ROADWORK (RICHARD BACHMAN / STEPHEN KING) - AUDIOBOOK

Roadwork is a psychological thriller novel by Stephen King, originally published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1981. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America in the early 1970s, the story follows the emotional and mental unraveling of Barton George Dawes, a seemingly ordinary man, as he struggles to cope with the impending loss of everything he holds dear.

Dawes’ life takes a downward spiral when his home and workplace are threatened by a government-mandated highway extension project. The new highway will cut directly through his neighborhood, demolishing his house and the industrial laundry where he works. For Dawes, this isn't just about property; it's about the erosion of his past, his memories, and his sense of identity. The construction project becomes a metaphor for the unstoppable forces of progress and change that crush individuality and tradition.

Haunted by unresolved grief over the death of his young son, Dawes grows increasingly detached from reality. His wife, Mary, tries to maintain a sense of normalcy, but their relationship deteriorates as Dawes becomes obsessed with sabotaging the highway project. As he resists selling his house and fights the bureaucratic machinery, his actions become more desperate and irrational. His friends and colleagues begin to distance themselves, unable to understand the depth of his torment.

The novel explores themes of loss, resistance to change, and the crushing weight of modernity. Dawes’ rebellion takes on a darker tone as he turns to arson and violence, culminating in a final act of defiance that blurs the line between heroism and madness. The tension builds as the reader is drawn into Dawes’ psyche, witnessing his descent into despair and his desperate attempt to reclaim control over his life.

King crafts a deeply personal narrative that eschews traditional horror elements in favor of a slow-burning, existential dread. The real terror in *Roadwork* lies in its exploration of how society often leaves individuals powerless in the face of progress and systemic change. Dawes’ story is both a cautionary tale and a poignant portrait of a man clinging to a past he can’t let go of.

Roadwork is a haunting, introspective work that challenges readers to consider what they would do when confronted with the loss of everything they love. It’s a tale of resistance and the cost of refusing to move forward, masterfully told by one of the greatest storytellers of our time.