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

Possibly picking up Stephen King again

57 replies

user1495832265 · 15/08/2017 10:20

I was a huge Stephen King fan back in the day, although I never read The Dark Half or The Talisman, I enjoyed all of his other books up to The Tommyknockers. I remember trying to read that on holiday in 1989 thought it was terrible and gave up. I didn't like Dolores Claiborne, The Dark Half, Rose Madder. The last one that I enjoyed was Gerald's Game. So, I pretty much stopped reading his new stuff in the mid 1990s although I've re-read most of the earlier ones several times.

If you're familiar with much of his work, do you think it would be worth me trying some of his more recent stuff and if so can you suggest a few titles, or should I just accept that his style is no longer for me?

OP posts:
MrsQuim · 18/08/2017 18:00

Oh the talisman I think is brilliant. The green mile and Christine I think are my favourites, along with the long walk and stand by me.

Also stand out short stories are the jaunt, the raft, one about a cat that wouldn't die and ate you, and prob more I can't think of.

I ❤️ Stephen king. Reading him is like putting on my fave slippers and dressing gown

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/08/2017 17:56

Revival was awful.

Under the Dome good, except for the v v silly ending.

I liked Mr Mercedes - the other two in the trilogy are fine, but not as good.

pointythings · 17/08/2017 22:20

SK has written some turkeys, but you can't dismiss all his later work. I really, really love Duma Key - am re-reading it at the moment. I also like Under the Dome, 22.11.63, Lisey's Story and Doctor Sleep. Haven't read the Mr Mercedes trilogy though I probably should.

RMC123 · 16/08/2017 21:49

Read lots as a teenager. Had forgotten completely about Cujo. Misery and Carrie were particular favourites.

FawnDrench · 16/08/2017 21:05

I too prefer his earlier stuff - I was scared shitless by most of his long-ago books, particularly "Cujo" back in the 80s.

My favourite by him is "The Stand", as others have mentioned already.

EBearhug · 16/08/2017 12:12

Yes.

Original poster
user1495832265 · 16/08/2017 11:58

Mr Mercedes trilogy - is the one titled Mr Mercedes the first in the trilogy?

OP posts:
EBearhug · 16/08/2017 00:00

I enjoyed the Mr Mercedes trilogy. Actually, I've enjoyed most of the recent ones. I'm not going to his books for a great intellectual study, but he's a good storyteller, and I enjoy them.

LuckyLuckyMe · 15/08/2017 23:57

I loved 11.22.63, Duma key, Liseys story and revival. I am reading Bazaar of bad dreams (short stories) at the moment and it's fab.

Fluffypinkpyjamas · 15/08/2017 23:55

I always loved SK books. This has made me want to read the books I haven't read. Thanks for posting!

Original poster
user1495832265 · 15/08/2017 23:48

Forgot the short stories, agree that The Long Walk is excellent.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1495832265 · 15/08/2017 23:46

Thanks for all of these posts, I only expected one or two replies!
.
I've downloaded Mr Mercedes. I did see a little of 11.22.63 on Netflix or a Sky box set and was quite intrigued so may try that.
I mentioned the Dark Half twice in my first post, saying I didn't like it and then that I hadn't read it Confused. I was getting confused with Needful Things which I have read and didn't like.

Of the earlier stuff, I liked them all, and have read all of them more than once, up until The Tommyknockers. After that one the only one I liked was Gerald's Game.
Absolute favourites are The Dead Zone, Thinner (written as Bachman), Salem's Lot, The Stand and Pet Sematary. Pet Sematary scared me to death.
I think I'll reread The Stand and then try Mr Mercedes.

OP posts:
JeffJarrett · 15/08/2017 20:48

I've read most of his classics but he lost me with Dreamcatcher. I couldn't finish it Confused

I read Joe Hill's Heart Shaped Box on recommendations from here, but just found it a bit 'meh' (Had previously read and LOVED the Locke and Key graphic novels and didn't realise he was King's son).

A friend recommend N0S4A2 and I'm almost done with it and massively enjoying it.

NerrSnerr · 15/08/2017 20:40

I really enjoyed the Mr Mercedes trilogy and Under The Dome. I also enjoyed The Long Walk and Cell.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 15/08/2017 18:50

I have had big Stephen King phases but not recently.

I love The Dead Zone, and Christoher Walken is excellent in the adaptation of that. Misery is another favourite.

fairgame84 · 15/08/2017 18:08

Sorry OP you said you didn't like Rose Madder. I did read your post but clearly it didn't sink in Blush

fairgame84 · 15/08/2017 18:04

Rose Madder and Mr Mercedes are both good reads. I couldn't get into 11.22.63.
Full Dark No Stars and Blaze are my favourite SK books.
Under the Dome was really good until the shit ending spoilt it Angry

bigkidsdidit · 15/08/2017 17:57

God Glum snap - I read the long walk when I was 14. I am now 35 and I swear I have thought about it, however briefly, every week since. Especially when I am trudging home with the shopping 😀

OP I wouldn't read the new stuff but I would re read all the old.

grounddown · 15/08/2017 17:56

Ooh I've just started 11-22-63 and really enjoying it so far

Annamadrigal · 15/08/2017 17:50

(sorry, that was such a clunky paragraph- distracted by Dc's dinner going everywhere!)

Annamadrigal · 15/08/2017 17:47

Not really enjoyed many of his recent ones although they are still page turners. I did really enjoy Bag of Bones though- I found it melancholy and haunting. His short stories are still worth a look, as are his son Joe Hill's 20th Century Ghosts- a story called Pop Art is one of the most moving and beautiful short story i've read!

joannegrady90 · 15/08/2017 17:42

Revival is amazing one of his best!

grafittiartist · 15/08/2017 17:41

Ah- great timing. Having never read him, I decided to borrow two, but find both dreadful- just so miserable. I didn't expect them to be cheery- But these are too unpleasant! You listed the two that I chose as ones you didn't like op- so can I ask you for any recommendations?

Merry0409 · 15/08/2017 17:39

I'am a big fan, my favourite being the stand, which I've read about 30 times, closely followed by Salems lot, then It, some of his later stuff is pretty bad, but 112263 was very good, like he had returned to previous form. I've never read the dark tower ones, will give them a go.

TheWitchwithNoName · 15/08/2017 17:36

I loved Lisley's story. I haven't bothered with his newer stuff, I gave up on under the dome but did enjoy Dr Sleep. Had a real feel of Koontz's Odd Thomas to me though.