The Dead ZoneThe Dead Zone
Score Classic
What it's about
Johnny Smith, a young schoolteacher, is badly hurt in a car crash and lies in a coma for nearly five years. When he wakes, he finds that touching people shows him their secrets and their futures. The gift is a curse, and it gets worse when he shakes hands with Greg Stillson, a charismatic, dangerous politician, and sees what Stillson will do if he ever becomes president.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list and is one of King's most moving novels, asking what you would do if you knew the future.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
There's a serial killer subplot with disturbing murders. Its political villain feels more relevant than ever.
By the numbers
- Readers40 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller60 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #39 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #475 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1656 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Gripping
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The Picture of Dorian Gray
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Watchers
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Quick answers
Is The Dead Zone worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list and is one of King's most moving novels, asking what you would do if you knew the future. It ranks #1,656 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 67.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Dead Zone about?
Johnny Smith, a young schoolteacher, is badly hurt in a car crash and lies in a coma for nearly five years. When he wakes, he finds that touching people shows him their secrets and their futures. The gift is a curse, and it gets worse when he shakes hands with Greg Stillson, a charismatic, dangerous politician, and sees what Stillson will do if he ever becomes president.
How long does it take to read The Dead Zone?
About 15 hours (595 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Dead Zone?
If you liked it, try The Stand by Stephen King, It by Stephen King or The Outsider by Stephen King.