Insomnia by Stephen King Book Review & Reaction | A Great Read...If You've Read The Dark Tower First

Mike heads back to Derry, Maine to discuss his thoughts on the 1994 thriller Insomnia by Stephen King.
Purchase Insomnia here: amzn.to/37LGrbw (physical) amzn.to/3xOyv40 (digital) amzn.to/3vIzcsW (audio)
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0:00 Introduction & Excerpt Reading
2:20 Background Info
3:17 What Is It About?
4:26 What Makes It Good or Bad?
10:46 Why You Should Read It
12:09 Final Thoughts
13:50 Multiverse Connections
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Excerpt music provided by Ross Budgen
/ @rossbugden
Music used: Epic Horror Synth Trailer Music - Something Wicked (Copyright and Royalty Free)
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Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
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Theme music provided by Infraction
/ @infraction
Music used: Epic (No Copyright Music)
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Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
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#MikesBookReviews #StephenKing #Insomnia

[@KalleVilenius]

Read this back in 2011, between I think the 3rd and 4th Dark Tower books. After finishing it, I started waking up at around 4 AM for no discernible reason. That was a spooky summer. The only time I had the displeasure of hallucinations from lack of sleep was in the army, just these shapes flittering at the edge of vision. Weird experience. Guess that makes this the only Stephen King book to ever keep me up at night for reasons other than binge reading it.

[@Driak22]

He calls to you.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Awesome to learn about yet another King book I’ll need to read someday. Thanks, Mike!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Insomnia is a great read but it's very underrated 😃

[@NamasteBbooktube]

You sure you don't wanna read this before DT 6 or 7, as Mike seems to be suggesting? 😛

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@NamasteBbooktube Ha ha! 😄 As tempting as it is, I’ll stick with my plan, Diptanjan - but I’ll get around to these other King books eventually!

[@clydebillingsworth8574]

Love when you give these reviews over one I have yet to read. Love the incites and the thoughts. Don't stop. Picked up red rising after you mentioned it in your live hang a bit ago. I tore through that in no time.

[@mayzo51184]

Ooo... this is on my TBR list so I might have to check this one out. I loved IT so I think I'll especially enjoy the connections that are mentioned and who knows? Maybe this might finally get me interested in reading the dark tower if it's mentioned so heavilly in this book. Great review as always and I'll come back to comment once I've read it.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Every time you put out one of these videos I feel that need to dive into some more Stephen King! I'll be reading Carrie soon, as well as Different Seasons :) Will

[@RekindledReader]

I'll be reading Different Seasons as my next King. You're right, always in the mood after a mood video! But...I have some Gwynne to read first ;)

[@thebrothersgwynne]

@@RekindledReader It's dangerous watching these videos! Gwynne and King is not a bad upcoming tbr... :) Will

[@pattic6077]

I love the Stephen king content mike! Thanks for still doing that!!

[@unlimitedreads]

Great video as always, Mike! I can remember when I first read this one years ago that I didn't overly enjoy it but I'll probably re-read it in the coming months :)

[@matthewgurski9232]

Great video! I love the intro!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@davidphillips9726]

Damn man, you put a LOT of work into these videos. Cool stuff!

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I had this book for almost twenty years before I read it a few years back. It was great! Slow and deliberate at first, but not annoying, the story took shape and really blossomed. It was both very enjoyable and very sad, but a good read nonetheless.

[@atom0191]

Thanks for the video, Mike!!

[@Beans_blades_VMOGroup]

just started Insomnia today, enjoyed your video, definitely more excited to read it now! I read the DT series and am excited to see the eggs you speak of!

[@alynam82]

I read this back in 2015, having only read DT 1-3 in high school, so as you said, there were a lot that went over my head. I knew enough to know it was Dark Tower references, but not to what extent. Now that I've read the DT all through, I'm ready for an Insomnia re-read one of these days, to truly appreciate it

[@margaritaramos3393]

Would you say read the DT 1-5. Then Insomnia? Or DT 1-3 Then Insomnia?

[@alynam82]

@@margaritaramos3393 I'm thinking you'd be fine to read it any time between 1-5.

[@alynam82]

The references in Insomnia show up in DT 6 and 7, that I can remember

[@margaritaramos3393]

@alynam82 Thank you for your reply!!

[@oldforestroad]

Sure do love your honest reviews Mike. Thank you. ...it is so quiet and still at 3:00 a.m.

[@TheAvidReaderBookReviews]

Great timing! I just finished Insomnia today!

[@stever8147]

Great video Mike. I read this one before I hat got to DT 6 & 7 and, while I enjoyed it somewhat, it was never one i'd write home about. Now that I've been through DT twice now (plus reading things like Hearts in Atlantis) I think I'll really enjoy this on re-read. Keep 'em coming!!

[@knittymama570]

I read Insomnia when it came out. At that point I had decided not to continue Dark Tower after reading Wastelands. I LOVED Insomnia though. I realized that it had references to DT and I wish I had gone back to it, but I'm there now. I just finished Insomnia again (for like the 4th time ever) and just started Wizard & Glass for the first time ever. I probably wouldn't have gotten back into it if not for your channel. Thanks, man!

[@Chicagocanine]

Insomnia was one of my favorite King books when I was younger, and I’m pretty sure I read it several times before I read the Dark Tower series. I like weird stuff though. IMO Insomnia is one of those books that are really hard to put down.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I really did love it on the re-read.

[@roninjoey]

@@mikesbookreviewsit’s a really deceptive book.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Oh I'm excited to read this one now!!

[@Aluminatihusker]

I always enjoy your intros Mike! With the reading from the book, background music, and visuals, it makes me want to dive right back into reading (not like I have a problem with that lol). Great review Mike! Insomnia is a good read. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff was good! Overall, I still think it’s a mid-tier King book. It’s not great, but not bad. It’s worth reading though imo!

[@AaMo59]

I wish audible would put appealing music. They use the most distracting ass music at the most important parts of the story

[@rosemadder5547]

I had trouble with this book but I'm going to go through it again and see if that changes. Lisey's Story was like that for me the first time, but now I've read it 5 times 😂

[@JerodimusPrime]

Mike, I love this intro, I can see the effort you put into your Stephen King intros, they're amazing. Also, what's the music you use for the into the multiverse intros, I love that song, has that retro, 80s, synth-vibe to it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

The link and credits are in the description below.

[@JerodimusPrime]

@@mikesbookreviews Thanks Mike 😊

[@reginaldforthright805]

Fair review, thanks

[@angelaholmes8888]

This book definitely needs to be adapted into a miniseries to me 👍

[@knittymama570]

I agree. Especially with how good special effects can be these days. Man it would be so cool!

[@Apostateoftheunion]

I read this after The Dark Tower, several years after The Wind Through the Keyhole actually. And I agree that the first act was a little slow, but I was all in once the Tower lore really got going. This really filled in my blank spots with Patrick Danville and why he was so important.

[@danl2502]

I just got a copy of the gunslinger and I’m super excited to read it. The only king book I’ve read is it, but I’m not really worried about reading a bunch of other king books before going to the tower. The way I’m looking at it, if I want more after I go through those, I’ll pick up other king books (cause honestly idk how I really feel about king lol)

[@RekindledReader]

Damn, great intro!

[@steventhayer2736]

I read this back in spring 2020 and I really really enjoyed it. I went into it as a Dark Tower book, which might have been kind of cheating since people who read it not as a DT book thought much less of it, but I read it as part of my DT journey and thought it was amazing 😊

[@Nastyn1nja808]

I still haven't read anything other than the Dark Tower series. And back in the day Eyes of the Dragon

[@Aicfanboy]

I completely agree

[@dinocollins720]

Thanks Mike!

[@bonniek5]

Just ordered Insomnia based off this video. I finished Drawing of the Three and am reading Salem’s Lot now before moving to The Waste Lands! So happy to finally be joining the Dark Tower crowd 🤩

[@gingergeordie]

Did you enjoy Drawing of the Three? I'm just about to start! 😁

[@bonniek5]

@@gingergeordie I loved it! Couldn’t put it down. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@cmmosher8035]

Insomnia was also the first King book i was able to read on release. I remember reading the book very quick for a book as ling as it was but it also didn't leave the a big impression on me outside of being a Dark Tower focused book. I was also going through some person stuff that probably effected my ability immerse myself in the book.

[@cristy-annhoughton755]

When you lose a spouse you feel like either that your sleepwalking in a nightmare that you can't wake up from or it feels like your world stops

[@noddypie5496]

Thank you sir it's the best and most underrated Stephen King review channel I've ever Come through...thanks ..

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@noddypie5496]

@@mikesbookreviews please keep uploading sir... Your welcome!

[@HankFacepunch]

I read this brick over two days on Christmas break of 1994. What a great book. Didn't catch all of it because I hadn't read The Dark Tower, but I still loved it. Gotta read this one again.

[@zkinak2107]

How about that, I finished this book on my Christmas break this year 😂

[@jcdenton616]

Finished this book 5 minutes ago. I cried... That ending destroyed me. What an incredible book!

[@DeannaJosephMusic]

I just finished it too and it wrecked me. Sooooo good.

[@kristianascharrenberg9958]

I cried too😭

[@increditoaster]

thank you, i have the dark tower series on my shelf waiting to be read for the first time and was going to read DT or insomnia first

[@calista3371]

See, I read this after reading DT 1, 2, 3 and I thought this was a great book. I know it's long, but I never understood why people didn't like it. It's great to hear your change of mind. I love your King Reviews! They are great and I vote to go back to having them once a month. I miss them.

[@beneriksen7236]

I just finished this 10 minutes ago, my first King novel. I absolutely loved it, though the multiverse connections obviously are lost to me. The Dark Tower stuff is intriguing. I just purchased The Shining to read next.

[@sharmilanakulan6643]

Could u please make a video on the beatles U know at least something like a ranking of all their albums As someone from the east I am trying to get into them so such a video really a lot of insight ,thank u

[@chukysleez]

I read drawing of the 3 when I was 9. It felt like a dream that my brain tried to erase. But I caught it on the way out. Been trying to understand that dream my whole life

[@christopherfly9374]

I think I have this book somewhere in the house, or maybe not. I remember starting it and not getting very far into it. The period around "Insomnia" was the point when the honeymoon was over for me with Stephen King. I had been binging King for a decade at that point, and I slowly began to realize that I needed to branch out into other authors. In college friends gave me long lists of authors they were reading, and all I could come back with was King. So yeah, time to branch out. Problem is, as you pointed out, this is the period when King gets into his multiverse and in a short time I'm horrendously behind. I'm glad to know about the Dark Tower references. It seems I really need to get into DT before attempting to get back into this period. Great job as always Mike.

[@CRohrscheib]

I'm binging all of your videos I've missed over the last two months. Still a recent King reader and looking for my next fix. Every time I go through his bibliography I feel a calling to insomnia because I'm in sleep medicine. It calls me like a siren but I'm going to read IT first 😅

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ah yes I forgot! I’d be interested in how you feel he represents the ailment.

[@cathytrottier8944]

Insomnia is my favorite book from Mr.King , how can you not love Ralph Roberts . The first time I read it I cried like a baby at the end.

[@EdgeOfEntropy17]

This was the first audio book I ever listened to. It was so great.

[@michaelgauthier2593]

Hey Mike! Any idea when you'll continue Berserk into the Falcon of the Millennium Empire arc? Would love to hear your thoughts on a few key moments!

[@angelaholmes8888]

I really enjoyed reading insomnia it's definitely one of my favorite books from king 💯🌟

[@tg10tg]

I am just getting into Stephen king and I haven't read much I haven't read the book but the picture of this faceless thing that points at you is so chilling I might pick the book up

[@bobgdn]

It’s always great when King content is on your channel! Awesome intro and great review. For me this was bottom tier King but still, a bottom tier King is better then many author’s top tier stuff.

[@deadshotdaiquiri2734]

I haven't read dark tower and just finished the book and loved it and is making me really want to read it

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

YES! Back to the roots!

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

Mike, you say it's beneficial to read Dark Tower before reading Insomnia, but then later you also say that reading Insomnia before Dark Tower will help clear up a lot of stuff toward the end of that series. Insomnia was published between The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower books 3 & 4). So would you recommend that I just go with the publication order?

[@praetorxyn]

I'm glad you had such a positive experience with this book this time around, as I was really excited to revisit Derry but the community just shits on this book constantly and sapped all my interest for it. I will read it eventually. I have an alert setup to pick up his books when they go on sale, picked up several books at $1.99 so far since I did that. I could afford it, but I don't want to spend $650+ just to get all his books 😅

[@brooklynebony]

don't be caught up with what others think of the book. read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. it really is just that simple.

[@michaelp772]

Mike Hanlon makes a fairly significant appearance, so there is a Losers Club appearance. It also mentions Benjamin Hanscom as the architect for the Derry Community Center.

[@gotrekgurnisson9934]

Anyone else trying to read the other titles in the background? You can tell a lot about a person by their library. Plus, I see the WoT back there so I'm already sold on the guy.

[@petersmernoff9590]

INSOMNIA is not the most accessible of Stephen King's books, not by a long shot, but it's nevertheless an interesting and highly underrated work.

[@mathieuleader8601]

the little doctors reminds me of Caliban from Shakespeare's the Tempest

[@JimmyDThing]

I find Insomnia frustrating. I feel like it's supposed to be a sort of sequel to It that's about the transition to old-age and to death rather than the transition from childhood to adulthood... but this is actually the thing I think King understands the least and that's why, to me, he had to turn it into a Dark Tower tie-in rather than something deserving of following up It.

[@mathieuleader8601]

great paper boat mug

[@jeffreyallen3561]

Wow. I'm too stoned to listen to this, right now. I'm reading the book, Ralph is throwing down with the Crimson King. I'll drop a like and subscribe then return when I'm low.

[@nathanbeer3338]

Damn it, this video makes me want to read Insomnia again after I've finished the Dark Tower series even though I hated that book. BTW spoilers but not really that big spoilers, also Ben Hanscom, AKA Haystack was mentioned briefly in Insomnia, not as much as Mike, but his name was mentioned.

[@caseyh8386]

I've never read any dark tower books and still bloody LOVED this book. I feel like Stephen King gets my lifelong fear of aging and the abyss and the sadness of youth passing. I really enjoyed the main characters being older people, sort of gave me hope that my own adventures aren't over lol. I don't know, I just really love this book.

[@rosemadder5547]

I hope you have by now lol Eddie and Suze... superb.

[@roninjoey]

I really love this book and I’m glad I’m not the only one. Nobody else seems to like it.

[@derekroberts6654]

I loved this book, i wonder why there has never been a movie version… I always thought of a movie version to this book, but it would probably have to have another name because it might get confused with a 2002 movie of the same name, i was thinking about also who would play Ralph Roberts and i was thinking Sam Neil (of “Jurassic Park”) and for Lois i was thinking maybe Sigorney Weaver (“Alien” and “Ghostbusters”)

[@willwestray3331]

I just finished Insomnia and haven't read Dark Tower. I did sort of have to roll with certain things but still liked it. If anything it made me excited to start the series. Also cool illustrations. Did you draw them? It definitely felt like it fit the essence of what the book is.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Superb review. This book often gets a “bad wrap” it seems. I admit it does make more sense if one has read The Dark Tower series (even though I’m not really a fan of that series, I know…). I think it’s a great book 📕

[@BigOleMatty]

always hated stephen kings politics but i have gotten the mist and It and was going to read them then the stand since you think the stand is his best book...but after that i probably wont read more of stephen king...maybe the body or the one that he wrote that was influenced by the colour out of space...but as usual fantastic video. thanks for what you do!

[@ericcartman7361]

Hate his politics too, but love his work.

[@StrategicSymphony]

I finished Insomnia, and I haven't read Dark Tower (yet). I really enjoyed this book, even though its long and and drags out the issues, but I read IT not long ago and It seemed like a good sequel. I now want to read Dark Tower series but getting ready to go on a long Star Wars novel and comic binge.

[@margaritaramos3393]

Never had a chance to read Insomnia. It was stolen with all my original SK books. I digress. I read the Gunslinger when it came out but couldn't get into it. Question. Should i read The Gunslinger 1-5. Then read Insomnia, and finish with 6 and 7?

[@claytonhomer3096]

Similar to you I read this in the mid 90's and didn't think much of it. Earlier this month I reread it between DT 6 and 7 and loved it. Its still a slow burn and weird like I remembered but, like you, the tower connections made it so enjoyable. Its not as blatant as Salem's Lot being spoiled with Wolves of the Calla but DT 7 does spoil some of it. The first 60% is a little too slow and overdrawn (imo) but its a snowball rolling down the hill afterwards. The last 40% of this is more interesting than anything in DT 7 to me. Pre dark tower its prolly a 2.5 star book, post dark tower its a 4-4.5 star book to me. Great review Mike!

[@locolima279]

Shout out to Eli Wallach aka Tuco Ramirez who narrates the audiobook.

[@briteskin]

The good of this book was the multiverse ties and a strong return to supernatural elements. Before finally getting through this book I been reading King's more centered in our reality books. Dolores Claiborne, the Bill Hodges trilogy (minus End of Watch}, and Revival (until latter part of the book) don't have the fantastical and otherworldly stuff. Unfortunately this is going to be one of my lower ranked in his bibliography. My original attempt to read this was when the original hardcover released. It was to soon after my own really bad case of insomnia. Realized early wasn't going to be able to read about someone dealing with it. My second attempt ran into the roadblock of the abortion issue. Not that the issue is something that effects me deeply. It has more to do with activism and how I was treated when I tried to participate in it while in college. Brings back memories of dealing with what felt like the same high school bs when I am just trying to make a difference in the world with supposed like minded people who in the end had certain prejudices and preconceived judgements. I found even after 30 years I still have some issues when it comes to those two random things that effect my enjoyment. Abortion returning into such a hot button issue again didn't help. It has been something almost inescapable, The Dark Tower connections and Into The Multiverse helped me to finish it this time around.

[@supernorry3847]

I enjoyed this book immensly, it was such a great read especially if you know The Dark Tower there are so much connections. Btw the art you show is freekin amazing of the little bald docters and stuff... so good

[@jeffreyallen3561]

Do it! Purpose and Random explained.

[@theskyisteal8346]

In terms of DT I'm on the Drawing of the Three so I still don't understand much of what happened in this book. That is not to say I didn't love it. That scene with the crimson king at the end was chef's kiss. I didn't go into it expecting so many DT references but after reading it, I consider it almost a book x.5 in the Dark Tower series. i will be sure to reread it when I reach that point in the Dark Tower.

[@louisyank5326]

*vague spoiler* Meeting the antagonist of this Novel made me want to read the dark tower, maybe a bit backwards but it worked for me! Thanks for another great review Mike

[@abolzero311]

I like the bald look . I think it suits you. And also great review

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Great review. I think Insomnia is okay, not one of King's finest, but still enjoyable.

[@TheThompar1]

It's a very good book overall, but the tie ins made it great.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

I bought my copy of insomnia today!

[@farhad_s]

Not necessarily top 5 or 10 King, but still worth a read. I've read the first six Dark Tower books, so really looking forward to the connections with the final book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Much better book after reading Dark Tower.

[@luisgilbertomorenolopez4584]

Porque no lo haces en español porfa

[@teksnotdead902]

Dolores Claiborne film came out in 1995. Maybe that caused the brain fart.

[@jeffreyallen3561]

I came here to find out who/what the green man was. I just finished the book. Ralph is the man. I gotta say this Stephen King fan boy thing has me binge watching.

[@jakehensley1210]

I wish I didn’t hear that Penny Wise is defeated at the end…😢

[@hyacinthh6900]

Then why say it for others -- like me?

[@user-ir2is3kk7v]

Mrballen!

[@peteharper2687]

Insomnia is by far my favourite King book. I love every word and have re-read it dozens of times, and have never found it boring. Strange aye!

[@cabrademora1]

:D

[@sjkrum320]

This is the first review where you've convinced me not to read something. No offense intended, but not a dark tower fan and the political subject is something that would definitely ruin it and upset me. So I appreciate your openness. Really enjoying 4 season on your review Right now though. 🙂

[@dm6905]

Insomnia's connection to The Dark Tower is a little weird and complicated, but in the end insignificant. In the latter Dark Tower books, King literally says the stuff described in Insomnia is not true and not part of the multiverse and then retcons a lot of Insomnia's story and characters like Patrick Danville. The novel Insomnia is said to be a false interpretation of things from The Dark Tower multiverse due to be filtered wrongly through King's subconscious, and is referred to as a "mind-trap".

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

Whaaaaaaaat?!

[@dm6905]

@@emosongsandreadalongs The mythology of The Dark Tower in Insomnia and The Dark Tower books is inconsistent, most obviously when it comes to Patrick Danville. King acknowledges this by discrediting Insomnia as part of the mythology. He explains that when writing books on Keystone Earth, sometimes his subconscious gets the facts wrong and what ends up on paper are elements that resemble things from the multiverse, but are not exactly true. He uses Insomnia as an example where it went wrong, probably so he can justify retconning stuff like Patrick Danville’s story. This is explained in either in book 6 or 7.

[@ericskinner4209]

Derry is where Pennywise the clown is.

[@Dylan13Collins]

Please make a video on purpose and random. That would be incredible!

[@jimmyallen8210]

***Spoiler Warning*** I will never understand the Crimson King. Super powerful, world hopping tyrant, but also gets bested by nonsense the two times we see him in a direct conflict.

[@dm6905]

This goes for pretty much all King villains. He likes to present evil as thinking (or presenting) themselves as being more powerful than they actually are. But in the end they are easily defeated and turn out to be quite pathetic, often begging for their lives.

[@nikhilsukumar23]

Dear friend can you do a reviews with spoiler? It is best to do reviews with spoilers because spoiler free reviews don't actually tell anything about the book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Afraid not. When I used to do spoilers no one would watch them if they hadn’t read the book. My goal here is to get people to read books they usually wouldn’t.

[@hyacinthh6900]

​@@mikesbookreviews thanks Mike. When you say may be spoiler, I immediately mute. A newbie to Stephen King. Appreciate much the stories not being spoiled before I can get to reading them. Even though some jokers in comments thinks it's funny to spoil for others. As we know, there's one in every crowd. Enjoyed video. 🌻

[@tylerweiss7971]

I'm not through the whole king library but have read around 40 king novels. I feel this is the worst book I've read. It was so difficult for me to get through it, it's just so boring.

[@knightfall9394]

So if you’ve read 40 king novels you should know right off the bat how a lot of his stuff is and just how “boring” he can be at times

[@musicgenius1948]

Idk if I will read this cause a lot of Stephen king fans I know say it’s kinda bad

[@JJSS-vg1qs]

I'll NEVER live in Maine!

[@nathanexplosionn]

lol wtf....Maturin and Gan are the same

[@RAFAELCANON]

Ohhh I didn’t know you were “pro life” I don’t know why conservatism is in Trent in the US