From the Bookshelf of Clube de Leitura do Split-Chicken…

"But love isn’t always support. Sometimes love is taking the supports away."

Stephen King's Holly is another example of his ability to craft deeply human characters, and Holly Gibney’s growth truly takes center stage here. Her calm, logical internal voice is a standout, and her reactions and vocalized frustrations at the end of her reasoning feel relatable and genuine. It’s easy to empathize with her, and watching her navigate the challenges in this story is as engaging as ever.

"But Roddy and E

"But love isn’t always support. Sometimes love is taking the supports away."

Stephen King's Holly is another example of his ability to craft deeply human characters, and Holly Gibney’s growth truly takes center stage here. Her calm, logical internal voice is a standout, and her reactions and vocalized frustrations at the end of her reasoning feel relatable and genuine. It’s easy to empathize with her, and watching her navigate the challenges in this story is as engaging as ever.

"But Roddy and Emily Harris were worse. Why? Because there was nothing supernatural about them."

What really impressed me is how King keeps you hooked even without a major twist or shocking revelation. Knowing who the killers are doesn’t diminish the tension—it shifts the focus to the constant near-misses, missteps, and moments where you find yourself shouting at the page, willing the characters to connect the dots. The flow of the writing and the vivid scenes make the story feel cinematic, almost like you’re watching it unfold on a screen. It’s immersive and gripping in a way that only King can achieve.

"A millionaire walks into a bar and..."

Holly’s ability to find herself through humor amidst the darkness in her life is something that feels very dear and close to me. King perfectly interweaves this motif throughout the story, returning to it whenever we see Holly struggling with herself.

The final author’s note adds another layer of resonance. King explains his belief that grounding a book in reality is what makes it truly terrifying, and I couldn’t agree more. Holly’s story, set during the pandemic and steeped in its very real tensions, taps into a kind of horror we all recognize. King’s honesty about how Holly’s mother’s death from COVID and her own hypochondria shaped the book’s anti-vaxxer and political commentary rings true. He allows his characters to speak authentically, even when their views are polarizing, as proven by the layered and complex villains in his other works.

This mix of grounded terror, strong characters, and King’s masterful storytelling makes Holly a very rewarding read.

"Her hands tighten on his. ‘Do you swear to that?’
‘Yes.’
‘May your mother die and go to hell if you’re lying?’
‘Yes.’"