Christine; Behind The Wheel

I am catching up on my reading again now that i have much time on my hands. When i gotten my car in October, my mind instinctively turned to one novel i had in mind and one that i have not read yet - Christine - by Stephen King. Reason was simple, i just got a car and what not better than to read a horror story about a car, and the end result was a most satisfying and thought-provoking read.

Christine revolves around the story of a few teenagers, most notably the story's protagonist Arnie Cunningham who chanced upon a run-down and unused old car, named Christine whom he loved at first sight and bought it from it's previous owner, unknowing of its horrifying history in which the owner's daughter choked on food in the car and which his bereaved wife later commited suicide inside it as well. Throughout all these, he had loved the car deeply, close to an obsession before he sold it to Arnie. It seems this obsession took over Arnie. Friends, enemies and his own family and his girlfriend soon learned what it was like to cross Christine as Arnie somewhat demeanor character got possessed by the cursed car. The story was suspenseful and finally descends into horror as people around Arnie soon experienced.

There is a strong moral behind the story of how the things people love can reach to the point of obsession and in some sense 'possess' its owner to become oblivious and in some cases, violent to his surroundings and people around him. This is something Stephen King is so good at as he brings out all facets of human behaviours and their fears in his writing.

It was a nice but eerie feeling that i experienced when i finished reading the novel. There were uncanny parallels between what i read and what i am experiencing now. Christine was red and so is Abbey my car. i am experiencing what Arnie went through - the unerring love for the car - as i have been spending much time tending and washing my car. I got flustered and angry when i noticed little blemishes on the car and i recently flew into a rage at someone who crossed onto Abbey my car.

There are a lot of songs written about cars. There are just too many but i have picked one here which i have driven along to these days. 'Behind The Wheel' was a hit single by Depeche Mode in 1987. The pounding 'engine' beats and simplistic but mysterious lyrics makes for a good listen while driving.

In my own diseased imagination, i wished Abbey can do what Christine does in the story - to heal itself from any knocks, dents, dings to herself and to do back any harm to anyone or anything that crosses her. But Abbey has been a nice quiet girl so far and i am enjoying every moment with her.

Just do not cross her in anyway, and her owner as well...


'Sweet Little Girl
I prefer you Behind The Wheel
And me the passenger
Drive
I'm yours to keep
Do what you want
I'm going cheap
Tonight'

- Behind The Wheel