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Cell
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Cell
Mary, That wasn't really the issue I had with the book. I read a lot of fantasy and even when it's set in a real world environment, I can suspend my disbelief if there are certain elements that make sense. I keep comparing this story to Insomnia, in regards to the random aspect of the story. I didn't have a problem suspending my disbelief for that story, and there are some mighty implausible events and characters and situations. But that book was clearly fantasy set in a real world environment.
Cell seems almost to have been written as if it is NOT fantasy, but could really happen. And if that's the way King wants to write it, that's fine, but I expect him to dot his i's and cross his t's to make us believe it. I expect that if things are going to take place in a real world environment as if it could be real, they play by the real world's rules. This story could have packed SUCH a punch and could have scared the hell out of me - because real life things scare me so much more than fantasy or supernatural things. But because he didn't give us his usual level of detail, it just fell short.
All that would have taken, for me to believe at least, is a malfunctioning satellite, or a pissed off technical genius, or a toddler playing with the remote and hitting JUST the right combination of buttons. ANYTHING really. Just something. Yes, there was speculation, but in the end nothing was cemented in place as THE cause, and I can't accept that things were random, especially not when King's showed time and again that his version of random is anything but.
I love King, don't get me wrong. He is my all-time favorite author, and I will read anything and everything he writes. But with this one, not to be silly, but I feel like he phoned it in.
It sounds like your biggest objection, Becky, is that because this is written as if it COULD happen, it's more science fiction than horror or fantasy, and to qualify as such, there has to be at least a small realistic, technical basis. Here there wasn't one, which makes it more fantastical, except that it was NOT presented in that way.I liked it, don't get me wrong, but it would definitely have been scary (and I do NOT think it was) if it had been explained in a plausibe way. As it stands, I found it a great story, just not at all scary.
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Kandice wrote: "It sounds like your biggest objection, Becky, is that because this is written as if it COULD happen, it's more science fiction than horror or fantasy, and to qualify as such, there has to be at least a small realistic, technical basis. Here there wasn't one, which makes it more fantastical, except that it was NOT presented in that way."Yep. That about sums it up. :)
I agree Becky that there certainly is a lot of unanswered questions, but in general I enjoyed the read. Considering I was expecting the book to be no good, due to certain reviews I`ve seen, I was pleasantly surprised. It may not leave you satisfied upon reading the ending, but I think his writing is as good as any of his earlier work that I`ve read up to now. A lot of people say that King has lost his touch after that accident he had. After reading this novel though I would seriously have to disagree.
I'd say that novels like Duma Key or Lisey's Story prove that point better than Cell. Everyone is different, and so enjoyment is subjective. I didn't enjoy Cell. The development of the story wasn't impressive to me, and I felt that the writing was seriously lacking. But that's just me.
Becky wrote: "Mary, That wasn't really the issue I had with the book. I read a lot of fantasy and even when it's set in a real world environment, I can suspend my disbelief if there are certain elements that mak..."Becky wrote: "Mary, That wasn't really the issue I had with the book. I read a lot of fantasy and even when it's set in a real world environment, I can suspend my disbelief if there are certain elements that mak..."
Phoned it in…. LOL that’s great.
I really appreciate your elaborating on exactly why you didn’t like Cell. Everyone is different and it is only thru discussions like this that I can understand various viewpoints. I understand where you are coming from now. I think Kandice summed it up pretty good. It was missing an element that could make it real Sci fi which in turn made it have less of an impact than it could have. I have to say I was not scared by it either but I did enjoy it.
Becky wrote: "I'd say that novels like Duma Key or Lisey's Story prove that point better than Cell. Everyone is different, and so enjoyment is subjective. I didn't enjoy Cell. The development of the story wa..."
I haven't read either one of those yet. I think there King has a new book that should be out later this year called "Under the Dome". I think November is when it is scheduled for release.
Okay since reading the book cell, has anyone dreamed about the book?? If not, then I am, I have dreamed about the book several times, from a real Zombie attack, with flesh eaters, to hearing really crappy music? Then i wake up and I'm like where did I read that before, and then I remember it was from cell. I just find it odd.
i read cell over and over again for the past year and a half now. and i must say: it is really good and bad at the same time. what was good about it was the storyline and such. but the bad part is that he should come out witha a second part for it. but that is just my opinion. i mean think about it for a minute. where he leaves off it just screams for another part to it. but as i said before: it is just my opinion.
It was addicting!!! Like it very much.
Mysticalgoddess wrote: "Okay since reading the book cell, has anyone dreamed about the book?? ..."hey there ... i read The Cell a year or so ago - and I remember having vivid dreams about it too ... not complete - i don't remember zombies wanderin' around eatin' people as such ... but it felt like i was there (you know - in the middle of an appocolypse - whatever that feels like) and definitely the crappy music ... and that scene where they're all laid out in the football field was a big feature ...
i didn't find it odd that i was dreaming about it at the time ... but i do find it odd to come across your post now ...
but i like odd ... ;o)
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I think about how they were signaling the radios to play the same song... how did they do that? Does the mean they can control TVs and all electronics?
Angie wrote: "I didn't actual have any dreams about it... but I think about it a lot. If someone could really figure out how to get a virus into phones we are in trouble! I think about how they were signali..."
Has anyone ever seen the TV show Leverage.
Hardison does everything thru a cell phone it's actually scary.
I listened to this book on my iPod during my exercise sessions. I'd often find myself running faster than my normal pace during the scarier parts, and I'd have to maintaining the correct pace the rest of the time. The scene where the zombies surround the school just about killed my workout for the day. :)
*spoilers*Anyone else tear up at Alice's death? I read that scene on a bus on my way home last January I think, it was gloomy and cold outside and it fit my mood really well at that point. I was kind of choked up.
*Spoilers*I know what you mean Tek. I really liked the children in this story & was really sad to see Alice go. She was a real funny gal, one that you`d wish you`d meet if you were in the same boat.
sam wrote "i don't remember zombies wanderin' around eatin' people as such ... but it felt like i was there (you know - in the middle of an appocolypse - whatever that feels like) and definitely the crappy music ... and that scene where they're all laid out in the football field was a big feature ...i didn't find it odd that i was dreaming about it at the time ... but i do find it odd to come across your post now ...
but i like odd ... ;o)"
Bear with me people I never learned how to do quotes properly. On that note..
Sam, there was no actual zombies but my brain came up with it. mainly , how the characters were "zombie like" it was my first zombie dream, and it scared the piss out of me. Then I remember walking somewhere with weird music, and thta's all the dreams I've had. I'm glad to find someone else who had bizarre dreams about the book as well.
To Martin, I see reviews by people to nothing more then there opinion, I am never swayed by a review. I have found many books that people hated to be the most entertaining, and the ones people loved I usually hated! I am the opposite of people I have found out, physically and mentally!!! It's bizarre but that's how I am :)
I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?
Jc11king wrote: "I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?"
I guess it could be if you 1) have a liberal definition of what makes something dystopian (which I happen to have) and 2) logically progress the story past the actual end of it, into the territory of the new society, etc.
It's definitely post-apocalyptic though.
Why do you ask?
Becky wrote: "Jc11king wrote: "I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?"
I guess it could be if you 1) have a liberal definition of what makes something dystopian (which I happen to have) and 2..."
It's probably not considered a dystopian novel, based on the usual application of that term, but I agree it's certainly apocalyptic.
Becky wrote: "Jc11king wrote: "I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?"
I guess it could be if you 1) have a liberal definition of what makes something dystopian (which I happen to have) and 2..."
Because I need to make an essay, and I'm probably going to chose this question:
Compare and contrast Orwell's 1984 to another dystopian novel that you have read such as Orwell's Animal Farm, Golding's Lord of the Flies, Huxley's Brave New World.
Now the only dystopian novel that I read is Oryx and Crake. I could chose it, but I wanted to take a novel from King. Which means I have to read it. I know The Running Man and The Long Walk are considered dystopian, so I could take one of them I guess, but I need to buy them first.
Two SK Books that are maybe dystopian that I already bought but not read are The Stand (which is too long to read in 2 weeks) and Cell.
Jc11king wrote: "Becky wrote: "Jc11king wrote: "I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?"
I guess it could be if you 1) have a liberal definition of what makes something dystopian (which I happen ..."
The Stand is really considered post-apocalyptic, anyway. I would go with The Running Man (it is short).
I really liked Cell. The action in the beginning just sucked me in. It did remind me a bit of the Stand, just because people dying, and the leftovers having to make their way in the world. That's my favorite part about it, I love the post-apocalyptic kind of things, like the Stand and the Road and Cell, and that one show on the Discovery Channel "Life after People" (I could watch that show all day long!). I've read it twice now, and yea, the ending wasn't all I was hoping it would be, but it was a decent ending, Clay got his son back, and I was left with the hope that everything would be ok. I was really sad when poor Alice died, and I was even sad when Tom had to leave his poor kitty (hey, I'm a sucker for the animals). All in all though, it's probably in my top ten list if I could ever get around to deciding how to rank the books when I love em all. :)
Jc11king wrote: "I have a question,Is Cell considered a dystopian novel?"
This is an interesting idea. I love several different kinds of horror fiction, so I kind of have sections on RL book shelves for the different types. Cell goes in my "too many sections to be in one section" section.
So first, Cell could be considered a PA (post apocalyptic), which would nominally put it in the dystopian section. However, if you consider the phoners a type of zombie, and some do, it would be under the infection section in the zombie section shelf.
Then the Dark Tower reference (the train ride at the fair) puts it in the Dark Tower section, which also puts it in the alternate earth section.
But no, I don't consider it a fantasy for some reason. Not sure why.
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My Goodreads review for the Cell:King takes a stab at the latest infatuation...Zombies. What's next sexy vampires falling for dull teenage girls?
Dang it no sexy vampires.
King's imagination should be considered a national monument. It's of such staggering proportions that it's a testimony to his talent that he makes a zombie book work. This book has some really scary moments, and its narrative pulls you in and holds you till the very final moments.
One of my big problems with the book though is that the ending is inconclusive. If I'm going to follow a wacked out story like this through 400+ pages, I want to find out what happens. Don't leave me hanging out there, especially when I've come to care about the characters. That seems to me to be a bit of a cheat. So 4 stars for that, instead of five.
Angie wrote: "Just finished. Not sure how I like at the ending. I mean another book up in the air again? Why can't we know what happens to the boy? Does Clay meet back up with Tom? I just don't like things ..."I agree. I loved the book but was really bummed out at that ending.
I liked the up in the air nature of the ending. Leaves you thinking after the book is over, which is always a good thing.
im half way through Cell and its been excellent up to now.
i finished Cell last night and was left feeling disappointed.Good:
the first half of the book was excellent, reminded me a little of a shortened down The Stand.
I read the book in no time at all. SK simply writes fantastic stories.
Bad:
Why did the pulse happen?
what did clay and his son do, does his son ever recover fully?
What happened with tom and jordan, did they ever meet up with clay again?
When the phone-crazies turned into phoners the book went downhill and without any explanation into the cause or what happens with the main characters i felt let down.
I love this book, it's so different, and kinda sad...i'm not going to say more, -SPOILERS- but when Alice died it was such a disturbing moment...my favourite novel after The Shining.
A pretty dark tale about humanity turning into technology-based automatons. I found the characters to be rather likable and the story to be pretty interesting. And true to Stephen King's style, the ending left something to be desired. No happy reunions or anything like that. Just kind of a cut off, insert your own version of what you think happened here.
I enjoyed Cell but for some reason I just really didn't get a connection with any of the characters. It could have been a case of "one bestselling writer/artist as main character" too many for me. Still, even meh King beats the heck out of most anything else.
I liked Cell. It had it's scary moments, it's emotional moments and as with real life does anyone really know what the ending is going to be.
I need to re-read this one. It was the only King book I've ever read that I flat out did not like. I didn't just find it meh (I've found a few other King books meh) but I just did not like Cell. I dunno if I was expecting something different or what, but I read it right when it came out and I think sped-read the last half of it because I didn't care for it. I certainly need to re-read this one. Maybe sometime soon, though I have a fair amount of other things in the queue already :-)
I liked it this one. It's just that the best part was the start of the book. The ending was okay. But not near as awesome as that crazy start.
Ethan, I do remember enjoying the very beginning, but after things settled down a bit I got very disapointed very quickly. But I need to give it another shot.
Yeah it's defiantly not my favorite buts its okay. I probably would have liked it more had i not expected just your standard zombie outbreak plot.
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Yea... you need a re-read. I loved this book!
I just started Cell last night and so far am really enjoying it (about 1/3 way through). Kind of nervous though, as so many people seem to start hating the book at the midway point. Hopefully this won't be the case with me. Also, I love the randomness of the 3 characters. A graphic comic artist, a teenage girl, and a gay dude who's only thing in common is mayhem, yet from the start they're almost like this weird little traveling family.
It's different for sure. Kinda changes tone halfway through. That being said. I still really liked it.
Finished this book in a day. I really enjoyed it. I didn't feel like it was his best novel, but one of his most fun. Everyone seems to hate comment about how frustrating they find the ending. I actually thought it was the only way to end it. Otherwise, it would have been to dark and ruined the book for me, or it would have been one giant 'happily ever after' cliché, and it would have ruined the entire tone of the rest of the book. Just my opinion!****SPOILER ALERT!!!!****
(Have to make sure I warn you in case I don't do this correctly. And if I don't, feel free to correct me on how to do it properly.)
(view spoiler)
Seemed like the ending was intentionally left hanging. Cell 2 anyone? Or perhaps that should be Cell Redial? Okay that was pretty bad.
Great book. Though, did anyone else notice that there is an Eminem reference in the book when the main character is talking to another character? It's been so long since I read the book, but I remember one of the characters mentioning Eminem.
Page 175 on hardcover edition:"She's like Ahab on the prod for Moby," the Head remarked.
"Eminem might have been a jerk, but he was right about that guy," Tom said morosely.
"I beg your pardon, Tom?" the Head asked.
Tom waved it away.
I don't understanddddddd! lol
Because Eminem had some sort of disagreement or something back in the day with Moby, sang some stuff about him in one of his songs, I dunno the specifics lol I'm sure someone else knows better than me :)
Kit★ wrote: "Because Eminem had some sort of disagreement or something back in the day with Moby, sang some stuff about him in one of his songs, I dunno the specifics lol I'm sure someone else knows better than..."Ohh, I think I get it, especially from further research. Thanks.
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Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
The Running Man (other topics)Cell (other topics)
1984 (other topics)
The Long Walk (other topics)
Oryx and Crake (other topics)
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Hynosis that is an interesting take.
I'm not sure the book elaborated on what the call did.
It was called the pulse but was it actually a sound or verbal message?
I'm thinking calling it a pulse gives the impression of a sound or something.
But hypnosis is an interesting idea.