Bit by a Big Dog

Bit Badly by a Big Dog

By Nick I.

High off cocaine, probably alone in his basement, is when famous writer Stephen King put together this "gut-twisting and suspenseful" novel. Cujo is an extremely eerie tale, filled with horror and violence. This story is direct, containing a message like no other following a massive Saint Bernard. This book is like a roller coaster ride for fear, and you're is in the front row.

The story takes place in the small town of Castle Rock, and is based on a euphoric message derived from Stephen King's use of drugs, and this story makes that very clear. Cujo begins with Brett, Joe, and Charity Camber, a small family that owns a beautiful Saint Bernard named Cujo. The Camber family isn't perfect at all, and begin to break apart early in the story, and eventually Charity takes her son Brett after winning the lottery and fleas from her abusive husband Joe. Later that day their beautiful Saint Bernard turns into a rabies filled monster, and with Brett and Charity being gone, Joe is alone in the house with this vicious dog. The first victim this vicious canine takes, is their neighbor Gary.

Shortly into the story, Cujo successfully and gruesomely killed Gary while Joe is there talking with him about his wife and having a drink. Joe thought something was going on with Cujo, but didn't think much of it. After Cujo finishes tearing apart Gary, he immediately turns to Joe, and before Joe is able to call for help, the large dog declares it's next victim.

King's writing is sometimes very predictable, and that is shown later in the novel at the point where it is clear King's "high" begins to fade. The novel really begins to become dark when Donna Trenton and her son take a trip to Joe's house so that he could repair their car and just as you might have guessed The car breaks down right outside of the Camber's house, with no sign of Joe or anyone anywhere, and the poor woman and her son are stuck outside of Joe's until they can get the car fixed, and before you know it, Cujo spots the two.

Similar to what was stated in the first paragraph, this novel is very eerie, and eventually turns extremely cold and dark. King really puts all his evil emotions into the twists and turns this story takes. If you have a big heart for animals, this book is not the one you should choose to read, but author Stephen King has dozens of other books out there that might just fit you.

CUJO, by Stephen King, Futura Publications, 1981, 345 pages