Book Review: UR by Stephen King

By georgelthomas on 27 Jun 2025 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m reviewing Stephen King’s novella, UR.

UR was published in 2009 by Amazon Kindle and is 66 pages long.

The Plot
Wesley Smith discovers his new Kindle can access alternate realities and previously unpublished works by celebrated authors, revealing countless variations of literary classics. This intriguing discovery soon turns sinister when Wesley learns the device can predict future events, leading him into a suspenseful race against time to prevent a tragedy that directly impacts his own life and loved ones.

Characters
Wesley Smith
Wesley is the heart of the story. His everyday, sceptical approach to life makes him relatable to readers. Initially, he comes across as a jaded academic mourning his breakup and questioning his place in the world.

But as the story progresses, he morphs into a curious and daring protagonist, taking risks to alter destiny and protect others. His love for literature and curiosity about alternate realities drive the plot, giving readers a glimpse of what happens when an ordinary man is thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

Robbie Henderson
Robbie is Wesley’s enthusiastic student. He plays a crucial role in helping Wesley understand and navigate the abilities of his Kindle.

Ellen Silverman
Although Ellen is more of a background figure, her breakup with Wesley sets the story in motion. Ellen symbolizes Wesley’s unmet personal desires and, in a sense, represents earthly struggles that contrast with the cosmic questions the Kindle unearths.

Don Allman
Don, Wesley’s only friend in the English department, offers a practical counterbalance to Wesley’s academic, bookish personality. He provides grounded comic relief and loyal support as Wesley dives headfirst into the mystical implications of his new tech.

The Low Men
Fans of King’s literary universe will recognize the low men from The Dark Tower. These beings are eerie, enigmatic enforcers of the multiverse’s stability, making them both terrifying and fascinating villains. Thoughtfully, King uses them as a chilling reminder of the consequences when humans overreach their bounds.

Writing Style
Stephen King‘s writing style in UR is efficient and immersive. Since the novella is just under 70 pages long, King doesn’twaste time with unnecessary exposition or subplots. Instead, he crafts a tight narrative that flows swiftly from one event to the next.

The story is characteristically engaging with sharp dialogue and atmospheric descriptions—and King’s ability to world-build in just a few paragraphs is on full display here. The concept of alternate realities accessed through a Kindle could have felt gimmicky in the hands of a less-skilled storyteller—but King blends this speculative idea with grounded realism.

Final Thoughts
Though UR may not have the sprawling depth of King’s longer works, it delivers an intellectual and suspenseful punch in its novella format.

Whether you’re a Stephen King fan, a lover of speculative fiction, or simply someone curious about the convergence of tech and literature, UR offers a gripping read that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

If you haven’t ventured into this world yet, it’s time to pick up a copy. But heed King’s warning—sometimes curiosity can lead to unexpected consequences.

I’m giving UR a good 9/10.

Have you read UR? What did you think?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George