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Original poster

Stephen King - Where to Start?

72 replies

LollipopViolet · 17/05/2012 22:09

I read, while on holiday last year "Just After Sunset", one of the short story collections, and really enjoyed it. I'd like to read some more, but he's written so many books I don't know where to start. Any advice? Oh, preferably Kindle based if possible.

Thank you :)

OP posts:
pointythings · 22/05/2012 21:43

Oh, and don't underestimate the Regulators/Desperation pair - very very interesting concept and definitely worth a read.

pointythings · 22/05/2012 21:42

Has anyone mentioned The Shining yet? And if not, why not? The only book that ever gave me nightmares, I am still not great in hotels...

SK has actually only written a few real duffers IMO:

The Tommyknockers
From a Buick 8
Dreamcatcher

All worth avoiding, the rest all have good points though not all are equal.

My favourites are:

The Shining (who'd a thunk)
Duma Key
It
Under the Dome
Needful Things
All of the Dark Tower

SilverMachine · 19/05/2012 19:13

I would also recommend Nightmares and Dreamscapes which is a collection of short stories. That said, they are all brilliant, enjoy!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/05/2012 18:34

For a 'newbie King-ite' I'd go in something like this order -

The Green Mile
Misery
The novella collection with 'Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank redemption' in it
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The Stand
The Dark Tower series (the latter two are his finest moments by a long, long way but may be a bit intimidating to launch straight into!).

MikeLitoris · 18/05/2012 20:33

Misery is great and I couldn't put The shining down. I loved lissy's story and rose madder.

Dolores claibourne was good too.

Insomnia was ok, I felt it dragged a bit though.

Carrie is good for a quick read and the short story collection with salems lot and children of the corn is fab (13?)

Original poster
LollipopViolet · 18/05/2012 20:21

Well, I've read a bit more of the Green Mile, liking it so far. My mum says the film is good, but I've never seen it, and tbh often prefer books to their film counterparts. IT, hmmm, I'm already wary of clowns...

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PercyFilth · 18/05/2012 20:17

Don't be put off if you don't like one, because SK is a bit inconsistent. When he's good he's very very good, but ... etc. I haven't finished every SK novel that I've started (some start OK then crash and burn) but because I know how good he can be, I'm not put off by the odd disappointing one.

summerintherosegarden · 18/05/2012 13:28

I agree with Mrs Followill - start with the old ones and work through. There are lots of recurring themes, characters and places in SK's novels and you'll also see him develop as a writer...

Pet Cemetary is a great place to start, and if you like the style of that (the Green Mile is quite different) then give IT, Carrie, the Shining, Misery, Needful Things, Cujo, Rose Madder (I could go on and on and on) a go.

Might have to reread them all now :)

fridakahlo · 18/05/2012 03:24

Off the back of another thread, I have just this evening dug out his collection of short stories 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' which is a MUST read in my opinion, quickly followed by The Shining then Misery, Carrie and The Shawshank Redemption.
I remember enjoying The Green Mile vaugely, I would also say Dreamcatcher is worth a read but it is very stomach turning, I warn you now.
Never read Pet Semetary or any of the dark tower stuff.

Metabilis3 · 18/05/2012 03:13

Dark Tower all the way. After that, you will need to read all the linked books .... Which is practically everything else he wrote! Grin The Stand is probably the best, or Under the dome. I'm very fond of Duma Key, though.

Mayisout · 18/05/2012 02:44

Pet Semetary is good but don't read if you have small child, it has a harrowing bit at the start.

Original poster
LollipopViolet · 17/05/2012 22:56

Right, I've got the Green Mile and Pet Semetary to start with - let's see how I get on.

I have to admit, all my friends went through a phase reading his books, and I didn't, then it was just by chance I stumbled upon the book I have read, and really enjoyed it.

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lilbreeze · 17/05/2012 22:56

The Dead Zone and Firestarter are my favourites - less "horror" than some of the others.

mrsfollowill · 17/05/2012 22:53

Love the 'older ones' - try The Shining, (classic imo) Pet Semetary, The Stand, Carrie, Christine, Salems Lot is brilliant and IT- I lost interest in Stephen King about 10 yrs ago but I'm going to dig up some dusty old books now you've reminded me Grin

Ceasnake · 17/05/2012 22:52

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (the book the film is based on). Second The Stand and Misery. Any of the short stories.

HumphreyCobbler · 17/05/2012 22:47

I liked rose madder but thought that Insomnia was weak.

The Stand is v good. Misery too. They are all very readable.

Original poster
LollipopViolet · 17/05/2012 22:47

Wow, quite a few there! Looks like there's no real place where it's best to start then. When I read Just After Sunset, I was really surprised, he's not an author whose work I thought I'd enjoy. I'd recommend it if you've not read it - great because if you're short of time, you can just read a story very quickly :)

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HotGiggity · 17/05/2012 22:44

Insomnia and rose madder are very under rated

FringeEvent · 17/05/2012 22:42

I really liked Misery

MissPricklePants · 17/05/2012 22:23

The Green Mile, The Stand, The Dark Tower series are all fantastic. Also Salem's Lot and It are worth a read!

juneybean · 17/05/2012 22:22

The Green Mile was amazing Grin

scentednappyhag · 17/05/2012 22:10

Cell is my favourite Stephen King novel, I have no single clue about kindles though I'm afraid!