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Rebecca's Reviews > Needful Things
Needful Things
by
by
You’ve been here before.
Sure you have. Sure. I never forget a face. Come on over here?
Let me shake your hand! Tell you somethin:
….there’s a storm on the way.
Castle rock, Maine. Where Polly Chalmers runs You Sew and Sew and sheriff Alan Pangborn is in charge of keeping the peace.
But then a new store, Needful Things, opens in town and its proprietor, Leland Gaunt, offers seemingly unbelievable bargains to the people of Castle rock. His prices are too good to be true, but they always come with a catch. Evil little tricks that end up turning all of Castle rock against one another and ultimately the demise of the town.
‘Needful Things’ has quite possibly the best introduction I’ve ever read. The narration is flawless and after the intro the novel is just one giant game…
The evolution of the story happens in a really satisfying way, developing the characters well and making them cross paths, resulting in shocking violent and horrific moments as the tricks requested by Leland Gaunt end up having horrible consequences.
I really liked how Stephen King exploited the greed of humans and how this characteristic can lead people to do horrible things. The book has a supernatural element, but it only serves to give a little push for the characters to show the evil already existing within them.
Leland Gaunt is an incredible villain with such malice and hypnotic purpose. So much viciousness and chaos. It’s incredible. The last 250 pages of the novel were pure mayhem and I absolutely loved it!
Needful things was a wild and crazy ride! Like being on one of those super old wooden rickety roller coasters!! I highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic story 👌🏻
Sure you have. Sure. I never forget a face. Come on over here?
Let me shake your hand! Tell you somethin:
….there’s a storm on the way.
Castle rock, Maine. Where Polly Chalmers runs You Sew and Sew and sheriff Alan Pangborn is in charge of keeping the peace.
But then a new store, Needful Things, opens in town and its proprietor, Leland Gaunt, offers seemingly unbelievable bargains to the people of Castle rock. His prices are too good to be true, but they always come with a catch. Evil little tricks that end up turning all of Castle rock against one another and ultimately the demise of the town.
‘Needful Things’ has quite possibly the best introduction I’ve ever read. The narration is flawless and after the intro the novel is just one giant game…
The evolution of the story happens in a really satisfying way, developing the characters well and making them cross paths, resulting in shocking violent and horrific moments as the tricks requested by Leland Gaunt end up having horrible consequences.
I really liked how Stephen King exploited the greed of humans and how this characteristic can lead people to do horrible things. The book has a supernatural element, but it only serves to give a little push for the characters to show the evil already existing within them.
Leland Gaunt is an incredible villain with such malice and hypnotic purpose. So much viciousness and chaos. It’s incredible. The last 250 pages of the novel were pure mayhem and I absolutely loved it!
Needful things was a wild and crazy ride! Like being on one of those super old wooden rickety roller coasters!! I highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic story 👌🏻
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)
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Dutchie
(new)
Sep 21, 2021 11:42AM
This was one of my most fav King novels. Can’t wait to see your thoughts on it 😊
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Dutchie wrote: "This was one of my most fav King novels. Can’t wait to see your thoughts on it 😊"Oh that's fantastic! I'm loving it so far. I will be reading only SK for the month of October. I'm so behind and I want to re-read some favourites! 💖
This is one of my favourite books ever! ❤📚
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "This is one of my favourite books ever! ❤📚"Oh that's awesome! I'm reading only SK next month and I'll finish it then. I'm loving it so far though 💖
Needful Things is so good. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again!
Mike wrote: "Needful Things is so good. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again!"I'm at the 70% mark and loving it! Hopefully I finish it today. The first book in the SK marathon I'm doing for October 🖤
Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "Needful Things is so good. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again!"I'm at the 70% mark and loving it! Hopefully I finish it today. The first book in the SK marathon..."
What's next in the SK marathon? Lisey's Story and Duma Key might complete my Top 3.
Dutchie wrote: "I loved Duma Key 💕"Mike wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "Needful Things is so good. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again!"
I'm at the 70% mark and loving it! Hopefully I finish it today. The first book in..."
Ok.. the line up is: Needful things, The Outsider, Billy Summers, Revival and If It Bleeds. Then I want to re-read Pet Sematary, The Shining and Misery.
I don't own a copy of Duma Key, but seeing as though you both said you loved it...guess what I'll be ordering! lol. Also, I don't have Lisey's Story so I'll have to grab that too! 😄💖
One more vote: insomnia . Ok I’m done lol. Outsiders was very good too. Reading billy summers now and it’s hit or miss 😖
Dutchie wrote: "One more vote: insomnia . Ok I’m done lol. Outsiders was very good too. Reading billy summers now and it’s hit or miss 😖"I have Insomnia! haha Oh no... I hope you end up loving it 🤞🏻💖
Revival, The Outsider, If It Bleeds—all great! I still need to get my hands on Billy Summers.
Mike wrote: "Revival, The Outsider, If It Bleeds—all great! I still need to get my hands on Billy Summers."Oh nice! I try not to read many, if any, reviews before starting a book so it's nice to know that my choices seem to be good ones lol 😄
Great review Rebecca. I do love a fascinating villain
Margaret wrote: "Great review Rebecca. I do love a fascinating villain"Thank you Margaret 💖 Me too!
Great review, I liked it too although I thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
Michael wrote: "Great review, I liked it too although I thought the ending was a bit abrupt."Thank you Michael 💖 It was a bit, but it didn't really bother me.
Excellent review, Rebecca! I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. (Though I still shudder to thing about the demise of that poor dog!)
Regina wrote: "Excellent review, Rebecca! I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. (Though I still shudder to thing about the demise of that poor dog!)"Thank you Regina 💖 Oh my goodness, that was the worst. I saw it coming and skipped past that paragraph 😔
Great review, Rebecca! So glad you enjoyed! I keep meaning to pick up more SK, and will keep this one in mind when I do! :)
He's something else, isn't he? I've never read this one, and I'm worried it might be too creepy for me!!
Yun wrote: "Great review, Rebecca! So glad you enjoyed! I keep meaning to pick up more SK, and will keep this one in mind when I do! :)"Thank you Yun 💖 Definitely put this one on your list. it was fantastic!
Julie wrote: "He's something else, isn't he? I've never read this one, and I'm worried it might be too creepy for me!!"He sure is! I'm doing a SK Marathon this month so lots more to come. This one was pretty average on the creep factor. I think you'll be ok 💖
I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order.
C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order."That's a great idea, reading in published order. I have most of his older works in HC, newer ones in PB. I'm doing a SK marathon this month. A mix of new reads and re-reading some of the oldies! 💖
C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order."I wish I would've read King in order of publication. There's something special about seeing an author develop with each book.
Yaaaay for a 5 star! Historically, I have tended to prefer SK's less supernatural stuff, but maybe I'll pick this one up and see if my opinions/preferences have changed over the years.
Mike wrote: "C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order."I wish I would've read King i..."
You still can.. go back to the beginning and start again! I still haven't read Carrie 👀
Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order."I wish I would'v..."
Carrie is sooo good! Can't believe it nearly got trashed.
Jen wrote: "Yaaaay for a 5 star! Historically, I have tended to prefer SK's less supernatural stuff, but maybe I'll pick this one up and see if my opinions/preferences have changed over the years."I loved this book! The characters were so well developed, I was never bored, the villain was perfect.... Ahh blissss 😄
Mike wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publishing order."..."
I know right! What a crazy story that is 🙏🏻 lol
I don't own a copy of Carrie. I collect older HC editions. That's the only reason I haven't read it!
My favourite Stephen King. Excellent review Rebecca. ❤📚
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "My favourite Stephen King. Excellent review Rebecca. ❤📚"Thank you Sandy. It was pretty amazing! 💖
awesome review Rebecca, I don’t think I have read this one!
Love the review.Gonna re-read now I have read The Dark Half
The introduction of "Needful things" is the best I've read, too. Some sentences are still stuck in my mind.
Pat (currently not accepting new friend requests) wrote: "awesome review Rebecca, I don’t think I have read this one!"Thank you Pat, it was fantastic! I highly recommend 💖
Edgarr Alien wrote: "Love the review.Gonna re-read now I have read The Dark Half"Thank you Edgarr. The Dark Half is on my tbr! 💖
Spyros wrote: "The introduction of "Needful things" is the best I've read, too. Some sentences are still stuck in my mind."Yes!! How good is it 👏🏻💖 that's awesome you remember some of it!
Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I reach it in publish..."Oof, that might cost a bit of coin.
Mike wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Mike wrote: "C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "I have had this and Stephen's numerous other hardcovers for years. I will get to it when I rea..."I have yet to even see one online. Keep your eyes peeled for me lol
Mike, what a nice surprise to have you reply to my contribution! Friends of friends seldom do that. Rebecca, it is lovely to know I am not the only one cherishing physical book collections!Mike and Rebecca, it is heartening to read in publishing order to see how authors develop and to know there are better books ahead if I dislike an early one. :) My last two Stephen books were non-fiction, "On Writing" and "Danse Macabre". I was around 20 the last time I read one of his stories, so this will be fun!
I might read "The Stand" first, early writing. My spouse bought me the DVD of the original TV movies (Molly Ringwald, Rob Lowe, Gary Sinise) and finished my hardcover this summer. He awaits me so that we can watch the tale onscreen. Thereafter, I will slip backwards a mere few years to possibly read "Carrie" and "The Shining" or whatever the order. However, "Carrie" and "Cujo" aren't subjects I care for. Sincerely, Carolyn.
One of my favorites of his, and very underrated in his canon. I LOVE the villain and the "string pulling" he does throughout the story without doing anything blatantly "evil". So brilliant.
Bryan wrote: "One of my favorites of his, and very underrated in his canon. I LOVE the villain and the "string pulling" he does throughout the story without doing anything blatantly "evil". So brilliant."Yes I agree! Seeing it all unfold was amazing. I loved this one. So happy I finally read it 💖
C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "Mike, what a nice surprise to have you reply to my contribution! Friends of friends seldom do that. Rebecca, it is lovely to know I am not the only one cherishing physical book collections!Mike a..."
Thank you Carolyn. I love collecting the older HC books. I don't use e-readers so it's physical copies all the way for me! I'm doing a SK Marathon this month so you might see a few of the titles you mention pop up! 💖💖
I have an old cell phone without a text-messaging virtual keyboard, so I take a moment to figure abbreviations out. Good thing mysteries and code deciphering are my jam. "HC" = hardcover. Yes! I collect both. My heart sings whenever I find people younger than I am who say it is books, the object, all the way for them too!The odd free PDF and that is awkward, sitting at a chair and desk, instead of in bed or outside. Manitoba's weather is still nearly +30 C gorgeous and October is here!
P.S. I saw 70% of "The Stand" TV movies when I was a kid, leaving off the last part or two because they had gotten too evil, haha! I am grown-up and ready to finish it. The Crowded House song in it always comes to mind, "Don't Dream Its Over". It is poignant: one last normal, teenaged thing they do in the house before they have to leave in search of survivors and answers.When I was tiny, my Dad inexplicably let us watch "Salem's Lot", then pretended to float up to our wall when we went to bed, which brought a rebuke from my Mom as you can understand. I was about 20 before I could face that novel to exercise the fear of the film.
The film "Pet Sematary" was okay and honestly, after being through our own losses, the profundity of the basic questions it poses make amazing sense, as wild as they seem to be. "Dolores Claiborne" was a touching concept and film, which I saw in the theatre.
C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "P.S. I saw 70% of "The Stand" TV movies when I was a kid, leaving off the last part or two because they had gotten too evil, haha! I am grown-up and ready to finish it. The Crowded House song in it..."I have never watched The Stand. I have seen Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot. I will be re-reading Pet Sematary this month for my SK marathon. I hope to squeeze in Salem’s Lot as well! Your story about your dad warmed my heart, my dad has passed away but when I was a teenager he used to do funny/silly things like that all the time 🙏🏻💖
Rebecca, the hardest thing about life is our loved-ones finishing their journey at different times. I am sorry about your Dad being done already. If you are younger than me, that must have felt too early. My Dad vascillates silly and grumpy but we are glad to have him. I mourn my Mom since 1 1/2 year ago and two young enough kitties, as you know. Good memories are hugs!
C. (friends, please call me by name) wrote: "Rebecca, the hardest thing about life is our loved-ones finishing their journey at different times. I am sorry about your Dad being done already. If you are younger than me, that must have felt too..."Thank you Carolyn. He passed away 8 years ago, he was only 59. Very young. Lots of good memories like you said. Hugs indeed! 💖 xx
