One sentence summary
Stephen King’s “Revival” is a horror-drama novel about a struggling young minister and his lifelong journey of redemption and faith in God.
Book genre
Horror-drama
Main topic of the book
The main topic of the book is redemption and faith in God as seen through the lens of a struggling young minister, and his lifelong journey.
Key ideas
- Redemption: The main theme of the novel is the journey of redemption and faith in God.
- Darkness: Darkness lurks around the edges of the novel serving as a metaphor for the corruption of power, and the evil that men do.
- Life: Life and death battle with each other throughout the novel, demonstrating the human quest for meaning and purpose in life.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Prologue: The novel starts with the protagonist, Reverend Charles Jacobs, as an adult in New England in the early 20th century. Jacobs is on a path of redemption after having lost his wife and daughter in a car accident.
- Part I β Childhood: The first part of the novel goes back in time to the young aspirations of the protagonist Charles Jacobs. With his family and his faith, Charles grows up in a small town in Maine.
- Part II β Middle Age: In the second part, Charles follows his vocation and quickly climbs the ranks to become a successful minister. But when tragedy strikes, he loses his faith and sinks into despair.
- Part III β Death and Resurrection: In the final part, Charles finds himself on a journey of redemption as he searches for answers. He meets a new friend, a dark figure, who brings with him a new understanding of faith and life. As he moves ever closer to the truth, his journey brings with it some unexpected consequences.
Key takeaways
- Redemption is a journey: The novel emphasizes the importance of Redemption and the journey to finding inner peace.
- Questions of faith: The novel poses many questions about faith, from its importance in our lives, to its power to cause great harm.
- Life and death: Life and death are entwined throughout the novel, serving as a reminder that despite death’s power, life prevails
Author’s background and qualifications
Stephen King is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed horror authors, having written over 50 novels and short stories. His works have sold more than 350 million copies and made him into a literary icon. His books have been adapted into several films, television shows, comic books, and even musicals and plays.
Target audience
The target audience for Revival is adults who are familiar with Stephen Kingβs work and horror-drama novels.
Publisher and first publication date
Revival was published by Scribner in 2014.