Innocence and beauty ignite with evil and terror as a young girl exhibits signs of a wild and horrifying force.
Firestarter
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"In a special and startling way, King has created a small American gem of a story." —Chicago Tribune
"You'll be bewitched by King's ingenious insights into human behavior, unique characterizations and novel dialogue." —Columbus Dispatch
"Stephen King is superb." —Time
"You'll be bewitched by King's ingenious insights into human behavior, unique characterizations and novel dialogue." —Columbus Dispatch
"Stephen King is superb." —Time
About the Author
Stephen King, the world's bestselling novelist, was educated at the University of Maine at Orono. He lives with his wife, the novelist Tabitha King, and their children in Bangor, Maine.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Will Culp
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Firestarter(1980). A Novel By Horror Author Stephen King.
With Stephen King's first novel, 'Carrie', he carefully explored the phenomenon of supernatural and psychic abilities that are inside of us all, just waiting to be tapped. With 'Firestarter', King attempts yet again to write a novel all about psychic abilities, or, in this case, pyrokenesis. While the novel revolves around pyrokenesis, it also describes the secrecy and greed of the government, and how they manipulate their citizens to satisfy their own needs. After the release of 'Cujo' and 'The Stand', two of King's most acclaimed novels, people could only wait for 'Firestarter', which became a huge hit like its predecessors. So, was I impressed with 'Firestarter', or just dissapointed? Read on to find out!
Plot-
Charlie McGee, an innocent little 7 year old, has a terrible secret. In the flick of an eye, she can start fires, and she is oftentimes unable to stop them. Because of Charlie's inhuman abilities, The Shop(an elite branch of the CIA), constantly pursues Charlie and her father Andy to be able to study Charlie for militairy use. As Charlie and Andy travel all over the eastern coast, from New York to Maine, The Shop is always one step behind, giving meaning to the phrase, "you can run, but you can't hide." Although they may be at a disadvantage, Charlie and Andy are constantly trying to find a way to tell the world their sad story, and end the persecution of themselves. Can they do it? You'll have to find out...
Writing/Opinions/Etc.-
While I've been reading Dean Koontz lately, I've never picked up and read 'Firestarter', supposedly one of Stephen King's strongest novels. I decided to read it, and I'm glad I did. While this book may be typically overlooked by novels like 'Cujo' and 'IT', it's no less riveting and thoughtful, able to capture your imagination and keep it. King writes about government conspiracies and psychic abilities, and makes his fictional accounts seem breathtakingly real, as if this may be happening right around you. King has always seemed to be a better author in the late 70's and early 80's, as his novels are better-written, and, often better plotted, and 'Firestarter' is no less different. As I read the book, the pages seemed to be on fire(couldn't help it!), but I was delighted to see the pure emotion and care King put into 'Firestarter'. While it was never a pivotal or famous book in his catalogue, 'Firestarter' is a King novel no fan should pass up.
Overall, 'Firestarter' is a spooky thriller that scares you with the possibilities of a corrupt government and supernatural abilities, while keeping you glued to the novel until it's fiery finale. Definitely a book for any King fan, 'Firestarter' is sure to please almost any reader with an eye for suspense and who likes to have a few sleepless nights.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF SUSPENSE AND STEPHEN KING! SOME PEOPLE OVERLOOK IT, BUT THOSE THAT HAVE ANY SENSE DON'T... BUY IT!
Also Recommended-
Cujo- Stephen King
Lost Boy, Lost Girl- Peter Straub
Watchers- Dean Koontz
Thanks For Reading!
With Stephen King's first novel, 'Carrie', he carefully explored the phenomenon of supernatural and psychic abilities that are inside of us all, just waiting to be tapped. With 'Firestarter', King attempts yet again to write a novel all about psychic abilities, or, in this case, pyrokenesis. While the novel revolves around pyrokenesis, it also describes the secrecy and greed of the government, and how they manipulate their citizens to satisfy their own needs. After the release of 'Cujo' and 'The Stand', two of King's most acclaimed novels, people could only wait for 'Firestarter', which became a huge hit like its predecessors. So, was I impressed with 'Firestarter', or just dissapointed? Read on to find out!
Plot-
Charlie McGee, an innocent little 7 year old, has a terrible secret. In the flick of an eye, she can start fires, and she is oftentimes unable to stop them. Because of Charlie's inhuman abilities, The Shop(an elite branch of the CIA), constantly pursues Charlie and her father Andy to be able to study Charlie for militairy use. As Charlie and Andy travel all over the eastern coast, from New York to Maine, The Shop is always one step behind, giving meaning to the phrase, "you can run, but you can't hide." Although they may be at a disadvantage, Charlie and Andy are constantly trying to find a way to tell the world their sad story, and end the persecution of themselves. Can they do it? You'll have to find out...
Writing/Opinions/Etc.-
While I've been reading Dean Koontz lately, I've never picked up and read 'Firestarter', supposedly one of Stephen King's strongest novels. I decided to read it, and I'm glad I did. While this book may be typically overlooked by novels like 'Cujo' and 'IT', it's no less riveting and thoughtful, able to capture your imagination and keep it. King writes about government conspiracies and psychic abilities, and makes his fictional accounts seem breathtakingly real, as if this may be happening right around you. King has always seemed to be a better author in the late 70's and early 80's, as his novels are better-written, and, often better plotted, and 'Firestarter' is no less different. As I read the book, the pages seemed to be on fire(couldn't help it!), but I was delighted to see the pure emotion and care King put into 'Firestarter'. While it was never a pivotal or famous book in his catalogue, 'Firestarter' is a King novel no fan should pass up.
Overall, 'Firestarter' is a spooky thriller that scares you with the possibilities of a corrupt government and supernatural abilities, while keeping you glued to the novel until it's fiery finale. Definitely a book for any King fan, 'Firestarter' is sure to please almost any reader with an eye for suspense and who likes to have a few sleepless nights.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF SUSPENSE AND STEPHEN KING! SOME PEOPLE OVERLOOK IT, BUT THOSE THAT HAVE ANY SENSE DON'T... BUY IT!
Also Recommended-
Cujo- Stephen King
Lost Boy, Lost Girl- Peter Straub
Watchers- Dean Koontz
Thanks For Reading!
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Sinister
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Having read every Stephen King novel at least once, I can say without a trace of guilt that Firestarter is one of his finer moments. Pure story. This is King at the height of his powers. Straight forward and ass-kickingly killer. Meet Charlie, she's a little girl that can set fires with her mind. Her father has a small gift called The Push which nearly kills him whenever he uses it too hard. The Shop (King's version of the All-encompassingly-evil secret government agency) is trying to get ahold of the little girl because this ability she has of making fires seems like a good tool in the art of modern warfare. Well...they kill off mommy ... and the race is on. Daddy and Charlie are on the run with nowhere to go and no one they can trust. King kicks out all the stops on this one. Great storytelling. One of his very best. I've reread this one at least half a dozen times. One of my personal favorites. ranks right up there with It, The Shining & 'Salem's Lot. This is King in top form.
Dig it!
Dig it!
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Being far too impatient to wait quietly for Stephen King to write a new book, I've recently taken to collecting some of his older novels to read in the meantime. "Firestarter" is one of King's earlier works, but it shows none of the amateur qualities that often afflict the early novels of some writers.
The book tells the story of Charlie, an 8 year old girl who possesses the power of pyrokinesis, a result of experiments her parents took part in during their college years. This ability makes a sinister government outfit known only as "The Shop" particularly keen to get their hands on her, and they don't care how they go about it.
The book opens with Charlie and her father on the run from Shop agents through the streets of Manhattan. Through their desperate attempts to escape, we begin to see more of the mysterious powers Charlie and her father possess, right up to their inevitable capture. However, where the book really starts to bite is in the Shop's Virginia compound, where a disillusioned hitman starts to think that perhaps Charlie can teach him more about death than any of the hundreds of people he has dispatched during his "career".
Firestarter is a genuinely riveting book, one that will have you cheering out loud for Charlie and her dad, Andy, and that will have you fuming at the insensitivity, inhumanity and cynicism of the bureaucrats that run any federal government.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite a dud but far from the firecracker I had hoped for
Although it was fun while it lasted I thought the novel was like the big firework with a long fuse that you save until last. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Mark Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cheese
Yuri thy t. Hello but th u gd and dragons the new dining room for hitting a new york Times reported in the new dining tables and
Published 19 days ago by Jacob Marks
1.0 out of 5 stars
Love the book, hate the kindle product
Amazon should be embarrassed and ashamed to sell this at $7.99. I've read reviews that have complained about lack of proof reading in other books and have run across it myself. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brent E. Townsend
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid read
Picked up this book and read the whole thing in one sitting! Gripping story that just makes you wants to get to the resolution. Highly recommended for anyone.
Published 2 months ago by Rene Molina
4.0 out of 5 stars
good sci-fi
this good was a good sci-fi book, but has little horror in it so if you a Stephen king fan like me read it. but if u like horror books might not be your cup of tea
Published 3 months ago by kacy
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great read for conspiracy theorists.
Like The Stand, Firestarter is a great read for conspiracy theorists suspicious of U.S. government agency activities. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mark Long
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic I missed the first time
I just read Firestarter for the first time. I've read just about everything from King, but somehow had missed this one. I'm glad I ordered up the Kindle edition - it was terrific. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Groovymarlin
4.0 out of 5 stars
firestarter review
This book is about a runaway father and daughter who have very strong abilities. Charlie can start fires with her mind, and Andy (father) can "push" people, or make him do what he... Read more
Published 5 months ago by deeno
3.0 out of 5 stars
Re-Read was Just OK
Reason for Reading: I am re/reading King's works in chronological order. This was the next one in line. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nicola Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of his Best
One of King's best in my opinion.Charlie A seven year old with fearful powers is just so sweet. She is one of my favorite characters in King's very long list. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anne
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