My interview in The Science Of Stephen King on Mr. Mercedes and more: The book is out now, and I am proud to have been a part of it. Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence do a phenomenal job presenting what is both a fun read and a deeply introspective one in The Science Of Stephen King: The Truth Behind Pennywise, Jack Torrance, Carrie, Cujo, and More Iconic Characters from the Master of Horror. Personally, I feel the research and science that Stephen King adds to nearly all of his fictional works is often lost in the thrilling and beguiling tales of the master storyteller. For an author, there is a great deal of science throughout the vast body of work from Sai King, especially considering he is not a science-fiction author. Meg Hafdahl and Kelly Florence interviewed field experts, cite scientific studies, and through an open discussion they explore the scientific perspectives of their interviewees, while dialing into the science of the King. This makes for some compelling reading. There are also quotes and extensive comparisons to other works that help give weight to where scientific philosophies can shape any tale, including that of the macabre, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is an example of this that is used in the chapter I was interviewed for: on technology. In the book, my interview resides in the chapter aptly titled “Mr. Mercedes,” and that is on page 198 through page 203. I will not spoil it for you, but one quote from the authors is: “It’s haunting to think that subliminal messaging is still used.” I had a lot of fun with this interview, and we discussed quite a few of King’s books, including End of Watch, The Waste Lands, Cell, The Gunslinger, and Different Seasons. I may have rambled on about Ray Bradbury and a few other works, as well. As King frequently warns his readers about the potential for the ill use of science and technology, this book is littered with fun science, some of which will be instantly recognizable to the Constant Reader of King’s and some of which may open a few eyes. Thank you, Meg and Kelly, for crafting this great work and for having me play a small role. P.S. In other news regarding my larger works, a children’s book has come together and though nothing more can be said at this time . . . it’s close! The infamous Cyberwar sequel is also nearing fruition (I know I have been saying that for a few years now but a car accident and family matters have delayed it, but no more), and as it is nearly twice the length of its predecessor, the arduous editing continues. I believe it will be well worth the wait, folks. This one will make Cyberwar a prequel (call it Book .5 in the Cyberwar Series) and starts to open a much wider world in the Cyberverse. Possibilities become endless as does the terrain that is traversed by Waltz, Sheetrock, Fae, and Xera. While that is ongoing, another unrelated novel of mine enters its final chrysalis as well, and I think it is really special. Really, really special. That is all I will say on my writing, and I will leave you with this: though the darkness covers the lands in a pandemic – in the form of a virus, in the effects of climate change, and in the polarizing and divisive forces running amuck across the globe – nature is change. Constant change. I work toward change for the better, alongside so many. And I feel change for the better is coming. Be well, my friends. Sincerely, R.J. Huneke
1 Comment
Wow, Stephen King’s 11.22.63 eight-part mini-series on Hulu, now that was an adaptation! There have been some great adaptations of the legendary author’s works, The Green Mile, The Mist, and Shawshank Redemption to name a few, and some blunders (I’ll keep these to myself), but 11.22.63 is one of the best emanations of his books onto the film medium. This is a spoiler free spout of words, though I delve into the overall plot that you would read on the inside cover of the book. This J.J. Abrams produced mini-series was made to accurately portray an amazing tale of mystery, visually. 11/22/63, the novel, was one of King’s most ambitious pieces and is, in this author’s humble opinion, one of his greatest works. Mr. King came up with the idea in 1971, less than a decade removed from President John F. Kennedy’s assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald (with help . . . possibly). The idea required years of research and due diligence to sift through the many yarns told on that day, the myriad conspiracy theories, and the records of the very very strange FBI, CIA, and other US government agencies’ involvement with the one man we do know shot the President on that horrific day. King, being very wise, felt he could not run with the idea at that point, because he did not have the time or wherewithal to invest himself fully into what he knew would consume his brain, his researching skills, and his skills as the most gifted of writers taking on a steep task of historical fiction with a time traveling twist. Did Oswald act alone? Did the CIA put him up to it? Was there a second shooter? These age-old questions have loomed for over fifty years and though we are no closer to finding the truth in our own timeline, King imagines answers to all of these questions and more in his epic story. There is so much research, not just into how the 1950’s and 1960’s were in the US, but also into the lives of the Oswald’s and the crazy events that happened in history, from General Walker’s failed assassination attempt, to the hand written letter Lee wrote to a federal agent. There are so many documented details from numerous sources about that day and the days leading up to it. The book 11/22/63 was a huge success in both a long stay on the best seller list, and the tremendously emotional and epic journey of Jake Epping. And the TV mini-series is just as impactful. Jake learns of a secret door at Al’s Diner to September 9, 1958, at 11:58 a.m. You go through and come back to 2011. You go back to the same time and events in 1958. Al has been going back to 1958 and researching the Marxist Lee Oswald to see if he acted alone to murder JFK or if he acted for a Communist or democratic agency. You can come back to the future in the 2000’s and any changes you made in the past keep, at least until you go back in time again, which resets it all back to the start. Al has become consumed with the idea of saving JFK on 11/22/63 and forever altering history to improve the world. But the past does not want to change, and it fights back. Jake takes on the quest Al bestows him, but the past quickly becomes an invisible character in the book and TV show, creepily popping light bulbs and generally ruining the divorced English teacher’s day any time he comes close to altering reality. Jake, the man from the future, endures the up and downs of finding the love of his life in the past. And all the while it is years before he can try and prevent the horrid result of 11.22.63 and they go by slowly in a suspenseful series of tribulations and challenges that are often word for word, scene for scene as King described them in the book. The look and feel of the times are perfect. The deep and serious performance of Jake Epping might be the best James Franco has ever been; it is outstanding and the performance of a lifetime. The eerie details come through so well on film. The translation is nearly flawless. The time traveling conundrum is fun and thrilling. The story is an emotional gravitational force, as you are pulled so very hard. And in the end it all comes down to one infamous day: 11.22.63. Well it's been a couple of hard fought months in this author's life. Family and work have been on the front-lines and been priority, but I vow here and now to write you folks in on the happenings much more often on this very blog. I have not ceased to read/write/create voraciously, and there are a few very incredible projects in the works that will be announced on here very soon.
What I can say now is that the R.J. Huneke novel THE CAPITOL MOVEMENT is well underway with more than 150+ pages written and edited already; this dystopian thriller will act as a start to a new series, where the Rune Works published novel THE SUBLIMINAL RELIGION would fit in as a prequel to this innovative work. More info will be available on it soon. I promise! Today's exciting news involves my acceptance to officially contribute to the reputable, interesting, and all-encompassing Fantasy Matters. They proudly project book reviews, film opinions, and even critical looks at the Fantasy art that projects across our beautiful universe! Here is a snippet from their introduction: "As we've made very clear on this website, we here at Fantasy Matters are big fans of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series. And so, needless to say, we are VERY excited about the release of another book in the series: The Wind through the Keyhole. This book will be generally released on Tuesday, and we will celebrate this event with a review of the book from a new Fantasy Matters contributor: R.J. Huneke [link to the Impulsive Review]. It will be an exciting day indeed!" Check out the entire Impulsive Review above and remember that Stephen King writes "there will be water when God wills it." |
AuthorI have turned the tide and started on my journey. Words and Worlds hang in the balance and I am writing it all down before the RJ Tower! Read about my newest novel on CyberwarSeries.com Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
|