The Gunslinger

by Stephen King
The Gunslinger cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Technical
  • ID: 4584
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
good 3.50

The Gunslinger is a captivating novel that blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, offering a unique and imaginative story. The book's exploration of guilt and redemption through the lens of animal companions is both insightful and thought-provoking. The narrative's global phenomenon, localized in Johannesburg, adds depth and complexity to the story. The novel's energetic and imaginative style makes it a compelling read, though some readers might find the plot thin in certain areas.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King is a novel that seamlessly blends elements of science fiction and fantasy, creating a unique and captivating story. The book's central premise revolves around the concept of 'animalled' people, where individuals are accompanied by animals that reflect their guilt or past actions. This allegory is both insightful and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on themes of guilt and redemption. The story is set in Johannesburg, South Africa, but the phenomenon is global, adding a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative. The novel's energetic and imaginative style makes it a compelling read, with a richly detailed world that draws readers in. However, some readers might find the plot thin in certain areas, and the pacing can be uneven at times. Despite these minor drawbacks, the book's unique concepts and engaging storytelling make it a standout in the genre. The Gunslinger is a book that will leave readers thinking long after they've turned the last page, making it a must-read for fans of science fiction and fantasy.

Quick quotes

    The phenomenon in the book is a global one, the particular story local.

    I think it’s worth checking out.

    The Aids thing is a great insight isn’t it Tom?

novelnotions.net · Unknown · 2020-04-15
compelling 4.00

The reviewer finds Zoo City to be a unique blend of African fantasy and science fiction, with a gritty and engaging narrative. They appreciate the novel's exploration of themes like xenophobia and genetic mutation, and its departure from traditional African literature.

The reviewer highlights that Zoo City is not your typical science fiction novel. Instead, it delves into African fantasy, featuring elements like witchcraft and genetic mutation. The story is set in a contemporary South African world where people are divided by a condition called aposymbiosis, which binds them to animals. The protagonist, Zinzi, is a complex character with a dark past, and her journey into the underworld of scams and ritual killings is both thrilling and chilling. The reviewer notes that the novel's pop-fiction style and gritty language suit its themes well. They also mention that Beukes' work has significant entertainment value, as evidenced by film deals. Overall, the reviewer finds Zoo City to be a compelling and unique read that stands out in African literature.

Quick quotes

    Zoo City has a pop-fiction feel. It reads like Fifty Shades of Grey — filled with clichés and catchy turns of phrases.

    Beuke’s world is all grits and grime and it makes sense for the language and style to reflect that.

    Zinzi’s story will have you reeling from fright and delight.

thelitbitch.com · Unknown · 2017-05-25
brilliant 4.50

The Gunslinger is a complex and intriguing novel that blends elements of noir, fantasy, and cultural commentary. The story is rich in detail and character development, offering a unique perspective on South Africa's present and past.

The Gunslinger is a novel that defies easy categorization. It's a noir murder mystery with a semi-New Weird slant, but it's also a novel about refugees, the music industry, South Africa, guilt, revenge, drugs, prejudice, poverty, and so much more. The story is centered around Zinzi December, a former convict who must bear the mark of her crime in the form of a semi-intelligent animal. The novel is immense in its complexity, despite having the allure of a typical genre romp. It roots the reader in the now, altering details as necessary to convey a world that has been changed by its supernatural affliction. The characters are flawed and deal with those flaws in human ways, making the story both amusing and voyeuristic. The ending feels somewhat rushed and without full resolution, but it's suspenseful and slightly insane, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The novel doesn’t suffer from feeling disconnected from the world its characters are supposed to occupy

    It is, in part, a noir crime novel, but it is also a foray into South Africa’s present

    The novel’s cultural layers are palimpsest-ial in nature, each element bleeding into another so that almost every detail, allusion, and reference becomes integral to the development of the novel’s characters and the narrative itself.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2012-12-13
fantastic 4.50

The reviewer found 'Zoo City' to be a fantastic urban fantasy with a unique and imaginative setting, top-notch writing, and impressive pacing. They praised the novel's neo-noir thriller elements and its use of South African apartheid as a backdrop. The only criticism was the pacing, which felt uneven between the first and second parts of the book.

The reviewer was initially hesitant about 'Zoo City' due to their bias against urban fantasy, but they were pleasantly surprised. The novel's unique setting, where criminals are attached to strange animals with magical powers, was a fresh breath of air. The protagonist, Zinzi December, is a former journalist and junkie who uses her tracking ability to solve crimes. The reviewer praised the novel's top-notch writing, impressive wordplay, and spectacular pacing. They also appreciated the novel's use of South African apartheid as a backdrop, comparing it to 'District 9'. The only criticism was the pacing, which felt uneven between the first and second parts of the book. The reviewer hopes that Lauren Beukes will continue with the world imagined in 'Zoo City'.

Quick quotes

    The setting for 'Zoo City' is a fresh breath of air.

    This is urban fantasy I can get behind.

    The writing is top notch, mixing impressive wordplay with the imaginative setting.

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