The Dead Zone
Read: Spring/Early Summer of 2019
CHARACTERS: 4.7/5
STORY: 4.5/5
FLOW: 4.6/5
SUSPENSE/THRILLER: 3.2/5
OVERALL: 17/20
The Dead Zone was not an overly suspenseful story, but man, for someone who survived 2016 (RIP Harambe) and 2020, this story was years ahead of its time. When it was over, I remember thinking, “how could this book have been written in 1979? When it is so close to what politics would become in 2016?” (yes, politics were already leaning the way of the dead zone, the difference is we elected our Greg Stillson in America).
I thought the character of Johnny Smith was very basic. There really wasn’t too much to him, other than the fact that his coma caused him to have clairvoyant visions of people’s futures. Kind of a big deal huh? Well Johnny eventually uses this power to touch politicians to see who wins and what they’ll accomplish in office. Then, he touches Greg Stillson’s hand. Everything changed after that for Johnny Smith, and he attempted to assassinate Stillson in hopes of preventing a global nuclear war.
But my favorite part of the book was when Johnny was released from the hospital after an almost fatal accident which increase his psychic ability. He was hoping to get back into teaching; he was a teacher at a high school prior to his accident. But since his power helped him find the Castle Rock killer Frank Dodd (a name you won’t want to forget soon) and made him famous as a result, he couldn’t find work anywhere since no one would hire him. So, he took a job as a private tutor to a young boy named Chuck Chatsworth. The relationship Johnny develops with this boy and his family was absolutely nothing short of special. Chuck had trouble reading at 17, and Johnny helped him overcome his problem and became friends with Chuck. He becomes such a close friend of the family that the father believes him when he advises him not to go to his graduation party because lightning will strike the venue, killing everyone inside, but it was this section that really made me enjoy the entire story of Johnny’s relationship with that family which made up a good part of the middle of this book and I wished it was longer (not the first or last time I’ll say that).
Overall, this is an excellent book. Historically, it really envisions today’s political world and I must say that King really hit it on the head. It won’t be the last time we elect a Greg Stillson. This book would be one I recommend immediately to a curious King reader. Beyond the fact that it pertains to current events of today, it is an excellent character development story, and isn’t as overly scary/terrifying as his other books. It’s much more mellow, which I believe a casual reader would enjoy.
CHECK OUT THE MOVIE REVIEW (1983)
SIDENOTE: This book also had all time favorite King line. When they find out that the venue was actually struck by lightning, killing most of the people there, some young girl looks at Johnny and goes, “HE’S JUST LIKE THAT BITCH CARRIE.” Almost fell off the couch laughing.