Fairy Tale is a #1 New York Times bestselling dark fantasy novel by Stephen King about a 17-year-old boy who discovers a portal to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and he mus
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Fairy Tale is a #1 New York Times bestselling dark fantasy novel by Stephen King about a 17-year-old boy who discovers a portal to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and he must become the hero to save it. The book was published on September 6, 2022.
Plot Summary
The story is told in the first person by its protagonist, Charlie Reade. The first third of the novel focuses on Charlie's ordinary life and the events that lead him to the hidden world.
- Life in Our World: Charlie, still dealing with the grief of his mother's death and his father's subsequent alcoholism, is a typical high school athlete. He makes a prayer and a promise to God that if his father gets sober, he will "pay it back". His father does recover, and Charlie feels an obligation to fulfill his promise.
- Meeting Howard Bowditch: At seventeen, Charlie discovers his reclusive, elderly neighbor, Howard Bowditch, injured after a fall. He also meets Bowditch's aging German Shepherd, Radar. Charlie begins caring for them both, forming a deep bond with the dog in particular.
- Discovery of the Portal: After Bowditch's death, Charlie inherits his house and a cassette tape revealing the truth: a locked shed in the backyard contains a portal to another world. This parallel world is called Empis.
- Journey to Empis: Driven by the desire to use a magical sundial in Empis to make Radar young again and extend her life, Charlie ventures into the other world. The world he finds is a dark, grim version of classic fairy tales, filled with ruined cities, cursed inhabitants, and monstrous villains.
- The Quest: In Empis, Charlie finds himself on an epic quest to confront the evil forces threatening both that world and ours. He meets various characters, some friendly and some horrifying, and must fight a powerful entity known as the Flight Killer, ultimately fulfilling his role as a prophesied hero.
Reviews and Reception
Fairy Tale received generally positive reviews, often praised for its storytelling and characters, though some critics and readers had mixed opinions on its pacing and conclusion.
- Positive Points: Reviewers often praised the book's immersive world-building and character development, especially the bond between Charlie and Radar. The first third of the novel, focusing on the realistic setup in Charlie's world, was a particular highlight for many, showcasing King's strong character writing. It was described by critics as a "magnificent and terrifying tale" and a "page-turner".
- Mixed Points: Some readers found the pacing slow, particularly in the middle section set in Empis. Others felt the dark fantasy elements became too generic or that the ending was somewhat underwhelming or rushed.
- Overall Consensus: Many readers consider it a strong return to form for King, especially for fans of his more fantasy-oriented works like The Talisman or The Eyes of the Dragon. It's a dark, modern take on classic fairy tale elements, focusing on themes of courage, friendship, and the battle between good and evil.
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