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megs_bookrack's Reviews > Hearts in Atlantis
Hearts in Atlantis
by
by
megs_bookrack's review
bookshelves: stephen-king-read
Oct 27, 2015
bookshelves: stephen-king-read
Read 2 times. Last read December 4, 2020 to December 13, 2020.
**4.5-stars rounded up**
My first time reading Hearts in Atlantis, if Goodreads had existed, I probably would have given it 3.5-stars. Alas, it was the Stone Age. It didn't.
Those were dark times, my friends. Dark times.
Many years have passed and I think the fact that I now have age and experience on my side, allows me to view this work from a completely different perspective.
While this most likely explains the significant jump in my rating, I think the fact that I have now read the first six books in the Dark Tower series, also contributes.
There are a lot of interesting references and connections between this book and those.
While the Hearts collection is more understated, it is very powerful. There's a lot of food for thought and I think every Reader will take a little something different away.
I really enjoyed how each story follows a different child of the 60s at different stages of their lives. So, while it follows different people, it still keeps that classic coming of age vibe.
I think the collection as a whole fits very well together.
I won't claim to understand every nuance of these stories, but I do feel like I got a significant amount of meaning out of it this time around.
I would love to read this again someday; maybe in another decade or so. I'm sure it would affect me differently at that time.
This feels more introspective for King. One for his generation. It's impressive, it's beautiful, it's powerful and it's definitely worth picking up!
My first time reading Hearts in Atlantis, if Goodreads had existed, I probably would have given it 3.5-stars. Alas, it was the Stone Age. It didn't.
Those were dark times, my friends. Dark times.
Many years have passed and I think the fact that I now have age and experience on my side, allows me to view this work from a completely different perspective.
While this most likely explains the significant jump in my rating, I think the fact that I have now read the first six books in the Dark Tower series, also contributes.
There are a lot of interesting references and connections between this book and those.
While the Hearts collection is more understated, it is very powerful. There's a lot of food for thought and I think every Reader will take a little something different away.
I really enjoyed how each story follows a different child of the 60s at different stages of their lives. So, while it follows different people, it still keeps that classic coming of age vibe.
I think the collection as a whole fits very well together.
I won't claim to understand every nuance of these stories, but I do feel like I got a significant amount of meaning out of it this time around.
I would love to read this again someday; maybe in another decade or so. I'm sure it would affect me differently at that time.
This feels more introspective for King. One for his generation. It's impressive, it's beautiful, it's powerful and it's definitely worth picking up!
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Reading Progress
1999
–
Started Reading
1999
–
Finished Reading
October 27, 2015
– Shelved
November 5, 2015
– Shelved as:
stephen-king-read
December 4, 2020
–
Started Reading
December 7, 2020
–
12.33%
"I forgot what a great character Bobby is.
A perfect example of how well King can write children.
That innocent worldview. Love it."
page
83
A perfect example of how well King can write children.
That innocent worldview. Love it."
December 12, 2020
–
89.15%
"Whoa. I had an unbelievable reading day with this book.
I have read almost all day. My eyes hurt and it's time for a break.
It's funny how my opinion on this book has changed now that I am older.
I'm really enjoying my time with this subtle collection."
page
600
I have read almost all day. My eyes hurt and it's time for a break.
It's funny how my opinion on this book has changed now that I am older.
I'm really enjoying my time with this subtle collection."
December 13, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)
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by
Athelstan
(new)
Dec 28, 2020 05:25AM
I really liked this book, too. Like you, I am older now and when I see this book, I feel drawn back to it. I can see how reading it now as experience turns to wisdom, this book would have a whole new meaning. Thanks for stoking my interest in it again.
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Athelstan wrote: "I really liked this book, too. Like you, I am older now and when I see this book, I feel drawn back to it. I can see how reading it now as experience turns to wisdom, this book would have a whole n..."It really was like reading a completely different book. It's been almost 20-years since I first read it. That can definitely change how you see things. I hope you pick it up again and love it. If you do, let me know about your experience. I would definitely be interested!
I want to dedicate like a good year rereading all of his books. Teenage me loved him, but adult me needs to rekindle it because he's been losing me.
Brea wrote: "I want to dedicate like a good year rereading all of his books. Teenage me loved him, but adult me needs to rekindle it because he's been losing me." That sounds like a great idea, Brea. Good luck on your journey. I have never lost the love and continue to reread each year. I generally reread 5 or 6 a year.
"It was the kiss by which all the others of his life would be judged and found wanting."
This quote alone is worth the price of admission.
This quote alone is worth the price of admission.
JESSICA wrote: ""It was the kiss by which all the others of his life would be judged and found wanting."This quote alone is worth the price of admission."Yasss, girl! Exactly. Love that one. Thank you for mentioning it!!!! xx
Some of the prose in this book had me bashing my fist against my leg at the injustice of King never even being longlisted for a major literary prize. Make no mistake, he never has simply because he started out as a horror writer, it’s not writing horror that’s the problem, it’s his association to it before anything else. Take someone who starts as a literary writer who then turns their hand to a horror story and the reviews are always the same, how they’re brave, how this isn’t like all those other horrors because this author has literary credit in the bank etc. What makes me mad about this is take the guy who writes Jack Reacher, he’s a hack, terrible run of the mill writer who churns out books at a rate that makes king look slow? Yet he was a judge on 2020’s Booker ffs. The Booker is supposed to be about books that explore the human condition, what makes us who we are, you then read a book like geralds game and wonder exactly how deep in someone’s head does he need to get?
Jo wrote: "Some of the prose in this book had me bashing my fist against my leg at the injustice of King never even being longlisted for a major literary prize. Make no mistake, he never has simply because he..."Wow, Jo. I absolutely could not agree with you more! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I have had these same thoughts many a time! It's a weird world and King would definitely agree about that. xx
INCREDIBLE review!!! A lot of my friends that didn't like this at first also ended up loving it after doing a re-read for The Dark Tower. I just finished it and loved it so I know exactly what you mean :-)
LTJ wrote: "INCREDIBLE review!!! A lot of my friends that didn't like this at first also ended up loving it after doing a re-read for The Dark Tower. I just finished it and loved it so I know exactly what you ..."Yessssss, I am so glad you loved it too! Going to check out your review right now!!
