Cell
by Stephen King
Synopsis: It's a sunny afternoon in Boston, and as far as Clayton Riddell is concerned, life couldn't be any better. But in an instant, his life -- and human civilization -- is turned upside down by an event known as the Pulse, a brain-zapping burst of energy that turns the millions of people with cell phones pressed against the sides of their heads into mindless killing machines. Those lucky enough not to be using a cell phone at the time are spared from the gruesome transformation but must somehow survive the nightmarish aftereffects: cars crashing, planes falling from the sky, hungry gangs of zombies, etc.
Stephen King dedicates this book at the beginning to Richard Matheson (author of 1954's apocalyptic masterwork I Am Legend) and George Romero (director of the 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead and it's sequels), which also gives you a perfect idea of what to expect from this book. Think along those lines but add King's little jabs at current culture and his odd wit.
It's not just a usual zombie book though, although there is a whole "normies" vs "phoners" thing going on. These zombies are up to something. They're forming flocks and using telepathic communication so as you get involved in the story of Clayton Riddell and his group, you're also turning pages to find out what the heck is up with the cell phone freaks.
As is usually the case with King's book, this is smartly written and suspenseful enough to keep you reading, with all the gore, cruelty, wit and horror you'd expect from the master. I think it's a pretty entertaining book, and my favorite of his in at least 10 years (since probably Desperation).
The ending is abrupt perhaps and might put off some people, but it does leave things to ponder.
8/10
0 comments:
Post a Comment