Under the Dome

Summary:

On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester's Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener's hand is severed as "the dome" comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when -- or if -- it will go away. Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens -- town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician's assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing -- even murder -- to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn't just short. It's running out.

Staff Review:

On a seemingly normal fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible and completely impenetrable force field. Immediately, the casualties begin to mount as an airplane crashes into the barrier followed by a number of cars and unsuspecting animals. While scientists and the military scramble to find a way to break through the dome, those trapped inside attempt to adjust to their new reality. And as many of us know, when Stephen King is at the helm it is only a matter of time before reality turns dark and sinister. The real horror of the book is not the dome itself, but the gradual disintegration of the town and the people within as they struggle to survive. In this book, the people are the true monsters

Weighing in at 1072 pages, this is one massive book! Having been disappointed with some of King’s most recent novels, I entered into Under the Dome with a bit of trepidation. However, I soon found myself thoroughly engulfed in the story and devoured it in due time! I risked carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands and wrists while I struggled to hold up the bulky 4 pound book! Indeed, I risked my very sanity as I read into the wee hours of the morning with two opposing thoughts going through my head. One being “Dear God, I don’t know if I can bear to find out what happens!” The other being “Dear God, I’ve got to find out what happens!”   In turns both frightening and grim, Under the Dome is not for everyone. However, I venture to guess that those who consider themselves “constant readers” of Stephen King will not be disappointed!

-- by Amy W.