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Firestarter (1980)

Before reading: I'm very excited for this one! I love the original movie and am a huge fan of when Stephen King writes about characters that have psychic powers. I also like to read the book before the movie comes out and a new Firestarter movie (staring Zac Efron) is coming soon. I usually take forever to read so as long as I finish this one before the movie, I'll be content with that! Also...we have officially entered a new era of Stephen King books...the 1980's! 

After reading: I just want to start off by saying that this was a really great book. I literally just finished it and I have that weird empty feeling you get after finishing a book or TV show where you're sad that it is over. While it did take me a while to read because I'm terrible at finishing books apparently, I will say that it would have been a fast read had I hunkered down. It was full of action and life and just beautiful writing that does make it hard to put down but also makes it read quickly. I am sad to say that somehow the notes I was taking for this book got deleted 😖 That is super upsetting but I will go ahead and discuss what I remember jotting down as well as what I wrote after my notes disappeared.

The book starts right in the middle of the action. I absolutely loved it. There wasn't a slow buildup, you were already right there in it and then, of course, the story was sprinkled with flashbacks to fill in gaps. There weren't any times in this book where I was bored and thinking "get to the point already!" Now, even though we have entered the 1980's...there's quite a bit of racism and some homophobia. I will be excited for those parts of the books to start going away so I can totally enjoy one without feeling moments of cringe. There's also some fatphobia which I think was very much part of that time period, but still, come on. Moving on to other things I hate: John Rainbird. I hate him more than any character I have ever read before. He is the literal worst and I hate him and I hate Stephen King for making me read about him. Okay, maybe it isn't that serious but kudos to King for making a character so horrible. If you haven't read Firestarter but you've read Harry Potter, think Dolores Umbridge. I mentioned before that I had seen the original movie and enjoyed it. This is true, however, I honestly don't remember much of it. There was one part in the movie that I remember very vividly and carried with me. I found that part in the book and I'll just let you read it instead of me trying to describe it: “he will strike her across the bridge of the nose, breaking it explosively and driving bone fragments into her brain.” See why it stuck with me? Also, this book had several 1984 references and I hate to admit it but I have never read that one. Maybe in 30 years when I'm finished with all of the Stephen King novels I'll get to it. There was a part in here that I'm not sure if it was supposed to be intentional or a goof or what? But at one point they mentioned "Seven Flags over Georgia" which I thought was a funny alternate universe type of thing until later they referred to it as "Six Flags." Does anyone know anything about this? Was it an accident? I tried googling it but couldn't get any answers. Help me out! And I'll help you out--if you have anxiety, this book is not for you. The build up to the ending gave me so much anxiety that my note was simply: "kdsajlfkdjsagioniagjioa." I definitely got some Carrie vibes from the ending of the book with Charlie (Carrie and Charlie are also similar names now that I'm writing them out) both using mind powers and burning down buildings. Strangely, Charlie reminded me of a more mature Carrie...almost what Carrie could have been, even though Charlie is 10 years younger. 

I really really enjoyed this one. I am excited to see how the movie tells the story. Zac Efron will make a great Andy and I have high hopes...don't disappoint me, Efron! So far most of King's stories don't end on the happiest note or they leave you with a cliffhanger. While Firestarter definitely ended in a cliffhanger, it also left me feeling optimistic. I have high hopes that Charlie went on to live her best life. If you haven't read this before I definitely suggest going out and giving it a read. If you have, then you should go read it again! Next up is our 3rd Bachman Book: Roadwork. 



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