Average Rating: 
Rating:  - From Under A Reader's Bed...
Stephen IS King."From A Buick 8" is far from a "Christine" knock-off. More like a compilation of "Tommyknockers", "The Regulators", "Hearts In Atlantis" with new elements of suspense thrown in. All in all, it makes a horrifying and well-told story, done in brilliant King style. No one draws characters like King does, and that amazing ability is shown to perfect advantage in "...Buick 8". Most of the story takes place on the grounds of a western Pennsylvania State Trooper department, where, in Shed B, rests an odd vehicle. One that pretends to be a Buick, but enough of its parts are just wrong enough to make it suspicious. And when it begins spewing bizarre, monstrous and dangerous items from its trunk--the State Troopers have their hands full trying to determine the nature of this particular beast. King allows his characters to tell the story, a task they undertake very well. Offering slightly different viewpoints, but still a consistent and flowing narrative, this storytelling style works marvelously in this novel. To King's credit, he does not offer easy answers to the events that take place, but leads the reader down many possible paths, allowing us to enjoy the story. And to draw our own conclusions. "From A Buick 8" is an excellent story, with all the expected King elements. A frightening page-turner!
Rating: - ONE OF HIS BEST!!!!
What's wrong with you people? FROM A BUICK 8 is one Mr. King's greatest books. It ranks right up there with THE GREEN MILE, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, CARRIE, CUJO and THE DEAD ZONE--and what do all these books have in common? They're short. Well, relatively short compared to some of Mr. King's weightier novels, and this a good thing. Where the author sometimes goes astray is when he passes the 400 page mark (ie, INSOMNIA, BAG OF BONES, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS). But when he strips away the fat and gives us a lean and muscular story as he does with FROM A BUICK 8, wow! You can't read fast enough!Some of you who have read the book sound like "Ned Wilcox", impatient for answers that just can't be given. But I think, all in all, Mr. King gives us a satisfying read, an absorbing narrative and a thrilling conclusion. If this isn't enough for you, Constant Reader, then I feel sorry for you.
Rating:  - Keep your eyes on the car.
A sad boy, a bad car and the twists of fate... Sounds like a rehash of "Christine", right? Wrong. "Buick 8" is nothing like "Christine". The Buick is from another world, maybe even another dimesion. Christine was definitely from hell. Ned Wilcox is grieving but he's no high school loser, like Arnie Cunnigham. Christine deliberately destroyed anyone who messed with her or Arnie. The Buick occasionally eats people who just happen to be around. So enough about Christine."Buick 8" is quite different from Steven King's other works. 90% of the novel is told in flash backs and by several different people, living and dead. The book gets off to a slow start, (this is deliberate, I think),smacks the reader with great big gobs of horror and then pulls up to an abrupt end. As usual King takes ordinary folks, puts them in a hideous situation and makes the reader care about them. The good, the bad and the pathetic are all lovingly portrayed. I loved Curtis Wilcox, I liked Sandy and pitied George and Eddie and Mr.Dillon (especially Mr. Dillon). My major complaints were about young Ned and Arky, both of whom seemed a bit overdrawn to me. My only other real complaint has to do with logic. In all the years that the monstrous Buick sits in Shed B and after witnessing all the ghastly things it could do why didn't any of the troopers try to destroy it? I enjoyed Buick 8 but it didn't thrill me or keep me up all night. It's a very good book full of great characters and incredible scenses but it doesn't have the same power or magic that King's earlier books had. Still, it does entertain and I'm sure it will be appreciated by Stephen King fans both old and new.
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