Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King (1999, Hardcover)

This book grabbed me right from the beginning and I won't bother to read a book unless it catches me right from the start. I won't waste time reading anything that is predictable or fits into a category of other books. If I can tell how the story is going to go right from the start then it's a waste of time. You never really figure out what is going on here. I still don't understand why he put the whole section in about cars that were alive and had tenticles. It seems that didn't relate to the story at all. Like it was another story and author all together but then it goes on from there and gets back to the reality of the story. I don't know if you had to grow up in the 60's to relate or not but it took me back to a time I had forgotten a lot about. Beacause I wanted to forget. And now I wonder why did I want to forget? I cried in some parts and laughed out loud in a lot of others. I will read this book again and probably again.
I had a friend who came back from nam without his right arm and leg and eye. He kept his sense of humor though and even went horse back riding with his wife and I. But he over dosed and died within the first year home. Another friend hit the ground every time he heard a loud noise. I could relate to so much in this book and remember the way people thought and the whole atmosphere. The riots and the anger. The hippies sleeping in ditches trying to get to canada so they didnt get drafted. And Steven King brings that whole era and feeling back in a few pages. The Bob Dylan lyrics and the song titles and just the whole feeling. I recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 60's and even if you didn't I bet you would enjoy the story and maybe be able to understand why our generation is the way it is. You will never look at a "missing pet" poster the same again. And before you read this book you really should read "Lord of the Flies" first.
The book keeps you guessing and wondering what is going on and what is coming next and what does it all mean? Steven King might be a genius. At the very least he is a master magician. The book has a lot of real magic. REAL MAGIC. I was sad when I got to the last page. It is an adventure. You will enjoy every minute. I still have questions and so I know I'll read it again. I'm still going "Wait a minute...what about....?" And now I have to read it again.