The Stephen King Companion

Starred review from October 1, 2015

This is the third edition (the first was published in 1989, the second in 1995) of Beahm's look at the life and work of seminal author Stephen King (b. 1947). Beahm (Steve Jobs' Life By Design; The Stephen King Story) is a prolific, best-selling author of literary companions, and his expertise and thoroughness are clearly displayed here. This book is not literary criticism but rather a chronological exploration of the experience and achievements of King. This approach allows the reader to get to know the subject as person, which leads to a better understanding of his fiction. For example, the section on the novel Cycle of the Werewolf is more about the events that point to its creation then about the book itself. VERDICT The completeness of Beahm's analysis coupled with his accessible writing style make this book extremely absorbing. Owing to its tone and format, this title will appeal most to fans of King, who will find that its insights lend a new light to their favorite tales.--Matthew Gallagher, Victoria, BC

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015
If you own the 1989 edition of Beahm's textwho could forget the cover featuring King at his creepy wrought-iron fence?burn that sucker. More than 200 pages have been added to accommodate King's oeuvre of 50-plus books. The cursory handling throughout of King's alcohol and drug addictions is an indicator that strict biography isn't the goal here (though King's hardscrabble early years are vividly portrayed). So what is this? It's absolutely everything else, boned by looks at every single one of his works from background, artistic, and commercial perspectives, and fleshed by esoterica so esoteric King's Constant Reader will blow a gasket. To wit: excerpts from brother Dave's childhood newspaper; sidebars on obscure special editions; interviews with King's secretary and the guy who constructed the aforementioned fence (no kidding!); tips on how to speak like a Mainah; andtake this seriously, nowlots more. Generally organized by King's eras with certain publishers, this is for the Cujo-level rabid fan who is less interested in Firestarter and more interested in Sword in the Darkness. (Look it up.) The carnivalesque sketches, meanwhile, set the mood.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)