Mad Dog! Mad Dog!

What do you think of when someone says, “Dog”? Do you think of a cute little chihuahua? Perhaps you think of cute puppys? In general, dogs are looked at as cute and adorable creatures. However, Stephen King shows you that dogs can be your worst and possibly your last nightmare.

At the beginning of this thriller story, a four year old boy name Tad dreams of a malevolent creature in his closet. Tad screams at the top of his lungs and his parents sprint to his bedroom. Tad’s parents, Vic and Donna, mollify Tad by showing him that there are no such things as monsters. However, Tad is still awake, forgetting everything that his parents told him and keeps a close eye on that haunted closet, fearing for his life.

As Tad’s dad is at work, his mom stays home and keeps a close eye over Tad every day. Additionally, Vic and Donna have a car that constantly breaks down; it jerks sharply right and left randomly and the engine stops running. Vic and Donna plan to take their broken car to a farm where it can get repaired.

There are fields surrounding the farm along with a forest beyond the fields, and a barn and a 2 story house that belongs to Joe Camber and his wife, Charity, and his son, Brett. Vic and Donna discuss business about the car with Joe and Charity while Tad and Brett play with a sweet and loving Saint Bernard named Cujo.

However, one day after the visit, Cujo chases a rabbit across the woods. As the rabbit runs to a tiny cave, Cujo follows, but his head gets stuck in the entrance of the cave. He barks and barks, awakening a hoard of vampire bats. The bats get frightened by Cujo and bite him in the face. Cujo yips and breaks free from the cave while the bats fly out, never to be seen again. At first Cujo just rubs off the pain on his face and heads back to the farm.

However, little by little, Cujo turns into a dangerous rabid dog because of the bites he got from the bats. Cujo’s condition is so painful and so unbearable, he creates a carnage. All of this is happening while no one is knowing.

Meanwhile, Charity and Brett go to visit an aunt in Connecticut while Joe stays on the farm with Cujo. Cujo gets so truculent that he kills Joe, his owner, and eats him bite after bite.

In the meantime, Donna and Vic still need their car repaired, but they are unaware of Cujo’s condition. Vic goes on a business trip while Donna takes Tad to Joe’s farm for their car to be repaired. Once Donna and Tad arrive, their car shuts down. They’re stuck and can’t go anywhere with Cujo waiting for them. Eventually, Cujo attacks Donna and Tad by ramming the car. Donna and Tad are forced to stay in their car until help arrives. Can they survive long enough? Will Donna and Tad be devoured by the same monster Tad was fearing in his closet?

This thriller has many strengths that the reader will enjoy, one being foreshadowing. In fact, there are many moments that foreshadowing is used to build the tension slowly but steadily.

Another strength this tense story has is imagery used to scare the reader. For example, imagery is used to describe Cujo. A description of Cujo gives the reader an understanding of what Cujo looks like. This is excellent use of imagery because of the horrible vision the reader imagines about Cujo; therefore, building tension and fear. In conclusion, imagery is a strength that Cujo has because it is used to build tension and fear within the reader.

Overall, you should spend your time and money on Cujo because of how intense it can be. It has great character building which makes you care for the character’s well being. In conclusion, you should spend your time and money on Cujo.