Publisher’s Description
In a small New England town, in the early 60s, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister, Charles Jacobs. Soon they forge a deep bond, based on their fascination with simple experiments in electricity.
Decades later, Jamie is living a nomadic lifestyle of bar-band rock and roll. Now an addict, he sees Jacobs again – a showman on stage, creating dazzling ‘portraits in lightning’ – and their meeting has profound consequences for both men. Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil’s devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.
Review
I was recommended to read the horror and dark fiction novel Revival by Stephen King. What an amazing book.
Revival follows protagonist Jamie from a young boy when he meets the new pastor one chance afternoon and becomes fascinated by the man who sees God’s work on equal with the science behind electricity. But disaster strikes several times and eventually Pastor Charles Jacobs leaves being a town pastor. Instead re-emerges as a carnival healing attraction – taking donations with some healings true ones , others fakes.
Jamie becomes a highly sought musician but succumbs to drugs and his life takes a dive. Until he crosses paths with Jacobs again who heals his addiction . But Jamie soon learns there are side effects to some of the healings – sometimes disastrous ones. He begins to uncover the network of healings and their side effects.
When he finally confronts Jacobs now in his 70s and suffering the effects of many strokes – he’s drawn again by the charisma of the man and agrees to aid in one last healing which reveals the true aim and horror that Charles Jacob’s had devoted his life to.
Final Thoughts
Revival took me on an unexpected journey with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The characters drive the story and King’s slow revealing of the horror behind the curtain. A masterful piece of storytelling that leaves you guessing until the very end and terrified when the truth is finally revealed.
Conclusion
A wonderful psychological horror. A slow development that readers will enjoy the development of the characters and the unravelling of the true mystery and horror at the heart of this novel. One of King’s best! Highly recommend read!
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