Title: Firestarter
Author: Stephen King
Narrator: Dennis Boutsikaris
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Duration: 14 hours, 43 minutes
Copyright: 2010
Genres: science fiction, suspense, supernatural
Filed in: Audiobook Reviews
Review copy provided by Blackstone Audio.
SUMMARY: In the late 1960’s, a lot of people were experimenting with mind-altering drugs. It turns out the government was doing a little experimenting of its own. Using twelve college students as test subjects, an experimental chemical compound simply called Lot 6 was administered. It was believed that Lot 6 would enhance the latent psi-powers believed to be hidden away in the average human brain, and for a time, it seemed they were right. During the test, the subjects displayed such talents as mind reading and telekinesis. It didn’t take long, however, to discover that Lot 6 had some major flaws. One student died during the test, and another immediately after. Over the next few years. All of the test subjects either died or went insane. All except two, that is.
Andy McGee and Vicki Tomlinson not only survived Lot 6, they managed to fall in love. They soon married, and when their daughter, Charlie, was born, the government became very interested. You see, Andy and Vicki both retained some of the psi-powers they gained during the experiment, and little Charlie inherited altered genes from both of them. While still an infant, it became clear that Charlie McGee was a firestarter.
For several years, the McGee’s managed to stay one step ahead of the government agents that were keeping tabs on them, but finally, when Charlie was 7, the agents caught up. Vicki, who had only a small ability, and little control over it, was murdered, while Andy and Charlie were isolated at a top-secret installation in Virginia.
Using the two as collateral against each other, the government poked, prodded, and tested the two for several months, not realizing that all the while Andy, who had a mental domination talent, was quietly formulating an escape plan, and storing up his abilities in hopes of making that plan come true. But Andy’s plan goes terribly wrong, and Charlie finds that it is up to her. Nice of those government agents to teach her how to use and control her pyro-kinesis, wasn’t it?
MY TAKE ON IT: Firestarter has always been one of my favorite Stephen King novels, and I was very glad to find this audio version. I guess I don’t need to say much about Stephen King’s writing, do I? Everyone knows he’s a talented writer. The scary thing about Firestarter is that the government is probably really doing stuff like this somewhere.
NARRATOR: Dennis Boutsikaris is a passable audiobook narrator; not great, but okay. He tried to differentiate the voices of the characters with limited success, but I can tell you I’ve heard much worse.
FILM ADAPTATION: Firestarter hit theaters in 1984, starring the oh-so-cute Drew Barry more as Charlie McGee. I always thought it was a little funny that Charlie’s father, played by David Keith, spoke with some type of southern accent in this movie. How odd. Other notable cast members include Martin Sheen as Cap Hollister, Heather Locklear as Charlie’s mom (in flashbacks only), and lovable old Art Carney in the minor role of Irv Manders. Also odd about this movie, the native-american government assassin, John Rainbird, was played by George C Scott. I bet that guy doesn’t have a drop of Indian blood in him.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
The Shining by Stephen King (Audiobook Review)
Cujo by Stephen King (audiobook review)
Christine by Stephen King (Audiobook review)
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If you like this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get “Firestarter” by Stephen King (Unabridged Audiobook) from Blackstone Audio.
Interested in the movie?
Get "Firestarter" starring Drew Barrymore, on DVD, from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from AudioBook-Heaven.
Love this book AND the movie adaptation with the oh-so-cute Drew.
ReplyDeleteKings books don't normally go to movie very well but I thought this one did!
Excellent review!
I originally read this back when it came out in 1980. IIRC, there was a good bit of controversy over the henchman role of John Rainbird being a native-american in the film adaptation. I think the producers wanted to de-emphasize that aspect. Hence, George C. Scott was cast and the role was left with a more dubious ancestry. Fine review.
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