Christine

**Doc Wilson** · December 29th, 2009

In one of his forewords, Neil Gaiman advances the notion that all books have genders, and even classifies each of his works as either male or female. It isn't so simplistic as to boil down to the gender of the protagonist, though thats of course an important factor.

**Audaciousfox** · December 29th, 2009

Originally Posted by jules17330

I completely disagree and I'm a woman.

I didn't find this book sexist at all; as a matter of fact, it's never even crossed my mind until I read this post and this is the first and still my favorite book by SK. It's a well known fact that cars are referred to as "she"; why would SK want to change that for his book? Also, I didn't find Leigh to be weak or cheating at all. Leigh was a beautiful young woman that fell in love with Arnie and when Arnie's personality drastically changed, they broke up. Arnie obviously didn't see it that way but that's what happened in the book. The romance between Dennis and Leigh wasn't anything close to just a tryst; they dated for a while until they went their separate ways, which tends to happen with young folks. Keep in mind that this is a story that involves teenagers that lived back in the seventies. Things were different then.

I couldn't've said it better. I do want to say I believe way too many people over-think Stephen King's attitudes towards women. Can't anyone just take a book for the story instead of all the nuances that might represent something (usually) negative? It is said a writer's works usually reveal the writer's attitudes, and I'd agree; yet so many find fault (and I don't mean Michal, but critics in general) with King's attitudes towards we women folk. The man writes a mean story - often with women triumphing - and I just take it for that.

**ginapenn** · February 1st, 2010

Originally Posted by Audaciousfox

I couldn't've said it better. I do want to say I believe way too many people over-think Stephen King's attitudes towards women. Can't anyone just take a book for the story instead of all the nuances that might represent something (usually) negative? It is said a writer's works usually reveal the writer's attitudes, and I'd agree; yet so many find fault (and I don't mean Michal, but critics in general) with King's attitudes towards we women folk. The man writes a mean story - often with women triumphing - and I just take it for that.

I totally agree with your reply. Honestly, I would never put a gender on a story. As a writer myself, I deal with characters that act in a way I would never dream of and have beliefs that I completely disagree with. You said it right when you said "people over-think"... Well put! People really do!! Stories sometimes DO reflect a writer's attitude (sometimes, hell-a lot!) but remember that you're stomping on THE WRITER'S playground. They can write it however they want! I've never felt put-off by any of King's stories. Thick skin people. There are bigger fish to fry out there.

**KazMic** · February 1st, 2010

I totally agree with ChristineB and Jules17330 replies. I found Christine a very enjoyable book and not chauvinist at all. As others have said, cars are always refered to as she and I see nothing wrong in that. I found Leigh just a normal young woman who had to deal with a very upsetting situation. I felt she handled it as well as i would expect anyone to. When Arnie changed for the worst she could not be expected to stay and accept his behaviour. The character Leigh certainly did not leave any negative feelings with me.

**Princemeister** · May 30th, 2011

I just finished reading this today and think the chauvanist view is wide of the mark. SPOILER ALERT

**pennywise74** · June 3rd, 2011

Yeah I agree Kim cant see how it is chauvanistic or sexist it actually portrays the car dominating Arnie, and getting the upper hand on most of the men in the story so prehaps Christine is the chauvanistic one eh?

**popsqueak** · June 14th, 2011

I thought it was great and can really see two teenagers and this car. I think the first time Arnie sees the car is how many teenagers are with cars. I love the story set in the 70s, with no computers etc. Brings me back to the simple life. My first car was named after my Grandmother and I am a female. I can remember how excited me and my friends were when driving around, we had independence!

**CaseyM** · August 16th, 2011

Originally Posted by popsqueak

I thought it was great and can really see two teenagers and this car. I think the first time Arnie sees the car is how many teenagers are with cars.

That's how I was with my motorcycle. I saw her, smiled, and knew she would be mine. And it is a she, I know this. And I am a girl. I started calling it her and she immediately. I haven't picked out a name yet...she's red...perhaps Christine?

**Olivia Dunham** · September 7th, 2011

My mum has always called all of her cars Betsy since I was a child. To her cars were and are always female. Nothing chauvinistic there, it just is. I always call cars her as well. As for Leigh, she was not weak nor was she unfaithful. She truly loved Arnie, enough to risk her life to save him. She did not like what the car and possession by LeBay was doing to him. Due to that she had to break it off, and that was smart considering that the car tried to kill her several times.

**Alexandra19** · September 9th, 2011

Hi !

Christine is the first SK book I've read, when I was a teenage girl, and I've never seen anything chauvinistic in it.
I understand what you may think so, though and you're right saying Christine is, somehow, a jealous bitch... But when you think about it, the book is about a teenage boy, who has a lot of trouble integrating into high school. So in a way, Christine represents what he needs ; not only is it a girl, but it's also some king of "phallic symbol" with all the teenage rage in it.
Leigh has never looked dull to me, but she's just not the main character so it's kind of natural she hasn't got more importance.
IMO, Christine is a teenage story : rock vibes, great car, hot girl, boyfriends and of course, it's horrible.