Stephen King's books

I used to be a huge fan of his work but starting a few years ago I think his style really changed and his work went downhill. I'll usually buy the paperback now where as before I couldn't wait and had to get the hardback when it first came out.

Right now I'm reading his book "Cell" and it's pretty good. It's no Firestarter or The Stand but it is still one of his better recent works.

Back in 1980 when Firestarter came out I literally stayed up all night to read it, I COULDN'T put it down. I've read The Stand 3 or 4 times now, I rarely read a book twice. The only book of his I quit on was Dolores Claiborne, I just couldn't get through that one.

If ya like his stuff, give Cell a chance. Not great King but good.

MikeS.

I use to devour his books. After he was hit by a car and his head was injured in 1998 things seemed different somehow. Not sure what it is but I stopped reading him not long afterwards.

You're right, his style really changed. Maybe after he gave up the drugs. On the other hand, you really can't expect him to keep writing the same things over and over. I used to run into him from time to time in Orono, Me. (made his nachos once at a local restaurant) and he really is a nice guy. I liked "On Writing" but his later stuff doesn't turn me on. It's like he's missing the absurdity or the irony of the earlier stuff.

Any time I check into a hotel and get room 213, it gives me the willies. (that was the room in "The Shining", right?)

I always thought Salem's Lot was King's best--an early but brilliant work that incorporated all of the ideas that would carry him over many more novels. Scary beyond imagination.

"Tommyknockers" was the one one that disappointed me. To fragmented or something. Followed by "It". A little to dark even for me. I don't think I cracked a smile reading either. His turn of phrase and tongue in cheek, rock and roll sense of humor was missing to me.

His style has changed in many of his books but I think a lot of that is very deliberate. I got over that. His use of words to paint his picture has remained constant and for that alone he's worth reading. No matter if I'm having a hard time getting into the subject or story I can alway's see and feel where he wants me to be. I was having a time getting into "Lisey's Story" but thanks to a litttle encouragment from a fellow Roadfooder I'm once again glad I did!

I'm with you Mike on "The Stand". I re-read a lot of books but none as many as this one. It would be interesting to know how it is regarded after we're all dead and gone. It will never leave the lexicon of American novelist writings. It definitly set the standard and raised the bar on the good vs. evil genre.

His character's are always so well developed. You get to know and empathize with them at a level most writers only dream of. Emotional investment in fictional people. I believe that to be the secret to his success. For me anyway. Even if I'm having a hard time getting into the story itself, I want to know what he's got in store for those in it. I've even gotten mad and frustrated when a particular character has gotten whacked! I'm sure he would enjoy that. He's done his job again!

I love Stephen King. The man produces some duds but I think his hits outnumber his misses by far.

IT is my absolute favorite of his books. I've reread it so many times. Such strong characters, such a wonderful sense of place, and it's damn scary to boot.

The Dead Zone is probably my next favorite. A great premise and a great central character. I love that Johnny runs away from his power for so long. I know if I developed some kind of supernatural ability, I'd be scared to death.

The Tommyknockers and Dreamcatcher are two of his worst. When I read Dreamcatcher, I couldn't believe how bad it was (as bad as the book is, the movie is infinitely worse). I worried that the van accident had knocked all the talent out of the man.

Luckily, Bag of Bones disproved his notion. An excellent novel. More of a romantic suspense novel with horror elements (though that does a pretty poor job of describing the novel itself) than an out and out horror novel. This is the book to give to people who don't like horror novels or what they think of as the typical Stephen King novel.

Christine is another favorite. The narrator, Dennis, is my favorite of KIng's narrators. People accused From a Buick 8 of being Christine Again but I think's a very different novel with a lot of strengths on its own. It's not his best but it's a good read.

The Shining and The Stand are both wonderful as well.

And I'll stop, for now.

Ill second that on "the Stand", IT , and The Dead Zone....best King short story IMHO was "The Mist"
Mike

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption from was my favorite short. What was it in... Different Seasons? The Body was in that too wasn't it? Hmmm that was pretty great too! Hard to pick one over another with out reading them all again. Wish I still had a copy. However, if I'm not mistaken, that really was his volume of Novella's wasn't it? I need to go get another copy. Now I have to read it again! Thanks a lot Mike. It's likely this will turn into a King-A-Thon at my house this month !

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption was in "Different Seasons," as was The Body (made into the film Stand by Me) and Apt Pupil.
The one story that was not made into a movie was totally unmemorable.
He wrote one short story about a surgeon being stranded on a desert island, who's obsessed with protecting his hands. It was very disturbing. The Mist was also excellent.
I have not enjoyed his recent books. They hold your attention but then end up becoming very disappointing in the end. "Insomnia" was one example. Although he did write a very kinky novel called Gerald's Game.....really strange premise in that one.

quote:

Originally posted by JT1

You're right, his style really changed. Maybe after he gave up the drugs. On the other hand, you really can't expect him to keep writing the same things over and over. I used to run into him from time to time in Orono, Me. (made his nachos once at a local restaurant) and he really is a nice guy. I liked "On Writing" but his later stuff doesn't turn me on. It's like he's missing the absurdity or the irony of the earlier stuff.

Any time I check into a hotel and get room 213, it gives me the willies. (that was the room in "The Shining", right?)

Sorry - you're incorrect - it was room 217 (they changed it to 237 in the movie)

I agree with everyone here who said he has lost his touch. None of the novels he's written in the last 20 years have swept me away like his early ones did. His very best, all of which I've read dozens of times and still enjoy, are The Shining, Salem's Lot, The Stand, Christine, The Dead Zone, The Talisman and Pet Semetary.

I never liked The Tommyknockers or It. I put down Insomnia. The one he did about 10 years ago about guys in prison - which got turned into a pretty good movie, but I forget the name - was pretty good, however.

I'll try The Cell. I've been hoping for years that he could get back to what he once was.

I also enjoy many of his short story collections. Whoever mentioned The Mist - which was included in Skeleton Crew - I agree that's among his finest. So is The Jaunt - a science fiction, futuristic horror story in the same collection.

I've always enjoyed The Long Walk and The Running Man - both included in his Bachmann Books collection. I've often thought The Long Walk would make a good movie. I never saw The Running Man, which I believe featured the current governor of California in the title role. I just didn't think Arnold was a good actor to have play the protagonist. I like him, don't get me wrong. But not for that role.

A movie must be made of The Talisman - one of King's greatest works. I once read this was going to happen, but haven't heard anything in ages. This book reminds me of Tolkien in many ways - and I'm a huge Tolkien fan.

King's Night Shift collection is a masterpiece. I love almost every story in it, particularly Children of the Corn, Sometimes They Come Back, Battleground, Graveyard Shift and One for the Road (which takes us back to Salem's Lot, one of King's most haunting creations). If you read Salem's Lot, you actually feel like you live in the town and know everyone in it.

Of the books he's written, the ones that still scare me are Salem's Lot and Pet Semetary. I believe King almost didn't publish Pet Semetary because of its disturbing subject matter. Imagine - a book so disturbing even King thought twice about putting it out!

I, too, wonder how King's writing will hold up over the years. A lot of people look down on it and call it junk. But I believe people said the same thing about Dickens during his time, and perhaps Twain as well. King's literature captures late-20th Century America better than any other author I've read. Perhaps my eye for literature isn't as good as some others (though I do have a master's degree in journalism, for what it's worth). We'll have to wait and see.

quote:

Originally posted by albinoni

I always thought Salem's Lot was King's best--an early but brilliant work that incorporated all of the ideas that would carry him over many more novels. Scary beyond imagination.

Hear! Hear! One of my all-time favorite books by any author.

Not sure which anthology it was in, but I think one of his best short stories was a thing called "Quitter's, Inc." I used to read all his books, too. "Cujo" was nothing short of a picture painted with words. Not the best plotline he ever wrote, but the writing was fantastic-it put you right there in the car.

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15

quote:

Originally posted by albinoni

I always thought Salem's Lot was King's best--an early but brilliant work that incorporated all of the ideas that would carry him over many more novels. Scary beyond imagination.

Hear! Hear! One of my all-time favorite books by any author.

It's the only book I've read were I caught myself holding my breath.
I was as good as in the room looking out that window.
It's the one that hooked me!
It was the first of his I'd read. I think he was up to Cujo by that time so I didn't have to much to catch up on and so I did.


Anyone who thinks his stuff won't hold up to time is a literary snob.
The analogy of Twain and Dickens is a good one I'll use.
They had they're detractors as well as any writer or artist does in their time period (and beyond). It's the beyond part that makes it interesting. Because if people are still quoting you or arguing whether or not your work is some how valid generations later...well you must have done something right. You must have said something thought provoking about or reflecting your time. You have to had crossed over generational, cultural, and economical gaps
King will and (I believe has) meet that criterion.

I'm not a big fan of horror, but somehow I've managed to read about 75% of King's output. The only ones I OWN, though, are "The Stand," "Different Seasons" and "The Bachman Books." His wife Tabitha is also a good novelist in her own right--pick up "One On One" or "Child's Play."

I too will be rereading some King over the next few months. That man has written some great stuff over the years.

MikeS.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger67

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption was in "Different Seasons," as was The Body (made into the film Stand by Me) and Apt Pupil.
The one story that was not made into a movie was totally unmemorable.

Breathing Method was the 4th story in Different Seasons, and I thought it, and Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption were the two best. I was always puzzled why Breathing Method never did become a movie. Not enough action I guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Pat T Hat

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15

quote:

Originally posted by albinoni

I always thought Salem's Lot was King's best--an early but brilliant work that incorporated all of the ideas that would carry him over many more novels. Scary beyond imagination.

Hear! Hear! One of my all-time favorite books by any author.

It's the only book I've read were I caught myself holding my breath.
I was as good as in the room looking out that window.
It's the one that hooked me!
It was the first of his I'd read. I think he was up to Cujo by that time so I didn't have to much to catch up on and so I did.


Anyone who thinks his stuff won't hold up to time is a literary snob.
The analogy of Twain and Dickens is a good one I'll use.
They had they're detractors as well as any writer or artist does in their time period (and beyond). It's the beyond part that makes it interesting. Because if people are still quoting you or arguing whether or not your work is some how valid generations later...well you must have done something right. You must have said something thought provoking about or reflecting your time. You have to had crossed over generational, cultural, and economical gaps
King will and (I believe has) meet that criterion.

Good comments.

I've never found any other author who spins a yarn as well as old Steve King. His stories and characters stick in my head far longer than those of any other writer.

For me, a short story from Night Shift, "The Last Rung on the Ladder" stands out as some of his best writing. Here is a softer side of King revealed, to me, this one is an anomaly: a tearjerker. If anyone has Night Shift, read this story, it's a gem.

That's is a great story, tamandmik.

My absolute favorite short story of his comes from his Skeleton Crew collection. It's called "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" and it's fantastic.

"I'm with you Mike on "The Stand". I re-read a lot of books but none as many as this one. It would be interesting to know how it is regarded after we're all dead and gone. It will never leave the lexicon of American novelist writings. It definitly set the standard and raised the bar on the good vs. evil genre."

I agree, I have read many of his other books, but "The Stand" is one I remember and re-read often, this book really spoke to me (I hate the movie though)

THE DARK TOWER SERIES (7) BOOKS OUTDOES EVERY THING HE HAS DONE OTHER THAN THE STAND FROM A TRUE STORYTELLING PERSPECTIVE. OVERALL ONE OF THE BEST 5 AUTHORS OF THE LAST 40 YEARS. I HAVE READ 2-4 BOOKS A WEEK FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS (I,M 41)AND WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS NO WRITER CAN COMPARE.

sORRY



Sorry about the caps.

quote:

Originally posted by rokman

THE DARK TOWER SERIES (7) BOOKS OUTDOES EVERY THING HE HAS DONE OTHER THAN THE STAND FROM A TRUE STORYTELLING PERSPECTIVE. OVERALL ONE OF THE BEST 5 AUTHORS OF THE LAST 40 YEARS. I HAVE READ 2-4 BOOKS A WEEK FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS (I,M 41)AND WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS NO WRITER CAN COMPARE.

I agree that the Dark Tower series is his most compelling works to date. The Stand is his best single novel ever, in my humble opinion.
I also read a few books a week and am 41 years old.
David O.

Pet Semetary is the scariest book I've ever read. How far would you go to bring back the ones you loved? If that's all Stephen EVER wrote, I'd love him just the same.

Different Seasons is second favorite. One of the movies that really shaped my childhood (Stand By Me)came from it.

Beachworld is one of my favorite short stories...I think I simply like it for the ending.

You're right. His newer efforts have left me cold. I tried From a Buick 8 and lost interest.

The 2 that are the saddest have got to be "The Dead Zone", which to me is not a horrer story at all. It's a story about love and loss.
Also, "the Body", which is about childhood and innocence lost. There are two lines in it that show's how painful is is not to be able to go back. One is about friends who come in and out of your life like busboys at a restaurant.
The other is the last line in the movie," I never had friends like the ones I had when I was twelve". Couldn't you just cry?
Mike

Mike.

I've thought of the busboys in a restaurant many times in the past few years. Some people are so important to you and you mean to stay in touch and maybe they mean to stay in touch as well, then time and distance gets in the way and they're gone from your life almost before you realize it.

That line from the movie is also in the original story, it's somewhere in the middle, I think when the kids are getting water from the pump.

Improviser...that's it on the head. I couldn't really put it into words, but you've done it.....Thanks
Mike

King has got be in the top 5 of all-time greatest American writers.

MikeS.