Stephen King Guide

[Kell]

(Admin Edit - split from a review, as it made a good seperate discussion.)

I'd definitely agree about reclassifyng many of King's books - I'd say most of themare more chiller or thriller than horror.

[Maureen]

You know - being classified as horrors are what mostly put me off reading any of his books in the first place. I abhor zombie, mummies,dracula, vampires, hellraising, Freddie krouger stuff. Those Hellraiser and Krouger movies give me the creeps! (I watched them aeons ago!) Give me a plain old murder any time, but once you're dead, kindly stay that way!

[Maureen]

So Kell, are King's books free of zombie, mummies,dracula, vampires, hellraising, Freddie krouger stuff. I have bought another King....Cannot remember the name....perhaps "eyes of the dragon"....hope it is zombie free.

[Kell]

Some of them do - there's zombification in Pet Semetary, if I remember correctly (I've not read it, but I've seen the movie & I've got the book on my to read list), vampires in Salem's Lot (I think - again, I've not read it). A possessed car in Christine (well, an evil car at the very least), a teenage girl with telekinetic powers in Carrie & a small girl who can create fire from nothing in Firestarter.

Mostly, I think his books are more the chiller/thriller type with psychological implications. I'm not sure how I'd classify the stories in Different Seasons - they're all more "real" than some of his other offerings.

Personally, I love vampires - I've always found them fascinating & was drawn to Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series because of the Vamp aspect - there are also shapeshifters in those books. I wasn't disappointed. ANd, of course, Keley Armstrong has themes of werewolves, demons, vampires, Witches, sorcerers & all kinds of other stuff - she even deals with the afterlife - & I love her books.

With King, though, I have to admit, I think I prefer the titles where he concentrates more on the person & what's going n in their mind (check out The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon & Dolores Clayborne - they're both good ones).

[Michelle]

Maureen, I've read most of Kings - I'll have a look later, and tr to work out what you may like.

We need Jo in this thread, as she's an expert.. some one give her a prod! :wake:

[Acesare*]

Eye of the Dragon is a good book although I read it ages ago. Strangely, this is the only King book I have only read once, mainly because I leant it to my Dad and never got it back. No demons or zombies though.

Non horror books:

Insomnia - weird, fantasy thriller

Firestarter - Pyrokinisis (sp)

The Dark Tower series - fantasy western type

Hearts in Atlantis - 4 stories

The Girl who loved Tom Gordon - survival of a wee girl lost in the woods

The Green Mile - brilliant book!


Avoid:

Salem's Lot
IT
From a Buick 8
Christine

I'll go home and look at my collection (I know I have 40+ King books), but I have to go home now!

Jo xx

[Michelle]

See, I knew our Jo could help!

I'm going to split this topic, btw, as it's useful. :)

[Mamacita]

Give me a plain old murder any time, but once you're dead, kindly stay that way!

:rofl: That's just too damn funny Maureen. But I feel the same way, unless it's a comedy.

There's a Canadian writer named Lynsey Sands who writes these vampire romance stories that are side-splittingly funny.

Imagine a vampire who's an aspiring Broadway actor. His show closes before it opens because of "galloping contagious anemia" among the other cast members. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Hee hee!!

[Acesare*]

Ok. The unofficial Stephen King novel guide:

Fantasy / Non-Horror

Cujo - rabid dog

The Stand - apocalyptic masterpiece!

The Talisman - co-written with Peter Straub

Black House - follow up from The Talisman

Misery - a novelist meets his biggest fan.

Four Past Midnight - 4 stories including Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption - story of survival and sanity in prison (made into the famous film), Apt Pupil - clever kid gets caught up in something he shouldn't (another film), The Body - 4 boys set off on an adventure that changes their lives (another film - Stand By Me), and The Breathing Method - men telling stories in an exclusive, members only club.

Needful Things - Strange things happen after a new shop opens in a small town

Gerald's Game - kinky game goes wrong

Dolores Claiborne - I seem to remember lots of poo

Insomnia - elderly insomniac starts seeing auras and other unusual things

Rose Madder - Rose leaves her violent husband and attempts to start a new life for herself, but he's angry and wants her back

The Dark Tower Series - parts 1 - 7 and a quest to save existence in a fantasy / western like world

The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon - a 10 year old girl struggles to survive alone in the woods

Hearts in Atlantis - 4 fantasy stories

(as Richard Bachman)

Thinner - gypsy curse

Boarder Line Books (books I don't consider horror, but are a little bloodier or involve ghosts)

Carrie - telekinesis and bullying

Dreamcatcher - psychic ability and nasty aliens

The Tommyknockers - alien possession

The Shining - haunted hotel

Bag of Bones - restless spirits

(as Richard Bachman)

The Regulators - 'special' child causes complete havoc in a suburban street

Genuine Horror:

Salem's Lot - Vampires

IT - kids fight murderous, inhuman monster masquerading as a clown

Christine - car possessed

From a Buick 8 - freaky car with nasty visitors

Desperation - evil spirits, possession, blood, living dead

The Dark Half - murdered/murderous pseudonym comes to life

I think that'll do. Any questions, just let me know!

Jo xx

[Kell]

The Stand - apocalyptic masterpiece!
It's one of my favouite books of all times. I have the complete, unabridged version (a whopping tome of more than 1000 pages) in hardback & it's been read about a dozen times. I did have the series on video, but the machine chewed it & broke, so now I have no video & no VCR :(

[Kell]

Dolores Claiborne - I seem to remember lots of poo
Has brief connections with the events mentioned in Gerald's Game too...

[Kell]

(as Richard Bachman)
The Regulators - 'special' child causes complete havoc in a suburban street
I got this one out from the library a few years back. I got it out again a few months later as it was so good!

[Maureen]

Thanks a lot!! At least now I have an idea of where to tread..... :D

[Michelle]

Ok. The unofficial Stephen King novel guide:


Jo, can you rewrite this slightly so it can be a little 'article' for the main site? (Or, failing that, can I do so for you?)

[Maureen]

I have bought another King....Cannot remember the name....perhaps "eyes of the dragon"....hope it is zombie free.

It is "The Eyes of the dragon"

[Acesare*]

Ok. The unofficial Stephen King novel guide:


Jo, can you rewrite this slightly so it can be a little 'article' for the main site? (Or, failing that, can I do so for you?)

I'd be happy to, it's just a question of time!

Jo xx

[Jules]

I have to disagree with Acesare* when she (? Hope I got that right!) says to avoid It. This seems to be widely seen as one of King's most impressive books. It's certainly one of the most popular. I found it chilling (already hating clowns helped with this) and King does some of his best character work with the children who then return as adults to fight the evil. He portrays their relationships and loyalty wonderfully. I would definitely recommend this one!

Some of my other favourites (I have all of King's works except his newest one) are:

Firestarter
The Shining
Rose Madder
The Eyes of the Dragon
The Dark Tower series
Desperation
The Stand
The Talisman
Needful Things
Insomnia.

I didn't care for:

Cujo
The Dark Half
Bag of Bones
Black House
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

[Garry]

Desperation
Insomnia.


Lol, different strokes, as they say. Those were the two that played a part in driving me away from King and checking out the wonders of the smallpress. Overwordy and lacking in content, I thought. I thought the same of It. :)

Best King is probably his short stories. One because they are less verbose and two because it seems to me that horror is just better that way.

[Jules]

Desperation
Insomnia.


Lol, different strokes, as they say. Those were the two that played a part in driving me away from King

Of course, everyone has their favourites! :) Insomnia was a strange one for me - it's the only King book I've changed my mind about! I hated it on first reading it, but many years later I went back to it and really enjoyed it. :?

Desperation I found genuinely chilling. Not many King stories scare me, but that one did!

[muggle not]

I have read many of King's books. Will have to go back and check to see how many. Some of my favorites though were :

The Dark Tower Series
It
Insomnia

[kitty]

I have had It on my shelf for a while now, watched the film and have got it on dvd. Clowns really scare me big time. :hide: Must admit the reason I have not read it yet is cause its so big and its kind of put me off. At the minute im reading The Green Mile and loving it, so im going to attempt reading it the book after next.

[Michelle]

IT is a big book, but it's a good one! Very different to The Green Mile though. (But then you know that if you've watched the film!)

[Kell]

I adore his novellas (the four in Different Seasons, 3 of which have been successfully transferred to the big screen, are shining examples of just how good he can be) for diping into as a quick read. They're utterly absorbing & not too lengthy like some of his novels can seem. however, the unabridged version of The Stand remains one of my favourite books of all time. Actually, it must be due for a re-read some time soon...

[muggle not]

I have read many of King's books but have yet to read "Stand". I looked at a copy at the library but it was so yucky looking that I didn't pick it up. :D

Guess I will have to break down and spend some money and buy a copy of the book.

[Acesare*]

I have to disagree with Acesare* when she (? Hope I got that right!) says to avoid It.

IT is one of my favourite King books. When I suggested that Mau avoided this book, it's because she doesn't like horror books. (Sorry this reply was so long coming - sporadic internest connection)

[Acesare*]

Internest? :lol:

[Jules]

IT is one of my favourite King books. When I suggested that Mau avoided this book, it's because she doesn't like horror books.

Oh right! I got the wrong end of the stick there. :oops: :)

[Acesare*]

No problem (and I am a she!)

[muggle not]

I picked up Cell at the library today. Has anyone read it yet. Don't worry about your "response" because I intend on reading it regardless. :)

[Sofia]

I am not a huge fan of his...but I did like some which include:
Carrie
The Shining
Dolores Claiborne
Firestarter
Misery
but I would like to read Storm Of The Century...has anyone read it? how was it?

[Kell]

Storm of the Century, I believe, was written directly for the TV & I think I've only seen it available in script form so far. No doubt a novelisation will become available & if it does, i'll be interested in it as I thought the concept was rather good (although I didn't see all of the mini-series).

[Sofia]

I checked with amazon....they have the paperback version of the screenplay and also a hardcover I guess....will have to look further...wonder if the library has it.

[dididave]

King is superb (huge fan alert!) and for me a lot of his very best books are his non-horror ones. His new one "Lisey's Story" is not at all horror and is getting rave reviews.

I would actually say that he only has a few "true" horror novels namely Salem's Lot, Pet Sematary and IT. For me all the rest are borderline and certainly not horrific in a James Herbert, Richard Laymon way.

Books to read if you do not like horror in my opinion (yes I know some have been repeated!):


The Dark Tower (books 1-7).
Eyes of The Dragon
The Stand
Insomnia
The Bachman Books (A collection fo four stories, The Long Walk is particularly impressive).
Four Seasons (Includes Apt Pupil)
The Green Mile collection

Oh and to answer the post above Cell isn't very good for King. It has similarities with his best work The Stand but its like a sub-standard remake. Godd twist though!

[Mia]

The Bachman Books (A collection fo four stories, The Long Walk is particularly impressive).

The Long Walk is my favourite of the Bachman books too. I also loved:

The Dark Tower series
Eyes of the Dragon
Firestarter
It
Rose Madder (not many people seem to like this one, but I've always been fascinated by the idea of going through pictures).

[Michelle]

The Bachman Books (A collection fo four stories, The Long Walk is particularly impressive).

The Long Walk is my favourite of the Bachman books too.

I love The Long Walk. I rarely read anything twice, but I did this.. and will probably do so again.

[muggle not]

I am about 2/3 finished reading "Cell". At this point I am really puzzled on how this book will end. No spoilers, please. :D

I have driven through the part of Maine where many of the events took place in the Cell book. The same with some other of his books. It was a strange and uneasy feeling at the time. :D

[Acesare*]

I'd quite like to go to Maine and visit the places King's woritten about - after so many books based in Derry, I have quite a picture of the place in my head and I'd love to compare it to the real thing!

[Nici76]

Rose Madder (not many people seem to like this one, but I've always been fascinated by the idea of going through pictures).

Rose Madder is my favorite one so far, although i am still making my way through all his books!

[streader]

The Dead Zone and 'Salem's Lot.
Never got on with the Dark Tower series.

[kitty_kitty]

I have IT at home as loved it on TV but was very scared!!!

I haven't dared yet read the book but i will i also have the Dark Tower series which i bought second hand in brand new condition.

I have read and i loved:

Misery
Dolores Clairborne
Pet Semetary
Needful things
Carrie
Christine
Rose Madder
Firestarter
Geralds game
The green mile

Probably some more too

I hated the Dreamcatcher but i have a thing about aliens - they scare me more tha psychos and horro things although i do like sci fi just not aliens coming to normal earth!!!:roll:

[Nici76]

I have IT at home as loved it on TV but was very scared!!!

I am really enjoying IT at the moment, not too scary yet......

[muggle not]

I am really enjoying IT at the moment, not too scary yet......
Hopw far are you into the book. I thought IT was a little scary.

I have about 150 pages to go in The Stand out of 1038 pages. So far it is still probably the best Stephen King I have read, excellent reading IMO.

[Nici76]

Hopw far are you into the book. I thought IT was a little scary.

I have about 150 pages to go in The Stand out of 1038 pages. So far it is still probably the best Stephen King I have read, excellent reading IMO.

I had a bit of a slow start but i'm now on page 265 out of 1116 pages....

I have put The Stand on the "to read" list, you seem to be really enjoying it :D

[Acesare*]

The Stand is an awesome book - not my favourite King, but right near the top. Tried to get Dr Wraith to read it - he took one look at the publication date and said "I don't read anything publisher before 1998". Weirdo :roll: (he will read it though :mrgreen: )

[scottishbookworm]

I have IT at home as loved it on TV but was very scared!!!

I haven't dared yet read the book but i will i also have the Dark Tower series which i bought second hand in brand new condition.

I have read and i loved:

Misery
Dolores Clairborne
Pet Semetary
Needful things
Carrie
Christine
Rose Madder
Firestarter
Geralds game
The green mile

Probably some more too

I hated the Dreamcatcher but i have a thing about aliens - they scare me more tha psychos and horro things although i do like sci fi just not aliens coming to normal earth!!!:roll:Have you read the shinning?

[Nici76]

Have you read the shinning?

Oh! That one did scare me a bit.....:blush:

[kitty_kitty]

No i have it packed away somewhere but my mum let me watch the film when i was young very scarey!!

I like the episode of friends when Joey is reading this and he keeps it locked in the freezer in between reads!!:lol:

[Nici76]

No i have it packed away somewhere but my mum let me watch the film when i was young very scarey!!

I like the episode of friends when Joey is reading this and he keeps it locked in the freezer in between reads!!:lol:

Yep that was a funny episode!!! :lol: But i didn't find it quite that scary! :lol:

[kitty]

I found IT really hard to read, but I did manage to read it all:b7ydance: . I have just started Cell, finding ok but noticed its not classed as his best work.

I have only read IT, The Shining, and The Green Mile, so its not like I have alot to go off, this one is a bit weird though.

[Kell]

Tried to get Dr Wraith to read it - he took one look at the publication date and said "I don't read anything publisher before 1998". Weirdo :roll: Weirdo indeed! He;s missing out on some fabulous books and not just by King either! Come on, Wraith - be a bit adventurous and follow your good lady's example!

[Nici76]

I have justed started watching Desperation on Sci Fi, I wonder how it will compare to the book?

[Kell]

Arrrggghhh! I forgot Desperation was on tonight! I've not read the book, but I saw the trailer the other day and thought it looked pretty interesting...

[Nici76]

Arrrggghhh! I forgot Desperation was on tonight! I've not read the book, but I saw the trailer the other day and thought it looked pretty interesting...

Its only been on 15 minutes, im sure you can catch up. It seems to be a series, its only on until 11

[Kell]

Nah, if I've missed the beginning, I'll be all grumpy all the way through. I'll see if there's a repeat on at the weekend...

... Yup, it's on again on Saturday night at 11pm - and I don't have to get up early on Sunday morning, so I can watch it at leisure. ;)

ETA: Scratch that - it's on again SUNDAY night, not Saturday (my listing on Radio Times is playing silly b*ggers & really p*ssing me off tonight), so I won't be bothering. I'll just wait till it's all been on and get it from "somewhere" and watch it al n one go instead. Harumph!

[Nici76]

Nah, if I've missed the beginning, I'll be all grumpy all the way through. I'll see if there's a repeat on at the weekend...

... Yup, it's on again on Saturday night at 11pm - and I don't have to get up early on Sunday morning, so I can watch it at leisure. ;)

I'm glad its being repeated, i hate it when i forget when somethings on :irked:

[Kylie]

Hmm, I don't think reading this thread was a good idea. Looks like my TBR list has just grown by about 20 books! :eek2: Thanks very much everyone! :lol:

My brother has just about every Stephen King novel I think. I wish now that I had borrowed more when he was living at home. The only one I read was a collection of short stories (can't remember the name) which I think had the Children of the Corn story, and the one about the trucks being alive and killing people.

I think a visit to my local second-hand book store is in order. I recall seeing a lot of King's book there. Thanks for the tips and opinions :D

[Kell]

Well, Lowek, I can heartily recommend Different Seasons (4 novellas which include those that were made into the films The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me (written as The Body) and Apt Pupil) and The Stand (probably his most complete and wonderful book to date).

[angerball]

Well, Lowek, I can heartily recommend Different Seasons (4 novellas which include those that were made into the films The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me (written as The Body) and Apt Pupil) and The Stand (probably his most complete and wonderful book to date).

I have to second your recommendation of The Stand. It is such a fantastic book, not strictly horror either (for those who are put off by the genre). It is such a good book; I've read it several times, and it's a great starter for those getting into Stephen King. :) Some may disagree with me here, but I thought the mini-series was great too (Gary Sinise as Stu Redman....:thud:). :giggle:

[Acesare*]

I have to second your recommendation of The Stand. It is such a fantastic book, not strictly horror either (for those who are put off by the genre).

As I think I may have mentioned before (but not recently), I don't think King's a horror writer at all, and it annoys me that he's always classified as such. Yes, he's written some horror books (vampires and ghosties, etc), but many of them seem more fantasy or thrillers to me.

The book with Children of the Corn in was 'Nightshift' - some good shorts in there. If you like his shorts, you should also try:

Skeleton Crew
Everything's Eventual
Four Past Midnight

They should give you a good idea of the spetrum of Kings work (although many of his shorts are typical horror).

[Kell]

The Stand. ... Some may disagree with me here, but I thought the mini-series was great too (Gary Sinise as Stu Redman....:thud:). :giggle:I loved it too! :)

[happyanddandy]

I find Stephen King a bit difficult to cope with - in my younger days I read 'Cujo' and 'Misery' and I don't think I will ever forget the experience. I remember on occasion when I was reading 'Cujo' late at night and had to stop and get out of bed and do something else to take my mind of the horrors of the story. Great writing but nor for me at he moment.

[Kylie]

As I think I may have mentioned before (but not recently), I don't think King's a horror writer at all, and it annoys me that he's always classified as such. Yes, he's written some horror books (vampires and ghosties, etc), but many of them seem more fantasy or thrillers to me.

The book with Children of the Corn in was 'Nightshift' - some good shorts in there. If you like his shorts, you should also try:

Skeleton Crew
Everything's Eventual
Four Past Midnight

They should give you a good idea of the spetrum of Kings work (although many of his shorts are typical horror).

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I might check out The Stand first and see if I can get my hands on Different Seasons as well. The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favourite movies and I'd love to read the original novella.

[Nici76]

... Yup, it's on again on Saturday night at 11pm - and I don't have to get up early on Sunday morning, so I can watch it at leisure. ;)

Did you manage to catch Desperation? What did you think?

[Kell]

Nah, I'll leave it for now and catch it next time round...

[rock_faery_666]

A lot of the Stephen King adaptions have been utter **** in my opinion, but I found the film version of Dolores Claiborne to be just as good as the book. I thought Misery was pretty good, but not gruesome enough. And there was a fantastic TV version of Nightmares and Dreamscapes a few months ago...great acting. Views? Opinions?

[Essexgirl]

I don't feel that any of the adaptations live up to the books, but that applies to most adaptatons, not just the Stephen King ones. Nothing on the screen can every live up to what you see in your own imagination

[Raelou]

I find that I have to read the books first, not the films or series. The one book of his I cannot get into is The tommyknockers,I have the book and I have tried many times but I just can't get into it,But all the others are brill :smile2:

[Nici76]

I have about 150 pages to go in The Stand out of 1038 pages. So far it is still probably the best Stephen King I have read, excellent reading IMO.

I'm reading this now Muggle! I think it will take a while!! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

[Echo]

I'm reading this now Muggle! I think it will take a while!! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

When I first started The Stand, it was a little hard to get through the very beginning...it seemed slow. But the tension builds up very quickly, and then it took only a few days to read the rest. Hang in there!!

[scottishbookworm]

I have had It on my shelf for a while now, watched the film and have got it on dvd. Clowns really scare me big time. :hide: Must admit the reason I have not read it yet is cause its so big and its kind of put me off. At the minute im reading The Green Mile and loving it, so im going to attempt reading it the book after next.Is the green mile Just as good as the film?

and did you know that the clown pennywise in (IT) was played by Tim curry.

[katylovesbooks]

What did everyone think of secret window?

[Kell]

What did everyone think of secret window?I've not read the story, but I thought the film pretty much sucked, despite starring Johnny Depp. I hadn't realised, before watching it, that it was based on a Stephen King story and all the way through I felt that it could have been so much more.

[Sedge]

[quote=scottishbookworm;97401]Is the green mile Just as good as the film?

Yes, in my opinion, the film is every bit as good as the book. I defy anyone not to be moved by John Coffey's last scene!

[muggle not]

I'm reading this now Muggle! I think it will take a while!! I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!
How are you progressing with The Stand.

[Nici76]

How are you progressing with The Stand.

I'm on page 331 and really enjoying it although i'm a little bit confused:


I have got used to this disease killing nearly everyone and not expecting it to be a "supernatural" story but now there is this strange man called Randall Flagg who it would seem is not human. Am I correct in thinking this?

Other than that a fantastic read! :D

[Kell]

I have got used to this disease killing nearly everyone and not expecting it to be a "supernatural" story but now there is this strange man called Randall Flagg who it would seem is not human. Am I correct in thinking this? There IS a slight supernatural factor to it all, but it's not a really heavy part of the book - it all kind of blends in. Think of him more as an "agent on earth". ;)

[Nici76]

Thanks Kell! :D

[muggle not]

I'm on page 331 and really enjoying it although i'm a little bit confused:


I have got used to this disease killing nearly everyone and not expecting it to be a "supernatural" story but now there is this strange man called Randall Flagg who it would seem is not human. Am I correct in thinking this?

Other than that a fantastic read! :D
Sorry, but I will not tell. You gotta read the book. :D

[Nici76]

Sorry, but I will not tell. You gotta read the book. :D

Spoil sport! :tong: ;)

[Jackyd99]

:sign0144:

Hello! This is my first post, and I have to admit to being a HUGE Stephen King fan, but not to the level of Misery ;), but to the level of actually having a picture of his house and have had a conversation with his neighbor (who approached me after pausing his lawn cutting duty to tell me "shame he's not home...").

Anyhoo...I'm currently reading Wolves of Calla and am really enjoying this series. I had the first book of this series for years and could never get into it - and now there is no turning back - my life is filled with gunslingers and I'm considering getting a cat and calling him/her Oy!

Okay, enough about me, probably scared you guys off....

Comment on The Green Mile - fantastic - you new readers are lucky to get it all in one book - I started reading it when it was serialized....couldn't WAIT for the next book....I have all 6 of the original series....

I hope I can help out in the Stephen King area of this forum. :D

[Sedge]

I know what you're talking about - I too bought The Green Mile when it was serialised - that was a truly excellent summer!

[scottishbookworm]

I'm enjoying "Lisley's Story" it's a great story!

:readingtwo:

[angerball]

^ I've yet to read that one. Heard it got mixed reviews. I have to say, I far prefer King's earlier work; I'll still read it sometime though. :D

[muggle not]

I enjoyed Lisey's Strory but it was far from my favorite King book. I would read it again though as I really enjoy almost all his writing.

[Adam]

I've just recently started reading his works. I find that he is an excelent writer and he has a way with words. He was a born writer. I am really enjoying reading his stuff :readingtwo:

[Kell]

Adam, if you're enjoying King's work, you might like to check out our reading circle section - a bunch of us are currently tackling The Stand (which is EXCELLENT) and a little while back, some read The Shining too - you can always add your thoughts as we leave the threads permanently open. :)

[Adam]

Adam, if you're enjoying King's work, you might like to check out our reading circle section - a bunch of us are currently tackling The Stand (which is EXCELLENT) and a little while back, some read The Shining too - you can always add your thoughts as we leave the threads permanently open. :)

Thank you for that info. I will definetly look into those books :)

[Adam]

I found this interview with Stephen King and I just thought I would share it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4YRSrTshYE

[Kell]

Thanks for that link, Adam - that's a really interesting interview. It always makes me laugh to think that Stephen King is pegged as a "horror writer", because to me he's one of the great cross-genre authors! Yes, many of his books have an element of horror to them, but so do millions of other books that are NOT pegged as "horror" (take a look at anything about WWII and when you get to some of the atrocities committed by the Nazis - well, that's pure horror to me!). I find him a very versatile writer - he seems to be able to turn his hand to pretty much anything. Overall, I think he's mostly a writer who looks at the human condition and studies society as a whole - and he's a very interesting man to boot!

[Mia]

:I-Agree: I couldn't have put it better myself Kell, so I won't try! It's always annoyed me that he's pigeon-holed as a horror writer.

[Adam]

Thanks for that link, Adam - that's a really interesting interview. It always makes me laugh to think that Stephen King is pegged as a "horror writer", because to me he's one of the great cross-genre authors! Yes, many of his books have an element of horror to them, but so do millions of other books that are NOT pegged as "horror" (take a look at anything about WWII and when you get to some of the atrocities committed by the Nazis - well, that's pure horror to me!). I find him a very versatile writer - he seems to be able to turn his hand to pretty much anything. Overall, I think he's mostly a writer who looks at the human condition and studies society as a whole - and he's a very interesting man to boot!


You phrased that perfectly. I couldn't agree more :)

[HMS40]

Am currently reading book 3 in the Dark Tower series and loving it. Didn't think I would after reading the first one even tho am a massive King fan but they just keep getting better. My husband is also reading them but is on book 5.

[Echo]

Am currently reading book 3 in the Dark Tower series and loving it. Didn't think I would after reading the first one even tho am a massive King fan but they just keep getting better. My husband is also reading them but is on book 5.

Well, you should do very well on our quizzes! The literature quizzes all have Dark Tower questions. If you haven't checked it out, here's the link:

The Book Club Forum Daily Quiz Challenge (http://my.funtrivia.com/tournament/The-Book-Club-Forum-Daily-Quiz-Challenge-73086.html)

[papillon]

I had forgotten just how good a storyteller Stephen King is. He’s the kind of chap to sit you down in front of a roaring fire and keep you there spellbound well after the ashes, and your blood, have gone cold. Lol I used to read a lot of his books when I hungered over the next release in his Dark Tower Series. the only qualms I have are the excesses of rancid gore and bodily fluids, I think the last King book I read was “Desperation”. Hated the middle but loved the ending.

Now I’m back on King (after scrolling down the Reading Circle for new ideas, so thank you all for that) and presently reading his short stories “Four Past Midnight” at the moment on Secret Window Secret Garden” and loving it. Also “Everything’s Eventual” Loved “LT’s Pet Theory” and just finished Room 1408 Creepy! (My son has just seen the movie and says it is fantastic, much better than the book)... well, it's a lot longer so it would be!


Hopefully, the Stand will be next.

Here’s a quote from the beginning of “Four Past Midnight”… I love this!

In the desert, I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.

I said, ‘Is it good, friend?’
‘It is biter-bitter,’ he answered,
‘But I like it
Because it is bitter
And because it is my heart.’

Stephen Crane

[Kell]

I hope you enjoy The Stand, Papillon! And I'm certain that the book of 1408 will be way better than the film, which started well, but then pretty much sucked from about 1/2 way through (at least, that's what hubby and I thought). It's usually the case with King films - the books are SO much more powerful - I think there have only been four made into films that I really thought were awesome (Carrie, Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile - no, I don't rate The Shining at all!).

[Nici76]

Oooo I really enjoyed Four Past Midnight. Normally I don't like short stories but these were good. :D

[angerball]

I love that poem, Papillon! I don't think I've read all the stories in Four Past Midnight. :blush: And it goes without saying, how much I love The Stand!

Kell, on my way back from Australia, 1408 was one of the movies they played on the plane. I thought it was so bad, I actually turned it off. :lol:

[muggle not]

I have not read Four Past Midnight. Do y'all really recommend it.

[Nici76]

I do Muggle! I thought it was very good! :)

[papillon]

I have just finished "Secret Window , Secret Garden" the second story in "Four Past Midnight" and can't praise it enough, superbly chilling and suspenseful, I think it is worth buying the book for this story alone. Two more to go. :readingtwo:

[writeoff]

Having seen the film twice I've just started reading 'Misery.' I've not got that far into it yet but I'm loving every word.

[happyanddandy]

Having seen the film twice I've just started reading 'Misery.' I've not got that far into it yet but I'm loving every word.


I read this years ago - truly horrifying - great writing

[chicken]

I have just join the forum and Stephen King is my favourite author. The Stand is totally brilliant, I love it and have read it many many times. The first time I was reading it tho my eldest daughter was just 6 and came home from school one day sneezing, well I just burst into tears :roll: I had got so engrossed in the book (instead of housework!) that I thought she had caught Captain Trips ! :mrgreen: I have to say that the latest one of his I read, Liseys Story, was pretty poor and I didn't like it much, the only other book of Mr Kings that I didn't care for was Geralds Game. For me Stephen King is definatley one of the best. :readingtwo: I am a fan ! (bit sad that innit!!)

[Sedge]

Not at all sad chicken! I have several shelves full of Stephen King and I agree that The Stand is easily his best work. If you like that, then I'd also recommend reading 'It'.:)

[O's]

The stand is good, i like IT and Needful Things. I like the cthuhonic links with lovecraft and so on. His more recent books lack a certain feeling.

Liseys story I'm looking at you :roll:

[Sedge]

Was anybody impressed by Cell? I thought it was a great idea, started promisingly, but then crumbled about a third of the way through.

[angerball]

^I agree with you, Sedge. I thought Cell started off great, but then it just diminished into something resembling a zombie-flick. :roll: The Stand is my favourite Stephen King book, and one of my favourite books of all time. Others I have enjoyed are IT, Rose Madder, and Insomnia.

I haven't read Lisey's Story yet. I have it, but I keep putting it off, because of the negative things I have heard. :blush:

[writeoff]

Was anybody impressed by Cell? I thought it was a great idea, started promisingly, but then crumbled about a third of the way through.

I went on to read cell after misery. A definite case of from the sublime to the ridiculous. I did like the ambiguity of the ending but it was hard work getting there and I have to say I didn't much care whether the good guys lived or died.
At the end of the book was the first chapter of Lisey's story. I don't think I'll be rushing to read that one. I love most of the Stephen King books but I really hope he's not losing it.

[Michelle]

I also agree that Cell started well, then crumbled a bit. I've read the start of Lisey's Story and gave up. :(

[Adam]

I've read the start of Lisey's Story and gave up. :(

I wanted to read Lisey's Story, but I have not heard good things. Maybe one day I'll give it a try :)

[Mia]

It took me a long time to get into Lisey's Story. I didn't really care for the main character, which doesn't help! It did improve about halfway through, but it was still mediocre at best.

[muggle not]

^I agree with you, Sedge. I thought Cell started off great, but then it just diminished into something resembling a zombie-flick. :roll: The Stand is my favourite Stephen King book, and one of my favourite books of all time. Others I have enjoyed are IT, Rose Madder, and Insomnia.

I haven't read Lisey's Story yet. I have it, but I keep putting it off, because of the negative things I have heard. :blush:
My favorites are also The Stand, IT, and Insomnia.

[chicken]

Was anybody impressed by Cell? I thought it was a great idea, started promisingly, but then crumbled about a third of the way through.

You are so right, I loved it at first, then it got very tedious. It seems to me that he has become formulaic (dodgy spelling???) and that is a shame because some of his books, such as, It, Carrie, Insomnia and of course the DT series (except the last one - what a cop out :irked:) are really engrossing, the more recent works are not very good. Maybe he should quit while he is still near the top ?

[muggle not]

You can't hit a home run every time. I certainly hope he doesn't stop writing. I would hate to think of no more books by Stephen King.

[chicken]

You say true Muggle Not. I too would be very sad at the thought that there would never be another Stephen King story to look forward to, but if his recent offerings are anything to go by he seems to have lost interest. Thats just my opinion, but since the accident his writing seems to lack passion dont you think?

[muggle not]

A few of King's other books, besides Lisey's Story and Cell, since the accident:

Dreamcatcher
From A Buick 8
Wolves of Calla
Song of Sussanah
The Dark Tower.

In addition King has written a number of short stories. I don't think we should write him off yet. Many, if not all, of the above books were very good IMO. I really loved "The Dark Tower" series. :D

[chicken]

OHHHHHHHHH the Dark Tower :mrgreen: brilliant ! the end was a nightmare tho wasn't it :irked:. From a Buick 8 is another one I am not over fond of, I didn't really get it, but that might be me :roll: I must concede on Dreamcatcher - classic Stephen King, but I still maintain my opinion that he has lost something in his writing recently. Compare Cell or Lisey's Story with The Stand or IT and they are lacking that special something for me. Maybe we will have to agree to disagree on this one, at least we are united in our enjoyment of reading ;) :lol: ;)

[muggle not]

OHHHHHHHHH the Dark Tower brilliant ! the end was a nightmare tho wasn't it . From a Buick 8 is another one I am not over fond of, I didn't really get it, but that might be me :roll: I must concede on Dreamcatcher - classic Stephen King, but I still maintain my opinion that he has lost something in his writing recently. Compare Cell or Lisey's Story with The Stand or IT and they are lacking that special something for me. Maybe we will have to agree to disagree on this one, at least we are united in our enjoyment of reading ;) :lol: ;)
I will concede on your last sentence.

Wishing the best of reading for you. ;)

[chicken]

Great lets be friends:friends0: What did you think of Insomnia? I loved it and although I read it ages ago I still find myself looking for peoples ribbons :blush: I know I'm daft !

[Sedge]

Thanks for reminding me of Insomnia chicken - I read it about 10 years ago in a bit of a rush. I'll have to dust it off and have another go.:readingtwo:

[muggle not]

Great lets be friends:friends0: What did you think of Insomnia? I loved it and although I read it ages ago I still find myself looking for peoples ribbons :blush: I know I'm daft !
My 3 favorites are.....The Stand, IT, and Insomnia......oh, and the Dark Tower Series.

Did you see my portrait in the post above, what does it remind you of. :D

[chicken]

Welcome :mrgreen: Its one of my favourites, no thats a lie I love em all just in different ways !! How is Heart Shaped Box? I read one of Tabitha Kings earlier this year, not overly impressed, but it was not the worst book I ever read. Oh hang on.........Candles Burning. (just had to run downstairs and have a look !!)

[Nici76]

Iv'e never read Insomnia, I will add it to the list! :smile2:

[chicken]

My 3 favorites are.....The Stand, IT, and Insomnia......oh, and the Dark Tower Series.

Did you see my portrait in the post above, what does it remind you of. :D

YIKES ! :hide: Thats scary ! Pennywise. Ever since I read that book I have gone right off Macdonalds :giggle: I found the first DT book hard to get into but once I got it I was hooked. Its a great series, what a shame its done now tho? Have you read The Eyes of the Dragon? I think that is something to do with DT. I get confused with it all as a lot of the books have reference to other books in them. I spend ages trawling through books for references to others ! How very sad:doh:

[chicken]

Iv'e never read Insomnia, I will add it to the list! :smile2:
Yes do. Its a great read, really engrossing - I loved it.:mrgreen:

[muggle not]

Iv'e never read Insomnia, I will add it to the list! :smile2:
as your list continues to get BIGGER

[Adam]

You can't hit a home run every time. I certainly hope he doesn't stop writing. I would hate to think of no more books by Stephen King.

I know I agree! :)

[Sedge]

Welcome :mrgreen: Its one of my favourites, no thats a lie I love em all just in different ways !! How is Heart Shaped Box? I read one of Tabitha Kings earlier this year, not overly impressed, but it was not the worst book I ever read. Oh hang on.........Candles Burning. (just had to run downstairs and have a look !!)

Heart-Shaped Box is turning out better than I'd hoped. The whole atmosphere is reminiscent of early SK. There's a genuine eeriness which has been missing in a lot of King Senior's books.:)

[chicken]

Hmmmmm might give it a go although I think I had better leave off buying books, got 3 today and a couple last week. Questions will be raised if I push my luck :mrgreen:

[Sedge]

True, it is an addiction, but I don't want to be cured!:mrgreen:

[Mia]

:yeahthat: Hear hear Sedge! :mrgreen:

[chicken]

True, it is an addiction, but I don't want to be cured!:mrgreen:
Quite right and neither do I, but I dont want to get "done" from OH he doesn't understand :lol:

[Adam]

True, it is an addiction, but I don't want to be cured!:mrgreen:

Its not an addiction for me, it is just an overwhelming need that controls my life :lol:

[Sedge]

Don't fight it Adam, just let it take you!:mrgreen:

[O's]

Heart shaped box is good, but its ending leaves a fair bit to be desired.

[Sedge]

Thanks for the warning Os. I'm not very far into it at the moment and a lot seems to be happening very quickly. I did wonder if the story could be sustained through the rest of the book.

[chicken]

How you going on with Heart shaped box then Sedge??

[Sedge]

Pretty good. I'm about two thirds of the way through, and the story is holding up well.

It's taking a while, as I have a very structured way of reading - one chapter a day, no matter how long or short. Indeed, one of the earlier chapters in HSB was only 4 lines long, so I barely had time to sit down! I get quite anxious if I break my routine!:blush:

[missmellow]

Ok I haven't read any (thats right ANY - please don't kill me :lol:) of Stephen King's books, so can you tell me a few of them that would be good to start with?? I don't care what genre.
Thanks in advance

OH and, has anyone seen Rose Red?? One of King's movies. I'm not sure but is it a novell aswell? If not, are there any of his books similar to that movie? I loved the plot!! :mrgreen:

[FishAndChips]

I hadn't either until last year.

I read Dolores Claiborne - it was OK but not brilliant. I can however thoroughly recommend The Stand. At 1400 pages though, it is a bit of a monster. (But it does have it's own ongoing Reading Circle here (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3882) )

These are my only two SK novels. If you're looking for something shorter, my mum thoroughly enjoyed Misery last year, and it's on my wish list. But I am sure some others can point you in the right direction.

[Nici76]

Four Past Midnight is a set of four short stories which are very good and easy to get into. Also Rose Madder is another easy Stephen King.

The Stand is great like FishandChips said but very very long!

[Michelle]

I agree that the short stories might be a good place to start. Otherwise, I'd recommend Misery or The Shining. Some of King's books can be a little unusual, so you're probably better sticking to the more 'straight forward' ones. I read quite a few of his as a teenager.. I think Cujo was quite good, too.

[chicken]

Carrie is a good one, and maybe a familiar story also Christine is not that shabby either. I love all Stephen Kings books (except Geralds Game :irked:) Insomnia, Bag of Bones, The Green Mile the list goes on and on. You could try The Stand as it is fantastic but as has been said before it is a monster ! I would give Desperation and The Regulators a miss as first reads although if you develope a taste for SK I can recommend them !

[angerball]

I would recommend The Stand, and IT. Or for something a bit shorter: Rose Madder or Insommnia. Those are my picks. :)

I've seen Rose Red; I don't remember too much about it, but I wasn't overly impressed. It's based on a book called The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Ellen-Rimbauer-Life-Rose/dp/0786890436/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199821278&sr=8-2) by Ellen Rimbauer. Not entirely sure what Stephen King's involvement was though.

[burghead lass]

I have read IT and wasn't keen on the story but I read Rose Madder and loved that story

[Mia]

I would recommend you start with The Shining, It, Carrie or Christine. Definitely one of his earlier works, anyway.

I didn't rate Dreamcatcher, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon or Bag of Bones, though many did. Conversely, I loved Rose Madder but seem to be in a minority with this! Firestarter is also one of my personal favourites. :)

[bluetimmy24]

I recommend Four Seasons :)

i agree about the dreamcatcher book, wasn't a great read, i preferred the film actually...

[Kylie]

I've only read two of King's books so far: Night Shift and Different Seasons. Both are collections of short stories, although there are only 4 in Different Seasons (they're more like novellas).

Like Timmy, I'd recommend Different Seasons. Some brilliant stories there, including the 2 that inspired the movies The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me.

[missmellow]

I would recommend The Stand, and IT. Or for something a bit shorter: Rose Madder or Insommnia. Those are my picks. :)

I've seen Rose Red; I don't remember too much about it, but I wasn't overly impressed. It's based on a book called The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Ellen-Rimbauer-Life-Rose/dp/0786890436/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199821278&sr=8-2) by Ellen Rimbauer. Not entirely sure what Stephen King's involvement was though.
I searched on imdb.com and it said that Rose Red was a mini tv-series (4 parts). The version i watched was seperated into 2 disks though, so i thought it was just a really long movie. It goes for 4 hours and it did say that it was written by Stephen King. It's also been called 'Stephen King's Rose Red'. *shrugs* Maybe he only wrote the tv-series.

thanks for your suggestions everyone! i think i'll start with Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight. oh... i just had a look on my local library's website and it doesn't have Four Past Midnight. :motz:Different Seasons it is, then!

[Kell]

I've seen Rose Red; I don't remember too much about it, but I wasn't overly impressed. It's based on a book called The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Ellen-Rimbauer-Life-Rose/dp/0786890436/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199821278&sr=8-2) by Ellen Rimbauer. Not entirely sure what Stephen King's involvement was though.

I searched on imdb.com and it said that Rose Red was a mini tv-series (4 parts). The version i watched was seperated into 2 disks though, so i thought it was just a really long movie. It goes for 4 hours and it did say that it was written by Stephen King. It's also been called 'Stephen King's Rose Red'. *shrugs* Maybe he only wrote the tv-series
I think it's that other authos, Joyce Reardon and Stephen King, contributed parts (explanatory notes and, possibly, an intoroduction, from what I can gather on Amazon).

[Michelle]

I'm pretty sure I read 'Rose Red' by King. But according to amazon, it doesn't exist, and King just wrote the script for the mini series. How odd is that! lol

ETA: I guess I must have had this book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Ellen-Rimbauer/dp/0340825588/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199879832&sr=1-2), and my memory thinks it was a King book, because I watched the mini-series, and knew that was by King.

However.. I'm pretty sure I found the book hard going, and didn't finish it. And, it's more about the background of the house, and the people who built and lived there.. rather than the script for the mini series... if that makes sense?!

[Kell]

Ah, from the quote at the bottom of that bit, Michelle:

Book Description
The American No.1 bestselling "diary", the book that unlocks the secrets behind STEPHEN KING'S ROSE RED - the television series that took the US by storm and will be available on DVD/video in December 2002.

Perhaps the mini series was first and the book is like a novelisation of it?

[Michelle]

I think from I've read today, it was published after the mini-series, and is the background to the house, it's original owners etc, rather than the actual haunting that's investigated in the mini series.

[missmellow]

ahhh. i get it now! lol
I remember when i was like 6 or something mum let me watch Rose Red............
Even though i was eager to watch the whole thing, I was angry at mum for letting me watch it... I could NOT get to sleep that night!!!! *shudder*
it STILL freaks me out... but i enjoy the plot at least :roll:

[scottishbookworm]

Oooo I really enjoyed Four Past Midnight. Normally I don't like short stories but these were good. :Din four past midnight there's a story called the langoliers is a story that's featured in the book!:readingtwo:

[Emi226]

I always find Langoliers really really creepy and it makes me nervous to fly. Good story though

[muggle not]

I have requested 3 books from the library and Duma Key is one of them. The others are The Appeal by Grisham and I am Legend.

[scottishbookworm]

I was watching tonight "1408" I was wondering what's the name of the novel it's based on?

[Sedge]

1408 is a story from the collection "Everything's Eventual".

[muggle not]

I have requested 3 books from the library and Duma Key is one of them. The others are The Appeal by Grisham and I am Legend.
I am about 200 pages into the book and enjoy it very much. It may turn out to be one of the best of his that I have read. Have any other forum members read it yet.

[angerball]

I have just finished it, and wasn't all that impressed. :hide: I'm still thinking about it, and will write a little review later, but it just didn't seem....very original. I wanted to be hooked and blown away, and I was neither (which is why it took me so long to finish it :roll:).

[muggle not]

I have finished reading Duma Key and enjoyed the book. It is not one of King's best books but still worth reading IMO.

[Nici76]

The Stand is on the Sci Fi +1 channel at 10pm tonight.

I have never seen the film so I am looking forward to seeing how it compares to the book......

[Kell]

It's a mini-series (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0108941/), Nici - 6 parts, I think (if I remember correctly). It's been showing a few times over the last few weeks though, so if you've missed an episode or two, it should repeat again shortly. Well worth watching though - an excellent cast and a pretty faithful adaptation (although, obviously, not exact).

[Nici76]

Thanks for that Kell. It looks like it's the last two episodes tonight. I will keep my eyes peeled for them all to be repeated.

[Michelle]

I've just gotten hubby (the man with the remote!) to set it up to record!
Let me know if you find it starting again, Nici.

[Nici76]

Yep will do Michelle!

[Kell]

Well, if you decide you can't wait for it, you can get it on DVD from Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Kings-Stand-Gary-Sinise/dp/B00009V8YC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1206783489&sr=1-1) for the miniscule price of £4.98! Well worth it - I think I'll go and order it for myself, actually (I used to have it on video years ago, but we no longer have a VCR, so we passed it on to someone else).

[chicken]

Thanks for that link Kell - loads of brilliant Stephen King stuff on there that I haven't seen before. Where has my debit card gone.................:blush:

[George Stark]

I think i have Stephen King on the brain, i have read;

The Stand
Needful Things
The Tommyknockers
The Shining
Salem's Lot
IT
and all of the Bachman books.

and i am on The Dark Half now.

[Nici76]

I have sooooo many Stephen King books on my shelf that I really will have to bump them up the TBR pile. Maybe my next book will be one...

After reading The Stand though, I needed a little break!

[Nearco]

Avoid:

Salem's Lot
IT
From a Buick 8
Christine




Why? The first two have got to be amongst his best work.

[Nici76]

I also think IT is a fab book. Bit scary though! :hide:

[Mia]

The only one of those four I wouldn't re-read is From a Buick 8; the rest were great, particularly IT. :)