Institute (Export)

This is a fast paced page turner.I started reading this novel, after I completed The Shadow of the Wind.Therefore, it was definitely a change of taste. The story, begins with a policeman, who has recently resigned from his job and through a turn of fate arrives at a sleepy little town in USA, where he is trying to come with grips with his new life.At the same time, King takes us to the Institute, started by a clandestine organization to harness and augment telekinetic and telepathic powers of gifted children, using questionable techniques. These children at the institute have been kidnapped and suffer intolerable torture. How a lone kid from the institute and the policeman settling in his new life, meet and bring down the Institute is the rest of the story.....Well written and keeps you awake through the night till you have reached the last page.

Meh

It’s been a few years since I’ve picked up a new SK book as I’ve been rereading some of the “old “ books but figured it was time to start a new one. I’m glad to have found this one - it turns out to be another “can’t put it down “ page turner that has made me a constant reader of his books since the early days of Carrie, Cujo, etc. The premise of this book is difficult to explain without spoiling the story but I say again, it’s definitely worth the read!

Stephen King, the Master of Horror, has written what will likely become one of his greatest works of all time. Reminiscent of “It,” “Firestarter,” and “Carrie,” “The Institute” is non-stop page-turning fascination that borders on addiction. It is a book easily devoured from the first to the last page.The story begins as former cop, Tim Jamieson, accepts a generous refund to ditch a flight bound for New York City. Later hitching a ride to South Carolina, Tim settles in the small town of DuPray, where he lands a job as the town’s Night Knocker. A past incident precludes him from becoming a police officer again. As Tim makes DuPray his new home, his story is then put on hold, as the real story begins.Somewhere in Minnesota, Herb and Eileen Ellis learn that their twelve-year-old son, a brilliant prodigy enrolled at the Broderick School for Exceptional Children, is too smart for the so-called, “special school.” They are perplexed at having to make other arrangements for Luke, who’s also endowed with a touch of telekinesis. He’s able to move objects and flip pizza pans when he gets excited, but it’s nothing extraordinary, not enough for his parents to realize that their child genius is the cause of the strange activity.Late one night, a team of ex-military soldiers breaks into the Ellis home, where they murder Herb and Eileen and kidnap their son from the safety of his bed. Luke awakens in a room identical to his own, yet different; his bedroom window is gone. Leaving the room, Luke discovers other children, children who reveal to him his whereabouts. Like them, he has been abducted and brought here to the Institute.Here, King unveils a cast of extraordinary and expertly-crafted characters. Among them are Kalisha, a telepathic girl who reads minds and becomes Luke first and most trusted friend. Nicky is the handsome telekinetic who sports bruises obtained by defending himself from the adults. The adults are those in charge of the Institute, those who torture and punish the children for not conforming to the tests they perform on them. The rigorous and mind-altering tests are meant to enhance the children’s psychic abilities for a greater cause, one that will save the world.King’s adult characters are as much contemptible despots as the children are loveable heroes, creating a well-balanced cast of antagonists and protagonists. Mrs. Sigsby is the ruthless head of the Institute, greatly feared and hell bent on destroying the children’s minds and bodies to get the desired results. She is the boss of despicable underlings, technicians and doctors well-paid to torment the children by torturous means if needed. Among their goals of enhancement is to produce telepathy in telekinetic children and vice verse. Luke soon realizes that not only is he telekinetic, but he is able to read minds as well.More children enter the story. Among them is Avery, a ten-year-old super-telepath, who along with the help of Maureen, the one caring adult in the Institute, helps Luke escape. Back in the real world once again, Luke embarks on a journey of survival, one that erupts in mayhem when he tells his story to a Night Knocker in DuPray, South Carolina.Back at the Institute, fear spreads at the thought of being exposed, imprisoned, or worse. Mrs. Sigsby dares not call her unseen boss on the special phone. In a scene akin to “Carrie” and “Firestarter,” the remaining psychic children gather together and turn their abilities in rage toward the Institute, the result of which is classic Stephen King.The never-ending and fascinating plot, along with the remarkably real characters places the reader in a new yet familiar world created by King. “The Institute” will fit well on anyone’s list of all-time King favorites.

gut

L histoire est captivante.

I loved this book so much. I couldn’t put it down…. Then after I had put it down I was dissatisfied with the outcome. (I guess that’s to be explained extend with Stephen King though).