I really enjoyed this! I didn't know what the book was about at all before going into it and I'm really glad I didn't read the blurb. I love the way King tells a story, weaving in different perspectives and mediums. I always feel so immersed! It's also a book that raises moral and philosophical questions and I'm always appreciative of when a book can do that while maintaining a compelling plot.

That was quite a ride! Earlier this year I promised myself to read Stephen King for the first time, and I think I picked the right book to start. At first I didn't get it. I enjoyed the first few chapters but when more characters were introduced I was so confused because they didn't seem to be important for the next two hundred pages, like who was that guy? But the last 100 pages satisfied me as a reader. So excited to read more of his works! 

This is my favourite King novel and rereading it didn’t change my mind! 

The Dead Zone follows John Smith who wakes from a coma with psychic abilities. Usually, he just finds lost things, or predicts something happening in the near future, but when he touches Greg Stillson, he sees a much bleaker future for the world.

This is very much a story of extraordinary events happening to ordinary people. John isn’t special, other than his ability. The supporting characters are also very well realised.  Stillson doesn’t ever fall into a parody - tho I’m sure when the book came out in 1979, people never thought that someone who acted like an idiot and riled crowds up could get elected to anything... 

There’s a lot of similarities between The Dead Zone and another of my favourite King’s - 11.23.63. Both pose the question: what would you do if you have the chance to change history? 

There’s also a few references to the King universe (whether intentional or not!). It’s set in the Maine area, just like a lot of King novels, there’s a lot of 19 references and one blue chambray work shirt! We also have manically religious mother’s (two!) and a reference to the movie Carrie.

<blockquote><I>We all do what we can, and it has to be good enough, and if it isn't good enough, it has to do.</blockquote></I>

The Dead Zone is about everyman Johnny (no middle name) Smith who after being injured in a car accident and lying in a subsequent coma for 4+ years suddenly awakens possessing a second sight.  He's now able to touch people or objects and know things: like his physical therapist's apartment is at that moment catching fire or that a  politician will come to power and destroy the world.  It's a lot for Johnny, but he's a good person and wants to use his power not for fame and fortune, but for good.  

After locating a gruesome serial killer Johnny turns his attentions to a potentially equally sinister subject: politicians.  He meets Jimmy Carter and tells him he will become president.  And he meets an up and coming local politician who promises to make it rain on demand, shoot pollution into space, and throw all the bums out of Washington.  Is Donald Trump in this book?  No, but I think Trump may have an advisor or speech writer who has read this book because the parallels are astounding!  

Reading this book at this moment in time sure is something.  I did not pick it up knowing that it would be quite this relevant, but it did made a good and scary pre-election read.  I enjoyed the content overall, but found the story to be a little more meandering than usual and lacking in character development.

Not my favorite King novel, but man is it eerily prescient to current day reality.  Too bad no one with second sight was able to shake Trump's hand at an opportune moment in the past.