The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
by Stephen King
A nine-year-old girl gets lost in the woods during a family hike, and her only companion is her Walkman tuned to Red Sox games and her hero, relief pitcher Tom Gordon.
Spoiler Warning
This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion if you haven't finished the book yet.
Lost in the Woods
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is Stephen King at his most intimate and restrained.
The Story
Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland wanders off the trail during a hike with her mother and brother. What begins as a simple need for privacy turns into a desperate fight for survival in the vast New England wilderness. Her only companions are her Walkman, where she follows Red Sox closer Tom Gordon's games, and possibly something darker watching from the trees.
What Works
Trisha
A completely believable child protagonist facing an adult-sized nightmare.
Survival Details
King's research on wilderness survival is evident and gripping.
Psychological Horror
The terror of being lost is more frightening than any monster.
Baseball Metaphor
Tom Gordon's saves parallel Trisha's own struggle to survive.
Lean Prose
No excess padding in this tight thriller.
Considerations
Ambiguous Horror
The supernatural element may frustrate some readers.
Single Setting
The entire novel takes place in the woods.
Final Thoughts
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon proves that King doesn't need elaborate setups to create terror. A lost child and endless woods are enough.
Rating: 4.0/5
Best for: Readers who appreciate psychological horror, survival stories, and Stephen King's more intimate works
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