Cell - Stephen King. A Review.

This is the same cover of the version I currently own, although there are several other covers that this could be illustrated by.

The last book I read…

Cell  by Stephen King.

How long did I take to read it? Too long!

Cell is the perfect book to get people into wanting to read more o Stephen King’s work, and as he is continuing to release more books – the latest being Doctor Sleep (to my knowledge anyway) – then this is a perfect starting point to gradually build up your bookshelf with all things Stephen King.

***SPOILERS ALERT***

Released in 2006, the book is not too clear on the time in which it is set. However, due to the technological necessities needed for the book to work, it must be realistically set within the last twelve years, making it recent enough for people to go “eee I remember when I had one of them” at the mention of anything technological.

Within the first ten pages we are thrown into the beginnings of what is known as “The Pulse”, a virus carried by every mobile phone in operation around the world. Anyone who answers a ringing phone after 3.03pm on that day in October immediately becomes affected by this virus. The virus itself effects people in a variety of ways to begin with, but the majority tend to end up in big groups in sports fields or places where they can emit music (this is to calm or soothe them during the night hours), and inevitably work out their attack plans. They are watched over and somewhat controlled by a ‘Raggedy Man’, who influences their decisions and can rally his zombie-esque troops to attack at his earliest convenience. But, enough about him, time to get to grips with the non-zombie characters.

The book is mainly focused on the journey of Clayton Riddell, who is so desperately trying to get to his son Johnny before he turns on his mobile phone. Failing that, his sons mother would be suffice enough until he found his son again. However, as in any book, things do not go smoothly for the main character. Along his journey he encounters a number of zombies who attack and attempt to ‘convert’ him, along with a number of ‘Normies’, several of which stick with him throughout the book in the hope of staying safe.

***SPOILERS ENDED***

I found the book very addictive, and easy to pick up again if left to one side for several days (which happened several times until I got on holiday, and even then it took me the full length just to finish it!). This is a skill I feel is very important when writing books, as if a person puts it down, or ‘forgets’ about the book, but within the first few pages can pick it up again in no time, they are more likely to continue to read it, or at least, I did anyway!

A word of warning however, must be noted. Do not get overly attached to some of the characters, as some of their actions become questionable and make yourself doubt what you really like and appreciate in them as a character. I can’t give too many names, or else people will just not get attached to any character or just downright refuse to read it at all.

However, one of the things that is bugging me about Cell is its ending. It sort of just ended. I so desperately wanted to know what happened, and felt it ended at the completely wrong and possibly inappropriate time. However, with no sequel in the pipeline, I guess I’ll just have to make up my own ending.

One of the perhaps more interesting things to come from the book however, is its film adaptation, due for cinematic release in the UK within the next two years. The film is going to star John Cusak and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as Isabelle Fuhrman, and is being directed by Tod ‘Kip’ Williams, who famously directed Paranormal Activity 2. From that alone, I’m concerned where the film will go, and how they will imagine the ending to pan out. Hopefully it won’t turn into some incredibly terrifying (or laughable, depending on your personal views of the directors other films) film adaptation that lets down the book so bad, but I guess we will have to see.

Overall, I rate this book …

Okay, I’m finding it difficult to decide between 3.5 and 4 out of five. 3.5 because of the lack of closure at the end and a lack of sequel to follow up this closure, and 4 because of the way the book captures you and keeps you needing more, as well as the fact that there is a film adaptation with Samuel L. Jackson as its star. Therefore, it’s getting 3.75 stars, a wonderful midway point.

So, that’s it. The end of my very first book review via blog! I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog, and look forward to more!

At the end of each blog, I will provide a link to my previous blog, so here it is!

 “Who am I?”

Thanks for reading, see you next time!