Should I? Should'nt I?

[SuzannaDean]

Is this book actually worth reading? I mean I decided that I wanna read all of SK's work but the plot of this one kinda seems a bit lame so undecided to read it or not..would love to hear others views?

:smile2:

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Yes, it's definitely worth reading, excellent book IMO (but don't watch the movie!).

Long days and pleasant nights

[Doc Wilson]

Sure, its worth reading. Their are better SK novels, but there are worse ones too. I'd put Cujo somewhere around the middle of the pack.

[aeroplane]

Cujo was the first SK book I ever read. It's a very good read.

As others have said, there are better books in his catalog. But to me, the only noticeable flaw with Cujo that one can really point at is that the book isn't nearly as complex or deep as stuff like It, The Stand, Pet Sematary, Dark Tower series or some of King's more recent work.

However, it is well written and the premise of a rabid dog on a rampage makes for an interesting storyline that could realistically happen in nearly anybody's neighborhood.

[mbrown7349]

Absolouty! Cujo is one of the most intensly written King stories IMHO. there are scenes which stretch your nerves to the breaking point. And the novel has a definate surrealistic tone which adds to the atmosphere of the book. I re read this story at least once year ..

[michal]

I'm going to go against the flow. I didn't enjoy Cujo very much and if I had a choice between reading it and any other SK book, I'd never choose it. However, being a constant reader I feel that all of Mr. King's books deserve my attention, so if you've read all the rest or can't get any other one for awhile go ahead and read it. Maybe you'll love it.

[ginapenn]

Cujo is a good book! But, being a LONGTIME reader of King's work, I appreciate the older ones a little more. King himself has said he likes it (In the book On Writing).

[glyde69]

I just dug up an old amazon review I wrote years ago about Cujo. Kept it really short.

I remember getting this book for Christmas about 6 or 7 years ago and reading a good chunk of it with what sounded like WW3 going on in the background. I quickly finished it a day or two later and I remember liking it. Unless you are 10 years old right now, or were kidnapped and held in a basement for the last 20 years, I'm sure you have read the book, seen the movie, or at least heard of Cujo. A big happy 200 pound Saint Bernard gets rabies, turns evil, and terroizes a small Maine town.

On my second read this book had a little more than that. It was more then just a story of a rabid dog. This book is also the story of a few different small town families dealing with their problems written in a way only Stephen King can. As usual the character development is great and a handful of Dead Zone characters and mentionings give it a nice touch.

[Mr. Palmer]

I'm another who will give it a rec.

And yes, as already mentioned, avoid the film. It's decent up until the ending, darn it! :oo:

[nygene40]

Yes, it is worth reading. Harrowing and heartbreaking, but you will get over it. I re-read it a few weeks ago (paperback) and yesterday on a browse through the Strand bookstore in NYC, I found a 1st edition HC for $7.00 that is in fine shape. I was thrilled!

[GNTLGNT]

It is a personal favorite, so I would suggest reading it-just keep a towel handy to mop up the drool and maybe a milk-bone or two, oh yeah-make sure your tetanus and rabies shots are up to date...:biggrin2:

[Billiards Girl]

Coming from a dog lover, keep the tissues handy. I might be the only one, but Cujo's suffering, as described, made me pretty damn emotional. Sad, but good.

[Rand]

Is this book actually worth reading? I mean I decided that I wanna read all of SK's work but the plot of this one kinda seems a bit lame so undecided to read it or not..would love to hear others views?

:smile2:

People will hand me my butt for saying this, but no, I don't think this one is worth reading. It had many interesting aspects, but overall the plot just wasn't too swift, and the characters were a bit weak for King. I think this could have been great as a short story, but there wasn't enough to make a novel out of it.

[xkittyx]

Cujo was my first SK book ever, when I was real young, so it's got sentimental value for me. I just started re-reading it today, want to see if the story's as good as I remember it.