Review: The Institute, by Stephen King

Stephen King is a master story teller and his latest book is further proof of his skills. It tells the story of a young boy, Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped from his home as his parents are murdered. He is taken to a secretive location in Maine (where else?) called “The Institute”. There he is confined with other children all of whom have supernatural powers either telekinesis or telepathy. The central character, Luke, and his new friends have one’s sympathy from the outset; the adult who eventually comes to their rescue is a classic American loner hero; and the villains are truly cruel. This is not a work of great literature, but it’s a fun way to spend one’s time during a pandemic — something which King has written about elsewhere.