This story is such a big bummer, and I mean that in the best possible way. Johnny Smith is one of the most sympathetic and tragic characters I've ever come across. Throughout the entire novel he never really does anything wrong and none of the events that transpire are his fault. He's just a victim throughout. The word to sum up what goes on in this book is unfair. The time and relationships and life that Johnny loses aren't his fault in any way. And it's only made worse when he can't move on and live a normal life after. I think this is some of his best work. All of the characters in it are fully realized and real. Poor ol' Sheriff Bannerman even shows up in this, which made me a tad bit sad that I read Cujo before this one. I always liked him. This is one of his books that I really never wanted to stop reading.