"Big Driver" (Full Dark, No Stars)

After reading the compelling "1922" (also from Full Dark, No Stars) can anything really equal such a great story? I went into the next story expecting the usual goodness but didn't know whether or not I would have another 6/5 on my hands.

Title: Big Driver

Book: Full Dark, No Stars

Author: Stephen King

Released: 2010

Rating: 5/5

Basic Plot: Tess gets raped and then goes after her rapist seeking revenge.

Stephen King Cliche
Tess is an author. Not only that, she is a mystery writer. King seems to use writers as main characters a lot and he does again in this story. Tess being a writer provides the reason for being raped (as you find out at the end of the story).

Revenge Story
This story is very much a look at the viewpoint of a rape victim. The victim is a woman (Tess). What I liked about her going after her rapist (which turned out to include his mother and brother) was that it wasn't a quick decision. When she was raped she just wanted to lie low afterwards and not tell anyone. It took a little bit for her to actually go after her rapist. And when she went after her rapist it was somewhat realistic.

The Rapist's Name
Though the title is "Big Driver", the one who raped her is "Little Driver". Though that, in itself, isn't correct as it's the name Tess assumes the rapist has.

Tess' Voices
Tess has voices that she makes up for things in her life. She has a voice for her Tomtom (Tom) and her cat (Fritzy) among others. This helps lend a creepy tone to the story. We have the main character going insane with the voices. At the beginning of the story it is somewhat normal (what? I talk to my birds all the time) but by the midway point of the story it becomes VERY creepy.

Would It Make a Good Movie?
While "1922" didn't seem to make that good of a movie, "Big Driver" seems more fitting for a movie. The story could be told relatively well with visuals. Since the story is short, it would need to be expanded upon for a movie. Things would probably be ruined in the process.

Final Thoughts
I loved this story. I was sad when I had to stop reading it to go to bed. Tess starts off as just an author making a quick buck and turns into a kickass person searching for revenge. And she doesn't just burst in, she plans ahead. This story is very much a look into rapists, rape victims, and rape. Those who don't want those subjects looked at should stay far away from this story.