Revival is a Stephen King book that has its roots in the classic horror tales like those of Mary Shelly and Edgar Allen Poe.
The story spans a period of five years and it follows the exploits of a preacher who feels that he has been let down by God. When Charles Jacobs became the minister at the local church, the local townsfolk adored their new preacher and his pretty wife.
When Jacob's wife is killed in a horrific accident, though, the minister takes to the pulpit to publicly denounce religion and God. The incensed congregation banishes Jacobs from their community, so he starts up a new career as a healer and he travels the country using his knowledge of electricity to cure the sick.
Meanwhile, a young boy from the town named Jamie Morton, whom Jacobs had met while he was the town's preacher, has become a musician and he is moving around the country playing in various different bands and becoming addicted to heroin as he goes.
When the two meet up again, Jacobs uses his secret electricity to cure Jamie of his addiction, but the treatment has some serious side effects. When Jamie investigates the fate of some of the other people Jacobs has cured, he discovers that they too have suffered some terrible side effects from the electricity healing treatment.
In scenes that are definitely reminiscent of Frankenstein movie, Jacobs plans to use his secret electricity for one final experiment on a terminally sick woman. With the help of Jamie, Jacobs brings the woman to his laboratory where he plans to discover the truth of what really lies beyond the grave. The truth that is revealed to him is far more terrifying than even is worst nightmares.
In his book Revival, Stephen King does what he the best at. He draws you into a scenario that seems safe and warm and then he drops you straight into the icy cold waters of the unknown. He raises questions about what faith is, what religion means, and he ponders the big question that we all have of; is there anything there for us at all after death. He also shows us how narrow the gap between normality and horror can really be.
Stephen King's revival was well received by the critics. Comments included those that suggested that King was having the time of his life writing this book, and those that said the book casts a spell that draws you deeper and deeper into the story.
There has been talk of a movie adaptation of Revival being made and a screenplay is said to have already been written by Josh Boone, but there is no firm news yet of the film actually going into production.
Stephen King's Revival is a book that will make you think, just like all good books should. It is a rich tale and, in parts a very intense one. The finale of the story has been called one of the author's best and one of his most frightening. Would you dare to find out what ultimately lies in store when you shuffle off this mortal coil?
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By
Neil Savin
