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Rating: You've been here before. Yes, you have. For sure. I never forget a face. I've already seen you snooping around DeBaser. Do you have a minute? Listen to this:
Have you ever wondered what things you truly consider precious in your life? I mean those that give you indescribable, truly orgasmic sensations, essential in your existence and that you could never live without, you know? And if one day you discovered the existence of objects that could infuse you, and only you, with all those states of mind I mentioned earlier (but taken to a paroxysmal level), how would you behave? Would you be willing to do anything to have them? Would you defend them from any enemy hand? At any cost?
If you're interested in the merchandise, I know a little shop that's perfect for you, but I'll tell you one thing right away: leave your wallet at home. You pay with something else here.
In a small town, the opening of a store always makes news. You know, the town's small, people are nosy (and gossip). Everyone wonders if the business will be successful or if it will fall into bankruptcy, but the most important question in the curious minds is: what will it sell?
And if the owner is an outsider, a stranger, then it's sure that curiosity will be at its peak. But as you know even more, curiosity can be very dangerous - as the citizens of Castle Rock will soon discover.
In 1991, Stephen King created the last story set in "his" town. One day, in the charming town of Maine, Leland Gunt, a middle-aged (man?) opens a shop called "Needful Things." What things? Rare pieces, curiosities, joys for small collectors. The people, initially hesitant, start being attracted to it and discover that in that dusty and decaying shop, they can find the object of their dreams, capable of bringing them to their personal nirvana. What does he ask in return? A favor. A simple favor. Doing a favor for someone who asks is always a good deed, right? Not this time...
King creates a "choral" novel (as he will do in "The Dome"), where the real protagonist of the work is the people who make up the town and the intertwining of events triggered by Gunt's arrival, who will enjoy observing it all - weaving the strands of the plot like a venomous spider hidden in its corner. The story is a crescendo where one is gradually captured, with King's pen able to create suspense worthy of his best works and, once it becomes clear what the horrendous (death) plan is being executed, the shopkeeper will drop his mask, showing the true merchandise that is for sale in his shop and which will soon become the most requested by his clients.
An engaging and violent novel like never before, which, however, suffers a drop in tone during the final confrontation (handled too hastily) between the side represented by "good" (Alan Pangborn, the town's sheriff and the only one to have never set foot in the store) and that of "evil." All concluded with an epilogue worthy of the best King.
Ultimately, one of the King's best novels, suitable both for those who want to approach his books for the first time and for his Constant Readers. Don't be afraid of the tome's size (768 pages): here the pages flow quickly. It's another thing you have to fear from the book...
You've been here before. Yes, you have. For sure. I hope to see you again in the next DeReview. Oh, I almost forgot: I hope you already own a "precious thing." Otherwise, there's always that little shop I told you about. It's always open; it never closes. However, I'd advise you never to set foot in it.
Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded down)
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