11.22.63 Journal #7: Obdurate

Obdurate & Stephen King: The Use of the Word “Obdurate” in 11/22/63
with notes from reader 19


Dictionary.com : unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding. stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate sinner.

"Because the past didn’t like to be changed. It was obdurate." -- 11/22/63 (p. 159).

Obdurate–a fascinating word. Not one we hear in everyday conversation.

King plows new ground in 11.22.63 with the concept of time itself being obdurate. 

What if time wasn't a thing, like a block of wood or even a machine -- what if it was alive?  What if time was insulted when people tried to change it?  And, the biggie -- what if it could fight back?  What if the time line itself was able to protect itself against time-travelers. 

Examine this quote, and notice how the past is indeed alive:

"Because the past is sly as well as obdurate. It fights back. And yes, maybe there was an element of greed involved, too."

King also writes,

"The past is obdurate for the same reason a turtle’s shell is obdurate: because the living flesh inside is tender and defenseless." (p. 827)  Time protects the people within its shell.

Sadie picks up on the theme and tries to relate to it but she uses the wrong word–malelevolent--instead of obdurate. She hasn't experienced the obdurates of the past the way Jake has!  It has beat him to a pulp! 

The addition of time having will is something I suspect future writers will pick up on.  Watch out, Captain Kirk, next time you go back in time, it might not just be the Klingon's on your tail!

And then there is the Yellow Card man. . .

Reader 19: A Short Review Of 11.22.63

Dallas in the 1960s

Reader 19 offers this short review of 11.22.63. 
What if you could go back in time and change history? That is the basic premise of 11/22/63. Stephen King’s latest novel has hit a home run, however, about three quarters of the way through we are left wondering where the novel is going. There is a backstory of the “life of “ George Amberson and the changing of the Kennedy assassination and you are often wondering if the two stories will intertwine. But not to worry because of course they did.

Even when it felt like the story was beginning to wander, I was compelled to finish the book–I HAD to know what happened. The main characters had so much depth and emotion. King skillfully draws the reader into the story. He also has the ability to blast us right into the late 50s and early 60s with Jake Epping. It’s a ride worth taking! As a woman in her thirties, I never lived in that era and it was surprising all the things that were so different in society even though it was not all that long ago.

In this book you feel like you know these characters personally and you don’t want the story to end. Even though the reader knows time travel can’t really happen, you are still right there with the characters. As such I often wondered throughout the book why Jake aka “George” does some of the things he does . . . but the end justifies the means once again. Even if he does something I might not have, I read on.

It amazes me how Stephen King can grasp the depth of emotion of the characters in his book–especially with women. He really seems to know a woman’s soul, and how a woman talks and thinks, as seen in this story with Sadie Dunhill.

I found it interesting that King did not feel the need at the beginning of the story to spend pages on time travel and how it is possible and why it works the way it does. He explains enough for us the reader to know and does not explain the why of it at the beginning because he knows that we want to get to the story.

By the way, Dark Tower fans–there is a Dark Tower link in the book but I won’t say where–read it and find it for yourself. It was unexpected and sort of a “ ah ha, of course moment.”

I will not give away any spoilers but suffice it to say there were several surprise twists at the end–and I was not left disappointed. The wandering was actually worth it since it all tied itself up nicely in the end. However, if I had been writing it, I think I would not have ended it in the way King did. King’s alternate version of modern history, is very surprising and well, creative.

King has successfully broken out of the horror genre with this book.

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.

Reader 19: Review of Herman Wouk Is Still Alive

Look what landed in my mailbox today! I think reader 19 has been reading too much Hard Case Crime. Anyway, here's the review -- from whatever smoke filled office this dude typed it up in. Hey, Reader 19 -- get a computer!  

Review: Herman Woulk Is still Alive

by Reader 19


Holy guacamole – I’ll tell you this – Stephen King’s short story gripped me as tight as my great aunt Thelma used to at our annual family reunion. Nearly gave me a bloody nose.


The story centers on two women, Brenda and Jasmine. They're the type you can find at any laundry mat in America. These poor souls have seven children between them and the combined parenting skills of Alvin Marsh from IT.


Brenda is the big winner of the lottery – the good variety of lottery, not the Shirley Jackson kind. It’s not a humongous pay out, though – nothing that will make Trump jealous. Now, our not so big lotto winners head out on a road trip. These are just the kind of people you want to go on a long trip with.


Now, hold on to your britches, the story does have wings! But I'm not going to tell you how it takes flight.  Just know that there's a road trip and there's a couple of old poets . . . and the two come together as nicely as Clark Gable ad Vivian Leigh did in Gone with the Wind.  Glory Hallelujah, sparks will fly!  If you haven't read the government literature about drinking and driving, this little bed time story from Mr. King might do the trick.


Because Stephen King has the power of time travel, he has already told the reader what’s going to happen. Sorta makes you want to flick them on the page as you read – yell: “Don’t go, moron’s!”


So what does any of this have to do with Mr. Herman Woulk? Hey, brother, lose lips sink ships. Do your own reading. This story is more twisted at the end than a six flags roller coaster. Read the story, it’s totally messed up and you’ll probably like it. If you don’t, mail your copy to Herman Woulk – he’s still alive, ya know?

Talk Stephen King acknowledges that this review told you almost nothing. Reader 19 will be banished to the wastelands.

Reader 19: Review THE CRATE

Review by Reader 19 (TSK contributor). There are spoilers ahead. This review is primarily a summery of the story. It is not meant to take the place of ACTUALLY READING King's work. Now the reivew. . .

.

The CrateKing does it again! Even though this is a newly published work, it was written early in his career. But definitely has the classic King style. There is some suspense and some scare and a bit of gore. You know it will be quite a tale when the main character Dex, has a tale to tell and there are two people dead.
,

Oh and he is recounting his tale to his best friend Henry, who has an annoying wife, Wilma, who always tried to control him–this is key to the story at the very beginning even though you don’t know it yet.
,

So here is the premise–the janitor and Dexter Stanley–Dex-- a Zoology professor are at the university during Summer break cleaning and moving things from an old classroom building to new one. The janitor finds a crate under the stairs–this is a returning theme in The Crate "under the stairs." The crate is very old, the date says 1832 on it. They carry this crate to the zoology lab-very heavy close to 200 pounds and it makes an odd sound when its moved.
.

After some discussion, the janitor decides they should open it. The nails are evidence of a very old crate, square type nails, not shiny like they make now. He pulls off the first board–they can’t see inside. It is about halfway open by the time he removes the fourth board off the top–and now our fun begins. If you don’t want to know what happens next then don’t read any more but here part of the story. The janitor’s arm gets pulled inside the crate by something–something very strong with teeth and its begins to tear at his arm. Dex tries to free him but it is useless; the thing has a hold on him and is not letting go until he finishes his meal. The thing comes out of the crate eventually and tears at the janitor’s jugular to finish him off.
,

More excitement and scare round out this brief story of horror. I was truly engaged throughout the whole story. One phrase he likes in this story is"squat and mute"–the character Dex seems to think the phrase sounds creepy. Cool, yes, but I am not sure it’s creepy.
.

I like his descriptions of the moon in this story–just pay attention and you will see thery are very vivid.
.

The wrap up was a surprise to me–but very cleverly done. The plot was never boring and neough gross out for those of you who like gross out. Just don’t forget King always introduces characters for a reason–that’s all I have to say about that.
.

Overall, the story was well done. I liked his use of imagery and his descriptiveness throughout this brief story. There are some truly bloody descriptions after the creature has attacked.
One thing not explained however is the consistency in its description. The first encounter withe the creature it is" dry, brown and scaly" ,like a reptile. Then in the next encounters it is furry and has the head of a lynx has 6 legs and " eyes the color of an owl’s eyes only smaller." I am not sure how it got fur-- maybe it morphs-- I don’t know--but whatever, it is still a good tale.
It is amazing to me how well a guy who can write 1000 page books can also write short stories well. Well told, vivid story Mr. King!