'''''Christine''''' is a horror novel by Stephen King, published in 1983. It tells the story of an antique automobile apparently possessed by supernatural forces.
In 1983, a movie version of ''Christine'' which stars Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, and Harry Dean Stanton was released to theaters, directed by John Carpenter.
Plot summary
The story revolves around teenage nerd Arnie Cunningham and his 1958 Plymouth Fury, dubbed "Christine" by the previous owner. The story is set in Libertyville (supposedly a suburb of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania between the summer of 1978 and the spring of 1979. The novel is divided into three parts, the first and third of which are written in first person, from the point of view of Dennis Guilder, Arnie's best and only friend. The middle part of the book is written in the omniscient third person style.
Arnie 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 has changed since he bought 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 As he restores the automobile, he becomes withdrawn, yet more confident and self-assured.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 (quote from the film: "New windshield wipers... on a busted windshield!"), 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. Dennis decides to do some investigating and strikes up a friendship with Roland LeBay's brother, George. Dennis learns of Roland's past destructive and violent behavior, and realizes that much of Arnie's new personality is really Roland'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. While on a date with Arnie, Leigh almost chokes to death on a hamburger. Leigh is certain that Christine was behind it after the car's doors locked to prevent Arnie or anybody else from saving her. Leigh feels as though she is competing with Christine for Arnie's affection.
right|thumb|Christine chases down one of her vandals. 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
