Published on March 31, 2026
Good morning! (or afternoon, or even evening, depending on when you are reading this)
Today I want to talk to you about the latest book I read. It is ‘Gwendy’s Button Box,’ co-written and Richard Chizmar in 2017.
At this point, the name Stephen King hardly needs an introduction, while I knew little about Richard Chizmar before reading this novel. It seems that co-writing this story was a way to launch and bring recognition to Chizmar, given that he had published little before this and subsequently published much more. Gwendy certainly served its purpose and made waves in 2017.
Chizmar, born in Maryland, USA, on December 21, 1965, is a writer, editor, and screenwriter, best known as the owner of 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 of fewer than 200 pages. While I am not familiar with Chizmar’s style, I am well-acquainted with King’s, evident in his treatment of the protagonist. King, more than a horror writer, can be classified as an artist at narrating personal dramas and stories, often enveloped in a subtle dose of strange, paranormal, fantastic, and somewhat sinister events. This is one of those cases.
The story follows Gwendy, a chubby 12-year-old girl living in Castle Rock (a small town many might recognize) who has few friends and is not treated well . One day, she is tasked by a stranger to take care of a peculiar box with buttons and levers. Gwendy does not know what it is for or how it works, and she is unsure if she wants to find out.
It is a simple, engaging tale that is easy to read and enjoy, addressing themes of responsibility, temptation, acceptance, and regret.
The story already has a sequel, also , which has not been translated into Spanish yet, titled Gwendy’s Magic Feather.
What caught my attention about this edition from Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial is its square design, unusual for novels. It features an eye-catching cover and several illustrations inside.
In conclusion, I found it enjoyable in its simplicity and quite interesting. I am eagerly awaiting the translation of the second part (from Chizmar’s website, it seems there is an intention to create a trilogy) and to learn more about Gwendy’s life.
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 ramblings.
Until next time!
“What if you had a button, a special magic button, and when you pressed it, you could kill someone, or perhaps make them disappear, or blast any place you could think of into the air? Who would you make disappear, or what place would you blow up?”
Gwendy’s Button Box.
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