stephen king

Stephen King needs no introduction. But for those people who are oblivious to this name, he is a best-selling author of several horror books that have been adapted into movies and series. So, would you like to stay in the house of this horror fiction king? Well, now you have a chance. Stephen King and his wife Tabitha King have decided to open their Bangor house in Maine to the public.

Stephen King’s Victorian style house with its iconic wrought iron gate is one of the most photographed celebrity homes in America. The Kings’ bought this house in 1980. This red Victorian mansion, which is clearly visible from the street, is where King wrote some of his famous novels. In spite of fame and fortune, the Kings lived in Bangor, Maine – King’s birth state.

**Stephen King in front of his new house (November 1982)**
Source – Bangor Daily News Photo by Carroll Hall

Bangor has been the setting for much of his novels and the creepy look of the town would transport the visitor to a King’s novel. One might be able to feel King’s stories come to life while taking a stroll down this tiny town. Countless fans have taken pictures in front of the houses’ small black gate which is decorated with spiders, dragons and gargoyles, creating an eerie feel on its own. King regrets putting up the creepy fence because of the large number of tourists it attracts. Certain times, King likes to entertain his fans by playing certain tricks; in 2017, just before the release of the new It movie, a red balloon popped up in one of the windows of the house. People who have seen the movie would know why this is creepy.

**The Red Balloon**
Source – Google Images

The 3.27 acres is now being converted into an archive and a writers’ retreat. There are two houses within the property – one will be used as a retreat where a maximum of 5 writers can stay and work, and the other house will be used as an archive, maintained by Stephen and Tabitha king Foundation. According to Stephen King,

“We are in the very beginning of planning the writers’ retreat at the house next door, providing housing for up to five writers in residence at a time. The zoning change getting press coverage was the first step. We are one to two years away from an operating retreat. The archives formerly held at the University of Maine will be accessible for restricted visits by appointment only. There will not be a museum and nothing will be open to the public, but the archives will be available to researchers and scholars.”

A Bangor planning officer said,

“They did not want the house to become a Dollywood or some kind of tourist attraction. That would bring all sorts of people to the neighborhood, and they have other neighbors that live there.”

**King’s Bangor House**
Source – Google Images

For people who are interested in staying/visiting the town, should also explore it, for this town is teeming with ghost stories and legends. For all the aspiring horror story writers, this town might inspire you and you might even be the next best-seller. Whether you are a fan or a writer, this town is a must-see for horror fanatics.

This is my personal take on the series, Under the Dome. You are free to agree or disagree with me. Let me know in the comment section below.
Warning – Spoiler alerts for those who are yet to watch this show. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Under The Dome, the Netflix drama series based on the bestselling Stephen King novel of the same name, is a must-watch for anyone interested in Sci-fi shows. With only three Seasons, the show has managed to capture the attention of viewers, who have mixed reactions about it. The show was only meant to run for one season, but later extends up to three. Although it is a short series, compared to the other shows, it nevertheless manages to pack a lot of action and mystery. You can either hate it or love it, but you cannot stop watching this show without seeking answers for several mysteries and questions this show poses.

As the name suggests, the fictional town of Chester’s Mill is one day trapped under an invisible dome, which cuts them off from the rest of the world. No one can get in and no one can get out of this dome. The dome cuts houses in half, downs power lines, crushes cars that can’t see it, and most effectively and gruesomely, cuts a cow completely in half. The dome’s presence is known only when you touch it, which gives off a slight electric shock – enough to warn you but not to kill you.

**A few of the lead characters touching the dome**
Source : Google Images

The reason behind the dome is unknown and the citizens of the town are left stranded, with food, water and other resources running low. The citizens of the dome fend for themselves, with little to no help from the outside world.

As the show progresses, we see chaos happening within the dome. It turns into a dystopian society where violence, crime and other vices begin to rear their ugly heads. Certain characters try to bring about a sense of order, but it usually ends in vain.

The government approaches the dome’s citizens, looking for a mysterious egg, with very little concern about the people trapped under the dome. This egg later becomes the centre of the story and it is the catalyst for a lot of the action. The plot thickens and unravels as the show progresses, and it shows no sign of slowing down.

The characters are well-written and they all have their own past and role in the storyline. We see the lives of the characters interconnect into a tangled web and it is interesting to watch their development. The character of Julia Shumway, magnificently portrayed by Rachelle Lefevre, is a strong woman character that stands out from the rest.

**The citizens of Chester’s Mill.**
Source : Google Images

The show has all the characters that are required in a good story – a Villain (Big Jim), a smart kid (Joe McAlister), a rebel (Norrie), a waitress who wants to see the world (Angie), a goody man with a dark past (Barbie), a never back down kind of a woman (Julia), a gay couple (Carolyn and Dr. Alice), a drunk with dark secrets (Sam), the kid with family issues (Junior), random high school kids, sheriff, and every other kind of character you can think of. It is an interesting mix and each character contributes something to the main storyline. The show focuses on the tales of the interconnected lives of a large cast of everyday small-town Americans. The show is shot beautifully, with great care given to the details in the setting and angles. The effects are stellar, and never fail to draw the viewer in and leave us on the edge of our seat.

The thought that ran through my mind when I first started watching this show, I’m sure most of you would agree with me, was to immediately think of The Simpsons Movie where the citizens of Springfield are all stuck under a similar dome.

The dome in *The Simpsons Movie* vs the dome in *Under the Dome*.
Source : Google Images

The book Under the Dome was published in 2009 and The Simpsons Movie was released in 2007. It may seem like Stephen King’s version is the copy, and he thwarts these rumours by saying, “I have never seen the movie,” King replies on his website, “and the similarity came as a complete surprise to me.” But it doesn’t matter, he argues, because unless there is outright plagiarism, “stories can no more be alike than snowflakes. The reason is simple: no two imaginations are exactly alike.”

**Stephen King’s book Under the Dome (2009)**
Source : Google Images

Although the storyline and a few elements may seem similar, there are a few contrasts between the two – mainly the origin of the dome. While the dome in ‘The Simpsons Movie’ is put down as quarantine by the USA government, the dome in ‘Under the Dome’ is caused by aliens.

Whether it is for its stellar cast, or your love for sci-fi disaster shows, Under the Dome is a show that deserves a spot on your watch-list. It can also be a fun watch, where you can compare between the series and the Simpsons movie. Whatever your reason may be, this show is definitely a must-watch for all those who are a fan of Stephen King and Sci-fi alike. With a stack of movies in his arsenal, Stephen King repeatedly enthrals his audience. And when has Stephen King ever truly disappointed us?

Tag: stephen king

Stephen King’s Horror Mansion Retreat.

A Look into the Series ‘Under the Dome’