Review: Under the Dome

Title Under the Dome
By Stephen King
Source I own it
Pages 1087!
Recommended by Me

First sentence From two thousand feet, where Claudette Sanders was taking a flying lesson, the town of Chester's Mill gleamed in the morning light like something freshly made and just set down.

Synopsis
When the town of Chester's Mill is suddenly shut off from the rest of the world by a giant dome, where it came from and how long it will trap them becomes the least of the towns worries. It's good vs evil vs The Just Plain Crazy.

* Note* I'm going to start adding who recommended a book to me, either directly or indirectly through their blog, on my review posts. But...I just want everyone to know, you don't have to get offended if I didn't like it; I'm not blaming you. Everyone has different opinions and I never hold anyone responsible for a book I didn't like. I choose to read a book based on the synopsis not so much a recommendation so it's always MY fault. ;) 

General thoughts
I really, really wanted to read this one for the longest time but until Suey and I decided to host a group read for the RIP challenge, I never had the courage. I'm so glad we got organized and went ahead because it's been ages since I read a book that had me, gasping out loud, crying, laughing, and, yes, even talking to it. I haven't read tons of King books, I think I've seen more of the movies based on his books, but I'm always pleasantly surprised by them. Even the ones with sad, or just plain weird, endings. This one was no exception. I thought I'd have a hard time keeping the characters straight but King does such a good job making each character have an individual personality and he makes them so gosh darn REAL, it was a piece of cake. I rooted for the good guys, booed at the bad, and when the big "mystery" was revealed, I set the book down and tried to gather the pieces of my blown mind.

Characters
There are Soooo many I'll just point out a few.
Barbie, Well, yeah, of course I loved him, he's humble, smart, and kicks ass!
Rennie, Wow, it's been awhile since a "villain" pissed me off THAT bad!
Rusty, Thank goodness the doc was on the good side, am I right?
Julie, Stubborn little thing, thank goodness for that, and, hey, she saved the day.
Joe, Smart teenager! This kid was indispensable.
Rommie, Yeah, so he was listed as a minor character, so what! I loved this guy! Now that his wife's gone maybe he'll marry me. ;)
Ollie, Wow, if there was anything to take away from this book it was the determination of this amazing kid!
Junior, I still shudder when I think of him. Freaky! I can't help but wonder what he was like BEFORE the tumor.

Oh man, I could go on and on with everyone of these unique, unforgettable characters but that would be one LONG post.

Would I recommend it? 
Yes, but not to the feint of heart or the easily depressed or queasy person. Plus it's long...but it doesn't feel like it.