Insomnia

Title: Insomnia

Author: Stephen King

Published in: 1994

Date read: 15th March 2020

Score: 5/5

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Insomnia" by Stephen King, published in 1994, is a sprawling, complex novel that blends psychological drama with cosmic horror, delving into themes of aging, death, fate, and the hidden layers of reality. It's also notably connected to King's larger Dark Tower multiverse.

The story centres on Ralph Roberts, an elderly, recently widowed retiree living in Derry, Maine (a frequent setting in King's works). Following the death of his beloved wife, Carolyn, Ralph begins to suffer from a severe and persistent case of insomnia. His inability to sleep gradually intensifies, leading him to experience strange visual phenomena: he begins to see auras around people, vibrant colours that indicate their life force, emotional state, and even their impending death.

As his sleeplessness progresses, the veil between reality and another dimension thins for Ralph. He starts to see tiny, bald, robed beings, invisible to others, whom he calls the "little bald doctors." These entities are revealed to be "tiny doctors" or "small surgeons" from a higher plane of existence, representing forces of the universe that manipulate events and lives.

Ralph soon discovers that he is not alone in his affliction and newfound sight. His equally elderly neighbor and reluctant acquaintance, Ed Deepneau, also suffers from insomnia and experiences similar, though more violent and paranoid, visions. Ed, who was once a kind, mild-mannered man, becomes increasingly erratic and fanatical, convinced that certain people in Derry are evil and need to be stopped.

Ralph and Ed's shared experiences, initially antagonistic, lead them to uncover a cosmic battle unfolding beneath the surface of their seemingly mundane town. They realise they are caught in a conflict between two opposing factions of these higher beings, representing "Purpose" (who wish to balance chaos and order) and "Chaos." The auras Ralph sees are connected to this cosmic struggle, revealing people's true alignment or their predetermined role in the coming events.

The focus of this cosmic battle centers on a series of planned assassinations in Derry, particularly targeting a charismatic and popular anti-abortion activist and speaker named Susan Day. Ed Deepneau, manipulated by the forces of Chaos, becomes a pawn in a larger plan to ensure Day's death, believing he is doing God's work.

Ralph, aided by another insomniac, Lois Chasse, must use his new understanding of reality to navigate this dangerous spiritual war. He tries to prevent Ed from carrying out murderous acts and protect those innocents who are marked for death, all while battling his own increasing exhaustion and the disturbing revelations about fate and free will.

The climax involves Ralph's direct intervention in the cosmic conflict, a confrontation with the forces of Chaos, and a desperate attempt to save Susan Day from a horrific bomb plot. Ralph ultimately makes a profound sacrifice, which connects him directly to the fabric of the universe and further cements "Insomnia"'s ties to the wider Dark Tower saga, particularly through the concept of the "Crimson King." The novel is a deeply philosophical and often disturbing exploration of life, death, and the unseen forces that may govern our existence.

Comments:
Another fantastic book, especially if you read his other books. Along with the great story, links to several of King's other works made this even better.

Books that we've read by Stephen King (68):
Carrie (1974), 'Salem's Lot (1975), The Shining (The Shining, #1) (1977), The Stand (1978), Night Shift (1978), The Dead Zone (1979), Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1) (1982), Different Seasons (1982), Christine (1983), Cycle of the Werewolf (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) (1984), Skeleton Crew (1985), It (1986), The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) (1987), The Eyes of the Dragon (1987), The Tommyknockers (1987), Misery (1987), The Dark Half (1989), Four Past Midnight (1990), The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3) (1991), Needful Things (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1992), Gerald's Game (1992), Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993), Insomnia (1994), Rose Madder (1995), The Green Mile (1996), Desperation (1996), Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, #4) (1997), Bag of Bones (1998), The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000), Black House (The Talisman, #2) (2001), Dreamcatcher (2001), Everything's Eventual (2002), From a Buick 8 (2002), Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, #5) (2003), Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, #6) (2004), The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, #7) (2004), The Colorado Kid (2005), Cell (2006), Lisey's Story (2006), Duma Key (2008), Just After Sunset (2008), Under the Dome (2009), 11/22/63 (2011), Full Dark, No Stars (2011), The Wind Through the Keyhole (The Dark Tower, #4.5) (2012), Dr. Sleep (The Shining, #2) (2013), Joyland (2013), Mr. Mercedes (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #1) (2014), Revival (2014), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #2) (2015), End of Watch (Bill Hodges Trilogy, #3) (2016), Elevation (2018), The Outsider (2018), The Institute (2019), If It Bleeds (2020), Billy Summers (2021), Later (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), Holly (2023), You Like It Darker (2024)