After reading "Fairy Tale" by Stephen King last year, I had a desire to read this particular book once again, for the first time in...well, a long time. Think it was over two decades ago when I had read it.
It was just that these two books reminded me quite a bit of one another. They are different, to be sure. In fact, they may be more different than similar.
Yet, they also stand out within the body of work by King, because they both harken back to themes that are more similar to fairy tales, rather than the more conventional books by him, most of which take place in Maine (although sometimes in other places, such as Colorado), and which generally take place during modern times. In fact, "Fairy Tale" actually at least partially is like that itself, taking place in modern times, although the main character travels through some kind of tunnel that traverses across worlds, and where he finds himself in another world altogether. A world which seems similar to our fairy tales.
Similar, yes.
Identical, no.
While I really enjoyed both books, I actually probably preferred "Fairy Tale." It begins with an ordinary person, a teenaged boy who accidentally discovers a portal between two worlds. The other world which he discovers is, of course, a fairy tale world brought to real life.
"Eyes of the Dragon" is, by contrast, much closer to reading like an actual fairy tale. It takes place at a time or place very similar to a fairy tale. That said, it feels a little bit more realistically than your typical fairy tale would. There is a part towards the end where this book feels like horror, and was eerily reminiscent of The Shining, at least to me. Of course, Stephen King is known as the "master of horror," so that makes sense.
However, it is not a horror book. Not really. In fact, it is very different than almost any other King book. Now, the closest comparison would be "Fairy Tale," although as stated earlier, there are actually some significant differences between the two books.
Without going into too many details, much less spoilers, what happens is that there is basically an evil wizard. His name is Randall Flagg, and that much will feel familiar to fans of Stephen King, since this is a recurring character. Well, he wants to create turmoil in a kingdom. He has rough control over the king, but he worries about Peter, the king's eldest son, who is heir to the throne. So the magician orchestrates for the king to be murdered, and then to pin it all on Peter. Meanwhile, Thomas becomes the king, and Flagg controls him. Peter is imprisoned, and the world seems to think that he murdered his own father, the king. Things in the kingdom are no better, as the wizard orchestrates chaos in the form of crushing taxes and other burdens for the people.
As it turns out, only Peter can save the kingdom by clearing his name and assuming his right to the throne. Soon, he begins to have allies whom will help him. Eventually, however, the very powerful wizard, Flagg, catches on, while a massive snowstorm brews around the castle where Peter has been imprisoned for five years.
Good stuff.
It is strange how a book can be very different when you read it again after many years, or even decades. There were things about this book which felt very familiar, and other aspects which I could not recall. Some of it almost felt new to me, in fact.
While this is hardly a typical King book, it nevertheless is a good read. King is a master of storytelling. His characters are rich with life, largely because they are relatable. And while these characters are perhaps a bit less so than some of this other works - remember, this is a fairy tale-styled book - it nevertheless is a good story and an enjoyable read.
Highly recommended!
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