Book Snails Book Group discussion

Our poll winner for this year's chunky read is Fairy Tale. It appears to be 600+ pages of Stephen King magic, so if you're a fan of his or fantasy, join in and let us know what you think.

Synopsis- Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was ten, and grief drove his dad to drink. Charlie learned how to take care of himself—and his dad. Then, when Charlie is seventeen, he meets Howard Bowditch, a recluse with a big dog in a big house at the top of a big hill. In the backyard is a locked shed from which strange sounds emerge, as if some creature is trying to escape. When Mr. Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie the house, a massive amount of gold, a cassette tape telling a story that is impossible to believe, and a responsibility far too massive for a boy to shoulder.

Because within the shed is a portal to another world—one whose denizens are in peril and whose monstrous leaders may destroy their own world, and ours. In this parallel universe, where two moons race across the sky, and the grand towers of a sprawling palace pierce the clouds, there are exiled princesses and princes who suffer horrific punishments; there are dungeons; there are games in which men and women must fight each other to the death for the amusement of the “Fair One.” And there is a magic sundial that can turn back time.

A story as old as myth, and as startling and iconic as the rest of King’s work, Fairy Tale is about an ordinary guy forced into the hero’s role by circumstance, and it is both spectacularly suspenseful and satisfying

Stephen King reads a chapter from Fairy Tale (10 min YouTube video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDmG...

I've seen 2 physical copies of this new-ish book in a local small library, so hopefully it's available where you are as well.

You may be able to borrow a free eBook copy if you have a library card:
Overdrive/Libby (search for your libary):
https://www.overdrive.com/media/87405...

Or buy... On sale at:
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/fair...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
WalMart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fairy-Tale...

Superb choice!

I just picked it up from the library 🥳

This book - I can hardly put it down!

Started ebook version yesterday, on page 30 or so.

That's awesome, Pien. What do you find engrossing about it? The characters? The pace? The setting?

Can't wait to hear what both of you think.

[Notes around the 25% mark]

Favorite character in first part of book: the dog.

In short: There's lots of backstory and slow-paced events to read before things finally get a little more exciting. So far it's all well-written--and sometimes over-written.

Notes (no BIG spoilers): (view spoiler)[

King usually doesn't do quick characterizations. Here, he takes over 100 pages to establish the 17-year-old protagonist, a few supporting characters, and a little history--while a handful of current events slowly unfold.

You won't meet a larger cast of characters until later, because the actual 'fairy tale' stuff doesn't kick in until around the 30% mark. (hide spoiler)]

I agree with Starman, but I like the long introduction because of the lovely way relationships evolve.
The dog is so real, I only wish mine listened that well 😄. The ‘over-written’ thing is something I recognize too.
I’m sort of as far as Starman, getting into the fairy tale stuff, I was happy already but hey, why not some extra adventures 😄

I’m on 75%, still enjoying our brickster! Did you finish it Tim?

I did finish it. As we can say of most King books: neither his best, nor his worst.

► Favorite character, anyone?