There's probably a 400-page book in here that I really like. Or two 300-page novels, I'm not sure. Unlike other people, I actually gravitated more towards the parts about a guazy Americana simmering with suppressed darkness. The political thriller aspects are fine, but I think there are other writers that do it in a more sophisticated way. Despite the writing deficiencies, however, I still maintain that King is unparalleled when it comes to creating the kind of characters you are compelled to care about, sometimes despite yourself.

There are also some fusty gender and sex-related stuff here that made me laugh a little, but that's par for the course in a Stephen King novel.