Lisey's Story

I finished Lisey's Story by Stephen King last night and I'm not sure how I feel about it. To be sure, it's a Stephen King story, but it is also a love story, of sorts. My first impression was that it contained w-a-y too much language for my taste, even though much of it is a rhyming type of swearing. That did bother me this time when normally I can look past it in King's books (because many of the situations would probably bring on some language). It could be that I just need to ponder Lisey's Story some more.

Even though it is not a book based in reality, I have a feeling King did based Lisey to some extent on his wife, Tabitha. This is all a personal feeling and from nothing I've ever read or heard.

First, he's been married to Tabitha for many years. There would be a bond there and an understanding between them that long time married couples share. Any one who has been married for many years (need I add to the same person?) can understand what I'm saying. There is an ease and comfort with your spouse. They are almost an extension or part of you. You have inside jokes, short cuts with words...

Second, I have a feeling that after King's accident a couple years ago, Tabitha was put through the wringer by outsiders who felt they were better qualified to handle her husband's affairs. It makes perfect sense that she would tell him about all of this at some point in his recovery and it is great fodder for a book. This is all speculation, but it rings true.

Third, and this was mentioned in the notes at the end of the book, Tabitha has sisters, like Lisey. Even though King said that the character were not based on Tabitha or her sisters, those of us with multiple sisters understand that he also couldn't ignore the dynamics between sisters. They can be weird and wonderful. They would be noteworthy.

These three points give Lisey's Story a ring of truth, even when it ventures into the land of the unbelievable. I'm not saying that I don't recommend it, but I guess I wouldn't recommend it as highly as other books, and probably based on the language alone.