Book info

• Title Under the Dome
• Author Stephen King
• Year 2009
• Genre Horror

On a beautiful autumn day, a small New England town is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into the dome and rain down flaming wreckage. A gardener's hand is severed as it descends. Cars explode on impact. Families are separated and panic mounts. No one can fathom what the barrier is, where it came from, or when - and if - it will go away. Now, a few intrepid citizens, led by an Iraq War veteran turned short-order cook, face down a ruthless politician dead set on seizing the reins of power in the town. But their main adversary is the dome itself...

Thoughts

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while, the concept appealed to me greatly and I’ve enjoyed King’s writing in the past. A small American town finds itself trapped under a mysterious dome, keeping them locked up inside. Inevitably chaos unfolds as they try to keep themselves together and also try to get out.

The book was far more realistic than I’d been imagining, I thought it would be more sci-fi or horror style but it was totally believable from start to finish, even when the origins of the dome are revealed. The large cast of characters is intimidating at first, but you soon get to know the main players. I’m not sure I was on top of who everyone was, even by the end, but I knew enough to get by.

It’s graphic, in places, and horrific to read as society gradually unravels under such pressures. However, it also shows the more hopeful side of human beings and the resourceful nature of the species. A great read, perhaps longer than necessary, but overall worth it.

Rating: 4 / 5