Christine, Stephen King, 1983
My favorite quote: “If being a kid is about learning how to live, then being a grown-up is about learning how to die.”
Notable characters: Dennis Guilder, a high school jock; Arnie Cunningham, a high school geek … with a killer new car; Christine, the killer new car
Most memorable scene: Christine, hunting down the enemies of her man …
Greatest strengths: Its playlist. Stephen King tosses in some dang fine tunes here
Standout achievements: For me, I’d say it’s the way the narrative switches from third to first person POV, out of the middle of nowhere. The reason I call it a ‘standout achievement’ is because even though it should have totally yanked me out of the story and irritated me, it didn’t. I know. I can’t explain it either …
Fun Facts: In a 1984 interview about Christine, Stephen King said, “Seriously, I don’t know how Chrysler feels about Christine … but they should feel happy, because it’s a pretty lively car and it lasts a long time. It’s like a Timex watch, it takes a licking and goes on ticking.”
Other media: The 1983 film of the same name
What it taught me: That any idea can be a good idea, depending on the delivery. I mean, think about it: Christine is basically a book about a haunted car. Sounds kinda silly, right? Not the way Stephen King tells it, it ain’t …
How it inspired me: I’ve rarely seen a character arc as compelling and emotional as that of Arnie Cunningham’s in Christine. When it comes to (dramatic) evolution of characters, this is the yardstick by which all my efforts are measured
Additional thoughts: Is it just me, or is Christine a totally sexy name? I don’t know what it is about it that gets me all hot and bothered, but it does. Seriously. Mmmm …Chrisssstiiiinnne ….
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Alistair Cross 