Revival

A Novel

De: Stephen King

Narrado por: David Morse

A dark and electrifying novel about addiction, fanaticism, and what might exist on the other side of life.

In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs - including Jamie’s mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, this charismatic preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town.

Jamie has demons of his own. Wed to his guitar from the age of 13, he plays in bands across the country, living the nomadic lifestyle of bar-band rock and roll while fleeing from his family’s horrific loss. In his mid-30s - addicted to heroin, stranded, desperate - Jamie meets Charles Jacobs again, with profound consequences for both men. Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil’s devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.

This rich and disturbing novel spans five decades on its way to the most terrifying conclusion Stephen King has ever written. It’s a masterpiece from King, in the great American tradition of Frank Norris, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe.

©2014 Stephen King (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Sinister and Classic King

I really enjoyed this book, but I had to alter my expectations away from "horror." I was bracing for a scary story based on the description and some of the early reviews. I was picturing IT, The Shining, etc. It's classic Stephen King, but it's more in the line of the Green Mile, or 11.22.63 style.
The story is great. I became interested and totally invested almost right away. King is a master story teller which is why I can enjoy his books no matter which way they go. The character development of the main character Jamie was deep, extensive, and very interesting. I liked him and even more, liked his relationships and interactions with all the other characters. That's what drives this story is the people. I was interested in what happened to them without wavering, and was interested right up until the end.
Pastor Jacobs is a great antagonist. He is a great vehicle for the creepiness. He has the hubris, and the lack of humanity that kept me on the edge of my seat. He remained unpredictable which helped create a great pace to the story and kept me guessing.
Why only 4 stars? I love the book, but it could have had more. It could have been creepier, Jacobs could have been a little more evil, or there could have been a side-kick to Jacobs that could have been really evil that would have created a little more action.
The ending was good. It was worthy of the rest of the story and worthy of the characters. I enjoyed the ending.
I loved Morse as the narrator. I've already looked at other books he narrates for, I like him enough to seek him out. While I was listening, I took note that Morse's voice for Jacobs was perfect. He made him sound overly patient, a little patronizing, and a little edgy, he really brought Jacobs to life for me.
I would recommend this book.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I felt let down by this particular story. I kept waiting for it to get better, feeling there was the occasionally alluded to promise of a better story to come, and it never happened.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will still be a King fan, just hope his next work is more engaging. This one was just too mundane for my tastes. He has done more realistic, less "weird" stories before that were wonderful- such as Delores Claiborne, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, and The Body (aka Stand by Me). They were anything but mundane. Even with a "horror" element, this one was dull. Joe Hill's recent work, NOS4R2 was much more like a "King" story. Loved it.

Which character – as performed by David Morse – was your favorite?

None of them, including the "villain," were terribly interesting. Morse did a fine job of narrating, but could not make me care about these people.

Could you see Revival being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I guess. Don't really care who they cast.

Any additional comments?

I love Stephen King- I think he is a genius and master storyteller. He writes a lot, for which I am grateful, but every once in a while one of his stories just doesn't do anything for me. This, sadly, was one of them.

Sloowww....

Would you try another book from Stephen King and/or David Morse?

yes

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen King? Why or why not?

Yes, he's the best author of all time.

What three words best describe David Morse’s performance?

decent, but sleepy

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

Just very slow... Interesting little stories through-out the book, but overall, just so-so.

Awful voice

I don't like listening to the guy who read this book. His voice got to me and I had a hard time getting into the book because of it.

Mediocre

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was time we'll spent, as it clearly showed Stephens inner animosity towards Christianity, which always was there, but Stephen has never accepted that his auto accident was not prevented by God.

What was most disappointing about Stephen King’s story?

His blatant attempt to harm Christianity, and his life long cowardice to approach Islam in the same manner.

What about David Morse’s performance did you like?

A great job.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Stephen really goes after Christianity, but being an author you can carry this out easily through the characters. Steve is at a point in his life where he is just pumping out stories, as he knows his groupies will suck them up. He has contractual obligations and this book is but an obligation, but if you blatantly go after my religion because he knows Christians won't saw his head off, then in my mind Steve is struggling with his mortality, and no Christian should put a nickel in his pocket until he gos after Islamn with the same mindset. Actually, this is his first failure when it comes to penning a book, but in reality a 8th grade could read and comprehend this book, so I will leave Steve struggling with his religion, if he has any at all. I will not stand by and let my religion be his beating pole.

one of the lesser SK books

I've read most of SK books and this one was not great. i don't regret listening to it because he's an entertaining writer., but this story dragged on and then there was no payoff at the end.
wasn't impressed with the performer either.. again not horrible but i wouldn't pick him.

Too dark

The story was way too dark for me! I like all of Stephen kings books but this one ended and left me feeling very depressed.

Not King's Best Work

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I wouldn't recommend this book. The story was dull and obvious. Even the innuendos were more obvious than the usual King fun inserts.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen King? Why or why not?

I generally enjoy King as easy listens and interesting stories. He usually takes a "what if..." and builds characters, story line and a fun mix of humor and horror or humor and psychological dilemma.

What didn’t you like about David Morse’s performance?

Morse's performance was dull, dull, dull...his overall tonal inflection left me drowsy and losing interest. For such a good actor to be unable to deliver on the voices of different characters was disappointing.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

It almost seems the book was written as a possible screen play. This might be one of those cases where the story makes a better movie than a book. I was visualizing the flashes and hear the sounds of the climatic scene as a movie.

Any additional comments?

Sorry, this one is a two thumbs down.

Not his best work

Would you try another book from Stephen King and/or David Morse?

Yes, I have read/heard all Mr. King's books.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The minister and his cures.

Have you listened to any of David Morse’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure./

Could you see Revival being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It could be, not sure on the stars.

Any additional comments?

The storyline grabbed me as I grew up in a 'religious' home in the bible belt. The story was good, but not great. As wit most 'monsters' that Mr. King writes about, this was not what it could have been. But, overall a good read/listen. I would recommend it.

Interesting enough but lackluster

Kind of a dull listen. I didn’t build up much of a relationship with the characters. And the end was really built up, and then over quickly.