You should read Stephen Kings: “The Jaunt”. Right in line with your thoughts.
I used to love Stephen King 30 years ago. Until I read his three Dark Tower novels. With 20 pages to go I remember wondering “How in the heck is this guy going to tie all this up in the next 20 pages?” Well, guess what? He couldn’t. I was so pissed I haven’t read a King product since and won’t. And that was before he started in political comments. Sanctimonious, hypocritical prick.