Stephen Kingand tragic dog deaths are, for many readers, an unfortunately familiar pairing and some of the mostheartbreaking deaths in King’s books and their adaptations, which his 2022 bookFairy Talesought to repair. From the horrifying demise of Cujo to a grim roll call of canine casualties in other novels and stories, King’s bibliography is littered with poignant and often gruesome ends for man’s best friend. This pattern, stemming from the portrayal of dogs as innocent and trusting creatures betrayed by circumstance or human cruelty, has even become a notedtrope within the horror genre.
However, with his 2022 fantasy novel, King appeared to be consciously shifting this narrative, offering a heartfelt"apology"in the form of Radar, a loyal dog whose fate offers a stark and welcome contrast to the grim history ofpet deaths in King’s horror stories. King has had a long-standing tendency to subject his canine characters to disturbing ends, but this shifted inFairy Tale, highlighting the rare instances where dogs in his work have been granted a reprieve. It suggests a potential turning of the page in his treatment of these beloved companions.
Stephen King Knows Dogs Are Dear To His Readers
Stephen King’sCujohas a haunting ending. It’s theclassic Stephen King doesn’t remember writing, but for readers, it is difficult to forget. The ending in particular is a keydifference between theCujobook and movie-as well as Cujo’s death, Tad dies due to dehydration and heatstroke. Donna’s life is never the same after losing Tad. The big tragedy of the book is that Cujo’s actions aren’t really his fault, as the dog has rabies, making it one of themost terrifying pets in movie history.
Cujo’s death is sad as well as horrifying, and it isn’t the only disturbing and sad pet death in Stephen King’s bibliography. InSecret Window, Secret Garden,John Shooter kills Bump the cat and threatens that he could take Mort’s dog just as easily, but dogs specifically have a high mortality rate in his work.Cell, Insomnia, The Dead Zone,andDesperationare all examples of King books that feature gruesome dog deaths. King is able to write this so poignantly because he portrays the dogs as true innocents, trusting humans by default.
Stephen King’s 2022 Fantasy Book Strives To Set Things Right With Radar
Radar, The Lovely Old Dog Of Fairy Tale, Survives The Story
Stephen King wants to make amends for how many fictional dogs have died by his hand. His latest novel,Fairy Tale,tells the story of Charlie and his canine companion Radar as they take on the forces of evil together. He toldThe Times:
“In some ways I have been a little bit tough on dogs in my career,” said King. “I wanted to write a dog character who was really good. Radar is my apology.”
By mentioning a“good”dog,King is also referring to the multiple examples of“bad”or rabid dogsin his work, like Prince inGerald’s Game.These dogs have typically been the result of neglect, their feral state adding to the horror of the scenes. He has had his fair share of complaints from readers over time who cannot bear to see a dog hurt, and“don’t hurt the dog”has become a horror trope in itself. King’s desire to write a“good”dog is also the desire to write a dog that is well cared for.
This would be a shift from how he has often used dogs in his stories. Rather than using them to foreshadow what could happen to the characters or emphasize how abhorrent a human character is, Radar is a good old dog who the reader is rooting for Charlie to save. When Charlie and Radar get separated after the sundial in the novel, the fear that harm has come to her is palpable, but King sets his track record right.
Fairy Tale’s Satisfying Ending Is Perfect For Readers Still Haunted By Cujo
Readers Dreading A Dog Death Can Be Reassured By The Fantasy Novel
For readers still haunted by the death of Cujo,Fairy Talehas a much less bleak ending. Even though he acknowledges the role of darkness in the story -“good people shine brighter in dark times”- hetreats the reader to a happy endingon this occasion. Much like a story inYou Like It Darker,Stephen King doesn’t continue his tragic trend where dogs are concerned.
Sacrificing the dog isn’t necessary for communicating Charlie’s powerful character development…
King could easily have gone for shock and sadness, particularly becauseFairy Taleis a coming-of-age story. A big loss would have fit into this, but sacrificing the dog isn’t necessary for communicating Charlie’s powerful character development. Ultimately, King delivers a satisfying and conclusive ending toFairy Tale. The novel is being adapted for the small screen withA24’sFairy TaleTV series, which will make the most of the fantastical locations in the source material.
Fairy Tale Is A Rarity, But It’s Not The Only Stephen King Story To Let The Dog Live
To Be Fair To King, He Has Let Other Dogs Survive
Fairy Taleis a rare example of a dog having its day - but it is by no means the first. While dog deaths and dog rabidity are a troubling trend in the horror powerhouse’s work, there have been other dogs King has kept alive. In “Laurie” from You Like It Darker,even though Lloyd’s neighbor Don was killed by the alligator, the protagonist and his dog managed to return home with few injuries. The bond between Laurie and her master was touching in the story, as is her role in him moving forward with his grief.
Another example isThe Stand,in which King assures the reader of Kojak the Irish Setter’s long life:
“Even when he was an old, old dog (and Kojak lived another sixteen years, long after Glen Bateman died), those scars would pain and throb on wet days.”
The good-natured dog is one of the most likable characters inThe Stand,soStephen Kingstepping in during Kojak’s POV to reassure his reader emphasizes his track record of killing these particular darlings as a writer. The TV adaptation ofThe Standwas a little disappointing in its comparative lack of Kojak’s journey, which was a highlight inThe Stand’s lengthy story. Hopefully, A24’sFairy Taleadaptation will give Radar the prominence she deserves.
Source:The Times
Stephen King
Discover the latest news and filmography for Stephen King, known for The Dark Tower series, The Stand, IT, The Shining, Carrie, Cujo, Misery, the Bill Hodges trilogy, and more.
