From a Buick 8
From a Buick 8
Book Brief
368
Novel • Fiction
Pennsylvania • Early 2000s
2002
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
From a Buick 8 by Stephen King follows Ned Wilcox, who, while grieving his father, Curtis, a state trooper killed by a drunk driver, uncovers eerie stories about a supernatural 1953 Buick Roadmaster housed in his father's barracks. The Buick, seemingly a portal to another dimension, causes strange phenomena, and Ned, while grappling with these mysteries, contemplates his connection to the car and eventually joins the police force himself.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
72,880 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Stephen King's From a Buick 8 captivates with its eerie atmosphere and deep character study, weaving suspense with a sense of unease. While the narrative unfolds methodically, some readers find the pacing sluggish. The story's ambiguity intrigues many, though others may feel unsatisfied by unanswered mysteries. Overall, it’s a compelling but polarizing read.
Who Should Read From a Buick 8?
Fans of eerie, character-driven storytelling marked by supernatural occurrences will relish Stephen King's From a Buick 8. Comparable to King's own Christine and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, this novel appeals to readers who enjoy the intersection of horror and mystery within a somber, reflective narrative.
72,880 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
From a Buick 8 was inspired by a real-life vintage vehicle that King saw outside a Pennsylvania gas station while on a road trip with his brother.
Stephen King considers From a Buick 8 a "companion" to his earlier novel, Christine, which also features a supernatural car, though he's indicated that the two stories are distinct and separate.
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The novel was completed and published in 2002, providing a unique connection between King's earlier works and those written following his serious car accident in 1999.
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368
Novel • Fiction
Pennsylvania • Early 2000s
2002
Adult
18+ years
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