Stephen King

KRIS VL

I much like Stephen King. He is considered being a writer of horror stories. But that is not fair to him. My personal favourite up to now is Dolores Claiborne, both in book and film.

buck65

King is a good writer. Loved him as a kid. Read alot of his stuff - Salem's Lot, Shining, Misery, Tommyknockers, the Bachman books - long walk is a favourite. Recently read some of his short stories , Everything's Eventual. Decent enough.
Far better than alot of stuff out there. Good fanbase on this forum too.

Noffles

I got hold of The Talisman on audio book on the weekend, started listening to it yesterday in the car, read it years ago and loved it, was nice to hear it being read out in the car, the missus is also a fan so can listen to it driving to and from work..

The book itself is awesome and still can't understand why it's not a film yet.... a ruined film I would imagine!

TWEEK1979

The Stand is probably my favourite book ever. Also the Dark Tower series and Eye of the Dragon. The Bachman books are another favorite of mine - in particular The Long Walk and The Running Man.

Note that none of the above titles would be classified as horror.

If I were to choose from his horror genre i'd have to go with The Dark Half or Pet Sematery.

Speculator

I like King, currently reading the Dome

sxt

King is masterful storyteller .Every book I have read og his has been enjoyable. My favourite would be "The Stand" also.

Evan93

Planning to start "The Stand" tomorrow,heard it's an excellent book.

Posy

Yeah, I think Stephen King is amazing. I do like his horror stuff best, but to say he's a horror writer only does him justice when you appreciate what an amazing writer of prose he is. His books are the sort that stay with you, and in my opinion are often re-readable several times. I've never seen the film 'Stephen King's The Shining', only the Jack Nicholson version but it's meant to be really faithful to the book so I'll have to find it some time.
OP, I've never read 'Dolores Claiborne' to my shame, I'll have to add it to my reading list.

LadyLee

I must read Dolores Clairbourne.... "IT" was one of my favourites...Scaaary stuff:eek:

genericguy

i'm a huge king fan, although i do think some of his books are awful. at the same time though, with so many books under his belt they can't all please everybody. 'the stand' is my favourite book, and i recently read 'under the dome' which is quite similar, and also outstanding.

Magic Eight Ball

Massive Stephen King fan.
'IT' scared the bejesus out of me, had to stop reading it before bed.
'The Stand' is nothing short of a masterpiece, by far my favorite book of all time.

Also loved Salem's Lot and Christine. Was never a fan of The Shining.

Posy

Trevor Coulahan wrote: »

'IT' scared the bejesus out of me, had to stop reading it before bed.

Ha, me too- I'd have to sleep with the light on sometimes after it!

Malice

I'm also a fan of Mr. King. I think his older stuff is his best. Once he sobered up the stories weren't quite as good.

ian8746

Have been a massive fan for the last 20 years. Lost weeks reading "The Stand", which is one of the finest books ever written. Have just gotten his new book and will start it as soon as I finish "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

fontanalis

Any read Different Seasons? He shows he's more than a horror author in that.

betsyanne

I also really like Stephen King a lot. His book On Writing, is a terrific book for writers. He explains how he used to put his rejected books on a big nail and just kept on trying.

I liked the Stand as a mini-series. I haven't read the book yet, but I have read many others of his. I liked The Shining. There was a lot in the book that didn't make it to the movie (like the fire hose that came alive...)

Sconsey

The Long Walk, which he wrote under the name of Bachman (I think) is a fine example of why he is more than just a horror writer, it's a great story.

'It' was the first ever 'big' book I read, brilliant, I've re-read at least twice.

Haven't been too impressed with some of his latest stuff (Duma Key for example) but am looking forward to reading the Dome.

unknownlegend

I do recommend the complete version of the Stand - far and away his best, along with different seasons and the shining. After a while the writing can seem to lack depth. But then i try another writer and the vast majority of them dont stand up to kings character development, the large tangents are addictive :-)

goldeneyes

I've read The Shining, some of his short stories (including The Mist) and Dreamcatcher.

While i thought the shining was brilliant (and yes, raging about the fact that the film didnt feature the fire hose, the woman in the bath, and the hedge animals) and the short stories were good, i really didnt like a lot of things about Dreamcatcher, it had a great beginning and i loved the dynamic the four lads had but when it started to pace up to the climax i was kind of not interested. it's like the ending was just tacked on. Dont get me started on the movie, a scar on morgan freeman's career if you ask me.

It probably confirms that his older stuff is a lot better. might try a classic from him next.

ian8746

I agree, the older books make a much better read then the newer stuff. Carrie, IT, Cujo are some of the scariest books you could read.

Dreamcatcher started well but by the end you felt like you wasted a week of your life reading this. Cell was not bad but felt a lot like a poor mans version of The Stand.

Have Under The Dome to read next. Hopefully it is Stephen King at his best

Flash86

Big King fan. Started with the Dark Tower Series and then read all the books that had references and connections to it. By then I was hooked.

I'm about half way through Under The Dome at the moment. It may not be as good as The Stand but it's still very strong. Some great characters in it.

beans

I'd love to see 'IT' remade as a decent film. I nominate David Fincher for the job Amazing book.

Echo what's been said about his older work being better. Some of my favourite stories live within the pages of 'Night Shift' - 'Last Rung On The Ladder' being an exceptional example. In fact, his short stories and essays on writing have brought me back time and time again. He also got me interested in HP Lovecraft, and probably in scary things in general.

cassiusclay

Good storyteller bad writer.

sheesh

loved the dark tower series read it last year although the ending of the last book was a bit of a letdown but the journey getting there was brilliant.:)

sxt

cassiusclay wrote: »

Good storyteller bad writer.

A bad writer could not be a good storyteller

sxt

I read "Pet Semetary" again recently ,a book I couldn't have appreciated as much when I was younger .I think it is my favourite behind "the stand". A dark novel with some very touching and humourous moments .Doe anybody else love this one?

CatFromHue

yep i read it (Pet Semetary) last year and it was one of my favourite books of the year.

Needful things is also pretty good, very engrossing.

Salem's lot scarred the pants off me too, really good book though.

Actually now that i look across at my book shelf every second or third book is one of his.

Think i'll give the shining ago since it was recommended above

rejkin

I'v read most of Stephen Kings old books,only read one of his latest which would be Cell. Didn't really like it though. I recently read Dan simmons books and he is very like Stephen king in his style of writing, Summer of night actually got praised by stephen king. Anyway I thought it would be a good idea to say this if anyones interested in reading some classic slow run horror novels like SK

MickShamrock

Read loads of Stephen King when I was younger. Great storyteller.

Censorsh!t

See a lot of praise for The Stand. Must check it out!
I've read a few of his books, liked all of them, especially Carrie.

blue_steel

Not going against the tide on purpose but King isn't all that great. He has fantastic ideas but doesn't have any self control in the execution. Most of his work is gouged out, not written. His success is incredible and unparalleled but he would be a far better writer with a strong editor.
Salem’s Lot was the first book of his I read and I loved it but nothing I've tried since then has come close. I do not understand the praise that The Stand gets. The characters are so archetypal it’s hilarious. And why oh why is there invariably a hero/author is his stories. Get over yourself mate.

livinginkorea

I remember "IT" very well eventhough I read it more than 10 years ago. A brillant read. Also read The Shinning, The Stand, Tommyknockers, Desperation, The Green Mile, Gerald's Game and Dreamcatcher.

Ann22

I think he's a great writer, really gifted. I loved most of his books I've read...Salem's Lot (no book has scared me as much as this one -just brilliant!:eek:), The Stand, The Shining, Misery, Gerald's Game, Rose Madder, Insomnia,Eyes of the Dragon, The Dark Tower series, The Green Mile. Many of his short stories. The Just After Sunset collection were great.

I liked The Tommyknockers, Christine, Desperation, Bag o'bones.

I wasn't so keen on Cell, Under the Dome, Duma Key or From a Buick 8.

I probably left some out.

Dohnny Jepp

King is my favourite author. I've just finished Under the Dome and it really is up there with his best. This book is of "The Stand" quality. For those who are thinking - ah I like his old stuff wouldnt bother with his new stuff. - well he started this one 30 years ago and being typical of himself he forgot about it till recently!

pavb2

Just got The Stand based on readers recommendations,didn't realise it was 1000 pages till I took off shelf. Have to read it before holidays otherwise will exceed baggage allowance!!!!!!!!!!!

crotalus667

pavb2 wrote: »

Just got The Stand based on readers recommendations,didn't realise it was 1000 pages till I took off shelf. Have to read it before holidays otherwise will exceed baggage allowance!!!!!!!!!!!

yep thats the uncut one the first print they made him cut it down then the fans called for it to be rerealesed in it's full form iirc

Culann

I've read a great many of his books...I'm surprised no one has mentioned 'Thinner', it's really good. Also, 'Rage' and 'Roadwork' published as part of the Bachman book collection deserve attention. 'Hearts in Atlantis' was good as I recall. He's written so many good books that the bad ones really stand out...

questioner

ive read everything except duma key , favourite author for a long time. love the recurring themes, the tower etc. I think i heard a rumour about the dark tower being made into a film, i think del toro would be the man for the job personally. jacksons had his day in the sun. Incidentally del toros latest is well worth a read "the strain"

Outkast_IRE

questioner wrote: »

ive read everything except duma key , favourite author for a long time. love the recurring themes, the tower etc. I think i heard a rumour about the dark tower being made into a film, i think del toro would be the man for the job personally. jacksons had his day in the sun. Incidentally del toros latest is well worth a read "the strain"

I think peter jacksons best asest is his abilty as a producer/screenwriter, his work on the hobbit will confirm this ..............
I dunno how true it is but i heard . JJ Abrams is a huge fan of the series and is currently seeing if it could be done ..

questioner

abrams work on star strek was not my cup of tea at all, i think the dark tower could do with someone like del toro to give it the right flavour

Klingon Hamlet

His short stories pack a lot more punch for me

Canis_Lupus

Christine has to be one of my favourites. I love the 70's Americana vibe.

The Shining is another fantastic one. As much as I love Jack Nicholson it beats the film any day.

Giselle

The first King book I read was The Stand, that was about 18 months ago. I loved it, and watched the mini-series recently (bit twee I thought). I'd like to see it remade with a big budget and some star power.

I've read Dolorous Claibourne, Different Seasons, The Shining - I love the Jack Nicholson movie - and my favourite, thus far, is Misery. The movie does the book justice too imo.

I've enjoyed his short stories, especially Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and The Body, on which the movie Stand By Me was based.

He's not a 'great' writer, he doesn't come close to the likes of Richard Harris in lots of ways, but he is a great read. He doesn't pretend to be anything other than what he is, just a storyteller of really popular fiction that entertains and engages you for a few hours. Its all I ask of most authors.

indough

ah now, the stand mini-series had plenty of 'star power', there were numerous easily recognizable faces in it and i dont think that was the problem (i did, however, find their choice of actor for randall flagg to be a terrible one)

it was a bit twee alright but i cant see it being remade for a while as its got to be a difficult prospect to film, i loved the book but the story sort of falls apart when it is presented by a visual medium

the

'hand of god'

part at the end and the monologues of mother abigail, for example, were cringe inducingly bad and i dont see how they could be made to seem much better

Busi_Girl08

I remember reading Misery, and I found it scarier than the film :eek:

It was the ending that got me

I liked the Shining aswell, but to be honest I thought it dragged a little at some points.
Also, I didn't really like how he made it seem more like

Jack was possessed, rather that slowly driven insane. I wasn't too crazy about that bit at the end when he very briefly regained control over himself to tell Danny to run away, etc.

I love Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption aswell. Couldn't help but read it all in Morgan Freeman's voice though

I really want to read It now. Any time I hear it mentioned, I hear the words "unforgettable", "terrifying" and "nightmares"

I'm starting The Green Mile tonight, so I assume I might be crying?

Outkast_IRE

Busi_Girl08 wrote: »

I remember reading Misery, and I found it scarier than the film :eek:

It was the ending that got me

I liked the Shining aswell, but to be honest I thought it dragged a little at some points.
Also, I didn't really like how he made it seem more like

Jack was possessed, rather that slowly driven insane. I wasn't too crazy about that bit at the end when he very briefly regained control over himself to tell Danny to run away, etc.

I love Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption aswell. Couldn't help but read it all in Morgan Freeman's voice though

I really want to read It now. Any time I hear it mentioned, I hear the words "unforgettable", "terrifying" and "nightmares"

I'm starting The Green Mile tonight, so I assume I might be crying?

Dunno about crying but its a great short story...........
you should try The Stand if you have the time its a long but brilliant book,
Im in the middle of The Dark tower series at the moment and in the long run i think they will be seen as some of his best writing and they have the potential to be made into a few epic films.

Klingon Hamlet

He has a talent for creating horrifying dreamscapes. I've read many of his short stories and most of them start as quaint, mostly childlike tales, but they all go off on a tangent where things turn dark and haunting. Mysterious men/creatures go from intriguing to downright heartstoppingly scary. I remember one story where a kid lost his baby brother in a wood, and he went out there, and met a man with bright eyes...only when he looked closely he had no pupils, or eyes, but rather sockets filled with hellfire...scary:(

sxt

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Dunno about crying but its a great short story...........
you should try The Stand if you have the time its a long but brilliant book,
Im in the middle of The Dark tower series at the moment and in the long run i think they will be seen as some of his best writing and they have the potential to be made into a few epic films.

Looks like the "dark tower" will be made into 3 films ,directed by Ron howard, and a tv series.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/stephen-kings-dark-tower-set-for-film-trilogy-tv-series-by-beautiful-mind-trio/

live.life

I love Stephen King and I've read most of his books - my favourites are Salem's Lot, Carrie, Tommyknockers, The Shining, The Stand, It, and I absolutely love the Different Seasons stories. I think his older books are better than some of his newest ones. I've never really liked the Dark Tower series.

Giselle

I was passed a copy of Duma Key today, and thought of this thread.

I get the impression its a bit of a departure? Any opinions?

I have about 40 unread books waiting for attention, and I'm terrible at prioritising!:)

moonflower

Giselle wrote: »

I was passed a copy of Duma Key today, and thought of this thread.

I get the impression its a bit of a departure? Any opinions?

I have about 40 unread books waiting for attention, and I'm terrible at prioritising!:)

Don't read it at night if you're easily freaked out! I haven't read many of his books and Duma Key was not what I was expecting at all, at the start I found it a little boring, then confusing, then by the end I was really enjoying it.