Reviewed by: Lisa Fore
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"You see how it is, guys..."
In this tale there are no zombies, feral felines, ancient Indian curses or vampires, to keep you up at night; not even a haunted house or hotel room thrown in for good measure. But there are hauntings here, and the ghosts and demons that move though their domains are completely inescapable as they are the denizens of Knowledge and Memory.
Meet Todd Bowden. He has all of the expected perks of living in a middle-upper-class American suburbia: a great house and prosperous parents with slick cars in the driveway and country club memberships. At 13, he's pre-destined for a life of amazing success: a brilliant student, a recognized athlete and a dutiful son (he doesn't whine for an allowance - bursting with pre-1980's ambition, he has his own paper route).
Todd is very confident about his place in the world, and he feels even more confident about how the world can work for you...if you know how to "spin" it.
When he arrives on the front steps of Arthur Denker's home, he's not there to sell subscriptions - he's there to sell the old man who call himself 'Denker' his own freedom. Despite the senior's waffling, denial and final tirade, Todd knows all about this man's hideous past - but history books brush over the essence of his old profession. Todd wants to hear about "the details"...straight from the source.
Soon it becomes an intricate battle of wills and secrets; Secrets breed paranoia, and paranoia breeds total chaos.
Deliciously enclosed within a chapter named Summer of Corruption of King's Different Seasons novella collection, Apt Pupil is chilling psychological chess game that blows one's mind with its disturbingly strong characters, horrifying subject matter, and honest plausibility.
Now for those who have seen the film, do not be discouraged; although its director Bryan Singer gets high marks for landing the perfect 'Dussander' (Sir Ian McKellan in stellar form as usual) and 'Todd' (you couldn't get more of an "All-American Boy" look than the late Brad Renfro), the evil nature of the characters were completely wasted against power of those within the novella. But that's kind of a different review. Discover the original story, and you'll understand why Stephen King's greatest strength lies in his presentation of characters and why the incredible things they do are COMPLETELY credible. Every word, or seemingly unrelated detour, of the tale all leads to a place that is horrifyingly just.
The only thing that makes this amazing and disturbing story even better is the phenomenal reading by Frank Muller. His ability to ease you into the story is totally unparalleled, and he makes sure that ALL of the characters have their own distinctive voice: from Denker/Dussander's rich, rolling (and effectively eerie) German accent, to Todd's bright and sly teen chirping; from a instinctive, worried mother to a father forehead-deep in his son's "perfect" surface, Mr. Muller makes Apt Pupil the most satisfying audio experience I've ever had, every time I listen to it.
I'd listen to it in the car more often too, but then again there are those overpasses...
Overall Rating: 5
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 January 2009 17:20 )
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