(1979) The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone is a supernatural thriller novel by Stephen King published in 1979. It concerns Johnny Smith, who is injured in an accident and enters a coma for nearly five years. When he emerges, he can see horrifying secrets but cannot identify all the details in his "dead zone", an area of his brain that suffered permanent damage as the result of his accident. Much of the novel is played out against the historical backdrop of the 1970s. The story might be based on self-proclaimed "psychic" Peter Hurkos, who received a head injury in a fall from a ladder, and afterward claimed to be able to know things about people by touching objects that belonged to them, (psychometry). The Dead Zone was nominated for the Locus Award in 1980.

The Dead Zone is not the most profound book, nor is it based on the most original idea. Stephen King does not have a reputation as a prose stylist. And since this book was published, the psychic with a Cassandra complex has been used almost everywhere.

On the basis of some knowledge of the Shoah, the main character, who can read minds and foresee the future, discovers that a candidate to the Senate will be the President of the US and start the total nuclear holocaust.

The Dead Zone by Stephen King - A #1 national bestseller about a man who wakes up from a five-year coma able to see people’s futures and the terrible fate...

Most people when they think of Stephen King think of evil clowns, killer cars, rabid dogs and manic fans with axes. This one is subtler and less action-packed. Those with the need for blatant explanations and lots of stagey scenes should avoid.

In the past few years, I've developed a new respect for Stephen King and his body of work. When I was a kid I read The Shining and part of It, but soon moved on to other authors. Lately, though, I've found myself on the hunt for King's books wherever I can find them which…

Book Review - Books to Eat - The Dead Zone - Stephen King. We give you good books to read as part of our book lists as well as quality book reviews.

Essays and criticism on Stephen King's The Dead Zone - Critical Essays