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Matthew's Reviews > Roadwork
Roadwork
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: own, action-thriller, stephen-king, 2014, least-favorite, read-more-than-once, 2019, audio, hoopla, library
Jan 08, 2013
bookshelves: own, action-thriller, stephen-king, 2014, least-favorite, read-more-than-once, 2019, audio, hoopla, library
Read 2 times. Last read August 20, 2019 to August 25, 2019.
Update - 8/25/2019 - Re-read
First read: 2 stars
Second read: 3.5 stars
This is probably the shortest time between reads for a King book I have ever done. Also, it is the first time I have Re-read a book where the first time I read it was also tracked on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
I tried to give this one an extra special chance this time. King had been quoted as saying this was his favorite of the Bachman Books. I really wanted to go into it and discover that my first experience was completely wrong. Unfortunately, while it was a little better, it still kind of drug on a bit and lots of why I originally didn't care for it remained true (see my original review below)
So, after a second shot, even though many sing this book's praises, it looks like it is going to remain "just okay" for me.
ORIGINAL REVIEW - March 2014
I expected more from this but it was just “meh�. I think maybe if I had lived in the early seventies and experienced the energy crisis first hand, this book would have had more meaning for me. I have owned this book for at least 25 years and I am just now finally reading it, but it is very far off from the story than I thought it would be. (view spoiler)
This is not one I would recommend unless you need it to complete your reading of all of Stephen King’s works.
First read: 2 stars
Second read: 3.5 stars
This is probably the shortest time between reads for a King book I have ever done. Also, it is the first time I have Re-read a book where the first time I read it was also tracked on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
I tried to give this one an extra special chance this time. King had been quoted as saying this was his favorite of the Bachman Books. I really wanted to go into it and discover that my first experience was completely wrong. Unfortunately, while it was a little better, it still kind of drug on a bit and lots of why I originally didn't care for it remained true (see my original review below)
So, after a second shot, even though many sing this book's praises, it looks like it is going to remain "just okay" for me.
ORIGINAL REVIEW - March 2014
I expected more from this but it was just “meh�. I think maybe if I had lived in the early seventies and experienced the energy crisis first hand, this book would have had more meaning for me. I have owned this book for at least 25 years and I am just now finally reading it, but it is very far off from the story than I thought it would be. (view spoiler)
This is not one I would recommend unless you need it to complete your reading of all of Stephen King’s works.
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Roadwork.
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Reading Progress
January 8, 2013
– Shelved
March 1, 2014
–
Started Reading
March 1, 2014
–
12.0%
March 2, 2014
–
24.0%
March 3, 2014
–
29.0%
March 4, 2014
–
36.0%
March 5, 2014
–
38.0%
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
own
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
action-thriller
March 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
stephen-king
March 6, 2014
–
43.0%
March 7, 2014
–
50.0%
March 8, 2014
–
55.0%
March 9, 2014
–
61.0%
March 11, 2014
–
77.0%
March 15, 2014
–
82.0%
March 16, 2014
–
92.0%
March 16, 2014
–
Finished Reading
January 16, 2015
– Shelved as:
2014
January 16, 2015
– Shelved as:
least-favorite
August 20, 2019
–
Started Reading
August 20, 2019
– Shelved as:
read-more-than-once
August 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
2019
August 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
audio
August 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
hoopla
August 25, 2019
– Shelved as:
library
August 25, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-12 of 12 (12 new)
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by
Marlise
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 22, 2019 10:45PM
I actually loved this one although I was pretty uncomfortable the whole time reading it. I just feel like it was deeper than that and it was an exploration of this man's mental illness. I actually felt sympathy for him even though I didn't really like him, which is rare for me. As a whole, it worked for me. Do you own this one as a stand-alone or part of The Bachman Books?
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Marlise wrote: "I actually loved this one although I was pretty uncomfortable the whole time reading it. I just feel like it was deeper than that and it was an exploration of this man's mental illness. I actually ..."I am doing a reread right now and enjoying it more - still drags a bit, but I think I am "getting" it more - if you know what I mean!
I own it as a part of the Bachman Books.
Marlise wrote: "I actually loved this one although I was pretty uncomfortable the whole time reading it. I just feel like it was deeper than that and it was an exploration of this man's mental illness. I actually ..."I did end up going up a bit with my rating, but it still drug a bit for me. I do see a lot of love for this book, though, so I feel like I am likely in the minority on this.
Just looked through my friends' ratings for this on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and it appears that generally this one is not liked. A few "5-star one, one of his best" reviews, but I am surprised to find those seem to be the minority. Interesting!
great review , I haven't read it yet but with all king books I look forward to doing so , I felt a little let down with rage , for same reasons I guess I though as Stephen king banned it , I thought wow this must be really violent ,scary and exciting but it I didn't think it was worth banning and there for a let down because of all the hype , I mean there are more things on tv shows that shows stuff like that in a school that people would do - worse ideas if it came to fruition
also the front cover of this book does make you think - this guys taking no shit
Matthew wrote: "also the front cover of this book does make you think - this guys taking no shit"Matthew wrote: "great review , I haven't read it yet but with all king books I look forward to doing so , I felt a little let down with rage , for same reasons I guess I though as Stephen king banned it , I though..."
I felt similarly about Rage.
And, regarding the cover of Roadwork - exactly! Not a book to judge by that cover!
Great review -- never read this one before!
Laurene wrote: "Great review -- never read this one before!"Thanks, Laurene! IMHO you are not missing much!
I read this book when I was a teenager and it made a huge impact on me. The very real horror the character went through with his child. The amount of anger towards the world snd himself and the inability to rationalize it.I understand why you didn't enjoy it as much but for me it was a masterpiece.
²Ñ²¹³Ùò¹²õ wrote: "I read this book when I was a teenager and it made a huge impact on me. The very real horror the character went through with his child. The amount of anger towards the world snd himself and the ina..."Glad you loved it, ²Ñ²¹³Ùò¹²õ! I swear I tried! :)
Love your review, Matthew. I especially relate to your original. I was pained to have to give this book one star because King is one of the best authors of all time, in my opinion, but I really didn’t like this one at all! The only reason I saw it through to the end is because I am currently doing a read/reread of all SK novels so I felt that I had to finish it but I am so glad it’s over and I can move on!
