“An unforgettable, unflinching glimpse into a mind driven to murder” (San Francisco Chronicle)—the #1 national bestseller from Stephen King about a housekeeper with a long-hidden secret from her past…one that tests her own will to survive. Dolores Claiborne is suspected of killing Vera Donovan, her wealthy employer, and when the police question her, she tells the story of her life, harkening … life, harkening back to her disintegrating marriage and the suspicious death of her violent husband thirty years earlier. Dolores also tells of Vera’s physical and mental decline and how she became emotionally demanding in recent years.
Given a voice as compelling as any in contemporary fiction, the strange intimacy between Dolores and Vera—and the link that binds them—unfolds in Dolores’s account. It shows, finally, how fierce love can be, and how dreadful its consequences. And how the soul, harrowed by the hardest life, can achieve a kind of grace.
Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as a “tour de force, Dolores Claiborne is “a literary triumph. The finest of King novels…a plot of enormous energy…Read this book” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
more
When Vera Donovan dies suddenly, her housekeeper Dolores is ready to tell her version of what happened, but with gossip and long-standing suspicions about how her own husband died, Dolores needs to put things straight, so her story is going to be told her way and it’s going to include pretty much everything.
This has been on my bookshelf for ages, so I thought it was about time I got around to it. Having never seen the movie version (and knowing how much Hollywood can bugger-up a story), I wanted to get the original under my belt first. Stephen King’s reputation as a horror writer is perhaps a little over done, as some of his books have very little to do with the genre. This is one of those stories that’s centred around relationships rather than spooky stuff, and while there are some pretty gory details and a good few images that’ll likely stay with me for weeks to come, it’s definitely not a book for scaring folk.
Unusually, Mr King takes a different approach with this book and instead of chapters, he just writes the whole thing through from start to finish with no breaks. Told from the point of view of the main character and in her very distinctive voice, we hear about her children, her home life and her difficult marriage to Joe, but it’s her love/hate relationship with Vera and how the two women’s lives connect through the years and impact (especially) on Dolores, that make this such a powerful and moving tale.
The writing and King’s use of language is superb and had me hooked from page one, demonstrating the author’s continuing and ever-growing talents as a storyteller. With a unique and strong central character, this is a thought-provoking tale that I’ll remember for a very long time.
NB After writing this, I took a look at the trailer for the movie Dolores Claiborne, and much as I love Kathy Bates, it’s clear that it’s a very different kettle of fish to the book, so much so, that I think I can safely say I’m never going to watch it.
I read this book for the first time before I watched the movie. They’re both equally wonderful, but of course the book is the best.
I read this when it first came out and found it to be a unique story given the time it was published. I found Mr. King to be a bit loquacious in describing the scenery at times – I could skip paragraphs and pick up the story a page or so later without missing anything important – I enjoyed the story.
It’s Stephen King. It’s amazing.
I loved this story, it gives a realistic example of a serious topic and King is always good about not stereotyping or victim blaming in these instances of his work. I am a long time King fan BECAUSE of his books like this. As much as I love the classics of his that everyone knows, his stories like this and Rose Madder are refreshingly realistic, brutal or horrifying as that reality may be. Definitely recommend.
I read this book years ago. It’s one of my favorite Stephen King books. It was different from his others. I devoured it. If your a fan of his or a new reader I would highly recommend this book. It’s not a supernatural kind of story.
I listened to the AMAZING audio book. It’s read by Frances Sternhagen and OMG let me tell you how perfect she is! I have no idea if it’s her real accent or not but she reads this with a Maine accent. i loved every minute of it.
The story is good but there is not much supernatural things here. One maybe but that’s about it. It’s the story of Dolores Claiborne’s life, how and why she killed her husband and if she killed her employer and friend, Vera. I liked it a lot. The story was intriguing and kept my attention.
If your going to read this one, i can not recommend the audio book enough. It’s in my top 3 of all times.
this book was too short, the characters were so great that i wanted more, really awesome book.
I love Stephen King’s books. I thought this one was appropriately creepy!
Stephen King at his best!
I loved this book. He really got into the heart and head of an abused woman. I felt for her through the whole book.
Masterclass in writing voice. King is a master.
Another Stephen King mega hit. Loved it.
One of my favourite books. He really embodies this character who carries the story from beginning to end, and the twist is amazing. Well done.
It has been awhile since I read this one. Some scenarios were hard for me to stomach with a vivid imagination. Written in typical Stephen King style. Good read.
One of several King truly terrifying novels that does not rely on the supernatural in any way. As all of his books, it uses completely believable ordinary characters. Even as a villain, Dolores Claiborne is a wonderfully likable, admirable, and heroic person.
ANOTHER GREAT BOOK FOR KING. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
One of Stephen King’s best.
I just didn’t enjoy it.
Oh, Uncle Stevie, why must you perplex me so?
I really wanted to like Dolores Claiborne. Very much so. Two major things just kept getting in the way though;
1: SK’s attempt at writing an entire book via dialogue. And I mean literally EVERYTHING. This story is told through an interview, a retelling of prior events, all through the eyes-well, words- of said Dolores Claiborne. It was a gutsy experiment on SK’s part, I’ll give him that. But I just did not like it. I tread carefully anytime I’m reading first person pov, but this is just at a whole other level, one I can’t get on board with. That’s my own personal taste I suppose, but I will definitely commend him for the effort.
It’s too bad, as the story itself is a good one. I enjoyed the plot, and learning why everyone views Dolores the way they do, and going through her years of buildup to the interview. If it’s been 3rd person pov I probably would be rating this book much higher.
2: The dialect. I get what you were going for, but sorry SK, this book often does not sound like the words of an east coast woman, even a slightly more ‘county bumpkin’ type. This often read almost southern, and that was confusing as hell, I tell you what. Surprising too, because we all know you’re from around those parts. You’ve portrayed Maine/East coast dialect well in prior books (Pet Sematary comes to mind), but this one felt like a fumble, but perhaps that’s again due to the dialogue-only storytelling?
As I mentioned earlier, the plot itself is great and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it much more of it were written in 3rd person, but again that’s mostly my own personal tastes. Overall though, possibly my most disappointed King book besides Eyes Of The Dragon (which was in itself another experiment outside his norm. Hmmm)
Because I liked the plot, I think I’ll check out the movie with Kathy Bates.
Join the RK King readers’ list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: http://www.rkkingwrites.com