The Dark Half (1989 Novel) | Pseudonyms, Psychopomps & Vanishing Twins | A Great UndertaKING

The Dark Half was King's final contribution to the decade of the 80's, so naturally he had to see the era out with a bang. What began as a story that was based on true events wandered off into mythological territory, with a dash of rare medical anomalies for good measure.
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[@patcoston]

Unlike every other BookTuber, you almost never show the cover of the book you're reviewing. It makes you different, which is a good thing.

[@MelkorRising1313]

This one is actually one of my favorite books by Stephen King. The way it’s written makes it feel like a collaboration between King and his own dark half, Bachman. Definitely one of my top three, the other two being Revival and Pet Sematary

[@agreatundertaking]

I haven’t read Revival since it was published and I’m really looking forward to getting back to that one!

[@angelaholmes8888]

@@agreatundertaking revival is so great I read it this year it's one of my favorite reads of 2022

[@Paul_McSeol]

Good list. Loved Revival. It’s up there with Doctor Sleep and The Stand as my fav King books.

[@MelkorRising1313]

@@angelaholmes8888 same here, I’ve read it in the summer

[@shaneosman2146]

The interstitial segment graphics in this one are rad. Enjoyed the video as always, but I specifically wanted to shout out those graphics. Really slick.

[@agreatundertaking]

Yeah I can’t take credit for those unfortunately, but they are rad as hell!

[@janelist978]

This is one of my favourite stories, mostly because it reminds me of my mum. I lost her when I was 15, but we bonded over King books and movies. The Dark Half was her favorite book so I decided to get it from the library a few years ago....only to find a sweet card in there with the poem "I am not there" one which deals with grief. I obviously took the book back, but still carry the card around with me today! ❤ Thank you for your wonderful videos, I know my mum would have loved them!

[@agreatundertaking]

Thank you SO much for sharing that story with me. That was touching and heartwarming. I’m going to look up that poem! I really appreciate this, Jane. You’re too kind. ❤️

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thanks again for your Very Well-Made Videos 😀

[@agreatundertaking]

My pleasure, and thank you for the kind words!!! ❤️

[@emraldmars]

SciShow did a great video a couple years ago about the various forms of twinning including a couple of the cases you discussed. This novel got me interested in biology when I first read it as a teenager. The novel stands well on it's own even though it isn't a favorite. I've been rereading a lot of King recently, and I have this novel on my shelf. In my opinion it isn't as good as The Tommyknockers (anyone who hasn't go watch the video about that novel it is hilarious), but it stands out a lot from the other novels, maybe becauase it was such a highly personal story. Good job! Haven't seen this film adaptation yet so... will flip a coin on whether to watch it before you.

[@agreatundertaking]

Hey Jake! I’m not familiar with SciShow, but I’ll be sure to check them out! I prefer Tommyknockers as well. I had a harder time paying attention to The Dark Half than I did TKnockers for some reason. We like what we like, I suppose. Thanks a lot, Jake! I still haven’t watched the movie, but will be giving it a go soon. It is undoubtedly better than the TKnockers tv series though… at least I hope so lol!

[@jamiestout4633]

this is really a great video buddy! Ill be honest I've never heard of this book before, but it sounds really interesting. Ill definitely check it out. The fact that you can have two sets of DNA is insane and I love the information gave about this subject. Oh and womb mates, good touch lol. Ill catch the next one have a good one.

[@agreatundertaking]

Thanks, Jamie! This was definitely a fun one for me. So much interesting subject matter to dig into! I’m glad you enjoyed it my friend. Take care and thanks again!

[@cartooningfanart]

Please make 'Grandma' the shortfil as a review and an analyse of the ending.

[@agreatundertaking]

Hey Casper! Was that the episode of Gramma that was on The Twilight Zone?

[@Ravenfellblade]

Wow! I had no idea this was the last video in the Playlist. Just finished watching the full playlist of all of your videos, and it's been great watching your channel mature and seeing you find your own voice and niche in the King/Booktuber space. I look forward to seeing you complete the Herculean task you've set for yourself! This channel truly lives up to its name, and you are criminally overlooked. I've recommended you to everyone I know. I really hope your channel explodes in popularity, your analysis is always spot on and insightful. In the meantime, don't lose cohesion! Keep on delivering the fabulous King content. I look forward to earning my Constant Commenter lapel pin!

[@agreatundertaking]

You, my friend, are amazing. I can’t believe you got through all of them! Some of them I am admittedly not proud of. In particular the “angry guy complains about movie he doesn’t like” videos, but yeah I think I’ve found the approach that I enjoy using most at this point. Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement. I’m finishing The Dark Half movie script tonight and recording/editing tomorrow! Will have it out Saturday and may potentially be dropping the PC game video on 1/7/23!

[@KardboardKenny]

"IT'S NOT A TUMOR"! Sorry, i'll see my self out now.

[@agreatundertaking]

😂 HOW DID I NOT THINK TO USE THIS IN THE VIDEO?!

[@KardboardKenny]

@@agreatundertaking I wouldn't have thought of it, but I just rewatched Kindergarten Cop last night. 😁

[@agreatundertaking]

I haven’t seen that movie in ages! WHO IS YOUR DADDY AND WHAT DOES HE DO?

[@Ravenfellblade]

Our mom says our dad is a real sex machine.

[@Paul_McSeol]

My dude. This may be one of your best videos yet. Between your takedown of the Thadinator to your discussion of the psychopomps and fetal absorption it was fascinating and funny. Hope you enjoy the movie. It’s not great but it’s solid. And it gets into the discussion of who’s the better Alan Pangborn: Michael Rooker or Ed Harris. Have an awesome week.

[@agreatundertaking]

Thanks, Paul! I really enjoyed making this one. Some really interesting subject matter to dig into. Not gonna lie, I really like Rooker in every role I’ve seen him in… but, Harris is a solid actor too. I’ll keep you posted.

[@milodemoray]

Having read of this kind of thing before it is hard to say i am surprised that it found it's way into one of Stephen King's books. As for that chimera woman, in effect, having your sisters kids, is bizarre.

[@Ravenfellblade]

The Dark Half remains one of my favorite King novels, perhaps because it was the novel adapted into the first King film that I went to see at the theater. It's a tight, tense book. I still have some quotes I steal from it from time to time. In all seriousness, I feel like this video series needs a third entry: The Dark Half PC game. It's a point and click game by Symtus similar to Sierra's games from the same era, and it was a pretty good translation of the book into an interactive format. It's pretty easy to find for free, as it is abandonware, and easy to run under DosBox.

[@agreatundertaking]

I can see why this particular novel would have a strong appeal to readers. I don’t know why exactly it isn’t one of my personal favorites, but I find myself being more interested in the novels that have underlying social commentary, so perhaps that has something to do with it. I only recently became aware of the PC game while researching the film! I’m def going to take a look at it and will see if it’s something I can make a video about!

[@Ravenfellblade]

@agreatundertaking5675 You kinda nailed it in that this book feels the most like a King/Bachman collaborative, except the social commentary part went more into an introspective on the relationship between artist and art. If you do check out the PC game, I look forward to your take on it. It sits in that era when that style of adventure game was just getting perfected and had started really using more theatrical and filmic methods in presentation, so the game has this weird feel of watching the movie, but also a stage production, but also a novel, but you're also an active participant in all three. It also may be really buggy, but that may have just been my own PC back in the day.

[@agreatundertaking]

I think I kinda HAVE to check out the game! That’s my whole thing, right?! Everything King, and that includes video games for sure. I have basically zero video gaming skills, but I think I can manage to at least get it downloaded.

[@silverscreenpsychopathy]

The Thadiator, lmfao. Nice video. Very thorough. Though it sounds like you might have given yourself a nightmare or two. 👍

[@Ravuun]

Bro, I love this background. I want it for my Zoom LOL

[@agreatundertaking]

I’ll send it to you! Shoot me an email [e-mail]

[@patrickcain1455]

Definitely a creepy read for me right behind Gerald's Game . Ever heard the saying "eyes in the back of their head" muah ha ha

[@salemslotandmore8278]

I recently watched a really interesting Documentary about a Vanishing Twin titled Malignant (2021). 🤣😅😂

[@agreatundertaking]

Hahahaha!!!! I haven’t seen it. Is it worth watching?

[@salemslotandmore8278]

@@agreatundertaking Definitely worth watching, but I think that it's NOT meant to be taken seriously.

[@agreatundertaking]

I had heard OF the movie, but not what it’s about. Sounds like a fun horror film!

[@salemslotandmore8278]

@@agreatundertaking Yes, Fun OVER Scary

[@Paul_McSeol]

😂😂

[@phalexxxx]

Wombmate 🤣.

[@agreatundertaking]

I am disproportionately proud of myself for that joke 😂

[@phalexxxx]

@@agreatundertaking I mean, you should be. It's a fantastic blend of dad joke and Stephen King.

[@agreatundertaking]

Finally, my two greatest talents have converged!

[@ilovethetalleys7375]

Are you gonna do the langoliers?

[@agreatundertaking]

Yep! 1/21/23 I’ll be covering the novella and 2/4/23 I’ll be covering the tv miniseries.

[@ilovethetalleys7375]

@@agreatundertaking awesome

[@agreatundertaking]

Is that a favorite story of yours?

[@ilovethetalleys7375]

@@agreatundertaking yeah.

[@Ravenfellblade]

SCARING THE LITTLE GIRL?! God, this series gets so much hate, but Bronson Pinchot really did do full blown nut job so well. Looking forward to that one!

[@patcoston]

I'm not a fan of The Dark Half novel or movie. I seem to remember hearing about someone with an absorbed twin that had teeth, nails, and hair. I don't remember where in the host body these parts were found.

[@agreatundertaking]

The book is ok, but def not a favorite. I guess we’ll see about the movie though…

[@Ravenfellblade]

@@agreatundertaking I remember it pretty fondly. It was my first King "theater" experience. I've watched it several times, and it's still pretty solidly in my top 10 King adaptations. Maybe top 5.

[@agreatundertaking]

As far as King adaptations go, especially of this particular era, it is incredibly well done. Great acting, score, and ALMOST all of the special effects hold up!

[@angelaholmes8888]

I read the dark half last year the book is nice but I didn't love it

[@agreatundertaking]

I feel the same. Not a bad or uninteresting story, just not among my favorites.