Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King (1999, Hardcover)

This book grabbed me right from the beginning and I won't bother to read a book unless it catches me right from the start. I won't waste time reading anything that is predictable or fits into a category of other books. If I can tell how the story is going to go right from the start then it's a waste of time. You never really figure out what is going on here. I still don't understand why he put the whole section in about cars that were alive and had tenticles. It seems that didn't relate to the story at all. Like it was another story and author all together but then it goes on from there and gets back to the reality of the story. I don't know if you had to grow up in the 60's to relate or not but it took me back to a time I had forgotten a lot about. Beacause I wanted to forget. And now I wonder why did I want to forget? I cried in some parts and laughed out loud in a lot of others. I will read this book again and probably again.
I had a friend who came back from nam without his right arm and leg and eye. He kept his sense of humor though and even went horse back riding with his wife and I. But he over dosed and died within the first year home. Another friend hit the ground every time he heard a loud noise. I could relate to so much in this book and remember the way people thought and the whole atmosphere. The riots and the anger. The hippies sleeping in ditches trying to get to canada so they didnt get drafted. And Steven King brings that whole era and feeling back in a few pages. The Bob Dylan lyrics and the song titles and just the whole feeling. I recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 60's and even if you didn't I bet you would enjoy the story and maybe be able to understand why our generation is the way it is. You will never look at a "missing pet" poster the same again. And before you read this book you really should read "Lord of the Flies" first.
The book keeps you guessing and wondering what is going on and what is coming next and what does it all mean? Steven King might be a genius. At the very least he is a master magician. The book has a lot of real magic. REAL MAGIC. I was sad when I got to the last page. It is an adventure. You will enjoy every minute. I still have questions and so I know I'll read it again. I'm still going "Wait a minute...what about....?" And now I have to read it again.

This Stephen King story became a movie in 2001, starring Anthony Hopkins, David Morse, and a host of great supporting actors, including some wonderful "newcomer" child actors. The book is actually a collection of several stories - Hearts in Atlantis being the first and best. The story reflects a side of King's writing I enjoy most. It is closer in genre to Stand by Me or The Green Mile, than to his more popular horror novels such as The Shining or Carrie. There is always a touch of the unreal - a bit of magic possible only because of shared experience - present in King's most believable narratives. Hearts in Atlantis will appeal to baby boomers who will recall their own strange and wonderful childhoods in the 1950's or 60's (an era very unlike any before or since), by way of King's masterful storytelling. I found myself longing for more when I read the story, like waking from a dream too soon. If you like Stephen King's non-horror stories, you will enjoy this unique tale.

I originally read this story in one of King's book of shorts, and it was like (as usual) going to another world. This story is connected to King's Dark Tower Series, and for DT fans, it won't disappoint. Told from a boy's point of view, the story tells of a summer that changed everything, all innocence lost. I HIGHLY recommend reading this book-- I ordered it on ebay simply to have it on my bookshelf with the rest of King's gems. I guess I'm biased, I'll read anything that man writes down, but his is a gift that keeps on giving.

Excellent book. Stephen King is one of the most talented writers I've ever seen. The way he always talk about unnatural things in his books, it's what fascinates me the most. And on this book specially, the story is beautiful. A true story about friendship, and all the family issues that a kid shouldn't pass through childhood.

One of Stephen King's best - you HAVE to read it! It's a real page-turner, typical awesome writing from this world-renowned author.