Just some thoughts after a re-read

[JellybeanJay]

I just finished re-reading Bag of Bones. My first read was in early 1999 and I was so taken with the story that it quickly became my favorite SK work.

During my re-read I was amazed at how many small details slipped my mind; the boys in the basement, crossmocks, taggle your quartermack, the cat coo coo clock and a few others. I also forgot how truly terrifying this story was. There was a feeling of dread and underlying sadness that was apparent from chapter 2 on, there were a few times that I almost put the book down because I was just so sad and I really don't remember being that emotional the first time around.

Bag of Bones has once again secured its spot as my favorite SK work, it is a beautifully haunting story with characters that I cherish and will revisit again soon. This time I will not wait 12 years for a re-read.

[flwrchld]

Hi Jellybean,
Looks like we read BoB about the same time (both times). My first reading of it gave me a lot of hope, that there would be a "Prince Charming" of sorts out there to help me fight the good fight (custody) against the same sort of non-caring, mean, filled-with-money, people that Mattie was facing.

My second reading of BoB - about a month or so ago was very emotional because I remembered how hopeful I had been all those years ago; and how naive.

I did find my "Prince Charming" near the end of all the custody stuff but it was really too late for him to help by then. At least I still have him and we've been together (married) ever since - occasionally still fighting the good fight.

BoB is still one of my favorites, but until my re-read I had no idea how much of myself I had put into that book... or how much of that book I had put into myself. It will be a long time before I'm ready to visit with Mike Noonan again.

[GNTLGNT]

Beautifully put ladies...It most certainly is a novel that lingers long in the heart and psyche...and the "scary stuff" sneaks up on you...I like that in a read...

[omm poppa mow mow]

Like the long tale, in this one, I found myself walking one way or wanting to walk one way when we hit the beach only to realize that the character was headed in the other direction. All that right/left business. I've caught myself (too late) twice maybe more in the last week or so doing this, right when I mean left or vice verse. I dunno why this is, but even on a reread I've done this--when Mike heads to the place to eat, restaurant or whatever it is. Lye still.

[Speedygi81]

You know, somehow it is the only SK novel that made me cry... I think King was really wanting to deal with the issue of loss, especially the loss of a spouse, and dealing with it in the way that makes it all worthwhile in the end. The characters were so vivid as well, although they could have been developed more, but this one really kept me going.

[garygak]

Ack! Now I have to re-read Bag of Bones...

[JellybeanJay]

Ack! Now I have to re-read Bag of Bones...

Most definitely you should!

I found it even harder to put down the second time around.

[Ducky]

I've just started a reread of Bag of bones myself, and today I came to the chapter where Mike visits Sara Laughs for the first time after his wife's death. As he is making his way in the woods and on the trail towards the house, dreading the possibility of being chased by his deceased wife, some of the descriptions really reminded me of the short story N. Mike passes an overgrown field, and wonders how reality sometimes feels really thin, about to rip or burst. Something like that, it just felt familiar from the other story, in a good way. Anyone else pick up on this?

MsMod, I tried uding spoilers in this message, using the spoiler button when writing, but everytime it came up as marquee.

[Damaris]

I think King was really wanting to deal with the issue of loss, especially the loss of a spouse

I agree. I just finished re-reading BoB and all the grief and loss and "lost years" that followed seemed extremely well done to me. I've never lost a spouse, but I've buried enough to be really struck by Mr. King's descriptions and feel them hit home. I loved his dreams of Sara Laughs, too, before he headed out to the TR, especially the thing in white, the one he was so terrified of and all the atmosphere. I also loved his descriptions of the TR itself and the "Martians" ... absolutely spot-on. I even loved Bunter's bell and the great creepy quality of Sara Laughs (and the basement stairs scene ... holy crap), but then, I don't know, the more "real" Sara and her story became the less I enjoyed it. I felt a little betrayed by Jo's appearance toward the end, and I didn't like the Outsider thing, either (though not having finished the DT series it may have more significance than I can give it at this point) ; they just seemed like plot moves instead of genuine pieces of the story. I know the climax is supposed to leave you breathless, hanging on the edge of your seat, but I think the dock action with Rogette could have filled that out sufficiently. (I also didn't like Mattie showing up, but after Jo it was rather expected.) I don't know, maybe I took it too personally ... but I usually enjoy being able to take it personally.

[btobey]

I watched the BoB mini-series, and I know some things were changed from the book, but unfortunately, it's been so long since I read the book that I can't recall the details. Please, someone remind me--what is the "TR"?