Scribner, 160 pages, paperback, $9.99

I think this is a pretty good book. The common criticisms I’ve read of it are all true, but…King’s heart was in the right place when he wrote this. And I think that’s important.

However, I feel like King has been a massive, world-famous uber-celebrity for so many decades that he now struggles to write about “common” folk — hence the one-dimensional characters and awkwardly contrived conversations/interactions in this book. Often, the best writing is inspired by or informed by the author’s own experience, and I wouldn’t believe for a second that King is basing these characters or the way they interact on real experience. They seem more inspired by well-meaning ideology than by reality, hence the flimsy (and predictable) character development of Scott, Missy, and others. I like the characters, but I struggle to care about them the way King intends me to.

Also, King’s north of 70 now; generational differences probably also contribute to the dismissal of this book by younger readers, and King’s difficulty in connecting with them (see Wil Wheaton’s review for more on this disconnect).

That said, I can’t fault King for attempting to use his stature to write an uplifting story about unity, reconciliation, and finding common ground with those with whom you are at odds, even if he misses some marks along the way. Fortunately, this is a quick, easy read — you can breeze through it, and in classic Stephen King fashion, he keeps your attention all the way through with a quirky, imaginative plot and some interesting concepts. King retreads on Thinner ground here, yet he somehow comes up with a completely different tale.

The book can be read in about two-and-a-half hours, tops, so if you’re looking for a quick read, that alone makes it worth checking out.