Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

The story unfolds in one continuous chapter, told in the first person by the cranky, 65-year-old housekeeper, Dolores, who is explaining to police officers and a stenographer how and why she killed her husband, Joe, 30 years ago. At the same time, in her rambling monologue, she insists that she did not kill her longtime employer, Vera Donovan--notwithstanding what the residents of Little Tall Island may be whispering. Joe was a drinker, and, as Dolores gradually argues, he deserved to die for the horrifying crimes he committed against his family. But Vera, despite her cantankerous disposition as a lady governing her decaying estate with her precise rules about even the most mundane household chore ("Six pins! Remember to use six pins! Don't you let the wind blow my good sheets down to the corner of the yard!"), was a good woman--or at least not an evil one. She was the woman who hired the young Dolores and kept her on even after Dolores got pregnant again. Dolores cleaned and cared for her even as the old matron faded into senility.

Dolores Claiborne is a rich novel that recalls the regionalist writing of the turn of the century. It is a fine place for a sceptical newcomer--put off by King's reputation for outright terror--to start. And for fans, it is a book that offers new insights into an author who's an old favourite. --Patrick O'Kelley

Average Customer Rating:

Definate good read

Customer Rating:

I'm not sure what it is about this book but I liked it, it has lots of little twists in it. I love the whole revenge on the husband factor of it and how affectionate she could be, like when Vera had hallucinations Dolores was caring even though she often hated her. The only thing I didn't like was when Dolores would say something happened but she'd come back to that later, it took away the element of surprise.

Engrossing from the start...

Customer Rating:

This novel is fantastic! After over a decade of reading Stephen King in sporadic bursts I finally decided to read the entire back catalogue back-to-back. Delores Claiborne never appealed to me before, as I prefer something with at least a brushing of the supernatural, but I thought I'd read it out of a desire for completeness. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise! As I'm sure many Stephen King readers are aware, his books can sometimes take a couple of hundred pages to draw you into the story, before getting to 'the meat' of the tale. However, after 3 pages of Delores I couldn't put it down. One of the reasons for this is the fantastic narrative style employed, which introduces the lead character as much by her mannerisms of speech as anything else.

you really get a feel for Delores when you listen to this	Customer Rating:
I think this is a good book made even better by the reader with a really cool accent! It even has some sound effects! this book would be a good investment for any one who likes to listen to Stephen King's books

Quite a good book

Customer Rating:

As a newcomer to King, I was expecting this book to be spine-chilling and creepy. It actually turned out to be more of a sociological country crime novel. Quite entertaining in its own way - certainly an untaxing and relaxing book. Dolores' story is interesting enough to keep you reading on - but the continuous chapter business was a bit irritating (how do you decide where to finish a reading stint!?!). Overall, I would recommend this book to someone as a travel book or if they had some time free and wanted something easy on the brain.

Excellent	Customer Rating:
What an unusual book, but one that is full of pathos and hidden meaning. The way that this book tackles issues in the earthy way that we all would, is counterpoint to the strange style that King adopts to relay it. Fascinating to the end, amd this is one that I shall read again and again.