Under the Dome
I’m a longtime fan of Stephen King’s – such a longtime fan that I honestly can’t recall when I started reading the man’s work (probably at too young of an age, but that’s neither here nor there). And while his fiction has had its ups and downs over the years, I’ve nearly always been able to count on him for an entertaining time.
That said, the past few years have been a bit unsatisfying for me as a King fan. The work I’ve enjoyed most has been his short stories, in particular the Everything’s Eventual collection. Novels (which I prefer over short stories) have been a more problematical affair. I have always been left cold by the Dark Tower series, so aside from Lisey’s Story, which I enjoyed (and I realize this is a minority opinion), I haven’t had a King novel really rock my world since Desperation.
But now we have Under the Dome. An idea King originally had in the 1970s has finally come to fruition (aspiring writers take note: don’t throw ANYTHING away!) and it’s telling – the book is pedal-to-the-metal, old-school King.
The small Maine town of Chester’s Mill is having a perfectly ordinary late autumn day when an invisible, impenetrable dome descends over the town. It cleanly severs anything (or anyone) unlucky enough to be in its path. Its invisibility makes it a fatal barrier to cars and planes. It makes any electronic equipment such as cameras, iPods, and pacemakers explode if they get too close. It penetrates the ground so tunneling underneath it is not an option. And it has completely changed life for the several thousand people inside the dome’s confines.
Among those people is the town’s second selectman (and real power behind the throne of local government), Big Jim Rennie, who soon sees the dome as an opportunity to gain control of the town in a way he never has before, free of any outside interference. He’s aided and abetted by his son Junior, whose undetected brain tumor has transformed him from entitled little shit to murderous psychopath. Trying to bring some semblance of order and reason to the situation is ex-soldier and current short-order cook Dale “Barbie” Barbara, who was getting ready to thumb a ride out of town when the dome descended. Barbie’s had a run-in with some locals, primarily with Big Jim and Junior, and this conflict will be the core that drives the situation under the dome, soon making the community itself as toxic as the air inside.
What makes Under the Dome work so well is that its horrors work on many levels. There’s the dome itself – inexplicable, indestructible, and inescapable, as imposing physically as its confining effect is psychologically. There are the personality conflicts inherent in any community, magnified by the fact that those under the dome can do whatever they want without retribution from the outside – these are perhaps the most unsettling horrors, as people learn what their friends and neighbors are really capable of. And there are the environmental effects as the temperature inside rises and the air slowly but surely turns foul.
What’s so impressive about Under the Dome is how well thought-out the consequences of the dome are, yet this never slows down the story. For all its length it’s a lean (and mean) book as King sets the pace early on and doesn’t let up. Moreover, he packs on the sense of foreboding as every step the characters take, no matter how well-intentioned, often ends up making the situation worse for all. It’s a nerve-racking ride at times, but one well worth taking.
The book isn’t flawless. The bad characters are more interesting than the good ones (oh how you’ll loathe Big Jim). Certain characters and situations seem a reprise of ones from earlier King books, and at times it’s hard to keep track of all the people (particularly at the end, when the body count goes into overdrive). The ultimate explanation of the dome is a bit underwhelming – I’d have preferred there to be no explanation at all – but doesn’t detract overall from the story.
But those flaws are minor. It’s a book any King fan will enjoy. I know I did.
This would be perfect for HBO, and, given its length, there'd be no way in hell they could make a proper standalone film out of it. I could see this being a 13 episode mini-series, easy! And, hell, maybe they could stretch it out some and get a couple of seasons out of it?? God knows they've done it with Heroes...yuck.
Just read that Steven Spielberg and Stephen King are joining forces to make Under the Dome into a minseries! Dreamworks TV has optioned the book for the minseries likely for cable or HBO. Funny how I was just thinking how kickass it would be for this book to be turned into a miniseries.....
Just finished this book, and boy was it amazing! I really loved this one, and even though the horror is not completely outright (zombies, ghosts etc..) there is so many horrific levels as stated in the kick ass review. Not to mention the most vile villian (big Jim Rennie) that you just love to hate! Not only a good read but makes you really think about life and the world around you...an intellectual stirring of the brain I'd say. The only thing that bothered me was that a town of 2000 people had only one doctor???? And thats being very picky! Good ol' Steve comes through again!
I am loving Under the Dome...not even half way through yet! I started reading Mr. King before I was in high school...started with Cycle of a Werewolf and never looked back! I don't think there has been a book or short story of his I HAVE NOT enjoyed. I really loved the Dark Tower Series...his characters have so much depth, its like you know them personally and care for them as if they weren't merely fictional figments but actual live people. I also really liked Cell...which was not favored by the critics. His early work is so classic and I'm proud to have hardcover editions of all his books.
Not only does he use his environments as inspiration but also his personal experiences. Such as when he was hit by that van when walking. The main character in the "Kingdom Hospital" tv series suffered such a fate as well. Also in "Dreamcatcher" one of the main characters was hit by a car. Anyway I can relate to any other fans of his. And I sure hope he keeps cranking out those novels and short stories!!!!
But I DID like Duma Key, too - and how awesome is it that you're (more or less) a local who knows the places and events he mentions sometimes! Not to mention being from Cumberland - I remember that name in a couple books, I think.
I like that he's good at using the places he's lived as a backdrop, knowing them as well as he does, and being able to paint a clearer picture of them that way. Like once you've read it, you've kind of been there too. Same thing with Duma Key - I think a few years back or so, he and his wife got a summer house on the Florida Keys. So after living there a bit, it seems only natural that he'd set at novel there eventually. (I think the story "The Gingerbread Girl" from Just After Sunset is set in FL too).
But yeah, I loved Duma Key, until Under The Dome it was my favorite of his this decade.
I do the same thing...its always hard to find new good authors....great mention of writers...John Saul and Brian Keene ain't bad either! Oh, and let me correct myself...Kenyon grew up in Maine but now lives in the boston area.
But I'll definitely check him out. I'm always looking for new authors as I tend to feverishly burn through a writer's entire back catalog if they catch my attention. I did it with Ketchum, Barker, Little, Palahniuk, etc, then I get mad because I don't have anything left to read. :(
I just started reading this behemoth and like it so far. I encourage people who like Steve to try books by author Nate Kenyon. Have read his first two novels Bloodstone and The Reach. Looking forward to reading his other two. Maine authors rock!
I'm happiest when King plays it close to the vest and sticks to his rural roots. Duma Key was really hard for me to get into for myriad reasons, but, the main one, I think, was the fact that it wasn't set in some bumpkin town or backwoods burg! LOL.
Oh, Castle Rock, how I miss thee....
I LOVE me some Big Steve. For me, the only book he ever REALLY misstepped with was Gerald's Game. And, to a lesser extent, Rose Madder. Other than that, I have found a lot to enjoy in all of his stuff.
Having said that, Under the Dome is easily his best work in many years. Characters worth caring about (or hating, as it were), a story that pulls you right along at a heart-pounding pace. . .that's all I really ask for, and this book delivers and then some.
Excellent book; fantastic fucking review. Ms. Blonde: you have set the bar high enough to see, but the rest of us will be scrambling to reach it. Well done, truly. There's not much more I could possibly say.
Yea I read Duma Key already...just wondering what anybody else thought....not quite my faviorite but enjoyable nontheless. I grew up in Maine...in a small town by the name of Cumberland (which is mentioned in Salems Lot) and often I know the towns, landmarks, events (when not fictionalized) he mentions in his books. Just makes his stories all the more exciting for me!
I enjoyed Duma Key, though it's not on a par with Under The Dome. The protagonist is not a writer and it's not set in Maine (both of those factors give it a "breath of fresh air" feeling). It's definitely one of the better books he's done this decade. You could do worse than to get the paperback to tide you over til Christmas and Under the Dome.
I am a HUGE Stephen King fan...having read just about every single novel and every short story collection the man has ever put out....unfortunatly I have to wait until Christmas to read this new one...having been told someone bought it for me...great review, can't wait to read this one! Anyone have any thoughts on Duma Key?
King has redeemed himself for what, in my eyes, has been a miserable decade. While the first 3/4's of "Cell" were a good read, the end really let me down (and I found King's political musings a bit distracting!). Under the Dome, however, is pure, vintage King. It's like The Tommyknockers meets The Stand and Desperation. Lots of fun, lots of good gross out stuff, just a wonderful return to form all around.