Sleeping Beauties
📘 About This Book
"Der neue Roman ist mit seinen fast tausend Seiten ein epischer Kraftakt, aber ganz muhelos, unangestrengt." Fritz Gottler, Suddeutsche Zeitung
📖 Summary
Sleeping Beauties is a massive and sweeping epic novel written by the legendary author Stephen King, published in the year 2017 and spanning nearly a thousand pages. Despite its formidable length, the book is noted for offering an effortless and unforced narrative experience that captivates readers from the very beginning. The story unfolds in a world facing a strange and terrifying phenomenon that affects women across the globe. When women fall asleep, they become cocooned in a gossamer-like, web-like substance that wraps around their bodies like a sleeping beauty curse. If anyone attempts to disturb or tear the cocoon, the women awaken into a state of sudden, feral violence before drifting back into their mysterious slumber. Meanwhile, in a small Appalachian town known primarily for its women's prison, a strange and immune woman named Evie arrives, sparking chaos and deeply dividing the community. As the male population is left behind to fend for themselves in a society suddenly devoid of women, the fragile social order begins to unravel rapidly. Tensions flare between those who want to protect the sleeping women and those who see an opportunity to take control or seek vengeance. The novel explores complex themes surrounding gender roles, human nature, power dynamics, and the inherent darkness that exists within communities when societal structures collapse. Stephen King weaves a sprawling narrative tapestry filled with intricate subplots, a diverse ensemble of characters, and an escalating sense of dread and suspense. As the pages turn, the book delves into the psychological and emotional impacts of isolation, fear, and the eternal struggle between civilization and savagery. Readers are taken on an immersive journey that challenges their perceptions of society and examines what happens when the balance of the world is completely upended. Sleeping Beauties stands as a monumental work in modern fiction, showcasing the master storyteller's ability to blend speculative premises with deeply human drama over the course of a massive, fully realized narrative landscape.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Sprawling and epic narrative scope
Engaging and effortless reading experience despite the length
Complex exploration of societal and gender dynamics
Richly developed ensemble of characters
⚠️ Cons
The massive page count may be daunting for casual readers
Complex plotting requires sustained attention
✍️ About the Author
Stephen King (b. 1947) is an American author renowned as one of the most successful horror and suspense writers of all time. His novels, including 'The Shining', 'It', and 'The Stand', have sold hundreds of millions of copies and inspired numerous film and television adaptations.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Sleeping Beauties? +
The book was written by the renowned author Stephen King.
When was Sleeping Beauties published? +
It was published in the year 2017.
How many pages long is the book? +
The novel is an epic work spanning nearly one thousand pages.
What is the core premise of the story? +
Women across the world fall into a mysterious, cocooned sleep, leaving men to manage society as it begins to unravel.
Is the book difficult to read due to its length? +
No, despite its massive size, reviewers note that the reading experience is effortless and unforced.
