Under the Dome

by Stephen King
Under the Dome cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9741
  • Added: 2026-01-02
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781476767277
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2014-02-25
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine, an invisible and impenetrable force field suddenly seals off the town from the outside world, causing chaos and destruction. With cars and airplanes exploding on contact, the townspeople are left to fend for themselves, isolated and terrified. /n/n As the town descends into panic, Iraq war veteran Dale Barbara and a group of sensible citizens band together to overcome the tyrannical rule of Big Jim Rennie, a politician who seeks to control everything within the Dome. With limited resources and no way to communicate with the outside world, they must find a way to survive and uncover the truth behind the mysterious dome.

Reviews
Divination Hollow · 2024-01-22
mixed 2.50

Under the Dome is a bit of a bloated mess, with struggles in length and pace. However, there is some great writing buried within.

The reviewer found Under the Dome to be a bit of a mixed bag. They struggled with the book's length and pace, feeling that it was somewhat bloated and could have benefited from tighter editing. Despite these issues, they acknowledge that there are moments of excellent writing and compelling storytelling. The reviewer appreciates the effort and creativity that went into the book but feels that it could have been a stronger read with some refinements. They note that fans of King's other works might still find value in the novel, but it may not be his best.

Quick quotes

    Overall, this book is a bit of a bloated mess

    I struggled a lot with the length and pace

    There's some great writing buried in here, too

Reddit - r/books · 2022-01-09
enjoyable 4.50

Under the Dome is extremely readable and features one of the most evil characters King has ever created. The reviewer is enjoying it immensely.

This Reddit discussion highlights that Under the Dome is an engaging and enjoyable read. The reviewer particularly appreciates the character of Big Jim, whom they describe as one of the most evil characters King has ever created. The novel's readability and the depth of its characters are praised, making it a standout for fans of King's work. The reviewer expresses their enjoyment and satisfaction with the book, noting that it keeps them engaged from start to finish. The discussion also touches on the book's ability to evoke strong emotions and reactions from readers, further emphasizing its impact.

Quick quotes

    It is extremely readable

    Big Jim has to be one of the most evil characters Stephen King has ever created

    I'm enjoying it immensely

Fantasy Book Review · 2009-11-13
compelling 3.50

Under the Dome is a compelling read and a significant improvement over some of King's other works. It will appeal greatly to fans of The Stand.

This review highlights that Under the Dome is a gripping and engaging novel, especially for those who enjoy King's other apocalyptic tales like The Stand. The reviewer appreciates the book's compelling narrative and sees it as a notable step up from some of King's previous works. They note that the book's slow build-up is worth the wait, as it delivers a satisfying and intense experience. The reviewer also mentions that the book's themes and characters are well-developed, making it a standout in King's extensive bibliography.

Quick quotes

    Under the Dome will appeal greatly to fans of King's The Stand

    It is a compelling read and a significant improvement on some of his other works

    The book builds slowly but in the end delivers all the grue and brisance you'd expect of an apocalypse in a bottle

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