So here we are, the end of the road for us Constant Readers and the ever changing and adaptable Gwendy Peterson. It seems like so much time has passed since Richard Chizmar was gifted with the honor almost no other authors have been given. The chance not only to co-author a book with the great Stephen King but also the opportunity to craft an official story in King's universe.

 
At the time Gwendy's Button Box was released, were I to go back and visit myself, I don't think even I could have guessed where the eventual trilogy would go. What was initially taken for a one-off, standalone book quickly became a whole universe unto itself. Hints and suggestions dropped throughout the first two books have come fully around here in this final installment and while the greedy side of me still would have loved more, this book still does a great job at tickling the fancy of a ton of King fans. I feel like of all the books that have come from the Chizmar - King partnership, this is the one that truly serves as a love letter to both the Stephen King universe and to the fans as well. 

So I wanted to get started with something a little different. Because my general approach to these reviews is to avoid spoilers as much as possible. But in this case, there are aspects of the book that I really want to deal with so I'm going to do it this way. If you know what I'm talking about and you wish to go farther, click here for the portion of the review that deals with this issue, specifically. Or, if you'd prefer to preserve your reading experience, simply keep going. This review will still be here when you finish the book so you can always feel free to double on back for the full version.

Over the years, I have seen many a fan proclaim after the release of a new novel that King has "returned to form" or that the new book reads like "Stephen King of old". I saw comments along these lines for pretty much the last three or four books he has released and while I have liked the offerings in his current bibliography, reading Gwendy's Final Task is the first time I, myself, have felt that reaction. Not in the writing style necessarily but in how so much of King's other works are placed onto the table. Seeing all the Easter eggs contained within this book, it made me feel like I was reading one of his novels from the eighties. Not because of the subject matter or genre treatment but in the way that it openly referenced set pieces and characters from other books. This book wouldn't be caratogrized as horror but it is the most closely aligned to his books from that era than I have seen since maybe 11/22/63.

As a quick side note, speaking just for myself, I feel like we have kind of driven the dead horse into the ground, set it on fire and ran over it a hundred times with the whole, "When is Stephen King going to write horror again?" I get it. You prefer his older books and I'm not going to quibble with that. But the whole genre discussion always feels a little counter-productive for me because it's so subjective and personal. I've never bothered wasting brain cells about what "genre" King is writing in. I just enjoy his books, regardless of the clothes it happens to be wearing.

Okay, the soap box is back in the closet, where it belongs.

If there was one aspect of King's earlier books that I found particularly constant, it was how well the stories refer to each other and Castle Rock stories were a big part of that. You couldn't get through some of those early books without having a reference to Cujo dropped in, or to the Royal River or a particular character. And the Gwendy trilogy at times feels like it would be right at home alongside those classic books. It makes me believe that Chizmar being such a huge fan is a part of how the stories shook out that way and you can sense the love and care with which these books were crafted out. If I was set loose into the King universe and given the chance to collaborate with the man, himself, I would probably feel the tidal pull to play with as many toys as possible. 

But beyond the typical brand of King multi-verse, I have also been impressed with how quickly I felt connected with Gwendy as a character. These books aren't long. If you combined all of them, you would have the rough length of one classic era Stephen King novel and the story takes great leaps across chasms of time in Gwendy's life. Executing these stories the way they are easily could have ended up being a mess and fallen flat in the process. Still, I feel like we, as the audience, have a special bond with this character and it was impressive how sympathetic Chizmar and King were able to make her. This trilogy spans an entire lifetime and we get to be privy to some of the most important parts and people of that life.

If I were to describe the trilogy in an extended elevator pitch you might wonder at how so much of a person's life could be covered in so few pages and yet feel so complete of an exploration. Still, these books manage to do exactly that. We see Gwendy growing from a child, into a young woman, a confident and accomplished adult and on into her golden years. And all throughout we have this great feeling of familiarity and closeness with her as we move alongside her through her journey. The tapestry of the world she lives in is nostalgic and reading her stories feels like an old friend coming home to visit.

And somehow her story manages to feel personal and epic all at the same time. And in the surreal realism of this magical universe, the outlandish and impossible situations she finds herself in manages to feel completely credible and believable. And it all manages to land on a space that I think most authors of a trilogy want to end up in.

Of course this is where it was all leading.

Speaking more specifically to the story in this book, when I first read the description I was a little skeptical. I mean...really? She's going into outer space?

Really? 

Still, the story is executed in a way that demonstrated the high level of craft and artistry of its authors. It's a story that in lesser hands easily could have come off as cheesy and I think this book is about as far from that as you can get. I found the level of technical detail was just right to make the story feel legitimate without going over the top with it. 

The narrative takes place partially in the past and the thread of the book nicely weaves from one to the other, building tension and suspense in both and keeping you gripping the sides of the book as you do so. I have commented on the other two books in terms of how they are incredibly readable in the sense that you constantly feel like you are being propelled into the next chapter and I felt this here as well. The story of Gwendy and her final mission with the button box as well as the mystery surrounding a tragedy in her life was incredibly compelling and all I wanted to do was scream, "Give me more!" There were so many intriguing moments, often relating to plot lines outside of this book, I don't know if I could fairly unpack all of them but safe to say, I read this book with a comfortable grin on my face for most of the way.

And I will say that for some readers who aren't as familiar with Stephen King, this book is likely going to leave a lot of them scratching their head a little. It does require you to know the parameters of the pool you are swimming in somewhat and it definitely rewards the readers who have been engaging in King's books more actively over the years. So, if there is any failing of the book, I guess this is it but honestly, considering how much we live in a culture of rebooting and retconning, I don't have a problem with, every now and then, seeing a product that is geared more towards the pre-existing fans instead of perpetually making something accessible to the new fans.

There is also a fantastic aspect to the book that takes us from one familiar locale to another, questing from the streets of Castle Rock and into the eerie darkness of Derry. I've always kind of seen these as the Metropolis and Gotham of the King universe and I thought it was an entertaining twist to show a kind of rivalry between the two towns, particularly between law enforcement officers. If anything, I kind of wish the book had spent more time on this aspect of the story. It lends a great and menacing atmosphere to events, but I also think it could have benefited from being extended out a little more into the narrative. Still, once again, for fans of Stephen King who saw their passion born from these classic books, you will find plenty to warm your heart in the pages of this one.

To sum things up... 

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is it really not clear?

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I'd definitely recommend this book. It's a fun conclusion to a trilogy that I have found entertaining the entire way through. Richard Chizmar is clearly a fan and he has treated King's universe with the respect and reverence it deserves. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous at the opportunity he has gotten with these books but I'm also very happy for him at the same time. These books have been a great accomplishment for him as well as a nice addition to Stephen King's bibliography. 

And in the meantime, we only have a few months more before we get to have yet another book, a fairy tale if you will, from one of our favorite authors. Until then...

My name is Chad Clark and I am proud to be a Constant Reader.

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