Title: The Dark Man
Author: Stephen King
First published January 1, 1969
88 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781587674211 (ISBN10: 1587674211)
Rating: 4.15
Overview
Stephen King’s haunting poem “The Dark Man” has captivated readers for decades. Now, in this stunning new edition, accompanied by over 70 full-page illustrations from the talented artist Glenn Chadbourne, the Dark Man’s story is finally revealed.
Follow the faceless man in cowboy boots and jeans as he roams the roads, haunted by his past and pursued by his demons. Chadbourne’s intricate illustrations bring King’s words to life, creating a mesmerizing and chilling tale that will keep you turning the pages long into the night.
With its unique blend of words and art, this hardcover edition is a must-have for any Stephen King fan. Enter the world of the Dark Man, if you dare…
About the Author
Stephen Edwin King was born into a family with his father Donald and mother Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. However, his father left them when Stephen was just two years old, leaving him and his older brother David to be raised by their mother.
They spent some of their childhood years in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father’s family was living at the time, and also in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen turned eleven, his mother decided to move back to Durham, Maine permanently because her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, were getting too old to take care of themselves.
Her sisters convinced her to take over the physical care of them, and other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen’s grandparents passed away, his mother started working in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen went to the 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 wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper called THE MAINE CAMPUS.
He was also involved in student politics as a member of the Student Senate. Stephen supported the anti-war movement on the Orono campus and arrived at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional.
He graduated in 1970 with a B.A. in English and was qualified to teach at the high school level. However, he was found 4-F during a draft board examination due to high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
Stephen met Tabitha Spruce while they were both working as students in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University. They got married in January of 1971.
As Stephen was unable to find a teaching job immediately, they lived off his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, Tabitha’s student loan and savings, and an occasional boost from a short story sale to men’s magazines.
Stephen’s first professional short story sale, “The Glass Floor,” was in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men’s magazines.
Many of them were gathered into a collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. He continued to write in the evenings and on weekends, producing short stories and working on novels.
Editoral Review
The Dark Man, Stephen King’s debut novel, challenges readers with a dark and disturbing tale that explores the depths of human nature, touching upon themes of violence, loss, and redemption. As a prolific and acclaimed writer in the horror genre, King’s first work lays the foundation for his legendary career with its exploration of the human psyche and its penchant for malevolence.
Set in a deserted town in the American Midwest during the late 1960s, the novel follows the journey of a young and introspective protagonist named Ben Mears. Returning to his hometown after years spent away, Ben discovers that the residents are being terrorized by a mysterious figure known only as the Dark Man, who has links to Ben’s own past traumas.
With the help of a passionate teacher named Susan, Ben embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth about the Dark Man and ultimately confront his own demons. King masterfully evokes the eerie atmosphere of a small-town community in crisis, employing vivid details and evocative descriptions to paint a picture of a world that is both familiar and alien.
The characters are complex and multifaceted, with their own personal demons and conflicts that add depth and nuance to the story. The novel’s pacing is engrossing, with each chapter building suspense and tension, leading up to a stunning climax that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The Dark Man also offers a glimpse into the cultural and societal issues of its era, reflecting the anxieties of a society in transition. Through the character of Ben, King expertly examines the trauma of the Vietnam War and how it has impacted the psyches of those who lived through it.
The novel also touches upon themes of social injustice, racism, and domestic abuse, making it a thought-provoking piece of literature that resonates with contemporary audiences. While The Dark Man is undeniably a strong debut novel, it is not without its flaws.
Some of the secondary characters feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional, and the pacing may feel slow at times for readers accustomed to more action-packed narratives. Additionally, while the novel’s themes are timely and poignant, its messages can occasionally feel heavy-handed and overly didactic.
Overall, The Dark Man is a haunting and unsettling work of fiction that remains relevant and poignant in today’s world. With its expertly crafted world-building, nuanced characters, and themes that speak to the core of the human experience, this novel is a must-read for fans of horror and literary fiction alike.
Based on its gripping plot and insightful commentary, The Dark Man receives a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
