Best Stephen King to get started with?

[Slipsliding]

Never read him as put off by potential gore but loads of MNS recommend him so I must be wrong!?

[SparkyTGD]

Different Seasons is good, 4 books in one, not too gory (if memory serves me well, apologies if wrong).

I loved 'The Dead Zone', not typically 'horror' either.

[Kyrptonite]

I read the one about time travel and Kennedy assassination. Was very good. Have not read any others so going to recommend it.

It's called 11.22.63 I think!

[TheInvisiblePoster]

I liked Insomnia.

[Slainte]

I loved Needful Things, it will keep you on the edge of your seat :)

[ohfunnyhoneyface]

I loved Carrie- not really gory, just absolutely fascinating!

[maresedotes]

I loved 11.22.63 too.

I think IT was one of the first of his I read and it is really scary but a great book.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I think, 'The Green Mile' or the story, 'The Body' (which became Stand By Me) would be good places to start.

[OneHolyCow]

11.22.63, that was my first and I really enjoyed it!

[discorabbit]

definitely the short story collections, his novels go on a bit imo

[Susieloo]

The ones from the 80's are the best I think-go old school and read salems lot, needful things and it. He lost his way a bit in the 90's and i dont think he's ever really got it back although i did quite like Under the Dome and its being turned into a mini series next year. The green mile and the Shining are always worth a read. I started his latest one about time travel but got bored so didn't finish it although I do want to know what happens!!

[Clawdy]

"Christine" and "The Dead Zone" are compelling reads. I really disliked "Pet Cemetery" as I had two little boys at the time,and found the story-line sick and distressing. I stopped reading his novels for a long time after that.

[fedupandtired]

My favourite is The Stand - all 1400 odd pages of it (the uncut edition). Films good too if you've got a spare 6-7 hours!

Currently working my way through 11.22.63 and I have to be honest and say the only reason I've stuck with it is because I read good reviews. I'm hoping that by the time I've reached the end and conclusion I'll think it was a good read but at the moment I'm not that fussed about it.

[tillyfernackerpants]

Clawdy, I didn't like Pet Semetary either, nor Cujo and I didn't have dcs when I read them.

I like Eye of the Dragon. Firestarter another good one to start with I think. I also like Bag of Bones, Different Seasons, The Stand, Nightmares and Dreamscapes is my favourite short story collection.

His later ones - Cell, Duma Key, Under the Dome, Lisey's Story, 11.22.63 - are all good but not as good as his earlier ones. You can really see the effect his accident had on him imo

[HermioneE]

Lol at the complete lack of agreement on here

Christine or Needful Things or any of the short story collections get my vote. The longer ones like IT are great but maybe go for something shorter if you're unsure whether you'll like him.

[Susieloo]

Forgot about The Stand-I love that book

[tillyfernackerpants]

I like Christine too!

HermioneE - I guess he's so prolific its hard to pick one favourite that everyone will agree on

[fedupandtired]

Ooh yes, I loved The Cell too!

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

The Stand is my favourite. I read one of his more recent ones where everybody's mobile phone turned them evil - it was just silly.

[PariahHairy]

I wouldn't start with the stand tbh, took me a few goes to get through and I am a fan.

The girl who loved tom gordon is pretty absorbing and short, not very supernatural though. IT is very very long, but quite easy to get into, the dead zone I liked. Bag of bones is very good and moving, more of a ghost story.

One that I really rate is the long walk, it's in the bachman books, really stays with you.

[sookiesucksvamps]

I agree the stand the dome and cell couldn't get into liseys story shall I give it another go what's it about?

[PariahHairy]

Oh god yes how can I forget the shining and misery, I adore insomnia, the stand and others but not sure I would recommend them to get people hooked.

[Slipsliding]

Wow, he obviously arouses strong feelings and disagreement. Not sure where to start now . Maybe the short stories...? Or The Stand or 11.22.63, but again , not a unanimous choice. Hmmm

[tillyfernackerpants]

Different Seasons!

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

The Stand and then The Dome, struggled slightly with 11.22.63

[VivaLeBeaver]

The stand and under the dome are his best IMHO.

I'm trying to get into the gunslinger series as everyone raves about it, have read the first 3 I think but not loving it.