Monday, November 1, 2010

Cujo - Stephen King (27/50)

Genre:                Psychological Horror 

Year:                  1981
Pages:                 320
Preceded by:       Firestarter
Followed by:        Christine

Description:
The story is set almost entirely in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. The action centers on Cujo, a St. Bernard that belongs to Joe Camber and his family. Although Camber is somewhat fond of Cujo, he never bothers to get the dog vaccinated against rabies.
While chasing a rabbit in the fields around the Cambers' house, Cujo gets his head temporarily stuck in the entrance to a small limestone cave and is bitten on the nose by a bat and infected with rabies.
Cujo - a huge but generally gentle and friendly dog - get's infected with rabies and turns into a deadly beast, killing everyone in it's path.

Awards:
- British Fantasy Award in 1982

Quotes:


"Cujo knew he was too old to chase rabbits."


"It would perhaps not be amiss to point out that he had always tried to be a good dog. He had tried to do all the things his MAN and his WOMAN, and most of all his BOY, had asked or expected of him. He would have died for them, if that had been required. He had never wanted to kill anybody. He had been struck by something, possibly destiny, or fate, or only a degenerative nerve disease called rabies. Free will was not a factor."

My Thoughts: 
"Cujo" was one of these novellas I tried to stay away from as long as possible. I don't really know why exactly, but I wasn't very fond of the idea of a rabid dog on a killing spree.. I love dogs and perhaps that's why I was keeping away from this particular book.
However, being a huge SK fan, I just couldn't walk away from this book when I saw it on the library shelf the other day. And you know what, it was a great decision to get it! I was pleasantly surprised, as King didn't make a mindless, stupid beast out of Cujo, but a smart, loving, gentle giant, who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.. I loved the way the book unravels, showing the story from few different perspectives (especially Cujo's perspective was oh so brilliant and tragic!).
It amazes me that this book was written few years before I was even born, yet I can relate to the characters in the story. And of course, King's writing style is delicious as always, which makes me think maybe I should reach for Firestarter - another SK book I've been subconsciously staying away from.

Movie adaptation:  -> click
Haven't seen it myself yet, but definitely will soon!


My Rating: 

 
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