FairyTale, By Stephen King

Fairy Tale, By Stephen King 

The King of Horror wears two crowns. There are no complaints here about his writing. Fantasy fiction lovers will be treated to a Jack and the Beanstalk world full of curses, stadium battles, giant insects, two moons, gold, and one tricycle. The only downside is that you will  have to wait until the second half of the novel for the fantasy. The first half is classic Stephen King character development, which is just as engaging as the fantasy parts. If you have not read Stephen King, this might not be the novel to start with.

Here are some tips to consider: there are disfigured characters in this novel, and that might be hard to read and imagine. Also, consider brushing up on your fairy tales. If you are not familiar with or do not know some fairy tales, fables, and H.P. Lovecraft, you might miss out on contextual clues and references that could make the story more enjoyable.

Many readers have not taken to the structure of the narrative, but it is written true to the structure of the genre. Most fairy tales are written in two major parts, and almost  always have a magic portal that transports the main character. In FairyTale, King crafts two realms of reality and a portal through which the main character is transported to a new realm.

The first half of the novel is dedicated to the character development of Charlie Reade, a teenage boy who, after a rough patch, finds fulfillment in taking care of Mr. Bowditch, a mysterious grumpy old man with secrets that Charlie helps recover from an accident. Charlie also forms a meaningful connection with Mr. Bowditch’s dog, Radar, who is more than just a dog. Radar represents the bond that connects Charlie to both realities. No matter what dimension or world Charlie is in, when Radar is with him, Charlie does not feel alone. Because of his powerful bond with Radar, Charlie finds the courage to make his way into Empis, the realm of Lovecraftian monsters, Kings and Queens, and a population on the brink of complete annihilation, desperate for a hero.

Stephen King’s work continues to push the boundaries of the genre, making him a towering figure in contemporary literature. FairyTale is an authentic approach that pays homage to the darker parts of fairy tales that kept us up at night.

Begin Fairy Tale 🔗