{"id":6900,"date":"2023-09-08T14:54:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/?p=6900"},"modified":"2024-03-31T19:15:16","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T19:15:16","slug":"book-review-holly-by-stephen-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/book-review-holly-by-stephen-king\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: Holly by Stephen King"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.707021791768%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:150.74626865672%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}<\/style><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"holly_stephen_king_book_review\" class=\"wp-image-6902\" style=\"width:826px;height:551px\" width=\"826\" height=\"551\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-2048x1365.webp 2048w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-960x640.webp 960w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1080x720.webp 1080w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1200x800.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20826%20551'%3E%3Crect%20width='826'%20height='551'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"holly_stephen_king_book_review\" class=\"wp-image-6902 eager-load\" style=\"width:826px;height:551px\" width=\"826\" height=\"551\" title=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 96px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review.webp\" data-mvt-skip=\"src\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1024x683.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-2048x1365.webp 2048w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-960x640.webp 960w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1080x720.webp 1080w, https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1200x800.webp 1200w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Editorial note: I received a copy of Holly by Stephen King in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine if you had a friend who, after having a baby, tried to conquer their fears by watching scary movies with wide-open eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, reading &ldquo;Holly&rdquo; is a bit like that&mdash;a rollercoaster ride of thrills that might just toughen you up for the scarier parts of everyday life. &#10024;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3sSh1Dh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Holly<\/a>&nbsp;by Stephen King<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3sSh1Dh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3sSh1Dh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_book-1.webp\" alt=\"holly_book-1\" class=\"wp-image-6884\" style=\"width:201px;height:303px\" width=\"201\" height=\"303\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_book-1.webp\" alt=\"holly_book-1\" class=\"wp-image-6884 lazyload\" style=\"width:201px;height:303px\" width=\"201\" height=\"303\" title=\"\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_book-1.webp\" data-mvt-skip=\"src\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main character<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet Holly Gibney, a private investigator whose life takes a wild turn when she&rsquo;s drawn into a case about a missing girl. This story isn&rsquo;t your typical detective drama; it&rsquo;s more like a vivid, colorful tale with twists and turns that rival the classics. Think of it as Dickens with a modern twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holly herself is a character you&rsquo;ll connect with. She once dreamed of being a poet and has a soft spot for mai tais because they remind her of beautiful beaches. She quotes movie lines to herself and carries an empty cough drop tin as an ashtray because she&rsquo;s the kind of person who doesn&rsquo;t want to litter, even with cigarette butts. Holly is genuine, and when she&rsquo;s on the page, it feels like she&rsquo;s the one calling the shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She first appeared in King&rsquo;s &ldquo;Mr. Mercedes&rdquo; series but quickly became a central figure in &ldquo;Holly.&rdquo; Her character adds depth to the story&rsquo;s darkness, which is definitely there in abundance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The plot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2012, Jorge Castro, a creative writing teacher, encounters professors Emily and Rodney Harris on a misty evening. Little does he know that this chance encounter will plunge him into a nightmarish ordeal, leaving him confined to a cage in their basement. The story&rsquo;s tension builds as we wonder about the Harris&rsquo;s sinister intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tale unfolds in a grim setting: a desolate place called Red Bank Avenue, where a young woman has gone missing. Nearby, you&rsquo;ll find Emily and Rodney Harris, retired professors who live in grand Victorian houses. These two seem respectable, but they have a terrifying secret hiding in their basement. It&rsquo;s here that the story takes a dark twist and reflects the eerie reality of a society on the brink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The book has its share of grim moments, but most of the deaths aren&rsquo;t caused by villains&mdash;they&rsquo;re from COVID-19. The story kicks off in July 2021, with hospitals overflowing and temporary morgues springing up. It&rsquo;s a stark reminder of the pandemic&rsquo;s impact, especially when Holly&rsquo;s own mother falls victim to the virus due to her anti-mask beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important themes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>King doesn&rsquo;t shy away from tackling tough issues like the Capitol riot, and he takes a unique approach to storytelling by revealing the culprits early on. It&rsquo;s like he&rsquo;s saying, &ldquo;Buckle up; you&rsquo;re in for a ride.&rdquo; And believe me, you are!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Characters bump elbows in greeting, and discussions revolve around vaccine brands. Holly&rsquo;s mother, an anti-vaxxer, tragically succumbs to the virus, highlighting the gravity of the pandemic. The isolation and peril of the pandemic are palpable, adding a layer of sorrow to the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amidst the darkness, &ldquo;Holly&rdquo; delves into themes of familial love and the inevitable decline of the human body. Holly&rsquo;s reflections on her mother&rsquo;s teachings provide poignant moments of introspection. The story also explores the parasitic nature of academia, offering a sly commentary on the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what makes King&rsquo;s work truly terrifying isn&rsquo;t the cruelty he inflicts on his characters; it&rsquo;s his kindness in portraying their inner thoughts. Beneath their fears and plans, you can feel the goodness in them, which makes the violence even more unsettling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final thoughts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As you delve into &ldquo;Holly,&rdquo; you&rsquo;ll find yourself pondering some deep questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Does confronting evil make us stronger or just sadder? It seems the answer lies somewhere in between, much like Holly herself, who can&rsquo;t resist answering the call to confront darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, be prepared for a thrilling journey that&rsquo;ll keep you up at night and leave you contemplating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>P.S. If you&rsquo;re looking for book club discussion questions for <em>Holly<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/book-club-questions-for-holly-by-stephen-king\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/book-club-questions-for-holly-by-stephen-king\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">click here<\/a>! &#10084;&#65039;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editorial note: I received a copy of Holly by Stephen King in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Imagine if you had a friend who, after having &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[19,25],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review.webp",2430,1620,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-150x150.webp",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-300x200.webp",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-768x512.webp",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1024x683.webp",1024,683,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-2048x1365.webp",2048,1365,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review.webp",2430,1620,false],"mv_trellis_1x1":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-728x728.webp",728,728,true],"mv_trellis_3x4":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-546x728.webp",546,728,true],"mv_trellis_4x3":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-728x546.webp",728,546,true],"mv_trellis_16x9":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-728x410.webp",728,410,true],"mv_trellis_srcset-960":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-960x640.webp",960,640,true],"mv_trellis_srcset-1080":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1080x720.webp",1080,720,true],"1200x1200":["https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/holly_stephen_king_book_review-1200x800.webp",1200,800,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Luka","author_link":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/author\/luka\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Editorial note: I received a copy of Holly by Stephen King in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Imagine if you had a friend who, after having &hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6900"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6900"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6906,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6900\/revisions\/6906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}