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Needful Things
With the ``Last Castle Rock Story'' King bids a magnificent farewell to the fictional Maine town where much of his previous work has been set. Of grand proportion, the novel ranks with King's best, in both plot and characterization. A new store, Needful Things, opens in town, and its proprietor, Leland Gaunt, offers seemingly unbeatable (read: Faustian) bargains to Castle Rock's troubled citizens. Among them are Polly Chalmers, lonely seamstress whose arthritis is only one of the physical and psychic pains she must bear; Brian Rusk, the 11-year-old boy whose mother is not precisely attentive; and Alan Pangborn, the new sheriff whose wife and son have recently died. These are only three of the half-dozen or so brilliantly drawn people met in the novel's one-month time span. As the dreams of each strikingly memorable character, major and minor, inexorably turn to nightmare, individuals and soon the community are overwhelmed, while the precise nature of Gaunt's evil thrillingly stays just out of focus. King, like Leland Gaunt, knows just what his customers want. 1.5 million first printing; BOMC main selection.

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A "Needful" Item for Any King Fan
"Needful Things" is the story of Leland Gaunt, the mysterious proprietor who opens up shop in the town of Castle Rock. (King fans will remember the town from books like "Cujo" and "The Dark Half," both of which are referred to on several occasions.) Gaunt sells anything to anyone, provided they are willing to pay the price.

What I liked best about the book was that it really built up to its conclusion. I was surprised that so many found the ending lacking. It may have been over-the-top, but it got across the feeling of the mass chaos. From the beginning, I was waiting for the moment when neighbor would turn against neighbor, and I was not in the least bit dissapointed.

The writing is clever and includes brilliant descriptions of each character. Point-of-view switches frequently, creating suspense and an insatiable urge to find out what happens next.

"Needful Things" is a wonderful book that undoubtedly required much work to complete. It is not King's best work, but it is definitely near the top. What better way to say goodbye to the town we fans all know and love.

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Devil in the Flesh
The dull town of Castle Rock, Maine has its ordinary routines. Everyone knows each other's business and they enjoy the peace and quiet, especially after travelers who have a summer cottage leave for the fall. However, there is a new traveler in town and he's doing more than just visiting. With several items in the store window, Leland Gaunt opens 'Needful Things' which sells odds and ends that are 'one man's trash, another man's treasure.' The prices seem reasonable enough, however much is in your pocket and a promise to do a favor; to play a little prank on someone. Seems harmless... until you piss off the wrong person and things start to get out of hand. Leland Gaunt starts selling even more 'needful things' and people who want them are willing to pay any price, even if that means their souls.