Author

Publication

2016-05-01 - Pocket Books, New York

Language

English

Word Count

235,750 words, Guess

Page Count

943 pages

Physical Format

Mass Market Paperback

Identifiers

  • ISBN-101501143786
  • ISBN-139781501143786
  • GooglejAUODAAAQBAJ
  • Goodreads56069224
  • OCLC Control Number951229378
and 1 more

Description

Needful Things is a 1991 horror novel by American author Stephen King. It is the first novel King wrote after his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addiction. It was made into a film of the same name in 1993 which was directed by Fraser C. Heston. The story focuses on a shop that sells collectibles and antiques, managed by Leland Gaunt, a new arrival to the town of Castle Rock, Maine, the setting of many King stories. Gaunt often asks customers to perform a prank or mysterious deed in exchange for the item they are drawn to. As time goes by, the many deeds and pranks lead to increasing aggression among the townspeople, as well as chaos and death. A protagonist of the book is Alan Pangborn, previously seen in Stephen King's novel [The Dark Half](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL81620W).

First Sentence

In a small town, the opening of a new store is big news.

Excerpt

You've been here before.

Description

“There are two prices for this. Half…and half. One half is cash. The other is a deed. Do you understand?” The town of Castle Rock, Maine has seen its fair share of oddities over the years, but nothing is a peculiar as the little curio shop that’s just opened for business. Its mysterious proprietor, Leland Gaunt, seems to have something for everyone out on display at Needful Things…interesting items that run the gamut from worthless to priceless. Nothing has a price tag in this place, but everything is certainly for sale. The heart’s desire for any resident of Castle Rock can easily be found among the curiosities…in exchange for a little money and—at the specific request of Leland Gaunt—a whole lot of menace against their fellow neighbors. Everyone in town seems willing to make a deal at Needful Things, but the devil is in the details. And no one takes heed of the little sign hanging on the wall: Caveat emptor. In other words, let the buyer beware… --back cover

Subjects

Topics

MainePoliceHorrorFictionViolencesuspenseConsumers

Places

People

CobbCujoSarahSmokeyAlbionRaiderIrvina

Times

Other Editions

  • Needful ThingsMass Market PaperbackPocket Books2016-05-01
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