I'm beginning to wonder if King is imitating Bag of Bones' Mike Noonan's technique for writer's block, publishing older books stored for rainy days. In this case, before King knew how to write INTERESTING books. With this book, take King's own advice, "read the first ten per cent...if it isn't giving more than it's taking by then, put it aside." After 52 pages you will be reading a different book.