Joyland by Stephen King

 

I haven't read a new Stephen King in absolutely ages. By "new" I mean new to me of course! I was really surprised to find out this was published quite recently (2013). But the years 2008 to at least 2018 were something of a blurry whirlwind so that's my excuse.

I have slightly stopped enjoying Stephen King books. I can't quite put my finger on why. I've always been his biggest fan but I haven't rushed out to read his new releases for years and years. I think sometimes they feel a little bit like a cliche of himself? Maybe?

However, I really did enjoy this one. It's really quite subtle for a Stephen King novel. It has a supernatural element, of course, but it's not hugely spooky from beginning to end. Also, it's set in 1973 and I think Stephen King stories work so much better in the non-modern era. You can buy into the naiviety of the characters more. Or something. Also it's set in a carnival/theme park which, of course, is the perfect setting for supernatural happenings!

Devin gets a job in a theme park for the summer before College and hears rumours of a ghost in the haunted house. The least you'd expect from a haunted house, I hear you say, but this one is squatting there after having been murdered by a killer who has never been found. Keen to see the ghost, Devin and his two co-workers decide to take a ride in it. And one of them, the one who really didn't believe it, does see her. 

The summer continues, nothing else supernatural happens, except that Devin meets a mother and boy on his daily walk to work. The boy seems to know things he shouldn't and we also soon really he's not totally healthy either. The summer comes to an end so most of the workers leave including Devin's friends but he stays. When he takes the boy to the park, it's clear he's seen something and we soon get clues to the identitiy of the killer... dun dun duuuuun...

It's very short, which is very unusual for Stephen King. This means there's no meandering or waffle at all and it all advances swiftly. I think I read it in less than a week, partly because of its length but also because it kept me really engaged. A pleasant return to Stephen King form!