Christine

   

Christine is the title of a horror novel by Stephen King. It tells the story of an antique automobile apparently possessed by supernatural forces.

In 1983, a movie version of Christine was released to theaters, directed by John Carpenter.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

The story revolves around teenage nerd Arnie Cunningham and his 1958 Plymouth Fury, Christine. The story is set in Libertyville (supposedly a suburb of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania between the summer of 1978 and the spring of 1979. The story is mostly written in first person, with Dennis Guilder, Arnie's best and only friend, narrating. Other parts of the story are written in omniscent third person style.

Cunningham buys the broken-down car from a weird geriatric named Roland D. LeBay. Almost everyone takes an instant dislike to the car, including Dennis. Bullies from Arnie's high school tease him even more about the ugly old car and even vandalize it.

Arnie is drawn to Christine, and he fights for her. His life changes once he buys the car. As he restores the automobile, he becomes withdrawn, yet more confident and self-assured. He becomes humorless and cynical. Dennis is scared of these changes, and of Christine's changes. The car is repaired haphazardly, and not all of the repairs seem to be done by Arnie. Also, Arnie's appearance (his normally poor complexion) improves in tandem with Christine's.

When Arnie is almost finished restoring Christine, Leigh Cabot transfers to his high school. Leigh is instantly popular and regarded as the most beautiful girl in school. It is a surprise to everyone when she decides to go out with Arnie. Soon Leigh feels as though she is competing with Christine for Arnie's affection.

Next, mysterious murders occur in Libertyville. A high-school thug is run down on the outskirts of town. More bullies die. Others who were hostile to Arnie or Christine turn up dead. The police investigate the murders and become suspicious of Arnie. However, Arnie has an alibi for each of the murders.

Dennis and Leigh become suspicious not of Arnie, but of Christine. They try to find out as much as they can about the car and its previous owner. As their suspicions grow, they try to destroy the supernatural forces that appear to be in control of Christine and Arnie.

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