Oh, how I loved this story. I can also see why loyal SK readers, who've for years loved his horror and suspenseful stories, might have rejected it. His writing has grown from good to exponentially incredible over the years as he's honed his craft and branched out. And I've only ever read and enjoyed On Writing and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, while not being crazy about Pet Semetary or others I've tried over the years, so this was a good SK venture for readers like me.

This one has everything. I felt like I was accompanying Charlie Reade for the entire journey. I loved the references to things familiar, used alongside to the departure to fairy tale land. I loved the characters. I was particularly fond of Radar, but as a dog mom to two German Shepherds and having lived with and loved one before them for the better part of 12 years, SK's description of Radar, both young and old, hit my heart in so many ways.

I was skeptical of committing to 600 pages on a library loan, but I had the time, so I went for it. And I'm so glad I did.