Under the Dome
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4.3 • 287 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Now with a stunning new cover look, King's 'propulsively intriguing . . . staggeringly addictive' (USA Today) No. 1 bestseller, that inspired the hit television series, centres on a small town suddenly cut off from the rest of the world.
Time isn't just running short. It's running out.
On a beautiful autumn day, a small New England town is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into the dome and rain down flaming wreckage. A gardener's hand is severed as it descends. Cars explode on impact. Families are separated and panic mounts.
No one can fathom what the barrier is, where it came from, or when - and if - it will go away.
Now, a few intrepid citizens, led by an Iraq War veteran turned short-order cook, face down a ruthless politician dead set on seizing the reins of power in the town. But their main adversary is the dome itself . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
King's return to supernatural horror is uncomfortably bulky, formidably complex and irresistibly compelling. When the smalltown of Chester's Mill, Maine, is surrounded by an invisible force field, the people inside must exert themselves to survive. The situation deteriorates rapidly due to the dome's ecological effects and the machinations of Big Jim Rennie, an obscenely sanctimonious local politician and drug lord who likes the idea of having an isolated populace to dominate. Opposing him are footloose Iraq veteran Dale "Barbie" Barbara, newspaper editor Julia Shumway, a gaggle of teen skateboarders and others who want to solve the riddle of the dome. King handles the huge cast of characters masterfully but ruthlessly, forcing them to live (or not) with the consequences of hasty decisions. Readers will recognize themes and images from King's earlier fiction, and while this novel doesn't have the moral weight of, say, The Stand, nevertheless, it's a nonstop thrill ride as well as a disturbing, moving meditation on our capacity for good and evil.
Customer Reviews
Breathless...
It left me breathless...as breathless as the main characters near the end! *wink* It is a big book, satisfyingly lasting several days, but with a plot and rhythm that weaves chapter to chapter - it does let you rest a bit occasionally, but if you think you'll be able to command yourself "Just to the end of this chapter and no more today" forget it! Really really brilliant.
Don't be put off by the list of characters - King develops the majors so well you'll not need references, and minor characters that run together or can be mistaken for each other suit the plot e.g. The general idiocy of the Killian boys. If you are pedantic about who is who, read this in your iPad - then when you're confused, bookmark your page then enter the name in the search function, and slip back to the first time the character was mentioned for a reminder. But you won't need to.
I just finished Under The Dome by Stephen King - literally just finished it, in the shopping centre car park in my car, half hour late back to work...!...so final comments:
* characters are SO real, we all know ppl like these
* the trajectory of events - given the context of the Dome - is so alarmingly real....bad things DO happen when good ppl do nothing!
* finally, if you like this one, try King's Lisey's Story...also not a straight horror/thriller, kind of in between.
Sorry for length! Mr. king - 100 stars from me sir!
Under the Dome
Brilliant. Gripping. Couldn't put it dowm.
Awesome
I've slept for 5 hours each night since buying this book. It has ruined my days but always enriched my nights. Captivating, enchanting and demanding to be read.