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The Dome- Stephen King
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I'm in! Right now I'm somewhere around page 97.This is where Barbie and Rose are discussing the propane usage, and Rose got an eye opener when Barbie tells her how to make the propane last for four weeks. I could almost feel the uneasiness and dread of the situation. In The Stand, survivors were not confined to one place and had the option of searching for needed supplies. Here, they are trapped in a small town and what they have is all they have. That will make for very desperate situations.
I find it interesting that the dome is porous. When Barbie and "Sea Dog" were walking the perimeter and came across the river, Sea Dog noted that a trickle of water was still getting through. When the firemen were on the outside of the dome putting out the flames of the truck on 119, a mist was coming through to the inside of the dome. So we now know the dome is clear, very strong, slightly water-permeable, and is either electrified or gives off an electric-like vibration. When the Chief touched it and his pacemaker exploded out of his chest, I gasped and uttered expletives! Didn't see that coming! :o
Page 113- just about to start The Good of the Town, the good of the People, section.-
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That is exactly where I am in the book. I didn't see pacemaker thing either.
I wonder what Jr.'s dad is up to with all the cash and bonds in the safe.
Jessica wrote: "I'm in! Right now I'm somewhere around page 97.This is where Barbie and Rose are discussing the propane usage, and Rose got an eye opener when Barbie tells her how to make the propane last for fo...
....When the Chief touched it and his pacemaker exploded out of his chest, I gasped and uttered expletives! Didn't see that coming! :o"
I didn't either, except for the foreshadowing from his wife as he was leaving her, that it would be the last time she saw him alive.
I hate foreshadowing, and King does a fair amount of it in the book. I always wonder why authors do foreshadowing statements, it seems cheap and unnecessary somehow. But I am someone who abhors spoilers, and I consider it a spoiler so no surprise that I would hate foreshadowing. One day I will ask an author why it's done.
At this point in the book I posted on the M/T board that I hate the way that King introduces characters you grow to like and kills them off!! The Chief was someone I was really wanting to rely on as one of the good guys and bamm! Gone. Typical King.
Alias Reader wrote: "Page 113- just about to start The Good of the Town, the good of the People, section.-
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I wonder what Jr.'s dad is up to with all the cash and bonds in the safe. ..."
Hee-hee. I know and I'm not tellin'!
Okay, that's the last time I will make that remark, LOL.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I hate foreshadowing, and King does a fair amount of it in the book."******************
I think King LOVES to foreshadow. I've noticed a lot in his previous books, as well. He does, however, also love to give those characters whose death he foretold a pretty gruesome or spectacular ending. Not that it's an excuse. I would rather just be shocked by the death that see it coming and be shocked by the manner of death.
Jessica wrote: "Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I hate foreshadowing, and King does a fair amount of it in the book."******************
I think King LOVES to foreshadow. I've noticed a lot in his previous books, as well...."
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My guess it is it gives a build-up. Your holding your breath the whole way to see when "it" happens. Sort of like the space mountain roller coaster ride at Disney. You know the big dip is coming, not when.
I'm only up to page 130 or so. So this is not a spoiler. Jessica, you mentioned
I find it interesting that the dome is porous. When Barbie and "Sea Dog" were walking the perimeter and came across the river, Sea Dog noted that a trickle of water was still getting through. When the firemen were on the outside of the dome putting out the flames of the truck on 119, a mist was coming through to the inside of the dome. So we now know the dome is clear, very strong, slightly water-permeable, and is either electrified or gives off an electric-like vibratio
I'm going to guess it is some type of force field. By whom ? Our government or foreign. Maybe alien?
I am going to guess ours. Maybe like that Star Wars shield that Ronald Reagan wanted.
That's my guess.
On page 177So now we find out that, while the dome is somewhat water and air permeable, other particles cannot permeate it. I'm not really familiar with generators, so I'm wondering if they give off any carbon monoxide.
Cpt. Barbara (Barbie) has been given the task to find out who and/or what is generating the "force field" that is surrounding the town. Of all the characters met, who do you think would be responsible? I want to reserve judgement, but Jim Rennie tops my list of "insiders" who could have done it. Otherwise it could be alien (thinking of Tommyknockers now).
And now that Junior Rennie has been deputized, will Barbie be one of the remaining survivors after their skirmish? Will his brain tumor cause him to go completely over the edge?
Just a few thoughts. ;)
Jessica wrote: "On page 177the task to find out who and/or what is generating the "force field" that is surrounding the town. Of all the characters met, who do you think would be responsible? I want to reserve judgement, but Jim Rennie tops my list of "insiders" who could have done it..."
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I don't think he is smart enough. He is just a thug.
Why do you think the marines were told to face away from the people? I don't get that.
As for the carbon monoxide or whatever is released by generators, I think they are not worried as they will soon run out of propane. They seem more concerned with them burning wood.
As for the propane and other city supplies, I think Rennie took the money and didn't buy supplies or sold them. So they are in worse shape than they think.
I should have started from page 1, but I started now to write some of the names down with a description. I just could not keep up as he is throwing out a new character it seems every chapter. Still, I am into the story now.
I don't understand it about the Marines, either. I doubt it could be a government conspiracy, though, because I would think the Marines would have been at (or near) the scene and highly armed as the force field materialized. But to have them there with orders to keep their backs to the town/force field/citizens is very confusing. I'm trying not to get too thrown by all the new characters. When they're introduced I figure they'll either die a really interesting death soon or I'll read about them again down the line. Eventually, the secondary players are weeded out and we end up following the primary players.
I'm getting to dawn of Day 2. I wonder how many people will be going shopping to stock up on food and supplies and what kind of things will happen then. You're probably right about the city supplies and propane. The money Rennie was stealing had to come from somewhere.
Jessica wrote: "On page 177And now that Junior Rennie has been deputized, will Barbie be one of the remaining survivors after their skirmish? Will his brain tumor cause him to go completely over the edge?
Just a few thoughts. ;) ..."
This was a chilling moment for me, when Junior got deputized. I thought "oh no, King just ratcheted things up a notch." You KNOW this is not a good thing for anybody. He is already out of control, and now we are going to give him a gun and a badge?!?!? But of course his dad doesn't know how wrong he has gone, but I don't know that he would care, either... I'd like to think Jim Rennie has a long that he would not cross, but..
Alias Reader wrote: "I should have started from page 1, but I started now to write some of the names down with a description. I just could not keep up as he is throwing out a new character it seems every chapter. Still, I am into the story now...."I always find this helpful, Alias, and did it myself, but like you I didn't start it until a few chapters in. And since I was listening on audio I couldn't go back and add the missing.
Kim ( Kimsrdnbks ) wrote: "Here's a bio list of the characters.http://simon.worldarcstudio.com/WAS/L..."
Boy, I wish I'd thought to search for a list of characters.
I didn't know Romeo was French-Canadian, I thought he was either Cajun or Creole from the south, from the accent of the reader. I should have thought it through, French-Canadian makes more sense in Maine, and King probably even told me outright, LOL. That's what comes from listening, sometimes a details slides by if you're distraced or think about something else.
Ha... I'm both reading and listening too and I didn't pick up Romeo was French canadian.
I haven't got to Romeo yet, but now I'll know he's French-Canadian! ;)
On page 216Ok, now I know who Romeo is. :)
At the clinic, Rusty was told that most of the propane tanks were gone, then that someone had taken the fertilizer, too. It's the fertilizer that throws up red flags for me, because it can be used to make very powerful bombs. Anyone else think this could be the case?
Thanks so much for the character list, Kim. That will be a big help.I am up to page, 249, almost ready to start the chapter titled, Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck.
I am curious now about the Halloween thing and going into seizures. Two people have done this now. The little girl and the kid that drove the tractor into the Dome. At first I thought Halloween was going to be someone name that only sounded like Halloween. But with the pumpkin and other details I guess not.
I have no idea how anyone could listen to this story on tape. I would be totally lost. I have issues following simple stories on audio, never mind complex ones like this. My hat off to anyone who can do that.
Jessica, the fertilizer set off an big alarm for me, too. I thought of the fertilizer bombs and Oklahoma City. Though how that fits with The Dome, I don't know. Maybe he is suppying terrorists?
Alias Reader wrote: "Thanks so much for the character list, Kim. That will be a big help.I am up to page, 249, almost ready to start the chapter titled, Nyuck-Nyuck-Nyuck.
I am curious now about the Halloween thing..."
OH, I'm at that part where Rory (the kid who shot the dome) starts talking about Halloween and the Great Pumpkin and I started wondering if there's anything to that, as well. Apparently, the seizures have been happening to the little girl longer if the dog's "Whining Thing" is any indication. But to have both talk about Halloween and the Great Pumpkin has to be some kind of tip-off to what's happening, but I can't even wrap my head around what it might be.
Maybe I just need sleep. Haven't slept all night, so if my post makes no sense that's my excuse. ;)
Glad I posted the character list. I just found it my self not too long ago. I'm on page 769, enjoying all your spoiler comments.
I am up to page 312. This is vintage King. All I can think about when not reading the book is getting back to it. It's addictive, that for sure. :)
Alias Reader wrote: "I am up to page 312. This is vintage King."
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In the Just After Sunset intro, King says Under the Dome was written way back when (I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was in the 70's), but the manuscript had been lost. Then he found it, updated it, and BAM - we have it. :D
Jessica: In the Just After Sunset intro, King says Under the Dome was written way back when (I don't remember exactly what he said, but it was in the 70's), but the manuscript had been lost. Then he found it, updated it, and BAM - we have it. :D------------------
Interesting. I wonder why he didn't think it was worth publishing back than? I know he didn't think Carrie was good and put it in the trash. His wife took it out and the book ignited his career. Maybe it was just an outline. He may do a lot of them.
On page 256A meth factory?? Whoa! WTF?
That is all.
I'm up to page 347. I'll update my status every few days on my GR profile page so you know where I am.Let me know when you get to 347.
Alias Reader wrote: "Interesting. I wonder why he didn't think it was worth publishing back than? I know he didn't think Carrie was good and put it in the trash. His wife took it out and the book ignited his career. Maybe it was just an outline. He may do a lot of them. "****************
I don't think he thought it was unworthy, but I have a feeling he may have had a touch of adult ADD back then. From what I understand, he'd start a story and get sidetracked by another idea, then another, and so on. It's a wonder he was able to get anything put together for publishing. :P
His newest book of short stories, Just After Sunset, contains a LOT of stories that were misplaced, misfiled, thrown away (and saved by someone else), etc. I think we're going to see some more of his old, unpublished works in the future. I look forward to reading all of them. ;)
Jessica wrote: "On page 256A meth factory?? Whoa! WTF?
That is all."
hee-hee-hee-hee.....
Carol, you are enjoying our suspense too much !!! :)LOL
Alias Reader wrote: "Carol, you are enjoying our suspense too much !!! :)LOL"
LOL is right, Alias! This is one of the few times when I'm one step ahead of the BNC faithful, and I'm making the most of it! ;-)
Alias Reader wrote: "I'm up to page 347. I'll update my status every few days on my GR profile page so you know where I am.Let me know when you get to 347. "
On 360 now!
Up up to 529 now. At the halfway point. I'm reading as I watch the Olympics. I forget what I wanted to ask you at the 347 point.lol Everything keeps changing !
I looked back and see that you now know more about The Chef. What is he referring to on page 320 "his atman"?
I think I wanted to say that the dreams the kids are having seem to be of events to come.
Two things bothered me in the story at the half way point. I'll write them down so I can remember when you get to this point.
What do you think at this point?
Alias Reader wrote: "Up up to 529 now. At the halfway point. I'm reading as I watch the Olympics. I forget what I wanted to ask you at the 347 point.lol Everything keeps changing !
I looked back and see that you..."
I think you're addressing Jessica, but I have to pipe in and say that I'm not sure I ever got the connection between the kids' dreams, the seizures, and the outcome. When you all finish let's make sure to have that discussion, maybe someone else is clearer on it.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: " I'm not sure I ever got the connection between the kids' dreams, the seizures, and the outcome. When you all finish let's make sure to have that discussion, maybe someone else is clearer on it."The only part I've got from the seizures/dreams was the "golden baseball" being bad. Of course we know who owns the golden baseball and what he did with it. But who is the great pumpkin? And does something happen on Halloween? This is supposed to take place during the last week of October.
I'm not even at the 400 page mark yet, so I still know nothing. ;)
I'm up to 617. Did you finish it Carol ?
Jessica: The only part I've got from the seizures/dreams was the "golden baseball" being bad. Of course we know who owns the golden baseball and what he did with it. But who is the great pumpkin? And does something happen on Halloween? This is supposed to take place during the last week of October.
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P286 Jan, the kid, says, "He has a golden baseball, Daddy. It's a bad baseball."
We find out later on page 292, that the ball belongs to Rennie, and he kills Coggins with it.
P.341 When they shoot the missile.
"It tore leaves from the trees, even ignited some. It imploded a roadside stand in Tarker's Hollow, sending boards and smashed pumpkins flying into the sky."
Though on 389 another seizure and they say, "Stop Halloween, you have to stop Halloween." "The pink stars are falling. The pink stars are falling in lines. It's so dark, and everything smells bad."
431 We find out what the pink stars are. I won't go into that as you aren't up to that point yet, Jess.
That is what I meant by the seizures foretelling events.
Pumpkins are still mentioned. So there may be more about them.
As to the time of year, it's mentioned about the fall leaves. It's already cold outside the dome, and inside they say it's unseasonably warm. So I am guessing we are coming up on Halloween. What the exact date is I am not sure.
On 467, trying to catch up to you, Alias!I don't remember what page it was on, but it did mention that this was taking place during the last full week of October. So Halloween isn't too far off.
Now slow down so I can catch up! ;)
Jessica: Now slow down so I can catch up! ;) -----------------
:) It's hard to read King slowly. His books are such page turners.
Alias Reader wrote: "I'm up to 617. Did you finish it Carol ?
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Yes, I finished it last month.
We get the date on page 739.It's October 25th.
I'm up to page 800.
Olympics and general malaise slowing down my reading, so I haven't even reached page 800 yet! I'm passed the point where Rusty finds the "generator" by the abandoned barn (which really makes me think of "Tommyknockers" again). Big Jim and Junior have been rushed to the hospital so I'm hoping beyond hope that they'll both succumb to their respective illnesses. I know it won't happen - King never lets us off that easy.Ok, back to reading once I watch what I missed of the Olympics on YouTube (I'm an Olympics junkie, I'll admit it). :D
I finished the book. Don't read this until you are done, Jessica !-
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for the entire book to follow !!
I enjoyed the book. It's a page turner. However, it's not Kings best. The Stand still holds that honor.
I had some issues with the characters. They weren't well developed and at time were caricatures. They also weren't too bright. Take Brenda Perkins. The top cops wife. She just walks over to Rennie's after Barbie had said don't go alone. What was confronting him at that point going to accomplish?
I liked the way he started page 800. It seemed as if King took us, the reader, by the hand and let us travel along with him. Now that I am done, I wonder if that is supposed to be the alien kids?
P 830. The suicide in the hot tub. It didn't make sense after only a few days.
There were a too few many easy coincidences. The dog hear voices and brings the Vader envelope out. The ending, seemed too easy after 1000 pages.
All in all, I enjoyed the read. I'll give it a 4 stars -for its genre- because it was a page turner.
I finally finished the book! I got really sick and was unable to lift it, so it sad unread for a few days. But today I was determined to finish it and I did! :DAlias, I didn't like the ending, either. I kind of figured it was going to be alien-related, and got the gist of what was going on after they started talking about the ants. I also figured either there would be some sort of communication or the Dome would have lifted only after everybody died. It was the very last part I couldn't stand - the mushy "go and live your little life" part. Way too cheesy.
I gave the book five stars because I thought it was classic King and I LOVED the story lines! I kept hoping that Big Jim would have died early on in the book, but then the story would have progressed onto a different path. I wish Junior had been exposed for what he did, too. He got off way too easy. As for the other characters, I think there was a lot of the "small town" mentality. Brenda Perkins was just too trusting, thinking that Big Jim wouldn't do anything if she confronted him alone. As for the suicides after only a few days under the dome - I felt it was just panic leading to despair. After the initial deaths, the "food riot", the new officers running amok, along with everything else - to the townies it was just a desperate situation with no end in sight. That's how I saw it anyway.
Entire book Spoiler to followHi Jess. Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. Glad you are better.
I forget her name, but the girl who was with the older man who was helping the orphan kids, I was very surprised when she died. And the little boy, too. I was not expecting that.
It was a fun page turner read. I gave it 4 stars for its genre.
I use to think that King got paid for every word. I did enjoy this book and thought in it he had recaptured a bit of what he once had. I also read his Duma Key and was happy to see the King is back in form.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Just After Sunset (other topics)Just After Sunset (other topics)
The Stand (other topics)
Under the Dome (other topics)
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