Black House: Difference between revisions

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[[File:400000000000000047799_s4_542.jpg|frame]]The sequel to 1984's ''[[~~The Talisman (Literature)|~~The Talisman]]'', ''Black House'' reunites us with Travelin' Jack Sawyer, who once undertook a long and dangerous quest across America and across the plane of worlds in order to save his mother's life. Jack is now in his thirties, a former homicide detective who retired early from a career with the LAPD. He has forgotten about his adventures as a twelve-year old, even as the effects continue to shape his life, and he is so determined not to remember that even the suggestion of events related to those times is enough to induce panic attacks.

[[File:400000000000000047799_s4_542.jpg|frame]]The sequel to 1984's ''[[The Talisman]]'', ''Black House'' reunites us with Travelin' Jack Sawyer, who once undertook a long and dangerous quest across America and across the plane of worlds in order to save his mother's life. Jack is now in his thirties, a former homicide detective who retired early from a career with the LAPD. He has forgotten about his adventures as a twelve-year old, even as the effects continue to shape his life, and he is so determined not to remember that even the suggestion of events related to those times is enough to induce panic attacks.

He now lives in the bucolic western Wisconsin town of French Landing, enjoying his retirement in a place of great natural beauty and a wonderful friend in the blind radio personality Henry Layden. Unfortunately, French Landing is being plagued by a savage serial murder dubbed The Fisherman, one who targets children and has a taste for their flesh in imitation of Albert Fish, a killer who operated in the 1920s. Two children have been discovered and a third is missing, presumed dead. The local police are desperate to acquire Jack's services, as his career as a homicide detective was short but legendary, and Jack was once considered something of a prodigy. At first, Jack steadfastly refuses, because every step he takes towards his old career may be another step closer to a complete mental breakdown. However, when Tyler Marshall becomes the Fisherman's fourth victim, it is no longer a matter of saving children from the pleasures of a cannibal murderer, because Tyler is a Breaker, potentially the most powerful ever, and if he is made to apply his talents towards bringing down the [[Dark Tower]], all worlds and universes may soon be erased from existence.

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* [[All Grown Up]]: Jack Sawyer. He had just turned thirteen when last we saw him.

* [[Alternate Dimension]]: There are worlds beyond counting. A few are visited, and more appear as references.

* [[Alternate Self]]: The concept of Twinners was a major element of ''[[~~The Talisman (Literature)|~~The Talisman]]''. Parkus warns Jack from assuming the same is true now. Judy Marshall and her Twinner Sophie are the only major examples seen.

* [[Alternate Self]]: The concept of Twinners was a major element of ''[[The Talisman]]''. Parkus warns Jack from assuming the same is true now. Judy Marshall and her Twinner Sophie are the only major examples seen.

* [[Ascended Extra]]: Beezer. He is mentioned only off-hand for the first third of the book, just a name in a crowd of names referenced in the scene-setting montage which opens the book, but is a major player in the story by its end.

* [[Asshole Victim]]: {{spoiler|Chipper.}}

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* [[Break the Cutie]]: Judy Marshall, though it has been happening for months as a result of her Twinner trying desperately to communicate with her across the worlds. We only witness the climax of her breakdown.

* [[Breaking the Fourth Wall]]: The reader is implied to be traveling throughout the town and witnessing events as an insubstantial presence flying upon the wind.

* [[Canon Welding]]: This book established ties to the ''[[Dark Tower]]'' series that did not exist in ''[[~~The Talisman (Literature)|~~The Talisman]]''.

* [[Canon Welding]]: This book established ties to the ''[[Dark Tower]]'' series that did not exist in ''[[The Talisman]]''.

* [[Child Eater]]: The Fisherman. He especially enjoys the butt.

* [[Corrupt Corporate Executive]]: Chipper Maxton engages in fraud more for the thrill of the act than for the financial gains it offers. He is just as content to con small change from families of people in his nursing home as he is conning thousands in government aid money.

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* [[Departure Means Death]]: {{spoiler|Near the end, Jack is mortally wounded by a vengeance-seeking Wanda Kinderling and taken into the Territories by Parkus so that he may survive. He does, and he will be able to return to our world, but if he stays too long, the damage made by the wounds will manifest again and kill him.}}

* [[The Dragon]]: Mr. Munshun, to the Crimson King.

* [[Due to ~~The~~ Dead]]: We are asked by the narration to honor Irma Freneau when we are taken to Ed's Eats and Dogs to view her corpse.

* [[Due to the Dead]]: We are asked by the narration to honor Irma Freneau when we are taken to Ed's Eats and Dogs to view her corpse.

* [[Dying Moment of Awesome]]: {{spoiler|In spite of being blind, Henry manages to inflict serious wounds on the Fisherman, weakening him enough that Tyler is able to finish him off.}}

* [[Heterosexual Life Partners]]: Jack and Henry are just about inseparable, one visiting the other almost every day.