Greg Stillson - Novel Biography

Novel Biography

Stillson is originally from Oklahoma, the son of an abusive oil field worker. He is introduced at the beginning of the novel as a travelling Bible salesman in 1955. During a stop at a house in rural Iowa, Stillson is attacked by the absent homeowners' dog and, enraged, sprays ammonia in the animal's eyes before beating it to death. As he drives away, Stillson comes to the blind realization that he is destined for greatness. It is revealed later that Stillson held a series of odd occupations in the years following this incident, among them being a successful rainmaker.

Stillson moves to the fictional New Hampshire town of Ridgeway in 1971, where he is eventually elected mayor. He blackmails biker Sonny Elliman into becoming his hired thug, using Sonny's muscle to intimidate local politicians and journalists who threaten his interests. He also develops a reputation in Ridgeway for his ability to "straighten out" delinquent teenagers, utilizing a clandestine process that often involves physical and emotional torture. In 1976, Stillson campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent, gaining national attention for his unconventional behavior during rallies; he often dons a construction helmet and makes bizarre campaign promises, such as sending air pollution into outer space with plastic bags. Meanwhile, Stillson's security detail, led by Elliman and his fellow bikers, are implicated in several beatings of rally attendees. Stillson is elected to Congress, and proves so popular during his first term that he wins his next election in a landslide.

During a rally in the fictional town of Trimbull, New Hampshire, Stillson shake hands with psychic Johnny Smith. The physical contact causes Smith to have a vision in which he sees Stillson as President of the United States many years into the future, and then feels a sense of complete desolation. As he eventually relates in a letter to his father, Smith believes that President Stillson will worsen an international conflict and start a full-scale nuclear war. Smith, with the terrible knowledge of Stillson's future deeds, contemplates assassinating the congressman. He eventually leaves New Hampshire and finds a public works job in Phoenix, Arizona. However, after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, Smith realizes he has precious little time to deal with Stillson.

Smith arrives in Jackson, New Hampshire, which is to host a town hall meeting featuring Stillson. Posing as a news photographer, Smith finds a decent sniper's nest in the town hall's second floor gallery, with a clear view of the podium. However, when the rally starts, Smith misses Stillson several times when he opens fire. Stillson grabs a nearby child and uses him as a human shield. Smith then hesitates, and is subsequently shot and mortally wounded. Smith's efforts are not in vain, however; a news photographer he had met earlier took a picture of Stillson cowering behind the child, and escapes from Stillson's bodyguards. Smith touches Stillson again when they meet the final time, discovering that he has changed the future and that Stillson will never come to power. With this knowledge, Smith dies content. It is implied that Stillson's political career ends in disgrace after the damning photo of him holding the child against Smith's fire is published.