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Dolan's Cadillac
Wealthy crime-boss Jimmy Dolan brutally murders a woman who is scheduled to testify against him, and her husband spends the next seven years plotting his revenge. Haunted by the voice of his dead wife, he will stop at nothing to exact his vengeance and allow his wife to rest in peace.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
15 people are currently reading
2403 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,413 books887k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 22, 2019
Very Poe-like. A hauntingly masterful short story from the master.
July 21, 2022
Story 3.75 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Rob Lowe
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Rob Lowe
June 25, 2018
This hardcover is numbered 112 of 1000 produced and is signed by Stephen King.
I purchased this book while on vacation in California is a book store in Santa Monica. It was originally published in Castle Rock, King's official newsletter, in monthly installments.
A bit overly melodramatic in mu opinion.
I purchased this book while on vacation in California is a book store in Santa Monica. It was originally published in Castle Rock, King's official newsletter, in monthly installments.
A bit overly melodramatic in mu opinion.
February 12, 2018
An exciting and quick revenge story! It moves at just the right pace!
October 25, 2020
আমি শেষ করিনাই। অর্ধেক পড়েই রেখে দিসি। কারোর স্টিফেন কিং পড়ার ইচ্ছা থাকলে এই অনুবাদ বইটা দিয়ে অন্তত শুরু করবেন না।
এত বাজে আর বিচ্ছিরি অনুবাদ আমি জীবনেও পড়িনাই। উনি অনুবাদ করসে না গুগোল ট্রান্সলেটর থেকে ছাপায়ে দিসে সেই ব্যাপারে আমার যথেষ্ট সন্দেহ আছে। উনার কাছে অনুরোধ প্লিজ আপনি অনুবাদ করা ছেড়ে দেন।
এতদিনে রিভিউ দেখে দেখে আমার স্টিফেন কিং সম্পর্কে অনেক উচ্চমানের ধারনা হয়ে গিয়েছিল। ভাবসিলাম কি না কি। সেইদিক থেকে দেখলে কাহিনির ব্যাপারেও অনেকটা আশাহত। তবে স্টিফেন কিং এখনই ছাড়ছি না। আরোও কয়েকটা পড়ে দেখি।
এত বাজে আর বিচ্ছিরি অনুবাদ আমি জীবনেও পড়িনাই। উনি অনুবাদ করসে না গুগোল ট্রান্সলেটর থেকে ছাপায়ে দিসে সেই ব্যাপারে আমার যথেষ্ট সন্দেহ আছে। উনার কাছে অনুরোধ প্লিজ আপনি অনুবাদ করা ছেড়ে দেন।
এতদিনে রিভিউ দেখে দেখে আমার স্টিফেন কিং সম্পর্কে অনেক উচ্চমানের ধারনা হয়ে গিয়েছিল। ভাবসিলাম কি না কি। সেইদিক থেকে দেখলে কাহিনির ব্যাপারেও অনেকটা আশাহত। তবে স্টিফেন কিং এখনই ছাড়ছি না। আরোও কয়েকটা পড়ে দেখি।
February 20, 2021
Such a delicious revenge story, the avenger just your average, middle aged third grade teacher battling his inner demons and playing a very, very long game to get back at the Vegas mobster responsible for his wife's death. King masterfully depicts his despair, sense of futility and unrelenting focus as he realizes the near impossibility of his venture but is determined to find a way, no matter how hard, how long or how crazy.
July 27, 2017
It is about the development, holding up and watching, arranging revenge. But the arrangement seems so boring and slow; readers would have to fight with their nerves to carry on.
Dolan's Cadillac recounts the tale of Robinson, a teacher from Las Vegas, and his mission for retaliation against the man, a wrongdoing manager named Dolan, who has his wife killed.
Robinson does not get fulfillment rapidly or effectively, holding up finished a time of seven years before the methods and open door for his striking back is perfect.
Guided by his significant other Elizabeth, her voice frequenting his psyche, Robinson devises an arrangement to cover Dolan inside his Cadillac utilizing the street development on the parkway further bolstering his good fortune.
Robinson does not do this rapidly, but rather plans, studies, and prepares for the ideal chance to set everything into movement.
Dolan's Cadillac achieves its pinnacle when the trap is set and Dolan drives to his demise, asking, arguing, and shouting for his life once got inside his Cadillac. Yet, Robinson does nothing to prevent himself from tossing more soil and rock onto the Cadillac with Dolan inside it.
Dolan's Cadillac recounts the tale of Robinson, a teacher from Las Vegas, and his mission for retaliation against the man, a wrongdoing manager named Dolan, who has his wife killed.
Robinson does not get fulfillment rapidly or effectively, holding up finished a time of seven years before the methods and open door for his striking back is perfect.
Guided by his significant other Elizabeth, her voice frequenting his psyche, Robinson devises an arrangement to cover Dolan inside his Cadillac utilizing the street development on the parkway further bolstering his good fortune.
Robinson does not do this rapidly, but rather plans, studies, and prepares for the ideal chance to set everything into movement.
Dolan's Cadillac achieves its pinnacle when the trap is set and Dolan drives to his demise, asking, arguing, and shouting for his life once got inside his Cadillac. Yet, Robinson does nothing to prevent himself from tossing more soil and rock onto the Cadillac with Dolan inside it.
July 13, 2018
read it and afterwards see the movie with the same title, compelling...
December 2, 2015
A very strong opening for the Nightmares & Dreamscapes anthology. They made a film that wasn't entirely terrible either.
May 17, 2024
„Кадилакът на Долан“ е много добър разказ на Стивън Кинг! Учител започва тежка работа в строителството на пътища, за да подготви отмъщение за гангстер, който преди години е убил неговата съпруга...
March 2, 2021
Essentially "The Cask of Amontillado" retold / re-envisioned by Stephen King. I teach those two stories together, as they work wonderfully in tandem. I first heard this story on a book-on-tape as my wife and I were driving back from Las Vegas, and it really hooked me in. A well-told REVENGE tale. It's commonly said that King's strength is in characterization, which fits this story well, since it's the tale of a man getting revenge for the death of his wife.
side note - the movie version of this story kinda stinks.
side note - the movie version of this story kinda stinks.
June 17, 2020
This main guy is not crazy but incredibly persistent in revenge. Great short story....
November 24, 2025
3/5
ابتدا باید در نظر گرفت این یک داستان کوتاه از استیون کینگ است، پس نباید توقع رمان بلند و پیچیده داشته باشید. چشم به هم میزنید و کتاب تمام میشود؛ یکنفس خوانده میشود و قرار نیست خیلی عمیق به آن بپردازیم. فقط به بخشهای مهم اشاره میکنم که شاید به تصمیمگیری برای خواندنش کمک کند.
۱. خلاصهی داستان (همون چیزی که پشت جلد نوشته)
"راوی داستان، که در لاسوگاس معلم مدرسه است. همسرش را در خودرویی بمبگذاریشده از دست داده و در پی انتقام از مسئول این اتفاق، آقای دولان است. دولان سردستهی یک گروه تبهکار سازمانیافته و مردی به شدت خطرناک است. انتقام گرفتن از او کار سادهای نیست و به برنامهریزی دقیقی نیاز دارد."
۲. سبک روایت
اول شخص و از زبان راوی میباشد و هیچ فصلبندی ندارد؛ انگار همهچیز توی یک چپتر طولانی جمع شده است.
و اینکه در نظر داشته باشید مدام بین گذشته و حال جابهجا میشویم و برخلاف خیلی از کارهای کینگ، جزئیاتپردازی بیش از حد یا شخصیتپردازی عمیق ندارد پس همین ممکن است باعث میشود خستهکننده نشود و سریع پیش برود.
۳. موضوع و حس و حال داستان
موضوع که چیز جدیدی نیست: انتقامِ کلیشهای.
ولی کینگ با یک زاویهدید متفاوت و تمرکز روی صبر دیوانهوار و برنامهریزی وسواسی شخصیت اصلی، کاری کرده است که حتی وقتی میدانی پایانش چیست، باز هم با راوی همراه شوی و از عزم آهنینش لذت ببری.
۴. دیالوگهای بهیادماندنی:
"معلمها و تبهکارهای سطحبالا به اندازهی هم آزادی عمل ندارند؛ این یک واقعیت مسلم است که صرفاً به وضعیت اقتصادی طرفین مربوط میشود."
"دستهای آدم بیکار ابزار شیطان هستند."
۵. ترجمه و نسخه
مترجم: محمدعلی مهماننوازان (نشر مروارید)
- ترجمه روان و خوب بود و داستان کتاب به گونه است که نیازی به هیچ سانسور یا تحریفی ندارد پس با خیال راحت بخوانید
- نکته مهم: در انتهای کتاب بیوگرافی کامل کینگ + کتاب های نویسنده به همراه جدول آثارش که اقتباس فیلم/سریال شده با توضیحات دقیق گنجانده شده است که برای طرفداران کینگ واقعاً ارزشمند و حرکت پسندیدهای از ناشر میباشد.
نتیجهگیری و پیشنهاد
اگر تازه میخواهید کینگ بخوانید، بهعنوان شروع پیشنهاد نمیشود.
اما اگر دنبال یک داستان کوتاه، سریع، با حس انتقام و بدون توقع خاص هستید میتوان این کتاب را پیشنهاد داد.
برای رفع ریدینگ اسلامپ یا یک زنگ تفریح بین رمانهای سنگین، انتخاب خیلی خوبی است.
- بهعنوان فن کینگ: از نظر بنده کتاب بدی نبود، اما در مقایسه با کارهای دیگرش که بهتر بودند و خوانده بودم چیز زیاد خاصی برای ارائه حداقل برای من نداشت.
ابتدا باید در نظر گرفت این یک داستان کوتاه از استیون کینگ است، پس نباید توقع رمان بلند و پیچیده داشته باشید. چشم به هم میزنید و کتاب تمام میشود؛ یکنفس خوانده میشود و قرار نیست خیلی عمیق به آن بپردازیم. فقط به بخشهای مهم اشاره میکنم که شاید به تصمیمگیری برای خواندنش کمک کند.
۱. خلاصهی داستان (همون چیزی که پشت جلد نوشته)
"راوی داستان، که در لاسوگاس معلم مدرسه است. همسرش را در خودرویی بمبگذاریشده از دست داده و در پی انتقام از مسئول این اتفاق، آقای دولان است. دولان سردستهی یک گروه تبهکار سازمانیافته و مردی به شدت خطرناک است. انتقام گرفتن از او کار سادهای نیست و به برنامهریزی دقیقی نیاز دارد."
۲. سبک روایت
اول شخص و از زبان راوی میباشد و هیچ فصلبندی ندارد؛ انگار همهچیز توی یک چپتر طولانی جمع شده است.
و اینکه در نظر داشته باشید مدام بین گذشته و حال جابهجا میشویم و برخلاف خیلی از کارهای کینگ، جزئیاتپردازی بیش از حد یا شخصیتپردازی عمیق ندارد پس همین ممکن است باعث میشود خستهکننده نشود و سریع پیش برود.
۳. موضوع و حس و حال داستان
موضوع که چیز جدیدی نیست: انتقامِ کلیشهای.
ولی کینگ با یک زاویهدید متفاوت و تمرکز روی صبر دیوانهوار و برنامهریزی وسواسی شخصیت اصلی، کاری کرده است که حتی وقتی میدانی پایانش چیست، باز هم با راوی همراه شوی و از عزم آهنینش لذت ببری.
۴. دیالوگهای بهیادماندنی:
"معلمها و تبهکارهای سطحبالا به اندازهی هم آزادی عمل ندارند؛ این یک واقعیت مسلم است که صرفاً به وضعیت اقتصادی طرفین مربوط میشود."
"دستهای آدم بیکار ابزار شیطان هستند."
۵. ترجمه و نسخه
مترجم: محمدعلی مهماننوازان (نشر مروارید)
- ترجمه روان و خوب بود و داستان کتاب به گونه است که نیازی به هیچ سانسور یا تحریفی ندارد پس با خیال راحت بخوانید
- نکته مهم: در انتهای کتاب بیوگرافی کامل کینگ + کتاب های نویسنده به همراه جدول آثارش که اقتباس فیلم/سریال شده با توضیحات دقیق گنجانده شده است که برای طرفداران کینگ واقعاً ارزشمند و حرکت پسندیدهای از ناشر میباشد.
نتیجهگیری و پیشنهاد
اگر تازه میخواهید کینگ بخوانید، بهعنوان شروع پیشنهاد نمیشود.
اما اگر دنبال یک داستان کوتاه، سریع، با حس انتقام و بدون توقع خاص هستید میتوان این کتاب را پیشنهاد داد.
برای رفع ریدینگ اسلامپ یا یک زنگ تفریح بین رمانهای سنگین، انتخاب خیلی خوبی است.
- بهعنوان فن کینگ: از نظر بنده کتاب بدی نبود، اما در مقایسه با کارهای دیگرش که بهتر بودند و خوانده بودم چیز زیاد خاصی برای ارائه حداقل برای من نداشت.
November 13, 2023
গল্পের স্টোরি লাইন মোটামুটি। অনুবাদ বিচ্ছিরি। এক স্কুল টিচার তার স্ত্রীর মৃত্যুতে প্রতিশোধ নেয়ার গল্প। অনুবাদে গল্পের ভিলেন কখনও ডোলান আবার কখনও ভোলান হয়ে গেছে :3 মাত্র ৭৮ পৃষ্ঠার একটা বই শেষ করতে বিশেষ বেগ পেতে হয়েছে 🐸
October 9, 2025
13 years later- A story about revenge. This made me want to go to Vegas. 🎰 I’m familiar with that road that leads to Vegas from LA and I’ll remember this story now when I make that drive. 🚘 💨
Read
October 15, 2025A man seeks vengeance on a mob boss named Jimmy Dolan who murdered his wife. His plan…to bury him alive in his precious Cadillac.
That’s all I’ll say about the plot. What a fun short story. I discovered this was made into a movie in 2009 (of course it was) starring Christian Slater which I’ll have to check out. Stephen King had my heart racing a bit there at the end. My only complaint is that I wish this was longer. I wanted more!
That’s all I’ll say about the plot. What a fun short story. I discovered this was made into a movie in 2009 (of course it was) starring Christian Slater which I’ll have to check out. Stephen King had my heart racing a bit there at the end. My only complaint is that I wish this was longer. I wanted more!
January 18, 2020
খুবই সাধারণ একটা প্রতিশোধের গল্প। স্ত্রী হত্যার প্রতিশোধের। কিন্তু খুব ভালো লেগেছে। প্রতিশোধ নেয়ার অভিনব ধরনের কারণেই হয়তো। কুইক রিড। পড়ে ফেলতে পারেন।
January 23, 2020
❝ ‘She was in pieces,’ I croaked. ‘I loved her and she was in pieces.’ ❞
Revenge never felt so satisfactory.
La venganza nunca se ha sentido más satisfactoria que esto.
Revenge never felt so satisfactory.
La venganza nunca se ha sentido más satisfactoria que esto.
April 22, 2020
MEH.
Such a short story with too many boring parts!
Such a short story with too many boring parts!
February 2, 2021
some series cask of amontillado vibes from this.
September 29, 2014
The strength of one mans resolve is beautifully told in this tale of ultimate revenge.
When a goods man wife is killed because she knows too much, he makes it his mission to take out the powerful and seemingly untouchable man that is behind her death. His only shot at success is when "Dolan" is being driven across the country in his cadillac and it is on the road, laying the most incredible trap, that he makes his move. The personal pain and struggle our protagonist must endure in order to give his plan the best chance of success is gruelling and torturous....but well worth it.
When a goods man wife is killed because she knows too much, he makes it his mission to take out the powerful and seemingly untouchable man that is behind her death. His only shot at success is when "Dolan" is being driven across the country in his cadillac and it is on the road, laying the most incredible trap, that he makes his move. The personal pain and struggle our protagonist must endure in order to give his plan the best chance of success is gruelling and torturous....but well worth it.
September 10, 2017
Jimmy Dolan, is a crime-boss who murders a woman because she is going to testify against him.
Her husband wants revenge. His dead wife won't let him stop seeking that revenge in a great thriller from the master of making readers have sleepless nights.
Her husband wants revenge. His dead wife won't let him stop seeking that revenge in a great thriller from the master of making readers have sleepless nights.
September 29, 2022
Exceptional revenge thriller...new way of taking revenge...so enjoyable..
December 7, 2017
The idea that is heavily ingrained in the mind of Edmond Dantès in the brilliant novel of "The Count of Monte Cristo" is that of the the ideology of revenge is a dish best served cold, so, in layman's terms, revenge is better when it's not made in the fury and passion of the damage, but after planning, preparation, and a perfected yet precise plan. Stephen King takes this idea and portrays it in a manner that takes it from 1807 Nîmes, France to nearly modern Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and state route 71, where the grieving husband of a brutally executed woman strategically forms and executes a thought out and meticulously planned revenge, perfected down to the smallest crack in a nearly deserted state road.
The protagonist who is known only by Robinson, his surname, is driven to revenge by the almost haunting voice of his late wife compelling him to exact revenge on a powerhouse mob-boss who caused her untimely death with a few pounds of explosives to protect himself from her upcoming testimony in court. Driven nearly insane by the grief and sense of loss Robinson plans, studies, leans, and exacts a perfected plan that knocks off the single most loathed and hated enemy that Robinson can fathom, the mighty and conceivably untouchable mob-boss Dolan.
Once a satisfied school teacher Robinson turns into a revenge driven yet cautious man working a small, entry level road construction job to work his way into his grand scheme to capture and torment Dolan to punish him for taking his wife from him. Countless hours of research of a road atlas as well as spying on and stalking Dolan and his top of the line Cadillac, that chauffeurs him from his weekend getaways and eventually to his long awaited death buried deep below a desolate Nevada highway.
Stephen King has an almost sinister way of showing how far an innocent, regular man an can be pushed into doing what he justifies as right and turning themselves into that they would originally fear and despise.
The protagonist who is known only by Robinson, his surname, is driven to revenge by the almost haunting voice of his late wife compelling him to exact revenge on a powerhouse mob-boss who caused her untimely death with a few pounds of explosives to protect himself from her upcoming testimony in court. Driven nearly insane by the grief and sense of loss Robinson plans, studies, leans, and exacts a perfected plan that knocks off the single most loathed and hated enemy that Robinson can fathom, the mighty and conceivably untouchable mob-boss Dolan.
Once a satisfied school teacher Robinson turns into a revenge driven yet cautious man working a small, entry level road construction job to work his way into his grand scheme to capture and torment Dolan to punish him for taking his wife from him. Countless hours of research of a road atlas as well as spying on and stalking Dolan and his top of the line Cadillac, that chauffeurs him from his weekend getaways and eventually to his long awaited death buried deep below a desolate Nevada highway.
Stephen King has an almost sinister way of showing how far an innocent, regular man an can be pushed into doing what he justifies as right and turning themselves into that they would originally fear and despise.
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July 27, 2021Revenge is a dish best served at the bottom of a hole in the middle of a desert highway. It’s Dolan’s Cadillac, and This Film is Lit.
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August 17, 2014
Перша книжка, прочитана в 2013-му. Вирішив нарешті почитати Кінга. Випадково тапнув по рендомній книжці — попав на “Каділак”. Книжка супер. Проста і, водночас, цікава історія. Кінг розказує про життя дуже цілеспрямованої людини, яка крок за кроком, міліметр за міліметром досягає своєї цілі. Щодня живе заради її здійснення. Кінг гарно тримає у напруженні, аж до останньої сторінки.
Резюме: цікава пригодницька книжка з коханням, кров’ю, напруженим сюжетом і кінцем. Такі я люблю найбільше.
Резюме: цікава пригодницька книжка з коханням, кров’ю, напруженим сюжетом і кінцем. Такі я люблю найбільше.
April 26, 2022
it was okay, i am not the most fond of the authors writing style but i did like the story. I feel like the whole story was just following this now turned psychopath and his plan to murder someone which made it fairly interesting even though there were some boring parts.Also really easy read i read it within an hour and a half
August 12, 2013
Revenge is a dish best served cold. - Old Klingon Proverb
This is a FANTASTIC short story. King makes no qualms about what the story will be about after the first few pages. If you want a quick satisfying read, check this out.
This is a FANTASTIC short story. King makes no qualms about what the story will be about after the first few pages. If you want a quick satisfying read, check this out.
July 14, 2014
Great novella. This is a wonderful story of revenge. A man seeks revenge for the death of his wife on order of a mob boss. He is patient and concocts a punishment years in the making. King tells this story as only he can!
July 31, 2015
A nice revenge story. He may not be a Count of Monte Cristo, but Robinson is one bad ass schoolteacher you never want to mess with. I can only imagine what Dolan went through before his slow and agonizing death. A horrifying way to die indeed. May his soul rest in peace ....
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