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Cody | CodysBookshelf's Reviews > Lisey's Story
Lisey's Story
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2021 Update
Still one of my favorite King novels! I really took my time rereading this, and the experience was even better than before. A perfect blend of romance, horror, and fantasy, Lisey’s Story isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s a beautiful and aching statement on trauma and loss and love.
2018 Review
Stephen King has broken my heart. While he often writes of the nature of grief and loss, in no novel or short story does he do it more effectively than in Lisey’s Story: a mature and delightfully strange look into the mourning process.
Lisey Landon, widow of two years, must begin finally moving out from under the memories of her husband, famous novelist Scott Landon. It begins in his study, when she is cleaning out his papers; it ends in an inverted and mysterious version of our world.
This was my second read of this particular book. My first time was when I was a high school freshman, at age 14. I liked it then, but much of it went over my head. In the intervening years I’ve lived a little and grown up and experienced life’s little beauties and been dealt serious loss. Though I’ve never been married, I lost my best friend of seventeen years, last year. At one point in the narrative Lisey remarks on the telepathy that forms between two people after years of closeness. I feel that. I’ve been there. Perhaps my emotional connection to this story amped up my enjoyment of it, but I really don’t think so; this is simply damn fine writing. It is King at his most literary, his most generous, his most emotional. The scenes from Scott’s childhood are among the author’s most frightening, the quiet moments of Lisey’ contemplation in Scott’s study some of King’s most nuanced.
Stephen King is a talented writer, that much is true, but I feel this novel is from another world. Booya Moon, perhaps, or something much like it. In fact, I loved it so much I am now declaring it my favorite King book, and I’ve revised my top ten list:
1. Lisey’s Story
2. Revival
3. The Dead Zone
4. Needful Things
5. 11/22/63
6. Pet Sematary
7. The Green Mile
8. The Shining
9. Duma Key
10. The Dark Half
Still one of my favorite King novels! I really took my time rereading this, and the experience was even better than before. A perfect blend of romance, horror, and fantasy, Lisey’s Story isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s a beautiful and aching statement on trauma and loss and love.
2018 Review
Stephen King has broken my heart. While he often writes of the nature of grief and loss, in no novel or short story does he do it more effectively than in Lisey’s Story: a mature and delightfully strange look into the mourning process.
Lisey Landon, widow of two years, must begin finally moving out from under the memories of her husband, famous novelist Scott Landon. It begins in his study, when she is cleaning out his papers; it ends in an inverted and mysterious version of our world.
This was my second read of this particular book. My first time was when I was a high school freshman, at age 14. I liked it then, but much of it went over my head. In the intervening years I’ve lived a little and grown up and experienced life’s little beauties and been dealt serious loss. Though I’ve never been married, I lost my best friend of seventeen years, last year. At one point in the narrative Lisey remarks on the telepathy that forms between two people after years of closeness. I feel that. I’ve been there. Perhaps my emotional connection to this story amped up my enjoyment of it, but I really don’t think so; this is simply damn fine writing. It is King at his most literary, his most generous, his most emotional. The scenes from Scott’s childhood are among the author’s most frightening, the quiet moments of Lisey’ contemplation in Scott’s study some of King’s most nuanced.
Stephen King is a talented writer, that much is true, but I feel this novel is from another world. Booya Moon, perhaps, or something much like it. In fact, I loved it so much I am now declaring it my favorite King book, and I’ve revised my top ten list:
1. Lisey’s Story
2. Revival
3. The Dead Zone
4. Needful Things
5. 11/22/63
6. Pet Sematary
7. The Green Mile
8. The Shining
9. Duma Key
10. The Dark Half
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Reading Progress
January 17, 2017
– Shelved
January 17, 2017
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 6, 2018
–
20.58%
"I’ve reached part two. It’s taken two retreads, but I’m finally *really* coming around to this one. It might end up in my top 5. :)"
page
135
April 6, 2018
–
41.62%
"This book is breaking my heart.... over and over and over and over. King writes about grief so well."
page
273
April 7, 2018
– Shelved as:
stephen-king
April 7, 2018
– Shelved as:
favorites
May 22, 2021
–
Started Reading
May 22, 2021
–
0.15%
"Starting a reread of one of my very favorite King novels (as in, tied with The Stand) in anticipation of the show. :)"
page
1
June 8, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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Thomas
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 07, 2018 04:49PM
Fantastic and inspiring review Cody. I’ve loved this book better, the more I think of it. Can’t understand why I would withhold a star!? Must re-read soon!
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Was trying to determine what my next King read would be and your review listing this as #1 in your top 10 made me pull the trigger. Hoping I’ll enjoy it as much as you did and that it will make my top 10 as well
