Title: It/The Eyes of the Dragon/Misery
Author: Stephen King
First published October 15, 1988
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780451931405 (ISBN10: 0451931408)
Rating: 4.6
Overview
Experience the thrill of terror with this gripping collection of Stephen King’s finest works. The set features the spine-tingling classics – It, The Eyes Of The Dragon, and Misery.
Brace yourself for a mindbending journey into the dark recesses of the human psyche as you immerse yourself in the haunting tales of horror and suspense. With King’s masterful storytelling and vivid imagination, this set will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Don’t miss out on this must-read collection for fans of horror and thriller genres.
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King, the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King, had a tumultuous childhood. His father left when he was two, leaving him and his older brother David to be raised by their mother.
They moved around quite a bit, spending time in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father’s family lived, and in Stratford, Connecticut. However, when Stephen was eleven, his mother settled them in Durham, Maine for good.
This was due to her aging parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, who were unable to care for themselves. Her sisters convinced her to take care of them, so the family moved to Durham where Stephen’s grandparents were living.
After his grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended grammar school in Durham and graduated from Lisbon Falls High School in 1966. During his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he began writing a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS.
He also became active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He eventually supported the anti-war movement on campus, believing that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional.
In 1970, he graduated with a B.A. in English and was qualified to teach on a high school level. However, a draft board examination found him 4-F due to high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
Stephen met his wife, Tabitha Spruce, while they were both working as students at the Fogler Library at the University. They married in January of 1971, but Stephen struggled to find work as a teacher.
Instead, they lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry and her student loan and savings. Occasionally, he would sell a short story to men’s magazines for extra income.
Stephen’s first professional short story sale, “The Glass Floor,” was sold in 1967. He continued to sell stories to men’s magazines throughout the early years of his marriage.
Many of these stories were later compiled into collections or appeared in other anthologies. In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine.
However, he continued writing in the evenings and on weekends, working on both short stories and novels.
Editoral Review
Stephen King has long been considered one of the master storytellers of our time, and his novels have captivated readers for decades. In 1988, he published not one, but three novels: “It,” “The Eyes of the Dragon,” and “Misery.” Each book showcases King’s impressive range as a writer, exploring different themes, genres, and styles.
In this review, we will focus on “The Eyes of the Dragon.”
“The Eyes of the Dragon” is a departure from King’s usual horror fare. This novel is a fantasy story set in the mythical kingdom of Delain.
The story centers around the royal family, King Roland, his two sons, Peter and Thomas, and the malevolent magician, Flagg. At the center of the conflict is a murder plot that threatens to tear the kingdom apart.
One of the strengths of this novel is its world-building. King creates a vivid and detailed world, with a rich history and mythology that draws the reader in.
The characters are well-drawn, and we get to see their motivations, flaws and desires throughout the story. Peter, the elder son, is an intelligent and virtuous character, while Thomas is a more flawed, impulsive character.
Flagg is by far the most interesting of the characters. He’s a master puppeteer, working behind the scenes to manipulate events and bend others to his will.
King also excels at pacing the story. The plot moves along at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
He keeps the tension high throughout the narrative, and the climax is satisfying and rewarding. However, “The Eyes of the Dragon” is not without its flaws.
Some readers may find the ending to be predictable or formulaic, and the pacing in the middle section of the novel could have been tighter. Additionally, the dialogue at times can feel a bit stilted or overly formal.
Overall, “The Eyes of the Dragon” is an excellent novel, even if it is not King’s most famous work. It showcases King’s range as a writer, and his ability to craft an engaging and immersive story in any genre.
Fans of fantasy or history will appreciate the detail and care that King takes in world-building, while fans of King’s horror novels will enjoy his signature style and sense of tension.
4/5 stars.
