Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King Summary
Overview of Dolores Claiborne
King's masterpiece unfolds as one unbroken monologue, becoming 1992's best-selling novel. Beyond page to screen, Kathy Bates's performance earned critical acclaim in a film Time magazine ranked among King's top 10 adaptations. What dark secrets await on Little Tall Island?
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Key takeaways
The Confession That Shook Little Tall Island
"I didn't kill Vera Donovan, but I did kill my husband Joe St. George thirty years ago during the total eclipse, and I don't regret it one bit." With these words, Dolores Claiborne begins her confession at the Little Tall Island police station. She's not there to deny involvement in her wealthy employer's recent death-though the entire island suspects her-but to unburden herself of a different crime altogether. Her voice carries the weight of decades of justified conviction, speaking in a distinctive Down East Maine dialect thick with local expressions and hard-earned wisdom. What follows is a raw, uninterrupted monologue that pulls us deep into her world-a remote coastal community where everyone knows everyone's business, yet the darkest secrets remain hidden behind closed doors. Dolores isn't trying to paint herself as a saint or victim, though she certainly endured years of victimization. She's tough, profane, and utterly practical-a woman shaped by decades of hard work and maternal protection.
A Life of Servitude and Survival
The Unforgivable Crime and Stolen Future
The Eclipse Solution
The Price of Protection
The Eclipse as Metaphor
A Voice That Cannot Be Silenced
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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