Stephen King

February 20, 2008, 6:14 PM

I've read dozens of King's novels/short stories...and EVERY one has glued me to the pages. The man's a genius. If I'm reading a book at my own will, it's a book written by Stephen King.

Anyone else enjoy his stuff?

February 20, 2008, 6:23 PM

I've only read Carrie ... well, half of it. I hated how he wrote it. It went from a story, to a reflection of the events that haven't yet happened from a future point of view to a freaking character analysis. I didn't need to have characterisation points about Tommy Ross shoved in my face. As the reader, I'm meant to make my own opinion anyway ¬_¬ Also, he ruined the damn thing in one of the future-tense descriptions of what happened in the events that hadn't yet happened by giving away that Tommy Ross died. Well, that was anticipation just thrown out of the window.

I want to believe he's a good author ... but Carrie has put me off him.

February 20, 2008, 6:36 PM

Honestly, Carrie wasn't one of my favorites. I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as others like The Shining, It, The Stand, or Misery...to name a few.

At least Carrie's a short book. Doesn't drag on for hundreds and hundreds of pages.

February 20, 2008, 6:47 PM

I've never read any of his books, but looked at some of them in bookshops and want to. There are so many though, I wouldn't know which to get! I really wanted to start with The Shining, but for some reason I cannot find it anywhere.

February 20, 2008, 6:54 PM

I actually had a really hard time finding that book myself.

In fact, I think I ended up having to borrow it from a friend.

Mizu La-La Profile · February 22, 2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Aighurhmnw

I've never read any of his books, but looked at some of them in bookshops and want to. There are so many though, I wouldn't know which to get! I really wanted to start with The Shining, but for some reason I cannot find it anywhere.

No surprise there, they're bough up quicker then anything. And the ones I find are usually worn out from being lovingly read over and over.

I've read several of his stories, and I suggest Lisey's Story, the Dark Tower series, or Cell. I haven't finished Cell or the series, but they're both really good so far. But basically, you can pick up almost anyone of his books and still get a good story.

The Dark Tower series, book 4, is what I'm on right now. It's really quite good. And I had been reading Cell, but I lost the book and now have to start over, since it's a pet peeve of mine.

February 22, 2008, 12:33 AM

Iv read a couple, one I can't remember the name of but some Sheriff guy had a family that was travelling locked up and was a bit mad. Iv read a little of Dolores Cliarbourne (sp)

Id love to read The Shining, it's one of my favourite films ever so I can only imagine the book would be epic

February 23, 2008, 9:35 AM

I really enjoy reading his short story collections such as "Four past midnight" and "Nightmares and Dreamscapes"

Until recently I haven't been able to find the time to read any of his novels, but I will probably start one soon

February 23, 2008, 10:05 AM

I've read (that I can remember) The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Misery, Everything's Eventual, The Dead Zone, Thinner, The Longest Mile, and 3/4ths of Insomnia.

I don't like him very much. Well, let me clarify...I think he writes very good short stories. Everything's Eventual, his collection of short stories, was pretty good. There were a few stupid ones, but I thought it was overall pretty strong (especially 1408! XD That one scared me).

His longer novels....oy. Christ, man, stop. Just stop writing. It's okay not to describe everything. We don't need to know if Jim blew his nose or not. I also don't find him a very...good writer. I never lean back in my chair and say, "Oh my god. What a beautiful way to describe something." I guess he's good for quick, cheap, and dirty reading. I must admit, I'm pretty impressed that he's still writing and has yet to run out of storylines.

From the books I read, I liked The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon the best. Insomnia's concept was really cool, but it just kept dragging on and on.

February 23, 2008, 10:10 PM

Anyone read his The Dark Tower series? I've read The Gunslinger, The Drawing Of The Three, The Waste Lands, Wizard and Glass, and Wolves Of The Calla and I am about to start Song Of Susannah. It's a great fantasy series set in a truly unique universe which is rather outlandish. Definitely a must read if you are a fan of Stephen King or fantasy that differs a bit from the usual "orcs and elves" galore.

Apart from that I have also read Needful Things, The Shining, Salem's Lot and It.