# Stephen King's new book "Under The Dome" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013 "2009-11-10T05:29:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/1 "2009-11-10T05:29:47Z")
Anyone bought it yet? Read it? Have any strong opinions on it? After I finish the Thrawn Trilogy and the Book of Basketball I’ll be looking for a new book and it’s been a year or so since I read any King. I haven’t really heard anything about the book yet and it’s a little unusual for a King book to fly under the radar like this one has seemed to. [Obligatory Amazon Link](http://www.amazon.com/Under-Dome-Novel-Stephen-King/dp/1439148503/ref=pd_ts_zgc_b_books_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&pf_rd_p=496330971&pf_rd_s=right-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1QMNMGX5H2XJ3M95A3ED) Let’s keep the spoilers to a bare minimum and boxed for a while since the vast minority of people will have not read the book since it’s brand new. PS - Just realized I misspelled Stephen…grr, can a mod help me out here? ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/2 "2009-11-10T10:39:41Z")
I’m picking it up today and getting right into it. I’m hearing it’s going to be another more epic work like “It” or “The Stand” so I’m really kinda excited about it. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/3 "2009-11-10T13:13:34Z")
Mine’s on its way from Amazon. Should be here any day, but I haven’t read any reviews, so I’m going in blind. I usually do anyway, though. Looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/4 "2009-11-10T13:35:06Z")
I have to go to Wal Mart today to return something anyway. If I see it there, my hubby’s buying it for me for my birthday. He just won’t know it until I put the damn book down and take the time to call and _tell_ him he bought it for me! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/5 "2009-11-10T16:09:56Z")
I read the NY Times review. I can’t tell if the reviewer liked the book or not. Other reviews from fans who had ARCs have been positive but without any detail, since the book isn’t out yet. I’ve never met a King novel that I didn’t like, at least while I was reading it. Sometimes after finishing I’m scratching my head and nitpicking, but I always enjoy the ride. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/6 "2009-11-10T17:05:33Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Mine’s on its way from Amazon. I got the “Your order has shipped” e-mail last night. I’m guessing it will be here Thursday. (Tomorrow is Remembrance Day.) I haven’t read any reviews, either. I hope it’s okay. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/7 "2009-11-10T17:22:37Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I read the NY Times review. I can’t tell if the reviewer liked the book or not. I read that review, too. That guy needs to have a restraining order against him saying that he can not come within fifty yards of a thesaurus. For those of you who haven’t read the review, here’s the opening sentence: > [@NY Times book review](#): > > Now that the town halls have blazed with vituperation, and fantastical patriots are girding themselves for fascist/socialist lockdown, Americans of a certain vintage must be feeling a familiar circumambient thrill. I have an unquenchable urge to beat the reviewer senseless with a copy of _The Elements of Style_. As to King’s book, I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t been a huge fan with most of his more recent stuff, but this one seems to be more “epic” in that it has a large cast of characters and many story arcs. He’s very good at that. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/8 "2009-11-10T18:24:38Z")
Holy crow, that sounds good. I hadn’t even heard it was coming out. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/9 "2009-11-10T18:35:29Z")
Thanks for this thread! I went to the bookstore at the mall at lunch, and read the first few pages. It grabs you by the hand and snatches you! It’s gonna be good. I wish I wasn’t back at work. I didn’t dare bring it in with me - I’d be too tempted to read… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/10 "2009-11-10T20:13:57Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > I got the “Your order has shipped” e-mail last night. I’m guessing it will be here Thursday. (Tomorrow is Remembrance Day.) > > I haven’t read any reviews, either. I hope it’s okay. I’m kicking myself today. I bought the book at Amazon in July with the intent of having it in my hot little hands on the very day it came out, and somehow mucked matters up so that I won’t have it till next week! You’ll all be done talking about it when I get back. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/11 "2009-11-10T20:19:19Z")
They had a multi-page excerpt printed in _Entertainment Weekly_ a couple issues ago. Just a modest taste, but enough to whet my appetite. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/12 "2009-11-10T22:14:35Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > **Stephen King’s new book “Under The Dome”** Two Men Enter! One Thing Leaves! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/13 "2009-11-10T22:58:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Two Men Enter! One Thing Leaves! Yep. That sounds like the King I know and love! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/14 "2009-11-10T23:08:34Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > I read that review, too. That guy needs to have a restraining order against him saying that he can not come within fifty yards of a thesaurus. For those of you who haven’t read the review, here’s the opening sentence: > I have an unquenchable urge to beat the reviewer senseless with a copy of _The Elements of Style_. > > As to King’s book, I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t been a huge fan with most of his more recent stuff, but this one seems to be more “epic” in that it has a large cast of characters and many story arcs. He’s very good at that. Holy crap. That is the worst review I have ever read. Slee ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/15 "2009-11-10T23:42:30Z")
I’m a member of the Stephen King Library, so they’ll be shipping me the book in the next few weeks or so. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/16 "2009-11-11T00:51:25Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > . . .I have an unquenchable urge to beat the reviewer senseless with a copy of _The Elements of Style_. . . “Circumambient?” Let me find a Webster’s Unabridged and I’ll join you. We’ll surround him. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/17 "2009-11-11T01:47:41Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > “Circumambient?” Let me find a Webster’s Unabridged and I’ll join you. We’ll surround him. Bring the hardback. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/18 "2009-11-11T04:37:39Z")
I realized I never posted a link to that review. [Here it is](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/books/review/JParker-t.html). Great googly moogly, that’s bad writing. If you can get through all the purple prose, it does give you a synopsis of what the book is about. But the NY Times book review is allmost an artwork in itself. James Parker has written something so bad that it should be taught. > [@NY Times review](#): > > With “Under the Dome” we swoop up again to the God’s-eye view, or to the view of some equally altitudinous but less merciful entity “altitudinous”? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/19 "2009-11-11T13:51:47Z")
> [@A Monkey With a Gun](#): > > I realized I never posted a link to that review. [Here it is](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/books/review/JParker-t.html). Great googly moogly, that’s bad writing. If you can get through all the purple prose, it does give you a synopsis of what the book is about. > > But the NY Times book review is allmost an artwork in itself. James Parker has written something so bad that it should be taught. > > “altitudinous”? Gaaacckkk! That guy should be forced to live in the backwater, red-neck part of WV I live in, where, before his sentence is up, some Good Ol’ Boy will shoot him dead for the monster he surely is, underneath his “human” suit. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013/20 "2009-11-11T22:45:46Z")
I’m about 100 pages in. It starts with a bang, or rather a crash and pulls you right into the story. It’s a HUGE, sprawling epic novel and he’s taking his time building up the characters, which is great. I’m loving it so far. It’s easier to get into than Duma Key was but it’s definitely not the same sort of story. It’s much more like “The Stand”. Only complaint so far–it’s so big and bulky that it’s making my wrists hurt when I hold it up while reading in bed. :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-new-book-under-the-dome/517013.md?page=2)