I was an avid reader of King's earlier novels, devoured them almost as fast as he could write them. Then something happened, and he changed ... became more pensive, should I say ... literary. Under The Dome, I am pleased to say is a return to the style of writing of his early days (confirmed by the afterword where King mentions that he actually started the book in 1976). I know from several biographies that King loved snorting and smoking, and I think that this was what gave his early books their sheer pace and dynamism. I'm not suggesting this is something you should try at home, but I am saying that King's earlier chemical and herb induced novels had a quality that was, and still is unearthly.
So when I tell you that a meth lab, and not just any meth lab but probably the biggest in north america is located in Chester's Mill you won't be surprised by the power of the writing that King finds in this portion of the book - leading of course to the big bang near the end.
Funnily enough there was one major continuity problem - Dale Barbara (our hero Barbie) is in the early chapters referred to as retired Captain Barbara, but then becomes Lieutenant Barbara before he is promoted to Colonel.
The other thing that annoyed me was the map - in the book Chester's Mill is referred to as 'sock-shaped' and the dome is supposed to follow this outline, but the map shows nothing of this and the cover of the book indicates a spherical dome which makes envisioning the dome and the town somewhat confusing.
One of my favourite sections was the description of events from the point of view of a very likeable corgi.
The final solution is perhaps a bit weak, but after all that went before it, I can forgive him.
All I can say is Welcome Back!Get more detail about Under the Dome.
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