For book five of 2024, I read Stephen King’s ‘Fairy Tale’.

My wife bought me this for Christmas, and I’ve been making my way through it at an unhurried pace. I’ve been enjoying the ride, soaking in the magic. But, having had nasal surgery last week (it all went fine), I’ve had a lot of time on my hands. Thus, I’ve ploughed through the remaining pages of ‘Fairy Tale’. Alas, my time in Empis has come to an end.

The novel follows Charlie Reade, a high school kid who rescues an injured older man. The old man is grumpy and reclusive, but he has a great dog and a secret that leads to another world.

All I can say is: goddamnit, Steve. Seventy-six years young and still knocking out classics with the ease of a man a third of his age. To call it action-packed is an understatement. In less experienced hands, ‘Fairy Tale’ would have been a trilogy. But for Mr King, it’s another day at the office. The book is under 600 pages, but it could have been triple that with all the events crammed between the covers. There is so much life in this book that it’s bursting from the pages. I wanted more of the characters – both good and evil. I wanted more of the world of Empis. And, of course, I wanted more of Radar.

I adored this book.

If you like King or fantasy, you will have a good time too.