As a die-hard fan of Stephen King, I was surprised to realise that I had missed reading one of his novels. When I saw Cell displayed at the library, I picked it up with no hesitation. The topic intrigued me: an apocalyptic story that commences with a scenario centred around a cell phone. I have enjoyed many of King’s stories and had no doubt I would not be disappointed with this one.

The story begins with the following lines:

“Civilization slipped into its second dark age on an unsurprising track of blood, but with a speed that could not have been foreseen by even the most pessimistic futurist. It was as if it had been waiting to go. On October 1, God was in His heaven, the stock market stood at 10, 140, and most of the planes were on time (except for those landing and taking off in Chicago, and that was to be expected). Two weeks later the skies belonged to the birds again and the stock market was a memory. By Halloween every major city from New York to Moscow stank to the empty heavens and the world as it had been was a memory.” (p.1, 2006, Scribner)

This apocalyptic story is told through the eyes and experiences of Clayton Riddell, a graphic artist who has just landed a book deal. His euphoria is broken when he sees in front of him the violence unleashed by a programme transmitted through a cell phone. Meeting up with others who are not cell phone users, Clay travels north in his desire to find his son.

As usual, Stephen King’s writing is gripping. His story drew me in and took me with Clay through all the obstacles he experienced. Unexpected surprises happened in a story that seems realistic – though of course what King describes has never happened. I finished the story quickly and did not regret checking this novel out of the library.

The story also made me thankful that I do not own a cell phone 🙂

Do you own a cell phone?

(This post was inspired by Miz B’s Teaser Tuesdays)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014