Joyland

Title: Joyland

Author: Stephen King

Published in: 2013

Date read: 31st December 2020

Score: 5/5

Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Joyland" by Stephen King, published in 2013, is a poignant and atmospheric novel that blends a coming-of-age story with elements of mystery, the supernatural, and a deep sense of nostalgia for a bygone era. It was initially released as a paperback original for the Hard Case Crime series, reflecting its noir-tinged mystery core.

The story is narrated in retrospect by Devin Jones, a college student who, at the age of twenty-one in the summer of 1973, takes a summer job at Joyland, a small, old-fashioned amusement park on the coast of North Carolina. Devin is heartbroken after his first serious girlfriend, Wendy, breaks up with him, and he seeks refuge from his emotional pain in the vibrant, somewhat quirky world of the carnival.

As Devin immerses himself in "carny" life, learning "The Talk" (the slang of amusement park workers) and the routines of operating rides, he forms strong bonds with his fellow summer hires, Tom Kennedy and Erin Cook, and earns the respect of the seasoned, often eccentric, permanent staff. He finds an unexpected solace and even joy in his work, particularly when he dresses up as Howie the Happy Hound, the park's mascot, bringing smiles to children's faces.

However, Joyland holds a dark secret. Years prior, a young woman named Linda Gray was brutally murdered in the park's creepy dark ride, the "Horror House." Her killer was never found, and local legend has it that her ghost still haunts the ride. Tom claims to have seen her apparition, and Devin, intrigued, becomes obsessed with the unsolved murder.

Devin's investigation into Linda Gray's death unfolds gradually throughout his time at the park. With Erin's help, he begins to piece together clues from old newspaper clippings and the whispered rumours of the carny folk. He learns that this might not have been an isolated incident, but part of a pattern involving traveling carnivals.

During his time at Joyland, Devin also develops a profound connection with Annie Ross, a reclusive single mother, and her ten-year-old son, Mike Ross. Mike is confined to a wheelchair, suffering from a terminal illness, but possesses an extraordinary psychic gift, "The Sight." Mike's unique abilities and his bond with Devin play a crucial role in uncovering the truth about Linda Gray's murder and bringing peace to her spirit. Devin also shares a tender, bittersweet relationship with Annie.

As the summer draws to a close and then extends into the autumn off-season, Devin decides to take a year off from college to continue working at Joyland, drawn by the camaraderie and the unfinished mystery. He narrows down the suspects for the "Carny Killer" to someone working within the park.

The climax of the novel sees Devin confronting the true killer, in a tense and dangerous showdown at the park during a storm. The revelation of the killer's identity is surprising, and the confrontation is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

"Joyland" is less about overt horror and more about the melancholy beauty of a specific time and place, the bittersweet nature of first love and loss, the profound impact of unexpected friendships, and the search for meaning in life's transitions. It's a nostalgic and deeply human story about growing up and the magical, yet sometimes dark, allure of the carnival world.

Comments:
Great story, really enjoyed it. I the danger is quick to be identified, but is that the real threat in this book? I loved the character development and how you get emotionally attached no matter how hard you try not to. Good twists - more thriller than horror and an excellent stand-alone read. Enjoy.

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)