Challenge Corner discussion

The latest from legendary master storyteller Stephen King, a riveting, extraordinarily eerie, and moving story about a man whose mysterious affliction brings a small town together—a timely, upbeat tale about finding common ground despite deep-rooted differences.

Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.

It’s a pretty short book, but I’ll start reading tomorrow :)

I'm just beginning. Hehe. Wish me luck! XD

I actually finished another book before I started this one just now :) I’m like 20% into it, and it was a bit hard getting into it the first few pages.

I completely agree! I just finished reading the first chapter and that's like...30% of it and it did feel a little hard to read.

This is my first Stephen King novel by the way. What about you?

30% in. Chapter 1 done. (view spoiler)[It is a little hard to get into. I found the book slightly tiring so far. I'm not sure if I'll be able to continue or not but I would love to finish it. (hide spoiler)]

3 Chapters done. Almost halfway through. (view spoiler)[Strangely, despite the weight loss thing, I'm not finding this book particularly mysterious as of now. I mean, I know it is because that's the MPG. But not only am I not particularly scared, I'm also a little underwhelmed at the moment. I wonder who will win the race. I am betting my money on Scott. (hide spoiler)]

Last chapter remaining. 75% done. (view spoiler)[Alright, so here's the thing. This book is 75% done and I still can't see the horror part here. It sure as hell feels like a lot misleading but I hope to God, it isn't. I mean, I would like to find out more, come on! Let us know what will happen to Scott! (hide spoiler)]

This is my first Stephen King book too! I've only watched movies based on his book. Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ Yes I agree that it is definitely hard to read. I just feel like nothing much has happened besides his weight loss problem which is still not explained. (hide spoiler)]

25% (view spoiler)[
This book is ridiculously short. I am honestly surprised it didn't just get added into a short story collection. However, not much has happened so far. I have learned a little bit about the main character, Scott, and his strange weight loss problem, but that is all so far. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[
I want to know why this losing weight thing is happening to Scott. This book doesn't really have much going on besides the occasionally reference to that issue. I guess I want him to fix his relationship with Missy and Dierdre too. Dierdre really seems to dislike Scott, and I am not exactly sure why. It can't be just because of the dogs on his lawn complaint, right? (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[
This book is really short and I'm a bit disappointed that a portion of it was dedicated to just running a marathon. I get the whole novella thing, but it just doesn't seem to have much content in the few pages that this book has. I guess it is kind of weird how Scott can transfer the weightlessness to other people, though. I am also glad that his relationship with Missy and Dierdre has improved greatly. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[
I don't really see the point to this book. It has small plot, I guess, but it wasn't anything spectacular or overly memorable. Definitely didn't make my list of favorite Stephen King books. I just feel very dissatisfied after reading this. I didn't like how there were no answers to what caused his condition too. (hide spoiler)]

End of Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Not a lot going on still. I think the story should focus more on his weight loss than all this other things about his neighbors & their restaurant. I really don't like Dierdre and how she just dislikes Scott for no reason (from what I know so far). I think her assumption that it is her sexual orientation can get annoying too. I hope Scott wins this race, and I feel like he will due to how light his weight is despite him looking much heavier than 140 lb. (hide spoiler)]

Hana wrote: "This is my first Stephen King book too! I've only watched movies based on his book. Chapter 1 [spoilers removed]"

I haven't even watched the movies.

Hana wrote: "End of Chapter 3 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I completely agree with you. I also wished it focused more on the weight loss - the why or how of it than on the neighbours. I have no idea what was the point of that either, lol. (hide spoiler)]

I'm done with the book by the way.

Ritika wrote: "I'm done with the book by the way."

I just finished it! (view spoiler)[I think the last 25% of the book was a lot better as it focused more on his weight loss and him saying his good byes to his friends. I also really liked Dierde after the race, so I'm glad Scott was able to have a better relationship with her after. I really liked Scott, but I wish I knew why he struggled with this weight loss problem. To me, the whole story was all over the place, and I didn't quite get the purpose like Marissa said. I know it was a short book, but I think the race part could have been shorter and focused solely on Scott's problem. The ending was good, but I wish we got an explanation of what exactly was going on. (hide spoiler)]

Ritika wrote: "Last chapter remaining. 75% done. [spoilers removed]"

I agree, definitely was not horror !

Marissa wrote: "25%
This book is ridiculously short. I am honestly surprised it didn't just get added into a short story collection. However, not much has happened so far. I have learned a little bit about the ma..."

I agree with you. I didn't get the point of the book, and the portion should not have been dedicated to the marathon! That should've been only a page or 2 and should have focused more on Scott's weightlessness!

Hana wrote: "Marissa wrote: "25%
This book is ridiculously short. I am honestly surprised it didn't just get added into a short story collection. However, not much has happened so far. I have learned a little ..."

TOTALLY AGREED! The main mystery wasn't given much importance until the very end. And it BOTHERED me!