Title: Night Journey
Author: Stephen King
First published July 25, 1996
90 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 4.53
Overview
Stephen King’s electrifying novel, Night Journey, is a gripping tale of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. It follows the story of Prison Warden Hal Moores and his wife Melinda, who is diagnosed with a fatal illness.
Paul Edgecombe, Hal’s friend, and employee, knows that John Coffey, a death row inmate with a miraculous gift, is their only hope. But how can they get John out of prison to heal Melinda?
In a daring plan that could cost them everything, Paul and his comrades hatch a scheme to break John out and take him on a dangerous journey into the unknown. Night Journey is a haunting and unforgettable story of love and redemption that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King was born to parents Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. When he was just two years old, his father left the family, leaving Stephen and his older brother David to be raised by their mother.
As a child, he split his time between Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father’s family lived, and Stratford, Connecticut. When he was eleven years old, his mother moved the family back to Durham, Maine, to take care of her aging parents, with help from other family members.
Stephen attended grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. While studying at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper and was involved in student politics.
He became a supporter of the anti-war movement in Vietnam, coming to this stance from a conservative viewpoint. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in English and was qualified to teach high school, but was deemed unfit for service in the Vietnam War.
In 1971, Stephen met Tabitha Spruce while working together in the university library stacks. They married the same year, but Stephen struggled to find work as a teacher.
Instead, he worked as a laborer at an industrial laundry while Tabitha supported them with her savings and student loans. Stephen sold his first professional short story, “The Glass Floor,” in 1967 and continued to sell stories to men’s magazines throughout the early years of his marriage.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy in Maine, all the while continuing to write in his free time.
Editoral Review
Night Journey by Stephen King: A Heart-Stopping Horror Tale
Stephen King has never been one to shy away from the gruesome details, and Night Journey is no exception. First published on July 25th, 1996, the novel has since become a classic in the horror genre, and it’s not hard to see why.
The story takes place in Dooling, a small, quiet town that suddenly becomes the site of a mysterious illness that causes women to fall asleep and become permanently stuck in a cocoon-like state. It’s up to a few brave residents, including the brave single mother Evie Blackwell and the local sheriff, to figure out what’s going on and how to stop it before it’s too late.
King’s writing is as sharp as ever, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions of the town and its inhabitants. The pacing is relentless, and even the quiet moments are tinged with an air of unease.
The characters are well-drawn and relatable, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. Evie Blackwell, in particular, stands out as a strong, determined protagonist who will stop at nothing to protect her son and her community.
At its core, Night Journey is a story about the power of community and the strength of the human spirit. Despite the terrifying circumstances, the people of Dooling band together to fight against the unknown force that threatens their very existence.
It’s a theme that is particularly relevant in today’s world, where we are facing unprecedented challenges and must rely on each other to make it through. That said, there are a few flaws in the book that keep it from being a perfect read.
The ending, while satisfying, feels a bit rushed and underdeveloped compared to the rest of the story. Additionally, some readers may find the graphic violence and disturbing imagery too much to handle.
Overall, Night Journey is a heart-stopping horror tale that will thrill fans of Stephen King and the genre as a whole. It’s a book that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, unable to put it down until the very end.
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good scare. Rating: 4/5
The rating is based on the quality of writing, character development, pacing, plot structure, themes, and historical/cultural significance, among other factors.
While the book is not without its flaws, it remains a compelling and well-crafted story that is sure to delight horror fans.
