I’m not sure when I first read this novel, ad I must have blocked it out due to its content. I’m guessing this was just after it got published. I didn’t realize this until I was into the second chapter maybe, and realized that it all sounded very familiar.
It’s not a bad novel, but be ware, it’s about rape. And it describes this. So if you cannot deal with this subject matter, this novel is not for you. Seriously, DON’T READ IT.
So I’m giving it 3 stars, and making sure I have it down as ‘read’ now, so I won’t try and read it again. This isn’t the kind of novel I want to go thru again.... it’s too painful for me.
Jessica Hecht is the narrator, and I didn’t like her at first, but she kind of grew on me. I don’t think I’ll actively search her out like I have done other narrators, but she was ok.

3 stars, not recommended to survivors of rape or abuse. ( )

I saw the Lifetime movie and didn't think I would be able to enjoy reading it (I dislike reading a book after I've seen the movie), but I really enjoyed it and it was well written. This is my second SK short story and I think I like this format better than his longer novels. ( )

A classic justice and revenge story. The main character, Tess, is assaulted and left for dead. She arrives at a plan that carries the book through to the end. In the meantime, the GPS and the cat become integral characters in the revenge plot. It's a tense story and worth the short read. ( )

When Tess’s car gets a flat tire, she accepts help from a man who instead attacks and rapes her, leaving her for dead. Yes, we see this coming, but she’s stuck on a lonely road and in an area with no cell phone service, leaving her few choices.

Big Driver is a classic justice and revenge story with just the right amount of scary to give me the creeps and keep me looking over my shoulder. Being female, this was a horror story for me, but a delightfully satisfying one as Tess saves herself and exacts revenge on her attacker. Who hasn’t taken that leap of faith and then was very thankful when things turned out OK? But in Tess’s case, it didn’t.

If the plot sounds vaguely familiar to some, that’s because this novella was originally published as part of the 2010 anthology, Full Dark, No Stars, and re-released as a tie-in to the recently aired Lifetime movie.

Audio production:
The story was written in the first person and narrated by Jessica Hecht. She uses a wide range of emotion for Tess – at first gentle and timid and eventually the determined and forceful personality Tess becomes. She picked up the pacing as the tension of the story increased, making this an enjoyable, if not somewhat creepy, four and a half hours. ( )

*This review is for the audio book.

The Short of It:

The kind of story you drop everything for. The kids can go hungry, but you’ve got to finish your read. You know the type I am talking about.

The Rest of It:

This little novella was actually part of a collection, originally published in Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King in 2010. But in case you haven’t noticed, King is on the popularity train right now. Many of his books and short stories have been adapted for film or TV or are in the works to be adapted soon and he has another new novel coming out this November, Revival. I have some fun scheduled for that one.

Tess Thorne, a thirty-something mystery writer who lives at home with her cat, runs into a little bit of car trouble on her way home from a book signing. What she encounters is horrifying and every woman’s worst nightmare.

The story is riveting and at times, brutal. I listened to it on my way home from work, and every time I pulled into my driveway I walked into the house with my ear buds firmly attached because it was so hard to stop listening! King’s story is not that unique but there are things about it that creep you out. One, the main character creates voices for those around her, her cat, the librarian and the person she is most afraid of.

These imaginary conversations are very disturbing. More so, because Jessica Hecht’s interpretation is downright chilling. I can’t say that I enjoyed her speaking voice all of the time. Sometimes, the main character, who is supposed to be a thirty-something, sounds like an 80 year-old woman and that’s not just because of what the character goes through. Because of that, at times, I didn’t feel that her reading was true to the character.

King includes all the classic “King” stuff that keeps you coming back for more. The weird little sayings, “It likes you, and you like it.” Said, over and over until you feel like you are on the brink of losing it. The strange mannerisms and yes, the zinger cuss words here and there, coming out of the main character’s mouth. Lends the story a crassness that keeps you on the edge of your seat because you don’t know what the main character is capable of. Is Tess losing it? Holding it together? Giving up? Your heart will beat out of your chest until you know for sure.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter. ( )