Published on March 24, 2026
Good morning! (or afternoon, or even evening, depending on the time you are reading this)
Today I want to talk to you about the latest book I have read. It is ‘Gwendy’s Button Box,’ co-written and Richard Chizmar in 2017.
, the name Stephen King needs little introduction. As for Richard Chizmar, I knew nothing about him before reading this novel. It appears that writing this story in tandem was a way to launch and introduce Chizmar since he had published little before this, and a lot has followed afterward. Thus, Gwendy served its purpose and made waves in 2017.
Born in Maryland, USA, on December 21, 1965, Chizmar is a writer, editor, and screenwriter, and he owns Cemetery Dance Publications. He has won two World Fantasy Awards and four International Horror Guild Awards, and has been recognized Writers Association.
Returning to the story, it is a short novel that doesn’t reach 200 pages. As I mentioned, I am well-acquainted with King’s style but new to Chizmar’s. King, more than just a horror writer, is an artist in storytelling, known for narrating deeply personal dramas enveloped in a subtle dose of strange, paranormal, fantastical, and somewhat sinister events. This story exemplifies that style.
Gwendy, a chubby 12-year-old girl living in Castle Rock—which many of you may already know—has few friends and isn’t treated well . One day, she is tasked by a stranger to take care of a peculiar box filled with buttons and levers. Gwendy is unsure of its purpose and how it works, and she hesitates to uncover its secrets.
The story is simple, engaging, and easy to read, addressing themes of responsibility, temptation, acceptance, and guilt.
Notably, the narrative has a sequel, co-authored , titled ‘Gwendy’s Magic Feather,’ which has yet to be translated into Spanish.
What caught my attention about this edition from Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial is its square format, which is unusual for novels. It features an eye-catching cover and several illustrations inside.
In conclusion, I found the book enjoyable in its simplicity and quite interesting. I look forward to the translation of its second part, as it appears from Chizmar’s website that there is a plan for a trilogy. I am eager to learn more about Gwendy’s life continuing forward.
That’s all for today. A brief review for a short novel. I hope to have piqued your interest in this reading without being too tedious in my musings.
Until next time!
“And what if you had a button, a special magical button, and when you pressed it, you could kill someone, or perhaps make someone disappear, or blow away any place you could think of? Who would you make disappear or what place would you destroy?”
Gwendy’s Button Box. Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
Related News
- What an ancient Chinese philosopher can teach us about Americans’ obsession with college rankings
- Lucy Sante on Collage: ‘You Have to Kill One Thing to Make Another.’
- ‘Messy’ gardens are trending. Here’s how to make yours bloom
- Auto & Transport Roundup: Market Talk
- Turntable Arrives in Illustrator, Making Motion a Little More Accessible
- Bronze Age shield returns to Scotland for first time in more than 230 years