The event became known as The Pulse. The virus was carried by every cellular phone operating in the world. Within hours, those receiving calls would become insane – or die.
Indeed, that is the basic premise of Cell. But let’s not beat about the bush – this is basically a zombie novel 🙂
Why did I want to read it?
Well, have been taking part in the King’s March challenge and had done quite well (two short stories, one new novel and one re-read) and hadn’t really thought to pick up any others even though there was a chunk of the month still to go. But when looking for something else I came across this 2006 novel which I had completely forgotten about, and as I was looking for something light (if insane phone-call triggered zombies can be called light) to read, here we are.
What did I think of it?
While far from being his best novel I thought Cell was a cool idea that was pretty well executed. Like a lot of King’s novels it stands or falls on what you think of the main protagonist and Clay Riddell, the comic book artist whose world is turned upside down in seconds, is a likeable character driven to do some very brave things through a desire to get back to the family from whom he has been separated. So as well as being about zombies it is also a classic quest – Clay is joined by a small band of people with whom he has been thrown together by circumstances outside of his control and they head out of burning Boston so he can try to find his son.
The development of the zombies is very interesting and unusual (to me at least) and without giving anything away they become much more than the standard mindless brain-eating hordes that you might have expected. I like the fact that we never know what caused The Pulse, and I also like the way the novel ends. But it’s the characters that make this successful – human and flawed and trying their best in a terrible situation but not always getting it right.
I liked it.
9 comments
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March 26, 2015 at 8:31 am
Nish
I dunno, to me this book seemed so weak. I was totally put off by King for awhile after this.
March 26, 2015 at 8:32 am
brideofthebookgod
I can totally understand that; it’s not his best. But it was the right thing for me at the time, and I measure everything against Dreamcatcher 🙂
March 26, 2015 at 2:49 pm
Book Guy Reviews
I’m with Nish. Not my favorite, but it’s still King. You should check out It or The Stand if you haven’t already. Either way, thanks for sharing! If you’re ever interested in some other sweet book reviews and literary musings, be sure to follow! Thanks!
March 26, 2015 at 2:56 pm
brideofthebookgod
I’m an old King hand, been reading him since Carrie came out in the 70s. Both The Stand and It are excellent, but Salem’s Lot is still my favourite 😊
March 26, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Book Guy Reviews
Such a great one! Either way, thanks for sharing!
March 26, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Tracy (@Cornerfolds)
Wasn’t this a movie back in the day? Or maybe it was just of a similar name… This book looks awesome though! I love Stephen King!
I just wanted to let you know that today is the first quarter update for the Horror Reading Challenge! You can find the update post HERE!
Tracy @ Cornerfolds
March 26, 2015 at 2:58 pm
brideofthebookgod
Thanks Tracy, I’ll be sure to post! I think the movie was a thriller rather than horror, will have to check on IMDb 😊
March 29, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Sunday Salon – March round-up | Bride of the Book God
[…] squeezed in another Stephen King novel (Cell) for the King’s March challenge. I seem to be one of the few people who actually quite […]
March 30, 2015 at 7:04 am
2015 Horror Reading Challenge – first quarterly update | Bride of the Book God
[…] Cell by Stephen King – King meets (sort-of) zombies […]