Johnny Smith wakes from a five-year coma to discover he has lost his fiancée and his health. In exchange, he possesses a psychic ability triggered by physical touch, allowing him to perceive a person’s past or future through a mental gap he calls the dead zone. After helping local police identify a serial killer in Castle Rock, Johnny encounters Greg Stillson, a rising politician. A shared handshake reveals a vision of Stillson initiating a global nuclear holocaust, forcing Johnny to decide if he should commit murder to prevent a future catastrophe.
This novel serves readers interested in the intersection of extrasensory perception and political ethics. It appeals to those who enjoy character studies focused on the isolation caused by unwanted supernatural gifts. Readers gain a perspective on the moral burden of foresight and the weight of individual responsibility when faced with a predictable tragedy. They walk away with a narrative examination of whether one life can be weighed against millions, framed within a grounded, small-town thriller setting.
Escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1979
- Language
- EN
Quotes by Stephen King
More →Books are a uniquely portable magic.
On Writing
The most important things are the hardest to say, because words diminish them.
The Body
