Book Review: The Colorado Kid
Stephen King's Mystery Leaves Readers Hanging
The Colorado Kid, a Stephen King mystery, outlines the circumstances surrounding the identity and possibly shocking death of a man on an island off the coast of Maine. Told from the point of view of two veteran newspaper reporters, Dave Bowie and Vince Teague, the mystery, which took place 25 years ago, focus on a man found dead on a beach hammock. The reporters tell this tale to their young intern, Stephanie McCann, as a way of welcoming her into their small fold. The men explain why this story, as opposed to other so-called mysteries in their area, is a real mystery because each answer leads to more questions.
The major theme in this novella is examining what really makes a good mystery, therefore, making a good story. The newspaper men tell McCannn about the unsolved mysteries of New England that they allow other papers, like the Boston Globe, to recycle annually between September and November. Because these stories satisfy the public's morbid curiosity and need for obvious endings, they would never appreciate the Colorado Kid story. The case had too many unknowns and didn't want some city papers spinning it to satisfy the public. They imply that people generally don't truly appreciate a real mystery.
The strength of this novel is King's ability to describe the town's landscape so vividly that readers feel as if they are actually on this island. Readers feel the wind coming off the waters as they near the beach. He creates a mental road map of the small isle village. My mind's eye could picture every street and every restaurant in the story. Readers are sure to enjoy the scenic tour he takes them on.
However, the story of the death of the Colorado Kid could possibly annoy some readers. It's told by the two old gentlemen, and they constantly interrupt one another or go completely off track. Many readers will mimic Stephanie McCann's frustration with the two men. She thinks some fascinating detail is about to be revealed, but she experiences a letdown. Additionally, people who like tightly wrapped endings will find The Colorado Kid dissatisfactory.
The Colorado Kid, published in 2005, is Stephen King's first novel after the finale of the Dark Towers series. Although King is primarily known for his horror stories, he has created written works for other genres. The prolific writer has published hundreds of books, as well as screenplays. He is the winner of numerous awards, including The National Book Foundation for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2003. In addition to writing, King and his wife provide scholarships to high school students in their area, and they contribute to other charitable causes.
Source:
The Official Stephen King Website
http://www.stephenking.com/
