Ugh. At the beginning of the book, a dog got kicked to death. I tried to keep reading but I couldn't get that out of my mind.

I got interested in the book after watching the first 4 seasons of the tv series its based off of & wanted to actually read the book it came from.
And for those of you it is the fact he was in a coma for 6 yrs not 4 yrs

Takes place in the 70's. Good book and movie.

Typical Stephen King = Great Storytelling

This is not your typical King horror novel; it’s more along the lines of suspense. Johnny Smith, a young high school teacher, is in a severe car accident that leaves him in a coma for four years. He comes out of the coma with psychic abilities for both past and future by merely touching someone. Greg Stillson, a carnie salesman, becomes President of the United States via a populous movement and puts the country and world at great risk. At the novel’s conclusion, the forces of good and evil coalesce. Having read The Dead Zone over 35 years ago, rereading recently for book group was just as suspenseful ...and somewhat timely.

Great book-great movie! Very cool stuff! Stephen King's rocks any genre he writes in-his wife is also an excellent writer!

I came across Stephen King’s 1979 book The Dead Zone by happy accident when I had nothing to read. Though I have read many King novels, I somehow hadn’t heard of this one before, and the story piqued my interest: young Johnny Smith awakens from a five year long coma to find the world a changed place. His beloved fiancée has moved on to another man and now has two children; his ultra-religious mother has lost her mind; and his body needs extensive surgical repair if he ever wants to walk again. Johnny’s once promising teaching career is in question, and on top of all of this, he seems to have developed a supernatural power of precognition in connection with his brain injury. This ability is a blessing and a curse to Johnny: he is able to help loved ones avoid misfortune, but he also sees terrifying flashes into the depraved mind of an active serial killer who has been terrifying the New England area for years. Johnny’s unwanted new ability does not go unnoticed: it attracts the vulture-like attention of reporters and scammers looking to make a quick buck. While he mourns the loss of his old life and longs for solitude in rural Maine, the growing number of women falling victim to the serial killer and the strengthening connection force Johnny to use his new power for good. Johnny has another connection to a force even more sinister than the killer: a local politician with the darkest of intentions. I couldn’t put this book down. Though I had never heard of it before, it will remain one of my favorite Stephen King books from here on out. It was thrilling as well as deeply moving. I’d definitely recommend this on a chilly fall weekend! (Submitted by Mandi)

The Dead Zone is "dead-zone" boring.

Not one of his more morbid tales. Enjoyable.

The Dead Zone was a very interesting and strange book. I liked the plot, which did not progress as linearly as some books. There were 2 side stories that ran through the book, eventually meeting up with the life of John Smith at different points in the book and playing major roles. I liked the amount of setup these characters had, which made them seem more fully developed than if they were just thrown in. Overall a good book, I would recommend it to fans of Stephen King or thrillers.