Cell by Stephen King

This was a fun, quick read for me. I certainly wouldn't chalk it up to the best book I've ever read by King, but I didn't hate it and I was actually interested in finding out the resolution of the book (I have been reading some real duds lately, so this is really refreshing for me). Also, this book was written when King was in "retirement" and as a result, the plot is very straightforward and to the point. It's very much a WHAM, BAM, THANK YOU MA'AM kind of book. 


Summary: What if a pulse sent out through cell phones turned every person using one of them into a zombie-like killing machine? That's what happens on page six of King's latest, a glib, technophobic but compelling look at the end of civilization—or at what may turn into a new, extreme, telepathically enforced fascism. Those who are not on a call at the time of the pulse (and who don't reach for their phones to find out what is going on) remain "normies." 


One such is Clayton Riddell, an illustrator from Kent Pond, Maine, who has just sold some work in Boston when the pulse hits. Clay's single-minded attempt to get back to Maine, where his estranged wife, Sharon, and young son, Johnny-Gee, may or may not have been turned into "phoners" (as those who have had their brains wiped by the pulse come to be called) comprises the rest of the plot. King's imagining of what is more or less post-Armageddon Boston is rich, and the sociological asides made by his characters along the way—Clay travels at first with two other refugees—are jaunty and witty.


What I liked about the book: post apocalyptic setting, zombies, telepathy, and a group of survivors trying to kill the zombies. It's an easy, uncomplicated book that is just a fun story. This book is reminiscent of King's other novel, The Stand, but it's more of  the Cliff's Notes version of The Stand. Also, the book immediately begins with action. There's not a lot of build-up to the story...the story just jumps right at you and grabs you from there.


What I didn't care for: the book started to feel a little tedious after a while. While the story read fast, I almost felt like it dragged at times. Also, the perspective that the book was told from was confusing to me. We had one main character and about 4 supporting characters - but for some reason I had a hard time identifying the different characters because they started to blend together. Maybe it's because I was reading the book so quickly that I started to miss details, but I don't think I was reading it THAT fast.


Overall, it was a solid book. Not a book I'll keep on my bookshelf (this one goes back to the used bookstore) and I would only recommend it to the hard core zombie fans.


Rank: C