Book Review: A Good Marriage by Stephen King

“You realize that you are in a hell of your own making, but you go on nevertheless. Because there is nothing else to do.” 

― Stephen King, A Good Marriage

American author Stephen King included a story titled "A Good Marriage" in the anthology Full Dark, No Stars. Dennis Rader, the infamous "BTK Killer," was cited by King as an inspiration for the character of Bob Anderson.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

What happens when, on a perfectly ordinary evening, all the things you believed in and took for granted are turned upside down?

When her husband of more than 20 years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It's a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends a good marriage.

My reaction to this novel...

Although I feel I could read this novel in one sitting, I am unable to do so owing to my hectic schedule. I finished it in only two days. I was very enamored with this book, so whatever. I had a hard time putting it down and was eager to read more of his work when I had completed it. Even though I've read several of his books previously and thought some of them were strange, this one really captured my interest. I admired how suspenseful he made this book seem to be. I truly can't get enough of my imagination; it keeps ringing in my head.

The book's subject is incredibly compelling, yet it ends suddenly, leaving you wanting more. It is a terrifying tale that, both in the tragedy of the discovery and the eventual resolution to the issue, feels all too genuine. The intricate inner workings of the feminine psyche appear to come naturally to King. I didn't intend to imply that women have thoughts like this, simply that the author has a decent grasp of how a woman may feel in this circumstance. This is an excellent short tale that explores the idea that even the people closest to us may not be as familiar to us as we think they are.

I can say, though, that Stephen King creates fantastic characters and takes the reader right inside the killer's thoughts. He gave a fantastic tale and did it beautifully. He makes every word count and puts his stamp on what transpires when an accidental discovery turns a happy marriage into a real-life catastrophe. It's unquestionably a well-written book that gets under your skin quickly and forcefully, and it gets under your skin even more since it makes you wonder what you'd do in such a circumstance.

I would most definitely and unequivocally suggest this brief story to book readers who take pleasure in complicated characters and suspense or horror stories. If you enjoy reading gripping stories, then this will be just up your alley.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)