"The Talisman" is a dark fantasy novel written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. Published in 1984, it tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy named Jack Sawyer who embarks on a quest to save his dying mother. The main idea of the story revolves around the existence of parallel universes and the concept of "twinners" who are alternate versions of oneself from these different worlds. Jack Sawyer, an ordinary boy from a small town, discovers that he possesses an extraordinary gift called "the Talisman" that allows him to travel between these parallel universes. He learns that his mother's life is linked to another world called the Territories, and his quest is to find a mysterious object in that world that can cure her. With the help of his mystical abilities, Jack embarks on a dangerous and thrilling journey to seek the Talisman.
To begin with, The Ruined Boys is not a children’s book. Like David Copperfield, it’s told from the point of view of a child whose childhood has come to a cruel end with a change in family circumstances. His parents’ marriage break-up sends young Gerald Bracher to Seafold House, an austere, comfortless public school. Place and date are left vague but some time in the 1920s would be a good guess. As that coincides with my father’s schooling, I can only hope that Fuller’s imagination wildly exaggerates the dehumanizing effects of that era’s public school system. In fact it clearly does, as the urbane, sanctimonious headmaster’s rule over the neglected, poorly fed and housed boys is meant to symbolize a wider political and class system that is rotten to the core. Survival is entirely down to the ever-shifting balance of power, as older boys leave and younger ones move up the hierarchy, with senior boys given free rein to beat up juniors, while weaker boys are scorned and bullied by pupils and masters alike. Awed by Mr Pemberton, the charismatic Head, Gerald initially accepts this system; then, gradually, his eyes are opened to the hypocrisy it is built on and he sees Mr Pemberton for the small man – morally as well as physically – that he is.
by Lindsay Anderson and David Sherwin 1968 While the violence at the film s end doesn t occur in Fuller s story, it is telling that the film s hero, Mick Travis, unleashes it, not on the entitled boys who gave him a ferocious beating, but on the smug, hypocritical headmaster, housemaster and school chaplain, the school governors and their elegantly dressed wives - all those responsible for a lazy, corrupt system that allows so much power in the hands of the vicious. In fact it clearly does, as the urbane, sanctimonious headmaster s rule over the neglected, poorly fed and housed boys is meant to symbolize a wider political and class system that is rotten to the core.
With the help of his mystical abilities, Jack embarks on a dangerous and thrilling journey to seek the Talisman. Throughout the novel, King and Straub expertly craft a rich and intricate multiverse, weaving together different worlds and characters. Jack encounters various fantastical creatures, both benevolent and malevolent, as he navigates these alternate realities.
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A Far Cry from Malory Towers: Griselda Heppel muses on the subversive use of the Boarding School Story
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| The Fall of a Sparrow by Griselda Heppel (2021) |
A friend who loved the eccentric boarding school setting of my recent children’s book, The Fall of a Sparrow, gave me a copy of another novel he’d enjoyed, also set in a boarding school. He was keen to know what I thought of it; I have to say I was riveted, though any similarity between my book and The Ruined Boys by Roy Fuller begins and ends with the setting.
| The Ruined Boys by Roy Fuller (1959) |
It’s fascinating how the same structure can be used to create imaginary worlds that have absolutely nothing to do with each other.
To begin with, The Ruined Boys is not a children’s book. Like David Copperfield , it’s told from the point of view of a child whose childhood has come to a cruel end with a change in family circumstances. His parents’ marriage break-up sends young Gerald Bracher to Seafold House, an austere, comfortless public school. Place and date are left vague but some time in the 1920s would be a good guess. As that coincides with my father’s schooling, I can only hope that Fuller’s imagination somewhat exaggerates the dehumanising effects of that era’s public school system. In fact it clearly does, as the urbane, sanctimonious headmaster’s rule over the neglected, poorly fed and housed boys is meant to symbolise a wider political and class system that is rotten to the core. Survival is entirely down to the ever-shifting balance of power, as older boys leave and younger ones move up the hierarchy, with senior boys given free rein to beat up juniors, while weaker, scholarly boys are scorned and bullied by pupils and masters alike. Awed by Mr Pemberton, the charismatic Head, Gerald initially accepts this system; then, gradually, his eyes are opened to the hypocrisy it is built on, and he sees Mr Pemberton for the small man - morally as well as physically - that he is.
| Stalky & Co by Rudyard Kipling (1899) |
Released in 1968, nine years after the publication of Fuller’s novel, the theme of If. echoes that of The Ruined Boys so eerily I can’t believe screenwriter David Sherwin wasn’t aware of it.
| If. by Lindsay Anderson and David Sherwin (1968) |
While the violence at the film’s end doesn’t occur in Fuller’s story, it is telling that the film’s hero, Mick Travis, unleashes it, not on the entitled boys who gave him a ferocious beating, but on the smug, hypocritical headmaster, housemaster and school chaplain, the school governors and their elegantly dressed wives - all those responsible for a lazy, corrupt system that allows so much power in the hands of the vicious. Exactly the theme of The Ruined Boys.
Boarding schools are nothing like that nowadays. Frankly, they were nothing like that in the 1960s. Neither Fuller nor Anderson was interested in a realistic depiction; for them the boarding model made a brilliant structure for the political points they wanted to make.
Which just shows the strength and versatility of the genre. And while I admire what Fuller, Sherwin and Anderson achieved, I much prefer the magic and fun you can have with a boarding school setting when children are your audience, not adults.| Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling (1997) |
| The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy (1974) |
The authors brilliantly portray the juxtaposition of good and evil, the delicate balance between light and darkness, and the struggles faced by the protagonist in his quest. "The Talisman" combines elements of horror, mystery, adventure, and coming-of-age themes. It delves into the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and the lengths one is willing to go to protect their loved ones. The richly detailed and imaginative world-building, along with captivating storytelling, keeps the readers engrossed from start to finish. As with many of Stephen King's works, "The Talisman" explores deeper themes and symbolism, reflecting on the nature of existence, the power of imagination, and the interconnectedness of different dimensions. It is a dark and enthralling tale that highlights the power of love, courage, and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. "The Talisman" stands as a testament to the storytelling prowess of both Stephen King and Peter Straub. This collaboration between two masterful authors results in a captivating and unforgettable epic that transcends genres and captivates readers of all ages..
Reviews for "Stephen King's Multiverse: The Connections Between 'The Talisman' and Other Works"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Talisman" by Stephen King, but I ended up being quite disappointed. The story was convoluted and dragged on for too long. The characters felt underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The fantasy elements didn't feel original and lacked creativity. Overall, I found the book to be tedious and a chore to get through.
2. Emily - 1 star - I was expecting a thrilling and captivating read from Stephen King, but "The Talisman" fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow along. The pacing was incredibly slow, with very little action or suspense to keep me engaged. Additionally, the writing felt clunky and repetitive, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. This was a major disappointment and not up to the usual standard I expect from Stephen King.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I'm a fan of Stephen King's horror novels, but "The Talisman" just didn't hit the mark for me. The concept seemed promising, but the execution fell short. The book was unnecessarily long, filled with excessive descriptions and unnecessary details. The protagonist felt bland and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about his journey. The story also seemed to lack focus, jumping between different subplots without fully exploring any of them. Overall, I found "The Talisman" to be a disappointing read that didn't live up to the hype.