The Institute

576 pages, 2019

Stephen King

fiction

1382 books

Takeaways

Description

One night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban Minneapolis, a group of intruders silently murders Luke Ellis's parents and loads him into a black SUV. The operation takes less than two minutes. Luke will wake up at The Institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there’s no window.

And outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy—who got to this place the same way Luke did: Kalisha, Nick, George, Iris, and ten-year-old Avery Dixon. They are all in Front Half. Others, Luke learns, graduated to Back Half—like the roach motel—“You check in but you don’t check out. ”

The Power of Resilience

In The Institute, Stephen King shows us the importance of resilience. The main characters, despite being kids, face unimaginable challenges but never give up. They remind us that no matter how tough life gets, we should always keep going.

Question Authority

The Institute encourages readers to question authority. The kids in the book are held captive by people who misuse their power. King wants us to understand that just because someone is in a position of authority, it doesn't mean they're always right.

The Strength of Friendship

One of the most heartwarming aspects of The Institute is the bond between the kids. They support each other through their darkest times, showing us the power of friendship. It's a reminder that we're stronger together.

The Dangers of Exploitation

Stephen King explores the theme of exploitation in The Institute. The kids are used for their special abilities, without any regard for their well-being. It's a stark reminder to respect and protect the rights of individuals, especially those who are vulnerable.

The Value of Freedom

The Institute makes us appreciate our freedom. The kids in the book are trapped and long for their freedom. It's a wake-up call for us to not take our freedom for granted and to fight for it when necessary.

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