Being one of my all-time favorite authors, Stephen King hardly disappoints me. I am one of those who got Song of Susannah shipped all the way from the US because it was going to take time to come to India.
And having not written here for, I guess, over 2-3 years, I want to start off by saying "it’s lovely to be back".
The book is written in a style totally different from the King we know. This one is written for TV, and some people might find that a difficult thing to comprehend. I, though, liked it, though I must say it did become irritating in between.
The book is about Linoge, a magician/ wizard/ sorcerer who is growing old and wants an apprentice to whom he can pass on his skills, and he comes to the island of Little Tall to "choose". Of course, it is all to be done out of the townspeople’s own free will.
Stephen King uses some catchy phrases for Linoge here. When you read Linoge saying "Born in sin, come on in" or "Born in vice, say it twice", you are not sure how to react, but as events unfold, you know that Linoge will have his way, no matter who stands between him and his chosen one.
King’s excellent use of characters, his grasp over mannerisms, descriptive capabilities and of course, the ability to inspire fear, awe-filled fear, are hidden right between the pages. I call it awe-filled fear because simple fear drives people away, awe-filled fear pulls people towards the source.
So read on, dear reader, for you never know what is waiting for you beneath your bed as you go to sleep tonight.