I've been a Stephen King fan for a while. I've never seen the movie Cujo, but I have heard many things about it, both positive and negative.
Plot
In a strange tale of madness, a small-town dog goes on the rampage leaving five people killed (including a young boy) as Rabies strikes, combining with some sinister intent that lies under the surface in the town of Castle Rock.
Review
King is spot on with this book, mixing thrill and suspense together, even finding time to throw in a little twanging of the heartstrings (true atypical King style, so it stands out). The reader is enveloped by King's wit and the handling of his story matter. One can truly believe that the reader is inside the mind of the dog, or the little boy, or even the adulterous wife. The multiple plotlines intertwine seamlessly and makes for a good afternoon read.
On the downside is King's tendency to leave some plotlines loose. As a "constant reader" (as King refers to us in his many forewards) I find myself wanting, nay, deserving to see the end of a good story wrapped up neatly in one tight package. However, one may argue since King likes to base things on possible reality (sometimes) he leaves these threads blowing in the wind to give it a sense of continuity. I believe one can achieve continuity even if one ties up plot points properly (see A Brighter Sun - Samuel Selvon)
Rating
8.5 out of 10
