the black house by Stephen King and Peter Straub

[marissab]

I got a hard back copy of this in the library sale for 50p. I'm looking for good reads for my holiday so was gonna take it. We're in a log cabin which has a hot tub i like to read in so a book is better than kindle really. But, i remember someone here saying you should read the talisman first. Is this necessary? I have it on kindle
But will have to speed read it in the next 2 weeks so i can read the black house on holiday. So my question is do you think i really need to read the talisman 1st?

[FakePlasticLobsters]

It would make a lot more sense if you did. I had read the Talisman, but it was years before I read the Black House. It might have helped to have a reread.

It's worth it though, the Talisman is good.

[HousewifeFromHeaven]

I read the talisman first, too. I think you should too as it is pretty relevant! Enjoy your holiday

[MissPricklePants]

agree, read the talisman Both are great books!

[marissab]

Ok. Speed read it is then

[PassTheSherry]

Yes - definitely read The Talisman first, as the Black House is the sequel. It's enthralling enough to read in two weeks, for even slow and easily distracted readers, like me!

[marissab]

Just read the blurb. It looks really good but it's a ......fantasy novel! Eek. I have never been able to get in to fantasy. I never realised. Well i'll give it a go.

[tillyfernackerpants]

I suppose technically it could be classed as fantasy (alternate realities etc) but it is a really good story that will, hopefully, suck you in!

Black House I also enjoyed but it does take a bit longer to get into. Iirc, I think it picks up about half way through the book, so stick with it

[marissab]

Ooo tbanks Tilly. I'm a bit scared of trying fantasy novels. I once read a terry pratchett but thats about as much as i can take. And LOTR turned me right off that genre.

[FakePlasticLobsters]

Have you read any of SK's Dark Tower series?

Or anything else by him actually? Lots of his books touch on the alternate reality that The Talisman and Black House also bring you to.

Lisey's Story, From a Buick 8, Insomnia and Rose Madder all give you a little taste of the other worldly but are not really anything like LOTR or Pratchett in their style, although Talisman and all the Dark Towers are about a journey.

It's hard to explain without giving bits of plot away or writing a post as long as the books, but they are different and very much worth the read.

[marissab]

I'm a big SK fan but stayed away from dark towers coz i thought they were fantasy. Loved insomnia. Rose madder was a bit meh, but ok. I see what you mean i think. Another dimention but no dragon slayers or valkrie ladies and knights and trolls.

[FuntimeFuschia]

I avoided Dark Tower series for exactly the same reasons as you for ages (massive SK fan) but really enjoyed them, gives more depth to the 'world' he has created in his novels as well as a bloody good story too.
Insomnia in particular is very closely linked with the Dark Tower books.

I also read Black House before The Talisman not realising - it was easy enough to pick up to be honest. Have tried a Peter Straub since - couldn't get into it. SK is the driving force in that collaboration in my very humble opinion!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Peter Straub is a truly dreadful writer alone, but the collaborations with King are v good and pretty much seamless.

Deffo read 'Talisman' first.

And if you like these two, then yes yes yes to The Dark Tower.

[tillyfernackerpants]

I read a Peter Straub - he isn't really a good writer. Plus so much of what is in those books is part of SK's world, I struggle to see what PS's contribution was! Unless I just had a dud one maybe?

marissa let us know how you get on! I agree with Lupin, if you like these two then you should definitely read The Dark Tower books. I'm about to reread them for the 5th time (I think!), have the new one to slot in there.

[marissab]

Well so far so good. Now i come to think of it, there is an uncurrent thread through all the sk books of an evil streak which runs underneath/behind ours. Withreferences to randalf flagg and those creatures in insomnia. I'm tempted to read insomnia again now but it's such a tome! Right door stop of a book!

[FakePlasticLobsters]

Did you like Insomnia? I hated it when I started to read it, put it aside for a short time and then picked it up again and loved it. It's one of my favourites of SK's books.

Most, if not all of his books have that undercurrent of references to others, and a lot of his short stories as well. I like it because if you've only read one or two of his books, it doesn't confuse you or make you wonder what he's talking about but if you've read them all, you recognise them and it adds just a little bit more to the story for you.

Glad you are enjoying Talisman. Have you also read The Eye of the Dragon? He wrote that so his young daughter could read one of his books and it's very good. Obviously it is fantasy but it has Randal Flagg in it and apart from the dragon and the magic, it could be a 'normal' historical book, it's all a bit Ye Olde England (except it's not in England but you know what I mean) rather than filled with elves and fairies.

[marissab]

I have had a poorly day today and read and read and read! Really enjoying my return to SK. It's very good so far. Although it's on kindle and after all the reading, it says i've only read 8%!!! must be massive book.