Reader 19: A Short Review Of MILE 81

Mile 81 hits a home run

King has done it again with his latest short story Mile 81. The story revolves around an almost 11 yr old boy (no new territory here), Pete, who longs to be accepted by his older brother. Set once again in Maine, it takes place almost entirely at the abandoned Mile 81 rest area. I am not sure what King’s latest fascination with rest areas is, but his previous story Henry Woulk is Still Alive also takes place in a rest stop, yet it is not abandoned.

The rest area is vividly described in great detail and you really feel like you are walking around with Pete, knowing, as the reader however, that his little curious jaunt into the deserted Burger King will become much more than he had planned when he went out that day, and yet, a day he will never forget. But when his story of what happened to those 4 adults that day is finally told, who will belieive him but his brother and best friend.

I think it is amazing that King knows a child’s mind and speech so well. Again, like so many of his stories, the protagonist is a boy. If you are an adult in this story, you better watch your step, you might as well consider yourself a security guard dressed in red beaming down with captain Kirk.

King uses a lot of foreshadowing in this story–I think so that as the reader you don’t get attached to the adults. A insurance salesman, a lesbian ranch owner, and a young married couple with kids all fall vicitm to King’s latest monster, a muddy driverless station wagon. Once again, it’s the kids who are the heroes in the story.

A quick read–read all but a couple of pages in one sitting. Liked having it on my kindle.

Oh yeah–and it cam with a e book preview of 11/22/63.

So next time you see a muddy stationwagon–watch out! You never know what may happen.