"The Talisman" is a fantasy novel written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It was first published in 1984 and has since become a cult classic in the genre. The story follows a young boy named Jack Sawyer, who embarks on a perilous journey through parallel worlds to save his dying mother. The novel begins in New York, where we are introduced to Jack and his mother Lily. Jack soon discovers that his mother is sick and needs a special talisman to cure her. This talisman is located in a parallel world called the Territories.
“I can’t jog around the city with my headphones in my ears. I can’t speak out against my rapist after 35 years. I can’t be taken seriously if I’m holding back tears,” she continues. “And I can never speak earnestly about all of these fears because it sure is a scary time for dudes.”
One woman has a brilliant and catchy response to President Donald Trump s recent claim that it s a very scary time for young men because women can falsely accuse them of sexual assault. The three-book children s series, which has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, began with 1981 s Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and continued with More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark 1984 and Scary Stories 3 More Tales To Chill Your Bones 1991.
This talisman is located in a parallel world called the Territories. With the help of his friend Speedy Parker, Jack learns how to travel between worlds and sets out on his quest. As Jack ventures into the Territories, he encounters various magical creatures and dangerous adversaries.
CBS Films Nabs ‘Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark’ Pitch From ‘Saw’ Scribes
EXCLUSIVE: CBS Films has sprung for a pitch from Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan, who wrote the last four Saw films, to adapt Alvin Schwartz’s classic spooky tale collection Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. I’m told it was a competitive bidding for the project, which will see Melton and Dunstan adapt some of the Scary short stories into a screenplay about a group of outcast kids who stand up to their fears to save their town when nightmares come to life. Sean Daniel and Jason Brown of Sean Daniel Company and Elizabeth Grave of 1212 Entertainment will produce, with Roberto Grande and Joshua Long exec producing. SDC and 1212 initially optioned rights before teaming up with Melton and Dunstan, who are repped by WME and Trevor Engelson at Underground. VP Mark Ross and Creative Executive Alex Ginno are overseeing the project for CBS Films.
Schwartz collected the Scary Stories tales from folklore and urban legend. The three-book children’s series, which has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide, began with 1981’s Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and continued with More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (1984) and Scary Stories 3: More Tales To Chill Your Bones (1991). Scribes Melton and Dunstan got their start in horror but also recently wrote on Pacific Rim and were tapped to pen Disney’s Stuff of Legend, Fox’s Outliers, and Universal’s God of War. SDC, which scored a hit recently with The Best Man Holiday, is rebooting Universal’s The Mummy and is producing Ben-Hur at MGM.
Tim Sherwood defended the hosts' stewarding -- despite fans lining up on the side of the pitch before the end -- and insisted emotions were running high.
Along the way, he also learns about his own abilities and the nature of the parallel worlds. The story alternates between Jack's adventures in the Territories and glimpses of his life in our world. Throughout his journey, Jack must confront his fears and make difficult choices to protect the people he cares about. He also discovers that there are other individuals who are also after the talisman for their own nefarious purposes. These villains, known as the "Sunlight Gardener" and "Morgan of Orris," serve as formidable obstacles for Jack. "The Talisman" is known for its rich world-building and well-developed characters. The authors have created a complex mythology and intricately woven narrative that keeps readers engaged. The novel seamlessly combines elements of horror, fantasy, and adventure, resulting in a captivating and unique reading experience. The book received critical acclaim upon its release and has since become a beloved work of literature within the fantasy genre. Its success led to a sequel, "Black House," which was published in 2001. "The Talisman" is often praised for its imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, and exploration of themes such as the power of love and the nature of identity. In conclusion, "The Talisman" is a compelling fantasy novel that takes readers on an epic journey through parallel worlds. It is an excellent collaboration between Stephen King and Peter Straub, delivering a thrilling and thought-provoking story. With its well-crafted narrative and engaging characters, "The Talisman" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and horror literature..
Reviews for "The Dark Side of Childhood: Peter Straub's 'The Talisman"
1. John - 2 stars
"The Talisman by Peter Straub was a disappointment for me. The story was overly complex and convoluted, making it difficult to follow and understand. The pacing was also incredibly slow, with long stretches of the book that seemed completely unnecessary and didn't contribute much to the overall plot. I found it hard to connect with the characters, as they felt shallow and one-dimensional. Overall, I was left feeling bored and unsatisfied after reading this book."
2. Sarah - 1 star
"I really struggled to finish The Talisman by Peter Straub. The writing style felt disjointed and confusing, making it hard to engage with the story. The plot seemed to go off on tangents that never really connected back to the main storyline, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't bring myself to care about their journey. It was a disappointing read that I wouldn't recommend to others."
3. David - 2 stars
"The Talisman by Peter Straub fell short of my expectations. The concept of traveling between parallel universes sounded intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The narrative felt disjointed and disconnected, making it difficult to fully invest in the story. The pacing was slow, with long stretches of uneventful scenes that didn't add much to the overall plot. I found myself losing interest and struggling to stay engaged. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me."
4. Emily - 3 stars
I had high hopes for The Talisman by Peter Straub, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot was intriguing, but it felt bogged down by unnecessary details and lengthy descriptions. The characters had potential, but they lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on and others rushing through important moments. While it had its moments, overall, it was a mediocre read for me.