{"id":2402,"date":"2024-07-29T21:46:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T19:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/minimal-kritikak.hu\/en\/?p=2402"},"modified":"2024-08-21T11:08:54","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T09:08:54","slug":"holly-by-stephen-king-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minimal-kritikak.hu\/en\/2024\/07\/29\/holly-by-stephen-king-book-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Holly by Stephen King \u2013 Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Holly<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Stephen King read a newspaper article about an elderly couple who had committed murder. Everyone considered them to be kind and decent people\u2014until the buried bodies were found in their backyard. “Perfect material for a novel,” thought King. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic was raging worldwide. All that was needed was Holly Gibney, the beloved character from the Mr. Mercedes books who had since become a private detective, and the result is the thrilling and chilling crime novel titled Holly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultra-conservatives, beware!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because you’ll get angry right at the beginning of this book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the main threads in Stephen King\u2019s Holly is the coronavirus. Interestingly, and almost inexplicably, anti-vaxxers primarily come from the staunchly right-wing voting demographic worldwide. I’m not entirely sure, but many believe these people are also the ones more susceptible to conspiracy theories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(For example: The Earth is flat and is carried on the backs of four bristly armadillos.; or the Moon is made entirely of Emmental cheese. Watch out! These theories might seem entirely plausible at first glance, but they are not true!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

It’s also a sad fact that in the United States, Covid-19 statistically claimed the most lives among right-wingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while reading Stephen King\u2019s book, which clearly espouses liberal principles and rational thinking, many might not want to feel completely stupid (who would want that?), and thus, choosing the safest method, they might not even get a third of the way through before throwing King’s Holly to the ground. And then stomping on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this would be a fatal mistake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cannibalism is pointless<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Totally. It has no benefit. This must be stated firmly at the outset. Because while reading Stephen King’s book, anyone might develop the conviction that consuming human flesh, especially human liver, comes with significant health benefits. But this is absolutely not the case!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this becomes clear by the end of Holly. Yes, but if King’s or his characters’ views on vaccinations scare you off early on, you’re in trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kind, elderly Harris couple, who live together in great affection, argue so convincingly about the numerous benefits of consuming human flesh that after a while, you might be inclined to believe them. Maybe you’ll even start to drool. After all, Rodney Harris, a.k.a. Mr. Meat, is an expert in nutrition science. He must know better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention! Mr. Harris’s theory cannot be substantiated to a satisfactory degree!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So those who conclude that consuming their fellow humans (presumably a few libtards, to kill two birds with one stone) will extend their lifespan, are unfortunately mistaken. The Harris couple would have been much better off following the Mediterranean diet and perhaps doing some yoga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holly Gibney will surely solve it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stephen King has created many great characters throughout his long career, but Holly Gibney stands out for her lovability and angelic goodness. In her case, the reader experiences an added thrill by following the journey of a woman, oppressed by her mother and emotionally and mentally unstable, as she breaks free and finds herself over the course of several books. Of course, Holly also frees the world from numerous villains along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Holly is also a great detective. No doubt about it, Bill Hodges (see Mr. Mercedes) taught her well. In fact, it increasingly seems that the girl is a natural talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephen King usually does us the favor of promoting authors and books he likes in his own works. Michael Connelly and his protagonist, detective Harry Bosch (my personal favorite\u2014see The Concrete Blonde), therefore, are mentioned by Holly for the best of reasons.

“Knock on every door, talk to everyone!” is Bosch’s motto. And Holly Gibney does just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Grim Investigation \u2013 In Stephen King’s Manner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it\u2019s a different story when Stephen King writes a crime novel; we shouldn\u2019t expect Agatha Christie-like restraint. Nor Michael Connelly-like restraint. But readers of Chris Carter probably won\u2019t bat an eye (see I Am Death).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Holly, it is revealed right from the start who the culprits are. Thus, alongside Ms. Gibney’s investigation, we can follow the stomach-churning activities of the Harrises. I bet that those who reject the consumption of human flesh on principle will likely feel uncomfortable <\/strong>many times while reading this book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s no secret how cruel Mr. King can be. If a truly kind-hearted, decent American girl appears in the book, you can immediately start worrying about her fate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

King balances this by creating the book’s own version of Amanda Gorman in the character of Barbara Robinson. Whether this is necessary is debatable. Perhaps not much. And knowing today\u2019s high school teenagers, you\u2019d give little chance that a budding poet would knock on the doors of 100-year-old decrepit poetess instead of using Wattpad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But of course, if the old lady happens to live near the wicked Harris couple, then it\u2019s all good\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stephen King wrote a crime novel. And how well he did! The super-cute private detective Holly Gibney investigates with unwavering determination, battling the coronavirus and her own emotions. King’s typical controversial themes are naturally present; this time, the master tries to discourage you from meat-eating. (The story is free from anything supernatural, though.) And by the end of the book, Holly transforms into a true badass figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rating: 8.2\/10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Holly <\/em>(Holly Gibney #3) by <\/em>Stephen King
449 pages, Hardcover
Published in 2023 by Scribner<\/a>
—
You may also be interested in:
Stephen King: Billy Summers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stephen King read a newspaper article about an elderly couple who had committed murder. Everyone considered them to be kind and decent people\u2014until the buried bodies were found in their backyard. “Perfect material for a novel,” thought King. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic was raging worldwide. All that was needed was Holly Gibney, the beloved character … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[173,170,25,90,109,32,82,171,172,83,39],"class_list":["post-2402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book","tag-cannibalism","tag-coronavirus-pandemic","tag-crime","tag-detective-novel","tag-private-investigator","tag-psychological-thriller","tag-serial-killer","tag-social-commentary","tag-stephen-king","tag-suspense","tag-thriller"],"yoast_head":"\nHolly by Stephen King \u2013 Book Review - minimal-Critiques<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stephen King's Holly Gibney tracks down a crazy couple following a controversial diet. The book Holly cuts deep into the bone. 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