Snackz logo
Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King

416 Pages
2022

Dolores Claiborne

Simon and Schuster

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

"Dolores Claiborne" by Stephen King - Summary

Dolores Claiborne, a sharp-tongued resident of Little Tall Island, Maine, finds herself the prime suspect in the death of her wealthy employer, Vera Donovan. As Dolores recounts her life story to the police, a chilling tale of dark secrets, hidden truths, and enduring strength unfolds. Journey back in time with Dolores and uncover the truth about a suspicious death from thirty years prior - the death of her husband, Joe Claiborne. Is Dolores a cold-blooded killer or a woman pushed to the edge by circumstance?

Key Themes

1

Domestic Abuse and Survival

Dolores's narrative is a raw and unflinching look at the cyclical nature of domestic abuse. Her marriage to Joe Claiborne is marked by violence and control, leaving Dolores emotionally and physically scarred. King masterfully portrays the complexities of such a relationship, showcasing Dolores's resilience and will to protect herself and her children. The novel explores the long-lasting effects of abuse, highlighting the strength it takes to break free and rebuild.

2

Secrets and Lies

Little Tall Island becomes a breeding ground for secrets, with whispers of past tragedies and hidden resentments permeating the community. Dolores's story peels back these layers, exposing the truth behind closed doors. The line between reality and perception blurs as Dolores reveals her version of events, challenging readers to question what they believe and who they choose to trust. The novel becomes a commentary on the weight of unspoken truths and the consequences of their eventual revelation.

3

Class Divide and Social Commentary

A palpable tension exists between the wealthy summer residents of Little Tall Island and the year-round working class, with Dolores caught in the middle. Her position as Vera Donovan's housekeeper gives her a unique perspective on the lives of the privileged, exposing the hypocrisy and hidden darkness that often lurks beneath a veneer of respectability. King uses this dynamic to subtly critique social structures and explore themes of power, control, and justice.

FAQ's

While "Dolores Claiborne" is a standalone novel, it shares the same setting as King's "Storm of the Century" and briefly mentions events from "Cujo."

"Dolores Claiborne" relies more on psychological suspense than outright horror. While disturbing at times, the focus is on Dolores's emotional journey and the unraveling of her story.

Unusually for King, the entire novel is told from Dolores's point-of-view, offering a deeply personal and insightful look into the mind of a complex female character.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Summaries

Adelaide

Adelaide

A Novel

Genevieve Wheeler

277 Pages
2023
No Way to Behave at a Funeral

No Way to Behave at a Funeral

A Tale of Personal Loss through Suicide

Noel Braun

251 Pages
2018
Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

Richard Rumelt

338 Pages
2011
Find Your Unicorn Space

Find Your Unicorn Space

Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World

Eve Rodsky

353 Pages
2022
Let Us Go Then, You And I

Let Us Go Then, You And I

Louis Peddicord

296 Pages
2011
A Scandal in Bohemia

A Scandal in Bohemia

Seven Sherlock Holmes Stories

Arthur Conan Doyle

88 Pages
1981
Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property Law

Commercial, Creative and Industrial Property

Jay Dratler, Jr., Stephen M. McJohn

1386 Pages
2023
The Echo of Old Books

The Echo of Old Books

A Novel

Barbara Davis

0 Pages
2023
And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie

180 Pages
1982
The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010
The Emperor's New Mind

The Emperor's New Mind

Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics

Roger Penrose

634 Pages
1999
The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

Mac Barnett

275 Pages
2023
The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism

Buddhism

Donald S. Lopez, Jr., Jack Miles

0 Pages
2017
The Rise of Tiger Claw (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

The Rise of Tiger Claw (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Nickelodeon Publishing

117 Pages
2016
Elon Musk

Elon Musk

A Mission to Save the World

Anna Crowley Redding

214 Pages
2019
Ali Cross

Ali Cross

James Patterson

201 Pages
2019
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made

Jason Schreier

312 Pages
2017
Successful and Set for Life

Successful and Set for Life

Get Everything You Want in Life, Work, and Relationships

Les J. Tripp MBA

197 Pages
2015
The Infernal Devices

The Infernal Devices

Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess

Cassandra Clare

1485 Pages
2013
A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A.K. Mulford

421 Pages
2023
The Five Love Languages

The Five Love Languages

Gary Chapman

312 Pages
2016
Weather For Dummies

Weather For Dummies

John D. Cox

384 Pages
2021
Ascension

Ascension

Nicholas Binge

365 Pages
2023
Markus Zusak: The Book Thief & I Am the Messenger

Markus Zusak: The Book Thief & I Am the Messenger

Markus Zusak

910 Pages
2014
Age as Disease

Age as Disease

Anti-Aging Technologies, Sites and Practices

David-Jack Fletcher

349 Pages
2021
Story of a Heart

Story of a Heart

Two Families, One Heart, and the Medical Miracle that Saved a Child's Life

Rachel Clarke

256 Pages
2024
Summer Love

Summer Love

Subina Bhaแนญแนญarฤฤซ

256 Pages
2015
Wings

Wings

Aprilynne Pike

356 Pages
2010
Not in Love

Not in Love

Ali Hazelwood

401 Pages
2024
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery

The Scarlet Slipper Mystery

Carolyn Keene

160 Pages
1959

Letโ€™s find the perfect book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book

Discover the Snackz AI catalogue

Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2024. All rights reserved.