The Outsider by Stephen King: An Eerie and Thought-provoking Investigation into a Heinous Crime

Picture was attached for the sake of illustration

I remember it was in 2019 when I first read this book. The most trivial part of how I could eventually get access to this piece of suspenseful thriller by Stephen King is that I borrowed it from a friend (well, now my boyfriend), who brought this long, multi-page sheet during our freshman phase as college students.

I was ecstatic when I saw that he owns this book since I've had it on my must-read list for a while, but when I went to the big bad wolf in my area to seek it out, it wasn't available. To be quite honest, the length and the vast number of pages in Stephen King's books have kept me from reading many of them. I've only read a few of King's books, including Doctor Sleep, The Long Walk, The Stand, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, and The Outsider. Moreover, this book was not mine and I only borrowed it so I had to finish it quickly.

SPOILER ALERT

The Outsider by Stephen King

Stephen King's "The Outsider" is a horror novel about a small town in Oklahoma that is plagued by a mysterious creature that seems to defy natural laws. The creature is a shapeshifter who can take on the form of anyone it chooses, even people who are close to the town. The creature is responsible for a series of horrific murders, leading the townspeople to believe that a supernatural force is at work.

SUMMARY OF THE PLOT

In The Outsider, a little boy is murdered and assaulted in a horrific act of violence. The investigator assigned to the investigation is Ralph Anderson, who suspects Terry Maitland, a local retired English teacher as well as the coach of the Golden Dragons Little team. Due to the convincing evidence, Maitland was publicly arrested and humiliated. But then the issue emerges when it appears that Maitland could provide a solid alibi. Thus, the case starts to fray.

Maitland has a solid alibi that makes it impossible for him to be the killer yet there was also a considerable amount of evidence pointing out him resulting in Ralph’s nonchalant action of not tracking Maitland's whereabouts after the crime was done. This makes this case uneasy. However, for every piece of evidence that suggests that Maitland could not have killed the boy, there is an equally devastating one that conclusively indicates that he must have done so. Again, it seems impossible to sense a guy in two locations at once.

As the probe proceeds and tensions escalate, the narration of this seemingly ordinary story of a small town in Maine continuously unravels into a web of lies, secrets, and a terrifying supernatural force. Detective Ralph Anderson is forced to confront a horrifying truth that could tear apart the small town. The story quickly takes a turn from typical crime drama to something much darker and more sinister. The characters in The Outsider are believable and sympathetic, and the story is full of unexpected twists and turns. 

THEME OF THE BOOK

The novel is an exploration of the power of fear, as the townsfolk are left in a state of constant terror. The creature's presence has a profound effect on the town, both psychologically and physically. The novel examines how fear can affect a community, and how the people of the town respond to the threat. King's writing is both evocative and thoughtful, as he explores the deeper implications of horror and the power of fear. He paints a vivid picture of a town in turmoil, as the townspeople struggle to make sense of the unexplainable events that are happening around them. 

The novel is also a commentary on the power of faith, as the townspeople rely on the power of prayer to protect them from the creature. The novel also highlights the importance of community and trust, as the townspeople are forced to band together to fight the creature. This is seen in their willingness to put aside their differences and unite to protect their homes. The novel also emphasizes the power of hope, as the townspeople remain steadfast in their belief that the creature can be defeated, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

PLUSES AND MINUSES

However, the main weakness of the novel is that it is a bit predictable in terms of how the story will unfold. Particularly if you are as sceptical as Ralph Anderson, who is looking for a Sherlock Holmes-like answer to this mystery. As stated above in the initial paragraph, the one who is responsible for the murder is a supernatural creature. After all, the answer is right there on the cover of The Outsider novel: it was the supernatural creature all along. Moreover, it is apparent that King employed a teasing like formula to tease us as readers with overly explicative long pages of the predictable answer to "whose murder whom." 

Besides, the dialogue can be awkward and stilted at times, making it difficult for the reader to connect with the characters. The pacing is slow at times, and the ending is somewhat abrupt and leaves some unanswered questions. Likewise, the characters are somewhat one-dimensional, and the plot follows a familiar formula. Additionally, the novel is quite violent and gruesome in parts, which may not be suitable for some readers.

Nonetheless, The Outsider is still masterfully crafted with psychological horror and complex characters that keep readers engaged throughout the plot. The story is full of tension, as the reader is taken on a journey full of unexpected turns and plot twists, while they try to uncover the truth behind the crime and Terry Maitland’s innocence. The novel also has a strong exploration of morality, as well as themes of faith, justice, and the power of a community. 

READ IT OR SKIP IT?

The Outsider By Stephen King Illustration.

Eventually, even though there are some weaknesses, the themes of The Outsider are still thought-provoking and timeless. King examines the nature of justice, perception's power, and how our preconceived notions can shape our reality. He also explores the consequences of our actions and how our past can haunt us. Overall, Stephen King’s The Outsider is a gripping and suspenseful novel that is sure to keep readers guessing until the very end. Ultimately, The Outsider is an excellent novel that will stay with readers long after they’ve finished it and it’s a great choice for fans of horror and suspense and a must-read for Stephen King’s fans.