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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Children of the Corn summary
Brief summary
Children of the Corn by Stephen King is a chilling horror novel that follows a young couple who stumble upon a remote town inhabited by children who have been influenced by a sinister and ancient force.
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Children of the Corn
Summary of key ideas
Discovering a Sinister Cult
In Children of the Corn by Stephen King, we meet Burt and Vicky, a couple driving through rural Nebraska. They accidentally hit a young boy who runs out onto the road from a cornfield. They rush to the nearest town, Gatlin, for help, only to find it eerily deserted. As they explore, they discover that the town's children have murdered all the adults and formed a cult, worshipping a malevolent deity they call 'He Who Walks Behind the Rows'.
The children, led by a boy named Isaac and his enforcer Malachai, have established a brutal theocracy, where anyone over the age of 18 is sacrificed to their god. Burt and Vicky are now trapped in this nightmare, with the children hunting them down as they try to escape. They soon realize that the cornfields themselves are alive with a malevolent force, which the children believe to be their god.
A Desperate Fight for Survival
As Burt and Vicky struggle to survive, they learn more about the cult's origins. The children were initially manipulated by a charismatic preacher, who convinced them to kill their parents in a twisted bid for power. The preacher was later killed by the very children he had manipulated, but not before he had unleashed the dark force lurking in the cornfields.
Isaac, the cult's leader, is revealed to be a false prophet, and Malachai, his second-in-command, is the true believer. The two boys are locked in a power struggle, which Burt and Vicky exploit to turn the children against each other. However, their efforts are hampered by the supernatural force that seems to control the cornfields, making their escape increasingly unlikely.
Confronting the Evil Within
As Burt and Vicky's situation becomes more desperate, they realize that they must confront the source of the evil directly. They venture into the cornfields, where they discover that the malevolent force is a physical entity, a monstrous creature that feeds on the children's sacrifices. They manage to destroy the creature, causing the cornfields to wither and die, and the children to lose their faith.
In the aftermath, the surviving children are left to fend for themselves, their world turned upside down. Burt and Vicky, the only outsiders to have survived the ordeal, leave Gatlin, haunted by the horrors they witnessed. The story ends with a chilling revelation that the evil force may not have been entirely vanquished, leaving the reader with a sense of lingering dread.
Final Thoughts
In Children of the Corn, Stephen King masterfully weaves a tale of terror, exploring the dark side of religious fanaticism and the corrupting influence of power. The story is a gripping and unsettling exploration of the horrors that can emerge from the most innocent of places. It leaves us with a haunting question: what happens when the most vulnerable among us are consumed by darkness?
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What is Children of the Corn about?
Children of the Corn is a chilling novel by Stephen King that tells the story of a young couple who stumble upon a remote town inhabited by children who have killed all the adults in the name of a sinister entity known as "He Who Walks Behind the Rows." As they try to escape, they realize that they are trapped in a nightmarish world where the children are governed by their own twisted beliefs.
Children of the Corn Review
Children of the Corn (1978) is a gripping horror novel by Stephen King that delves into a small town plagued by a sinister cult of children. Here's why this book is worth picking up:
- With its hair-raising plot twists, the book keeps readers on edge, constantly surprising with unexpected events.
- The eerie atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling make for a chilling read that lingers in the mind long after the book is closed.
- Exploring themes of blind faith and the darkness of youth, the story is a thought-provoking exploration of primal fears and human nature.
Who should read Children of the Corn?
- Horror enthusiasts who enjoy eerie and unsettling stories
- Fans of Stephen King's writing style and unique storytelling
- Readers who are drawn to narratives set in small, sinister towns with dark secrets
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Children of the Corn FAQs
What is the main message of Children of the Corn?
The main message of Children of the Corn explores the dangers of blind devotion and the corrupting influence of power.
How long does it take to read Children of the Corn?
Reading Children of the Corn takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is Children of the Corn a good book? Is it worth reading?
Children of the Corn is a gripping tale that delves into themes of cultism and superstition. A must-read for horror enthusiasts.
Who is the author of Children of the Corn?
The author of Children of the Corn is Stephen King.
What to read after Children of the Corn?
If you're wondering what to read next after Children of the Corn, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Bebris
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- Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge
- Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron
- For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
- The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds
- Longbourn by Jo Baker