Small towns, especially those with a long and murky history, are a staple. In these towns, there are often old buildings like mills or factories that have been abandoned. They become places where strange things happen. For instance, in 'It', the sewers beneath the town are a terrifying setting. The sewers are dark, damp, and full of unknowns, much like the fear that lurks in the hearts of the characters. Another setting is the roadside diners and motels that dot the highways. These places seem normal at first but can quickly turn into settings of horror, as if they are gateways to the unknown.
One common setting is small, seemingly ordinary towns in New England. For example, in 'Salem's Lot', the town of Jerusalem's Lot serves as a spooky backdrop. These small towns often have a sense of isolation which allows for the build - up of mystery and horror. There are also old, decrepit houses which are full of secrets. Like in 'The Shining', the Overlook Hotel is a setting that is both grand and menacing.
A lot of Stephen King's stories are set in Maine. It's like his personal horror playground. The small towns there, with their old houses and long winters, create a perfect backdrop for the spooky tales. You also find settings like schools, which can be really creepy places in his stories. In 'Carrie', the high school is where all the horror unfolds. There are also settings related to the past, like old burial grounds or historical sites. They carry a sense of mystery and often unleash the terrors that King is so good at writing about.
The isolated small - town settings create a feeling of claustrophobia. Since there's not much escape, it intensifies the sense of dread. For example, in 'Under the Dome', the town being cut off from the outside world makes every threat within the dome seem more menacing.
Stephen King's novels often take place in small towns in Maine or other rural areas. These settings add a sense of isolation and mystery to the stories.
Well, in many of his stories, the settings are ordinary places that take on a menacing quality. A small town that should be a place of safety becomes a place of horror. The familiarity of a home, like in 'The Amityville Horror' - style settings in some of his works, is turned on its head. The home becomes a place where the walls seem to have eyes and the attic or basement holds unspeakable terrors. The settings make the reader constantly on edge, not knowing when the ordinary will turn into the extraordinary and terrifying.
The size of Stephen King novels can vary greatly. Some of his shorter works might be around 300 pages, while his epic novels can exceed 1000 pages. For example, 'It' is a very long novel.
Typical settings for Dickens novels are the bustling and chaotic cityscapes of Victorian England. London, in particular, features prominently. The city is divided into areas of extreme poverty and relative wealth. There are the workhouses where the destitute are sent, which are cold and unforgiving places. Dickens also often sets scenes in the courts and legal institutions of the time, highlighting the often slow and unjust legal processes. For example, in 'Bleak House', the fog - filled and complex London is a key part of the story.
One typical setting is a medieval - like world. There are often castles, knights, and peasants. Another is a magical realm filled with strange creatures like unicorns, dragons, and fairies. And a post - apocalyptic fantasy setting is also common, where magic has emerged after a great disaster.
Stephen King often creates complex characters. There are the outcasts, those who don't quite fit into society. They might be loners with a strange hobby or a past they are trying to hide. These characters can be either the ones causing trouble or the ones trying to solve the mystery. Then there are the authority figures, like the local sheriff or the principal of a school. Sometimes they are helpful, but other times they are part of the problem or at least slow to recognize the real danger.
Typically, Jan Karon's novels are set in places full of natural beauty. There are often descriptions of the mountains, valleys, and the changing seasons in the countryside. The beauty of nature serves as a backdrop for the characters' lives and also reflects the peace and simplicity that the characters often strive for. It gives a sense of tranquility and a connection to something greater than the individual characters.
Exotic locations are typical settings in James Bond novels. For example, there are often glamorous European cities like Monte Carlo. Tropical islands also frequently appear, which are often the lairs of the villains. And, of course, the corridors of power in London, where Bond gets his orders and reports back. These settings add to the allure and adventure of the stories.