If you could only read one Stephen King... [Archive]

muggle not

22nd September 2006, 20:44

What would it be? having never read one, I 'm looking for suggs.

Thanks in advance!
That is a tall order to name just one.
My favorite is the Dark Tower Series but that contains more than one book. However, you could start with the first in the series.

I also kinda favor the book "IT".

22nd September 2006, 20:51

Thanks, Michelle. I'll check it out. I've asked a lot of people this question and I never get the same book title from any two people -- he must have a lot of books that are good.

dogmatix

22nd September 2006, 21:18

IT no question

Kell

22nd September 2006, 21:25

The Stand - but go for the unabridged version, or you get whole chunks cut out. It's an epic, but it's worth it. It remains one of my favourite boks of all time!

muggle not

22nd September 2006, 21:27

Hmmm, no one picked up on my new name. :D

22nd September 2006, 21:32

Thanks, KELL! I'll look for it!

Acesare*

22nd September 2006, 22:04

As a huge King fan, it's hard to pick just one! It, The Stand and the Dark Tower series are right at the top, but I think I'd have to go for The Green Mile. It's a brilliant, thought provoking book that, IMO, stands apart from his other novels in style and content.

22nd September 2006, 22:10

Thanks, I'll add that to my list as well!

dididave

23rd September 2006, 05:36

The Stand is THE Stephen King book. Eveyrthing good about his writing is in this one novel. He has other great works but this is his masterpiece.

23rd September 2006, 05:57

Thank you. I would say that I could pick one of my fav authors books that same way: everything good about their writing is in this book. Perfect!

mrstrecool

23rd September 2006, 07:28

I have only read Misery and I really enjoyed it. It was more graphic than the movie (and that scared me enough)! Stephen King is one author I've never really tried but felt that I should, and reading this thread has made me want to read The Stand now!

Michelle

23rd September 2006, 07:36

I never liked The Stand much.. too 'epic' for me (at the time, anyway!).
It depends what you want, really, as King writes a variety.. are you after a 'horror', or a good 'story'? My personal favourite is actually one of the Bachman books.. 'The Long Run'. The Green Mile was also good story-telling. :D

What I would say, is that if you dislike the first one you try, don;t give up on him, but look for something different instead. :)

Michelle

23rd September 2006, 07:37

Oh.. and muggle not... you should be proud to be called Michelle! ;) :lol:

Kell

23rd September 2006, 15:15

If you wanted to try a "sampler" go for one of his collections of novellas - I heartily recommend Different Seasons - it contains Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption (made into a wonderful film of a similar name); The Body (made into the excellent Stand By Me); The Apt Pupil ( translated into a film of the same name) & The Breathing Method (which has never been made into a movie - yet). All are excellent in their iwn way & very moving tales.

Acesare*

23rd September 2006, 15:29

I heartily recommend Different Seasons - it contains Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption (made into a wonderful film of a similar name); The Body (made into the excellent Stand By Me); The Apt Pupil ( translated into a film of the same name)

:lol: Note the lack of praise there for Apt Pupil! Wasn't great was it ;)

Kell

23rd September 2006, 16:04

I heartily recommend Different Seasons - it contains Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption (made into a wonderful film of a similar name); The Body (made into the excellent Stand By Me); The Apt Pupil ( translated into a film of the same name)
:lol: Note the lack of praise there for Apt Pupil! Wasn't great was it ;)
The movie wasn't great (despite starring the wonderful Sir Ian Mckellan), but the story itself is incredibly vivid...

Acesare*

23rd September 2006, 16:29

I meant for the film, the story is great and, as you said, vivid. Couldn't really identify with the characters motives though

Your average person wouldn't suddenly start murdering animals and eventually gunning down innocent civilians, no matter how depraved those war stories were.

Kell

23rd September 2006, 16:44

23rd September 2006, 16:58

So many great suggs! Whatever shall i doooooo????

I'm off to Barnes and Noble to search. Thanks, all!

Acesare*

23rd September 2006, 17:41

Read them all I tell ya, read them all!!! MMMMWWWWAAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Mia

23rd September 2006, 18:30

My personal favourite is actually one of the Bachman books.. 'The Long Run'. What I would say, is that if you dislike the first one you try, don;t give up on him, but look for something different instead. :)

"The Long Run"? I don't think they'd have got as far as they did if they'd had to run it! :mrgreen: The Long Walk is one of my faves too.

I agree with what Michelle says about trying a few different ones. It annoys me that King's pigeon-holed as a horror writer, when in fact very few of his book are pure horror.

KW: Like reading about paranormal powers? Go for Firestarter, Carrie or The Dead Zone. Fantasy? The Dark Tower series or The Eyes of the Dragon. Epic tales of the apocalypse? The Stand. And so on... King really does write a diverse range of tales.

Michelle

23rd September 2006, 18:44

muggle not

23rd September 2006, 20:26

John Grisham and Stephen King are going to appear together at a fund raising event for one of our politicians in our small town. They are both going to talk and take questions from the audience. I will pass on the event as the least expensive tickets are $100 each, although it is for a good cause.

Acesare*

24th September 2006, 03:20

Actually, the Stephen King Guide (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=523&highlight=stephen+king) would be quite useful for you. Either that or you'll just end up even more confused!

muggle not

26th September 2006, 01:33

Lisey's Story by Stephen King will be released late October. If I am still around I would like to nominate it as a book for the Reading Circle in November.

dogmatix

26th September 2006, 02:10

If I am still around I would like to nominate it as a book for the Reading Circle in November.

I'm confused Muggs are you going somewhere?

Michelle

26th September 2006, 06:31

I hope he means he may be in the middle of his move...?

I do prefer to avoid newly released books, because those who buy the books may not be able to afford it. But maybe others disagree with me?

muggle not

26th September 2006, 13:37

Yes, I did mean that I probably will be out of comission for a while during and after the move in November.

And for the nomination of books that are newly released, I will bow to Michelle's recommendation.

scottishbookworm

29th September 2006, 23:31

the only Stephen king book I've read is call "IT" that's a very long read about the clown pennywise that eats children

Lilywhite

2nd October 2006, 13:52

I have quite a few Stephen King books on my shelf but I haven't read that many. I read Pet Semetary and The Shining when I was younger but then there was a large gap in my reading. I then picked up Dreamcatcher and The Gunslinger in Morrison's one day and have been collecting them ever since. I enjoyed Rose Madder and Bag of Bones last year and I have the first four of the Dark Tower series, although I haven't been able to get passed the first one yet. I have also read The Green Mile, The Girl Who loved Tom Gordon, Carrie, From a Buick 8 and Geralds Game. I haven't come across a Stephen King book I dislike, although not all his books will suit the tastes of one person.

JohnT

8th October 2006, 02:18

I have read four mentioned here, and one of my favorites is Cujo. The book is good but when they turned it into a movie it is a bit scary. I could never get into Christine, the story of the 58 Plymouth Fury that is more human than car.

Lilywhite

8th October 2006, 09:08

that is one of my favourites John, and what I wouldn't give to own a 58 Plymouth Fury...... I've seen a few for sale over the years but my change jar doesn't quite add up to enough to buy it. :(
I am on the lookout for Cujo to add to my collection as I am interested in giving this one a read. Not too keen on the film though.

Michelle

8th October 2006, 10:36

It was a long time ago, but if I remember correctly, there's alot more to the book. :)

Casper the friendly goat

10th October 2006, 14:09

I love Stephen King books. Have not read all of his stuff by a long way, but I think The Stand edges it over the Dark Tower series. I loved the dark tower books in the start but something in the last 2 didn't do it for me.

Hi all by the way.

Lilywhite

10th October 2006, 14:19

Welcome to the forum Casper :D

I haven't ventured into the Stand as of yet, I'm building my way up to it. I do have the first four Dark Tower books that I am going to read one of these days.

muggle not

10th October 2006, 20:35

The Dark Tower was very good. I am currently waiting for King's new book. I would like to read The Stand but every copy at the library looks like it has gone through the mill....yucky.

Lilywhite

11th October 2006, 09:57

I saw an advert last night on tv that the new channel 5 US is showing Nightmares & Dreamscapes starting on Monday night. This channel only starts broadcasting on Monday too, not sure if you can get it in the US though, sorry folks.

13th October 2006, 14:45

Wow, it's hard to tell across the board which of his works is most popular. Which is a pretty good sign that he pleases most of the time with his writing -- something every author hopes to do.

I'm still trying to pick one, and you all have made me even more confused! SIGH>:irked:

Lilywhite

13th October 2006, 19:25

Maybe we could do a reading circle for Stephen King and see what comes up the most popular?? If Michelle says that's OK of course :D

Michelle

13th October 2006, 19:53

Might be an interesting idea.. there are a few I wouldn't mind reading again, and possibly the odd few I've missed. As many of his books are quite long, I would suggest having it as an additional RC, aside from the monthly ones.

Are you suggesting we nominate and vote? If so, go ahead and give it a try. :D

Lilywhite

13th October 2006, 20:08

I was just offering a suggestion for the future but if you want to run it alongside I can set up a nomination thread now. :)

Michelle

13th October 2006, 20:15

Depends if anyone else is interested, I guess?

Lilywhite

13th October 2006, 20:24

I've taken the bull by the horns (so to speak) and have set up a nominations thread for a Stephen King reading circle. So if interested parties would like to nominate we can get things in motion. :)

Kell

13th October 2006, 20:51

Excellent idea - i've just made my own nomination... ;) :readingtwo:

fantasyfun

25th October 2006, 19:30

I would go for It, The Stand (unabridged), or Misery

kitty

26th October 2006, 12:45

I am reading IT at the moment. I love the film, but at the minute im trying my hardest, not to take my bookmark out and put it back on the shelf. Im not even half way through it yet. Im praying it get more interesting!:mad:

JohnT

26th October 2006, 22:27

I have never read Misery, but have seen the movie so I would find that one interesting.

Acesare*

26th October 2006, 22:52

Misery is another good book - far gorier than the film though. One part even makes me cringe and I watch plastic surgery programs while eating my dinner!

fantasyfun

28th October 2006, 20:06

Misery the book is far gorier. I watched the movie before I read the book and still imagine Kathy Bates' character as Annie. Good read though even though it is very graphic.

IT is a very long read but give it time to develop. I loved the movie also and used the basis of that to keep me going. Enjoy the little details King gives of their lives. It isn't just a horror story but has many elements to it.