Carrie – Stephen King

Rating: 2/5

Lost References:

Juliet chooses this book (her favorite) for the Others’ book club, even though Ben doesn’t like it. (Oddly, when Ben is later captured by the Losties, he asks Locke for Stephen King to read. Of course, this may have been part of his cover.) Juliet’s sister, Rachel, also has a copy of the book.

Fun Fact: Emilie de Ravin (Claire on Lost) played Chris Hargensen in the 2002 TV movie version of Carrie.

Thoughts:

Carrie is a disturbed, repressed girl with a supernatural gift. Since she’s a high schooler, she naturally uses it to get back at bullies. Low points: Carrie and her mother (both pretty crazy and unlovable), the ending (rushed, despite the novel being Stephen King’s usual doorstop length). High points: Stephen King (whose masterful control of the English language makes up for a lot), the Prom Scene (it’s a classic for a reason).

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass – Lewis Carroll

Rating: 4/5

Lost References:

Jack reads the first book to Aaron in Something Nice Back Home. In Via Domus, a copy of it can be obtained and traded. In the pilot, Vincent runs Jack by like the white rabbit. White rabbits are also a recurring motif, especially for DHARMA and Ben; one episode is even entitled White Rabbit. Another is Through the Looking Glass, and DHARMA has a station called the Looking Glass.

Thoughts:

These books were terribly original and creative when they were first published and still are today. So many people enjoyed Lewis Carroll’s works that many of the scenes, such as Alice’s tea party, have entered into iconic popular culture. The sequel suffered, but that’s to be expected. Also, the poetry was creative but a bit much, especially in the sequel. In any case, the strong point is the dialogue. I especially enjoyed the Mad Hatter and, surprisingly, the Cheshire cat (who is not nearly as offensive in the books as in the movies).

Above: DHARMA’s Looking Glass Station logo.