Book Review: Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

I read one King book a month in my journey through all his books, June’s choice was Dolores Claiborne.

Book Description

Dolores Claiborne has a story to tell.

But not quite what the police had expected.

Dolores Claiborne has a confession to make…

She will take her time. Won’t be hurried. Will do it her way, sparing neither details nor feelings. Hers or anyone else’s.

Dolores Claiborne has a story to tell and you’d better pay attention – or else.

My Thoughts

With Dolores Claiborne, King showcases what an expert storyteller he is. He has written a novel with no chapters and just woman’s narration, and it’s a raging success! Full of vivid colloquialisms and Claiborne’s unique way of telling her story, you’re hooked from beginning to end. Interested in all that Dolores has to say, the lack of chapters doesn’t matter because you don’t want to stop reading!

King has always been known [to me] as an author who introduces way too many character way too quickly (he pulls it off), but here, you have just one main character – Dolores. Yes, you have secondary characters, but such is the force of Dolores, that everything else is secondary to her words. Once I began reading this book, it didn’t feel like King had written this novel, but that Dolores was a real person and these were her words, the story of her life, such was the strength of her character. I think that speaks volumes for King’s ability to craft characters you believe in. This is essentially one woman’s monologue; Dolores hasn’t had an easily life, and I’ll include no spoilers, just know that you’re #TeamDolores, and respect that she does whatever she needs to protect those she loves.

“Everything I did, I did for love…”

I purposely read this novel after Gerald’s Game because of the reference to that novel featured in this one. One of the joys of reading King’s entire backlog is spotting the references to previous novels, how he weaves in events from previous books, linking his works together. It’s an added perk to reading his books, along with the illustration that some editions have! 

Dolores Claiborne is a book I recommend without hesitation!

This is book is available to buy from Amazon UK / Book Depository

Find a list of King’s entire backlist, including my reviews, here.