Roadwork by Stephen King
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Book Reviews of Roadwork
Book Review: Has Its Ups And Downs
Summary: 3 Stars
"Roadwork", the Stephen King novel written under the pseudonym Richard Bachmann, is the book under the alias that I enjoyed the most. Unfortunately, given the three-star rating, that isn't saying a whole lot.
The book tells the story of Mr. Dawes, a man who seems to have everything going for him, including a loving wife, stable job, and a home within walking distance of work. However, a city road construction project is about to demolish (quite literally) all of that, and the novel details Dawes' "unique" approach to having his life turned upside down.
The first clue that this book is all "Bachman" and very little King is that there is no aspect of the supernatural involved. It is much more of a character study of a guy who must deal with a stressful situation...and doesn't do it very well. Sadly, the book seems to have all the elements of a great character study (interesting backstory, engaging plot, etc.), but never quite gels together all throughout the reading experience. I kept waiting for an interesting revolution or "OMG" moment that never came.
Thus, this is definitely one of the King collection that can easily be skipped. It is probably the most engaging of the Bachman books, but that says more about King's alter-ego than anything else.
Book Review: Hes filled with problems, Roadwork
Summary: 3 Stars
Roadwork by Stephen King. Is a book that will keep you interested and make you want to keep reading to see what happens. The main character, Bart Dawes, narrates the book and is in man difficult situations, which he brought on himself. Dawes is happily married to his wife Mary, who does not work. Bart has a job at the Blue Ribbon, a dry cleaning business. There is one main problem, the road on which Bart and Mary live, and the area where the Blue Ribbon sits, is in the way of the 784 extension highway that is going to be built. The book starts on November 20, exactly two months before Bart and Mary have to be out of their house. The Blue Ribbon was planning on being relocated, but because Bart never signed the papers for the new place in time, everything was dropped and Bart was out of a job. However, that wasn't the only thing Bart forgot to do. He also forgets to find a new house. When Mary finds this out she leaves him. Bart considers suicide because of all his troubles. The house filled with so many memories does not want to be left by Bart. What will Bart do about his house, wife, and job? Will he survive? This book is pretty good because of the way King expresses Bart's feelings, and I recommend it to be read by others.Book Review: Hes filled with problems, Roadwork
Summary: 3 Stars
Roadwork by Stephen King. Is a book that will keep you interested and make you want to keep reading to see what happens. The main character, Bart Dawes, narrates the book and is in man difficult situations, which he brought on himself. Dawes is happily married to his wife Mary, who does not work. Bart has a job at the Blue Ribbon, a dry cleaning business. There is one main problem, the road on which Bart and Mary live, and the area where the Blue Ribbon sits, is in the way of the 784 extension highway that is going to be built. The book starts on November 20, exactly two months before Bart and Mary have to be out of their house. The Blue Ribbon was planning on being relocated, but because Bart never signed the papers for the new place in time, everything was dropped and Bart was out of a job. However, that wasn't the only thing Bart forgot to do. He also forgets to find a new house. When Mary finds this out she leaves him. Bart considers suicide because of all his troubles. The house filled with so many memories does not want to be left by Bart. What will Bart do about his house, wife, and job? Will he survive? This book is pretty good because of the way King expresses Bart's feelings, and I recommend it to be read by others.Book Review: Not King's Best Work
Summary: 3 Stars
I have read several Stephen King books, and I have become very fond of his work. Roadwork is written by King's alternate personality, Richard Bachman. This is the first book that I've read when King is writing as Bachman, and I'm niether impressed nor disappointed. "Roadwork" is about one man's struggle with life. He's broke, falling out of love, and miserable. When he finds out he has to move due to the construction of a highway, he gets...well...pissed off. This is a novel about retribution, and a vindictive middle aged man. It's very non-King, perhaps this is because he was writing as Richard Bachman. The book interested me, because it was one man, planning one act of revenge. It's definitely one of the more intriguing plots I've seen, but it was a little too shallow.Book Review: Don't Worry About The Government
Summary: 3 Stars
Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) tackles the anti-hero with Bart Dawes, who paves a path to self-destruction through a series of deviant actions that - in his mind - may prevent a highway from paving over his home.
The psychology of Dawes is painted by King in rich colors that become more and more smeared as his goal becomes more focused, yet more ridiculously unobtainable.
That Dawes is driving himself down a dead-end road - with the guidance of several others - ultimately makes the mind games quite silly. But the novel keeps a decent pace for 307 pages and is a nice detour from the typical terrain traversed by King.