I have not been sold on the idea of audiobooks…until now. The narration for Fairy Tale is top-tier. Narrators Seth Numrich and yes, Stephen King, bring the audiobook to life.
Summary:
Charlie Reade is a 17-year-old boy that has had a rough childhood. Just as things are starting to turn around for Charlie, an accident brings together Charlie and the neighborhood recluse, Mr. Bowditch. While Charlie and Mr. Bowditch strengthen their friendship, Charlie falls in love with Mr. Bowditch’s elderly dog, Radar. Charlie’s quest to save Radar lands Charlie in a world that can be described as a fairy tale.
My Thoughts:
I have to disclose that I have never actually read a Stephen King novel. I’ve watched plenty of movie adaptations, but never actually read any of his works. So, I apologize ahead of time if I don’t know enough about his writing style.
I fell in love with this novel. It has all the elements of a compelling boy-against-world-with-his-trusty-dog story. This novel also touches upon the complexity of relationships. The relationship between man and vices. The relationship between father and son. The relationship between a young teenage caretaker and his aging patient. The relationship between a boy and his dying dog.
All the elements of a fairy tale are present as well. A kingdom under a curse. Princes and princesses. Poppies. Green towers. Dwarfs. Giant bunnies? And evil. Evil lurking in the shadows.
I’ve read a few reviews about this book. The main complaint was it was a “far-fetched” story. Excuse me? We are talking about the same guy, right? The guy who wrote about a child-killing clown and a possessed car? Perhaps a girl that can start fires…with her mind. I had to chuckle at calling a Stephen King novel “far-fetched.”
What I do know is the narration is wonderful and sucked me into the story. I also know that the book fully advertises from its title that fantasy and imagination are required. If you can’t take the idea of a fairy tale adapted to modern times, this would not be the book for you. As for me, I recommend it to those that want to be transported into a fairy tale.
Filthy Casual for Life 