retain his style and pacing. LISEY'S STORY is probably the best thing he's done in a while, and his work is nothing to sneeze at (though I didn't care for "Cell"---sorry!). At any rate, Lisey Landon, the protagonist in LISEY'S STORY is well written and it's really her personaity that keeps the story moving, as it should. Character driven novels fascinate me (I would recommend A LONG WAY DOWN by Hornsby, or what I call the companion book to this: TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE if you're looking for other great books). The most memorable thing about this excellent read was its balance between darkness and light---something not easily accomplished by any author. King gets this just right, and you won't be disappointed. Next to THE SHINING, this is one of my favorites.

I love Stephen King.

He has a way of writing that pulls you in and, before you know it, you're deep into a story, caring for characters and waiting with anticipation to find out how everything will finish up. With a King novel though, things never go in the direction you think they will.

That's part of what makes him a great writer. He always keeps the reader guessing and still manages to shock them after writing for decades. Not every writer can stay fresh over such a long period of time. King is constantly changing, developing and trying new things. It's what sets him apart from everyone else.

His crowning achievement, in my opinion, is Lisey's Story.

Now, I know that he's not everyone's cup of tea, but Lisey's Story will satisfy even the pickiest reader. Stephen King has really written a literary love story that has little horror but lots of emotion.

Lisey Landon is a grieving widow. Her husband, prize winning novelist Scott Landon, has died and Lisey is cleaning out his office. While she goes over the pieces of paper and old manuscript pages, she is assailed with memories long forgotten of a place Scott used to tell her about: Boo'ya Moon. A place where shadows breathed and the impossible was possible.

Lisey has more to worry about than old papers and painful memories, however. There is a crazed fan, a man with no morals. He believes that there is a lost novel by Scott Landon and will do anything it takes to get his hands on it. Even if it means killing Lisey.

Although trying to fight memories that are coming to the surface, Lisey must remember everything she has forced herself to forget or she may die before her own story has finished its run.

This is without a doubt the best book that Stephen King has written. It's got something for everyone: romance, suspense, a bit of horror, a dash of fantasy.

The book is so different from King's regular fare. There is depth here, depth of character and of plot. There is beauty here as well. Though some of the pages have sharp teeth, it's an engaging story from the first word to the last.

The book clocks in at over five hundred pages (over six hundred in its new paperback form) but the entire novel is a masterpiece. Despite being so different from everything else he has written, I think this is actually one of the book's strengths. There have been comparisons to Rose Madder and Gerald's Game, but in my opinion, Lisey's Story stands on its own as there is nothing to compare it to.

What makes Lisey's Story so gorgeous is its beauty. Lisey is a woman we all know thrust into incredible circumstances. Instead of a story about the everyman, we are told the story of the everywoman. It's a story I want to read again and again. And you will too. All you have to do is turn to the first page.

And start reading.

Stephen King writes horror books

That stuff that makes bad dreams

But this one goes an extra mile

Exploring other themes

Lisey knows the man she loves

Has secrets that he's hiding

Dark shadows from his childhood past

That're sometimes over-riding

Though he's no longer by her side

He's left for her a trail

From Maine across to Boo'ya Moon

Real life meets the unreal

She still hears him everywhere

"SOWISA, Strap it on"

He tells her when a blood-bool's due

And helps her when it's done

Stalkers, dead cats, boogie men

Danger in each dimension

Once you pick this novel up

It'll get your full attention

Deep down it's a romance tale

But with a scary twist

If you're a fan of Stephen King

It's not one to be missed

Amanda Richards

I found it difficult to become engaged in this book. There are a few stylistic quirks (like interrupting a sentence at the end of the chapter) and reprising certain scenes over and over again, which I found irritating but eventually become used to. Mostly, I felt this was a novel that should have remained a short story or a novella. The most compelling story in this book was Scott's story, not Lisey's. The impact of the story was diluted by the internal monologues that were dragged out, presumably to increase the tension, but which increased my impatience (get on with it--I can see where this is going already). I've always felt that King was a master at plot and imagination but sometimes his writing style just irritates me. I can see this making a brilliant movie though.

In general, this was a good story and I'm glad I read it, but I have to agree with the others. The first few chapters, possibly right to the middle of the book or so, were extremely difficult to become engaged in. I was very annoyed with the author's need to constantly repeat scenes and key phrases over and over again. I understand that this was perhaps all intended to show us Lisey's struggle with her state of mind, but I found this 'style' of writing to be a distraction and almost gave up a few times. The second half of the book was perfect...flowing with all the emotions we are capable of. A beautiful and exciting story....just be prepared to put some grunt work into it.