Just finished Stephen King's "Insomnia" and it's amazing - 4.5

Submitted by terrortheory1 t3_125ww55 in books

This one took me a bit longer to read and took me about 1 and a half months, mostly because it's 740 pages - but that doesn't mean it's bad!

Ralph is a great protagonist that I was genuinely interested in and despite not having read the Dark Tower series, I enjoyed it nonethless only knowing basic information about Roland and the characters and concepts talked about in this book.

I saw people talking about it as a snoozefest, but while I can see where they're coming from (the book is pretty long and more character-focused), I loved it. What do you think about it?

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eighty2angelfan t1_je6bffq wrote

I started that then got distracted. One of the things I always liked about King is his characters. I alway say "I know that guy/girl. They are exactly like my friend so and so".

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Only4DNDandCigars t1_je6fizw wrote

I'm hitting mid 30's, so finding protagonists that are not in their teens and twenties are refreshing. I find it a lot more relatable and fun to explore. Insomnia was one of my favorites from King. My only gripe was that Insomnia, The Mist, Rose Madder and the Talisman were my primary drivers in the Dark Tower readings and I don't think they were reflected the way I was hoping for. These books however were not made for me so all I can do is appreciate what they offered.

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Octem t1_je6y2sh wrote

Glad to read someone else who likes this one. I went through a pretty heavy King phase a few years back and not only was this one of the ones I enjoyed the most , it was one of only a handful that I went back and read again. Really enjoyable for me both times !!

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pilesofcleanlaundry t1_je712rn wrote

Is is only 740 pages? I remember it being longer than that, but it’s been a while since I read it.

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Alarmed_Assistance10 t1_je77kir wrote

If you enjoyed it, please give Revival a chance! It’s my favorite King book, and I’ve read most of his work, including under pseudonyms.

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J_rtx t1_je7kncg wrote

I'll have to take a look. My local used book store has had a copy tucked away on a shelf upstairs for almost a year and it always catches my eye

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Sum_Dum_User t1_je8lbg5 wrote

I agree, but read it when it first came out. One of my favorites and part of the Dark Tower lore is just a bonus.

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beast916 t1_je9tz6h wrote

Ralph Roberts is one of King’s best characters, and the most Everyman.

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MochaHasAnOpinion t1_jeaimn6 wrote

Insomnia has been in my collection for years. I really enjoyed it. I think I have read it three times, maybe four. I especially love the concept of the auras and the little doctors. (It made me wonder what my own aura would look like). The characters are so interesting and I have a soft spot for Ralph and Lois (? Please remind me if I'm misremembering her name).

I read this long before I read the Dark Tower series and was happy to have some blanks filled in later on. If you are a Stephen King fan, this will not be the last that you hear of several characters.

Someone else in the thread recommended Needful Things. It's a great book, too, and quite a ride!

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