The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

by Stephen King
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Thriller/Suspense
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 11198
  • Added: 2026-03-04
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9781848940956
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2010-03-22
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland finds herself lost in the woods, her panic leading her deeper into the tangled undergrowth. As darkness falls, she realizes she's not alone, and something is watching, waiting. For comfort, she tunes into broadcasts of her hero, Tom Gordon, but the woods have teeth, and they can bite. This chilling novel showcases Stephen King's ability to evoke empathy for his young heroine while delivering a suspenseful and terrifying adventure. The story explores themes of resilience and the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

Reviews
Atticus Books · 2026-03-04
underrated 4.50

This is an underrated Stephen King novel with a compelling narrative. The shorter length makes it a quick but satisfying read.

The reviewer at Atticus Books considers 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' to be an underrated gem in Stephen King's repertoire. They appreciated the book's shorter length, which made it a quick and engaging read without sacrificing depth or impact. The narrative was compelling, and the reviewer found it to be a satisfying addition to King's body of work. They also noted that the book's focus on suspense and survival added to its overall appeal.

Quick quotes

    The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is, in my opinion, an underrated Stephen King.

    It's one of his shorter books, clocking in at only 216 pages, and I polished it off in one sitting.

    The suspense and survival elements make it a compelling read.

Reddit - Horror Literature · 2026-03-04
thrilling 4.00

The suspense was gripping, and the plot flowed well. The scares were particularly effective.

This reviewer found the suspense in 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' to be particularly gripping, with a plot that flowed seamlessly. The scares were well-executed and added to the overall enjoyment of the book. They appreciated the way the tension built throughout the story, making it a thrilling read. The reviewer also noted that the book's shorter length did not detract from its impact, as the pacing was just right to keep the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

    The suspense was great, the plot flowed nicely, and I enjoyed the scares.

    But there's one thing I'd especially like to discuss

    The scares were particularly effective.

Lesser Joke Blog · 2024-08-27
intense 4.25

A wilderness survival tale that is both intense and thought-provoking. The lost child's journey is filled with natural threats and personal growth.

The reviewer from Lesser Joke Blog describes 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' as a gripping wilderness survival tale. They appreciated the intensity of the story, as the lost child faces various natural threats while trying to find her way back. The reviewer also noted the personal growth of the protagonist, making the journey both thrilling and thought-provoking. They found the book to be a compelling exploration of survival and resilience.

Quick quotes

    This is a wilderness survival tale.

    The lost child has to fend for herself against all manner of natural threats as she searches to make her way back to safety.

    The journey is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

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