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Stephen King

With me, his books can either be so great I can't put them down (Carrie, It, Dreamcatcher) or so irritating and I can't finish them (Salems Lot, The Stand).

King has always been a hit or miss with me. I find his writing to be more disturbing than interesting at times though.
 
Just recently finished up a good trip to Estes Park, Colorado. For you Stephen King fans, Estes is home to the Stanley hotel, the place where King stayed and that inspired him to write The Shining.

The hotel:

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I was able to see the men's cigar room where the scene with Jack Nicholson and the bartender took place. The adjoining room was a "tea" and dance room. In the film, it's where the masked crowd danced. I highly recommend seeing the place if you ever have the opportunity. Nicholson and company re-visited the place when one of the networks did a mini-series of The Shining not too long ago.
 
I just got Dolores Claiborne and Insomnia. Can someone tell me if they're any good? I only got them because they were a dollar each and I hadn't read them yet.
 
When I first read Dolores Claiborne I couldn't stand it. Then I reread it many years later and thought it was great. The novel is written as one huge monologue from the title character, so it's a bit of a departure from King's usual style. Not much in the way of supernatural content, either
(except for the part where Dolores sees visions of a young girl during the eclipse)
.
 
Insomnia will give you insomnia.

Dolores Caliburne is like the title--confusing, long winded, egotistical ravings of a woman with no real experience...
 
Just checked out Cell from the local library-busy looking up reviews on it now. I haven't read one of his works in a long time, this should be a treat.
 
I pretty much grew up reading Stephen King. My mom has been a huge fan since she was young, so I always had his books at my disposal. It wasn't till my freshman year in high school that I read from any other author. lol.
 
I've only read one steven king novel, and I was bitterely dissapointed, I believe it was called From Buick Eight, the setting was okay, the rising action was wonderful it kept me on the egde of my seat, the climax was shit, and the falling action well you see I don't quite remember that or the conclusion that tell you how much it was worth to me.I have never even been tempted to read anothe Steven king novel since.
But I've seen some of the Movies made from his novels.
So the guy is obviously a hell of a storyteller right? I mean Misery, Dolores Claiborn,Carrie, The Pet Cemetary, Thinner (one of my favorites), the ShawShank redemption (my absolute favorite) I'll give a good story what it's due, Steven King has some good ones out there.
 
Mogo said:
I've only read one steven king novel, and I was bitterely dissapointed, I believe it was called From Buick Eight, the setting was okay, the rising action was wonderful it kept me on the egde of my seat, the climax was shit, and the falling action well you see I don't quite remember that or the conclusion that tell you how much it was worth to me.I have never even been tempted to read anothe Steven king novel since.
But I've seen some of the Movies made from his novels.
So the guy is obviously a hell of a storyteller right? I mean Misery, Dolores Claiborn,Carrie, The Pet Cemetary, Thinner (one of my favorites), the ShawShank redemption (my absolute favorite) I'll give a good story what it's due, Steven King has some good ones out there.
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I was surprised to find out that he was behind The Shawshank Redemption. I didn't know that until I read it in a compilation of other short stories that he's churned out. Like you, I've seen a ton of the films that were out. I agree that Thinner was really something else. I remember that one quite a bit, definitely a film that freaked me out to say the least.:eek:

Just bought Lisey's Story on amazon.com. Now for the wait.:)
 
Mogo said:
I've only read one steven king novel, and I was bitterely dissapointed, I believe it was called From Buick Eight
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You started off with one of my least favorite King novels. King does have problems finishing some of his stories, but almost always the ride to the end is scenic and enjoyable.

Any of the aforementioned movies you watched were also great books...IMO.
 
Different Seasons has, what I think is, one of his more disturbing stories in it, Apt Pupil. It was made into a lame movie back in the 90's. The whole theme of the kid being warped by the old Nazi's evil and then wanting to explore his own evilness is one of his darkest I believe. They really held back on a lot of the stuff in the movie.
 
From a Buick 8 is wonderful. Like The Body/Stand By Me, it captures the feeling of growing up perfectly, but this time reversed. Loads of people don't like it, and I dispair of that. I honestly can't see how that's possible. It's certainly his most mature novel, the characters are completely real and the story is utterly gripping. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished, and for me the ending was satisfactory enough.
 
hoop said:
From a Buick 8 is wonderful. Like The Body/Stand By Me, it captures the feeling of growing up perfectly, but this time reversed. Loads of people don't like it, and I dispair of that. I honestly can't see how that's possible. It's certainly his most mature novel, the characters are completely real and the story is utterly gripping. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished, and for me the ending was satisfactory enough.
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I've always ment to read this book, but never have. I have to remember go buy it one of these days.
 
Do not--I repeat--do not read this book.

It is King's worst book, along with The Colorado Kid. :mad:

I could not finish this piece of crap.
 
Having been a huge King Fan in my early twenties, I find myself completely indifferent to his recent work. The only thing I managed to devote my attention to was 'On Writing', mostly because of its autobiographical value. I've always admired his talent for short stories more than his ability to create monster novels, to be honest. I'd love to get into his stuff again but looking at what's out there I'm not so sure it'll ever happen.. sad but true.
 
Snow said:
Having been a huge King Fan in my early twenties, I find myself completely indifferent to his recent work. The only thing I managed to devote my attention to was 'On Writing', mostly because of its autobiographical value. I've always admired his talent for short stories more than his ability to create monster novels, to be honest. I'd love to get into his stuff again but looking at what's out there I'm not so sure it'll ever happen.. sad but true.
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The last book of King's that I enjoyed was On Writing. I just bought Lisey's Story. It isn't too late to take it back and get something else -- anybody else read that one yet? Is it a waste of book money?
 
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