Product Description

Suspected of murdering the crippled widow for whom she worked as a housekeeper and companion, Dolores Claiborne has a story to tell. But it isn't the one the police are expecting to hear. It's a little darker, a little stranger - and a lot more horrifying.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #371195 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback

Amazon.co.uk Review
More of a mystery than a horror novel, Dolores Claiborne contains only the briefest glances at the supernatural. The novel presents Stephen King as a writer experimenting with style and narrative, time and perspective. Fans looking for a skin-crawling, page-turning fright or an undead bloodbath will be disappointed, but a patient reader willing to savour King's leisurely study of character and island life will find many rewards. And all of this is not to say that the book is without suspense.

The story unfolds in one continuous chapter, told in the first person by the cranky, 65-year-old housekeeper, Dolores, who is explaining to police officers and a stenographer how and why she killed her husband, Joe, 30 years ago. At the same time, in her rambling monologue, she insists that she did not kill her longtime employer, Vera Donovan--notwithstanding what the residents of Little Tall Island may be whispering. Joe was a drinker, and, as Dolores gradually argues, he deserved to die for the horrifying crimes he committed against his family. But Vera, despite her cantankerous disposition as a lady governing her decaying estate with her precise rules about even the most mundane household chore ("Six pins! Remember to use six pins! Don't you let the wind blow my good sheets down to the corner of the yard!"), was a good woman--or at least not an evil one. She was the woman who hired the young Dolores and kept her on even after Dolores got pregnant again. Dolores cleaned and cared for her even as the old matron faded into senility.

Dolores Claiborne is a rich novel that recalls the regionalist writing of the turn of the century. It is a fine place for a sceptical newcomer--put off by King's reputation for outright terror--to start. And for fans, it is a book that offers new insights into an author who's an old favourite. --Patrick O'Kelley

Review
'A svelte and compelling masterpiece ! It is not just a powerful book, it is a beautiful book ! Only a novelist of the very first rank could combine comedy and tragedy so judiciously ! It is an exciting change of gear and a very fine book has resulted' -- Sunday Telegraph '! the climax of Dolores's confession ! is one of his most accomplished and macabre set-pieces, a homicidal-rhapsody-in-bluechh ! Its message touches a nerve that has been raw since man first walked on two legs' -- The Sunday Times 'An incredibly gifted writer, whose writing, like Truman Capote's, is so fluid that you often forget that you're reading' -- Guardian

Guardian
‘An incredibly gifted writer, whose writing, like Truman Capote's, is so fluid that you often forget that you're reading'

Customer Reviews

Bravo!
As a King fan of too many years, I have no qualms in saying this is my favourite King book so far. It feels like a long, short-story if you get me. It has more of the feeling of the excellent 'The Body' than of 'The Stand' where the main tale is all, and there are no sub-plots.

It is told in an unusual way that is at first hard to get into. But once you have, you can really feel the character of Delores as the story develops. Her pain and suffering are your pain and suffering. You want her to come out of this well. And does she? Well, read it. You won't be disappointed.

VERY HUMAN. Charming, yet, thrilling
A few more stars are needed to rate this book, five are not enough. This book is one of the most compelling I have read. If you think all King can give you is gruesom and out of this world think again and give it a try. It is a very touching story that dances between abuse, molestation, betrayal, FRIENDSHIP and LOVE. Shows the extremes a mother can go for her children even if they do not know it, it is LOVE what she is giving without expecting anything as reward. Also, it give us the true value of friendship even when it is between to strange humans as are Dolores and Vera. It takes humans to extremes that we all could get too before we realize it. When you think you have figure it all, surprise you have not. It keeps you thinking and wondering for a while after you are done reading. Trully a master piece.

Engrossing from the start...

This novel is fantastic! After over a decade of reading Stephen King in sporadic bursts I finally decided to read the entire back catalogue back-to-back. Delores Claiborne never appealed to me before, as I prefer something with at least a brushing of the supernatural, but I thought I'd read it out of a desire for completeness. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise!

As I'm sure many Stephen King readers are aware, his books can sometimes take a couple of hundred pages to draw you into the story, before getting to 'the meat' of the tale. However, after 3 pages of Delores I couldn't put it down. One of the reasons for this is the fantastic narrative style employed, which introduces the lead character as much by her mannerisms of speech as anything else.