16 Comments

Oh wow, I remember reading that at work on the afternoon shift.

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I remember liking the filmed version of this story. May not hold up well––I watched the end–––but here it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4lNaTCC3IM

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Nov 8, 2023Liked by Shaina Read

I think I enjoyed your synopsis more than I would have the story itself! Thanks

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Yikes, I still have my old plastic army men under my bed, perhaps I won't get rid of them now that I know they'll light me up like a Christmas tree.

That aside, this story reminds me of Sid's comeuppance scene near the end of the first Toy Story--though even that scene seems scarier than this one written by the King of Horror himself. Nevertheless, Battleground seems like a fun read--though one that lacks the more stand-out characteristics of King's writing, trading horror elements for campy action and slightly witty humor all boxed up nicely in a G.I. crate filled to the brim with little green men.

Gotta love that 1 Scale-to-Model Thermonuclear weapon though, am I right?

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I love the way King says it's a bomb, then tells us it isn't. Then it turns out we didn't read the whole list of what was included. 😅💣

Also, I kept thinking of Renfield from Dracula every time I read the character name in this one.

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Talking about scary dolls. There is nothing more scary to me than a ventriloquist dummy being animated. I can't even watch one.

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Nov 7, 2023Liked by Shaina Read

I liked this story. Brings me back. When I was a kid, we had moved on from the plastic army men; G.I.Joe was all the rage (the little 4" action figures, not the larger Barbie Doll sized ones from an earlier era). I imagine young Mr. King was a big fan of the little plastic immovable army men, as they are present in the opening scene of "Revival" as well. Another great review. Thanks again Shaina.

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Nov 7, 2023Liked by Shaina Read

Loved it. Last thing I read before getting horizontal. Yikes, on second thought maybe I shud hv read it in the morning! <smiles>

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Nov 7, 2023Liked by Shaina Read

Not read it and, with all due respect to Mr King, sounds like I won't be seeking it out 😅

I appreciate you doing the hard work and summarising it with your thoughts, Shaina. There's certainly something uncanny and with lots of horror potential in dolls and the like. I remember benig totally freaked out as a kid playing the first Alone in the Dark game, where in the intro there's a doll that's slumped against the wall that creeps after the protagonist when he has his back turned. Gave me many a nightmare!

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Nov 7, 2023Liked by Shaina Read

Oh wow, I'd forgotten about this one!

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