Hearts In Atlantis

[sam peebles]

Probably a lot of people would disagree, but I did not care so much for Hearts in Atlantis. Maybe because I had just read the DT series and I expected it to be more about the Tower and what not. Its really more about Vietnam and like someone said earlier, I didn't really see how the different sections tied in to one another.

Yeah, I'm going to have to disagree. I devoured this book in two days, and the ending drove me nuts (not really a good or bad ending, just drove me nuts). On a scale of one to ten, ten being It or The Stand, I give Hearts an eight, maybe even a nine. One of my new favorites, but I went into it without the expectation that it was going to have a lot to do with the Dark Tower.

[michal]

Mine's just fine - but its a really REALLY old edition. The pages are slightly falling out (I actually kind of like this in a book - it means it was properly read by many people), but they are all there. Try and find what you're missing, this book is definitely worth reading.

[aullori]

On a scale of 1-10 of IT or the Stand is a 10 where would you put Hearts in Atlantis?

For whatever reason I have on occasion tended to avoid reading the book when it doesnt look all that appealing to me and I have seen the movie.

I want to get around reading this so how good a book is this one?

I know its all subjective but humor me please.

Actually good question; I'd rate the Stand at 10 and put Hearts at an 8. I'm a big fan of SK's use of children in his books, though all of them at times seem "wise beyond their age..." they are completely believable. (Other examples: Mark Petrie in Salem's Lot, Bobby in Hearts, Tad in Cujo, "It" and of course, Jack, in another 10, "The Tailsman.") Sometimes I think the child slash father relationship is when he is at his best especially in his older novels. As a parent I think I relate to the very human adults in the kids lives who don't always come through in the end.

[stickfigure8]

GAR!!! HERE THERE BE SPOYLERS

I'd have to say, for me (as talking about this book is an exceedingly subjective experience) that Hearts is a ten. I saw the film and coincidentally had the book around the house, started reading it at work one day (and yes i didn't get any work done ha ha ha)...but I've read this book SO MANY TIMES in the past seven years that it's almost like something that's happened to me. I remember the characters like I remember people I've known in my life; Bobby, Ted, Carol, Sully, Rionda, Herb McQuown (no one beats that shuffle), Pete, Nate, Skip, Dearie, Malenfant, Slocum, Willie, Len and Alanna, everybody.

(GAR YE'VE BEEN WARNED!)
I don't really understand what was posted earlier about 'Hearts' ending...I thought 'The Stand's ending was much more of a boner:

"I don't know."

Yes, you can argue with me all you want, but if you're looking for a great ending, don't look to 'The Stand'. It's much more of a journey (and how) than a destination. This is coming from a guy who used to think that 'The Stand' and 'IT' were both the best writing the man would ever do. I even began to dismiss his other works out of hand, not even reading them. Then I happened to see this movie and I loved it. Then I read the book and got pissed off at the movie. Everybody's saying they don't like the ending, that it's just random events with no underlying theme. Here's your theme (GAR!)

BEING CARRIED (the stronger helping the weaker), and mostly a healthy dose of nostalgia from the author that BLEEDS through to the page. I love it. I'm a sap, forgive me! (sorry Jack Lucas)

Also, if you're looking for a hint of magic on the periphery, think of the places where characters either hear or imagine they hear 'Twilight Time' by The Platters:

When Bobby puts up his mental 'wall' in the back of the cab (older Carol).
Pete and Carol in his station wagon.
Sully in his car with the Alvin Dark model.
Bobby and Carol sitting on the bench in Commonwealth Park.

It's beautiful man. And the reason I said it was an exceedingly subjective experience for me is because I had a period in my life, right around Bobby's age, where my family flipped upside down, and I went through several years after that getting into trouble and not caring, so I REALLY relate to this story.

[aKINGreader4ever]

Hello Every1,
I am getting ready 2 finish Hearts in Altantis, the second story of the book, so far the book has been great, both stories have really got my attention. I luv how King is talking about the events from the 60's and relating them to life at probably every University in the Country at that time. So far I do not have a favorite story from the book, since the 2 stories R different, but in a way have some similarities, with characters. What was every1 favorite story from this book and the movie Hearts in Atlantis, does that mainly from Low Men in Yellow Coats?
THX,
-K-