Quick Book Review: DOLORES CLAIBORNE By Stephen King

In 1992, Stephen King’s DOLORES CLAIBORNE was published. Unlike his other novels, Dolores Claiborne is quintessentially a narrative. The title character, Dolores Claiborne, of course, is a 65-year-old widow living in Little Tall Island. 

You will find the novel, even after more than thirty years, is still in the bestsellers list despite it being an unusual reading experience. 

Dolores Claiborne has no chapters or section breaks. It is simply a narration of the titular character as she talks about all that transpired in the 1960s. 

Even though she is presently accused of murdering her wealthy yet elderly employer Vera Donovan, Dolores shocks the investigators with an admission of another murder. 

The novel has been much-loved by horror fans all around the globe. It was even adapted into a movie in 1995 that starred Kathy Bates in the title role. 

Fans of Stephen King’s other novels will also find a link to his other novel Gerald’s Game. 

QUICK BOOK REVIEW OF DOLORES CLAIBORNE

The story immediately grabs you with Dolores’ tart statement and her almost biting remarks to one of the officers called Andy. Within two sentences we understand that Dolores is snarky with the local authorities who have her in for questioning. 

In another few paragraphs, we find Dolores admitting to killing her husband Joe St George. 

Dolores is almost nonchalant about it and a tad humorous as she remarks about the reactions given to her. 

And thus begins her narrative but it doesn’t start with her telling the story of why she killed her husband. She begins by explaining how Vera, her employer, was shrewd and troublesome. 

But as she goes on to tell her story, you do come to sympathize with Vera’s character who had her own share of troubles with her husband and loss of children. 

Dolores has three kids, Selena, Joe Jr. And Pete. 

Her troubles begin in 1962 when her husband sets his eyes on Selena. Joe tries to blame it on Dolores for threatening him after he hit her. 

As a reader, there is much to hate about Joe and much to admire about Dolores who not only displays bravado in difficult situations but also experiences moments when she is human and scared and vulnerable. 

Stephen King has managed to get into the mind of a woman who must face the harsh realities of her little world. Yet, she manages to do what is best for her children. 

The solar eclipse event forms an important turning point in the story. It is when the world is dark that Dolores plans her husband’s murder. She doesn’t have a choice anymore. He went after her daughter. 

And so, she does away with her husband and spends years being Vera’s caretaker, the one person in Little Tall Island, who may have guessed her secret. After all, she did hint at doing something similar to her own husband. 

Dolores Claiborne is a memorable novel and not only because it provides a rather unique reading experience. The fact that it has no chapters means that you are encouraged or perhaps compelled to finish the book as soon as possible. 

The narrative does entice you enough to do exactly that. 

Stephen King’s Dolores Claiborne is a book that will shake you to the very core. It may make you experience different emotions as well, mostly disgust. But at the end of the book, you will be proud of Dolores Claiborne and not only of the novel but of the character as well. 

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