From a Buick 8

A Novel

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: James Rebhorn, Bruce Davison, Becky Ann Baker, Peter Gerety, Stephen Tobolowsky, Fred Sanders

The #1 New York Times bestselling suspense thriller from Stephen King—a novel about the fascination deadly things have for us and about our insistence on answers when there are none…

Since 1979, the state police of Troop D in rural Pennsylvania have kept a secret in the shed out behind the barracks. Ennis Rafferty and Curtis Wilcox had answered a strange call just down the road and came back with an abandoned 1953 Buick Roadmaster. Curt Wilcox knew old cars, and this one was…just wrong. As it turned out, the Buick 8 was worse than dangerous—and the members of Troop D decided that it would be better if the public never found out about it.

Now, more than twenty years later, Curt’s son Ned starts hanging around the barracks and is allowed into the Troop D family. And one day he discovers the family secret—a mystery that begins to stir once more, not only in the minds and hearts of these veteran troopers, but out in the shed as well, for there’s more power under the hood than anyone can handle…©2002 Stephen King, All Rights Reserved; (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved; AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

The World According to King

I almost passed over this little gem after reading some of the other reviews. Yes, it is a bit slower than many of his other books, so if you are looking for trademark King terror, you won't find it here. What you will find is a thought-provoking bit of King philosophy that is both surprising and satisfying. If you can stick around for the last few chapters, you won't be disappointed.

King's most overlooked and underrated novel

Like Christine, this novel centers around a car, but really isn't about the car at all. It's about the people interacting in response to what the car represents. And that last point is vital. The mysterious Buick 8 is about life's irresolvable mysteries; the ones cause pain and are nonetheless irresolvable no matter how much we insist upon answers. It's about life's mysteries and life's pain, but it is also about deep friendship and loyalty, and the love and affection that goes with these treasures.

Like Christine before it, From a Buick 8 is a beautiful coming of age story, written with such poignancy that by the end of the novel you very badly don't want it to end. You want to continue to be a part of the lives of the characters with whom you too have become friends. It is that kind of book - King at his very best, and easily his most underrated and overlooked novel. It was a number one bestseller, but for some reason continues to fly under the radar when people talk about Stephen King.

The audiobook itself is also superb. Every single reader is chosen with care and is completely invested in their part. I can't recommend this audiobook enough. And if you ever have a chance to read the novel itself, it doesn't just listen well, it reads well, too.

From a Buick 8

Excellent story. If I put down a book to go to work and then wonder what the characters are doing all day I know it is a good read.
Very entertaining!

Entertaining as usual for King

You look at a King book and think that this story looks totally unbelievable so I wont enjoy it. But you pick it up and start to read and your hooked ... again. In "Buick 8" King is at his best in caracter development and painting a scene so it comes alive. You cant help but get involved with Ned or any of the troopers or the Buick for that matter. However; If your looking for an ending that leaves you feeling good you need to find another author, but the ending is, how shall I say it... appropriate.

I loved it... you may not.

Any additional comments?

Let's be honest. Stephen King has wrote some real pieces of crap in the last dozen years or so. If you don't believe me just listen to "Lisey's Story" or "Hearts in Atlantis" or "Duma Key"... From a Buick 8 is actually good. It's a strange tale that's more about the people than the strangeness. I liked it... but I wasn't expecting much going into it.