Questions About Insomnia

by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (8)

I read on another book review website that large chunks of this book won't make sense if I haven't read The Dark Tower series. Is this true? Do I need to read The Dark Tower series before reading Insomnia?

Irwin Fletcher Insomnia isn't really necessary (although recommended) for a DT read-through, but some DT reading is pretty important if you want to enjoy Insomnia. I…moreInsomnia isn't really necessary (although recommended) for a DT read-through, but some DT reading is pretty important if you want to enjoy Insomnia. I read it as part of my first Dark Tower read-through about 5 years ago, prior to that I didn't know much about it and had no clue it was tied to the DT. I'm glad it was a book I just happened to have not read prior to that because I can't imagine just reading it as a stand-alone novel. I've spoken to people who have and said they enjoyed it but I think you'll be missing a lot of what the book offers. Outside of the actual DT novels, Insomnia is probably the most bizarre book in Stephen King's bibliography. Maybe even the most bizarre. And without the craziness of the DT books to prepare you or knowing what all the DT references are about, it would probably seem like random insanity just spilled all over the page. It's hard to describe just how MUCH this book ties into the DT series without spoilers, but it's so much that I don't consider it a stand-alone novel. Hearts In Atlantis is somewhat similar in that it's stand-alone and a tie-in at the same time but it doesn't lean on the DT stuff nearly as much as Insomnia. You could easily read that without having even heard of the DT but I'm not sure about this one.(less)

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When does the action pick up? And when does the scare fest come in? I'm starting to fall asleep while reading this book. And normally I go through 5 or 6 by Mr. King a month but this book I am getting there at a snail's pace

Scott Laight This book does not really have a 'scarefest' but it does have (in my opinion) a very strong final third with plenty of action and explanations. It's m…moreThis book does not really have a 'scarefest' but it does have (in my opinion) a very strong final third with plenty of action and explanations. It's maybe not your typical horror story but i think it shows King can weave great stories in more than just the horror genre(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Hanna The time King wrote this book. He most often adds it at the end of his books.

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The boy, Pat, that Ralph with Lois helped survive that catastrophe at the civic center, was important because of something he will do about 18 years later. Does anyone know if he is referred to in any of the Stephen King books or is he an important figure in history?

Lou

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Can a 12 year old read this?

Maria Rose A mature 12-year-old of today's 2020 world would be able to read this book. There's nothing in it, that would be offensive unless elderly people getti…moreA mature 12-year-old of today's 2020 world would be able to read this book. There's nothing in it, that would be offensive unless elderly people getting involved in a sexual relationship is a total turnoff.(less)

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