To: epicure who wrote (55054 ) 8/23/2002 4:36:45 PM From: J. C. Dithers Read Replies (1) | Respond to Stephen King's new novel, The Moderation. The Moderation . As usual, the story takes place in a sleepy, isolated New England village with elm-lined streets and a lovely green common at the town square. A young couple is marooned there when there car breaks down. People are friendly at first, but their edginess at having strangers in their midst becomes more palpable as the days pass. Gradually we learn the chilling secret that lies beneath the calm exterior of the charming village, and why strangers are not welcome. Folks disappear here, never to be heard from again. It seems that every six months or so, the regulars (that's what the villagers call themselves) hold a "moderation" on the town common. One of their number is selected by majority vote to be the object of the ritual, which has been passed down through the generations. The moderation is a cleansing process performed in the name of "town hygiene," to exorcise the community of its sins. The Town Moderator names the guilty one, and invites the regulars to give testimony against the unfortunate person. The frenzy builds until the Town Counselor reads a bill of indictment against the chosen one, specifying his or her transgressions. The "moderation" is then held on the town common, where all regulars are required to assemble on the appointed day.The Moderation . Suffice to say, there is more than enough gore here to satisfy King's most rabid readers. Highly recommended for all Stephen King fans or other horror buffs. This is definitely not a book to read while you are by yourself on a stormy night when the walls are creaking.
