Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Best Stephen King to get started with?

66 replies

Slipsliding · 19/01/2013 11:59

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

OP posts:
tillyfernackerpants · 19/01/2013 18:35

I like Christine too!

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

Susieloo · 19/01/2013 18:32

Forgot about The Stand-I love that book

HermioneE · 19/01/2013 17:54

Lol at the complete lack of agreement on here Grin

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.

tillyfernackerpants · 19/01/2013 17:46

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

fedupandtired · 19/01/2013 17:23

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.

Clawdy · 19/01/2013 17:13

"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.

Susieloo · 19/01/2013 15:38

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!!

discorabbit · 19/01/2013 15:26

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

OneHolyCow · 19/01/2013 15:24

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

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/01/2013 14:54

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

maresedotes · 19/01/2013 12:31

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.

ohfunnyhoneyface · 19/01/2013 12:26

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

Slainte · 19/01/2013 12:26

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

TheInvisiblePoster · 19/01/2013 12:23

I liked Insomnia.

Kyrptonite · 19/01/2013 12:21

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!

SparkyTGD · 19/01/2013 12:13

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.