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Content snapshot
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Violence
Very heavy
Extreme graphic violence including the deaths of children; among King's most violent novels
Language
A lot
Pervasive strong language throughout
Sexual Content
Some
Some adult sexual content
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
Extreme psychological content: the malevolent entity's control, the deaths of children, and the theological questions around suffering create a deeply disturbing experience
What this book is about
Stephen King's 1996 novel follows a group of travelers who are captured by a supernatural force that has taken over a Nevada sheriff and the deserted mining town of Desperation. The entity — Tak — is deeply malevolent and the violence is among King's most extreme: children and adults are killed in horrific ways throughout. The novel also deals with questions of faith and whether God has any obligation to the suffering he allows. Brutal, disturbing, and not for sensitive readers.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Extreme violence including deaths of children
Theological horror
Reader Verification
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