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Original poster

Best Stephen King book?

116 replies

PurpleDaisies · 06/09/2022 09:55

My husband read a book on writing by a Stephen King and really enjoyed it. Neither of us have ever read a novel of his. Any recommendations? I don’t really like horror….

Thanks!

OP posts:
Sewannoying · 06/09/2022 18:16

daisy46 · 06/09/2022 16:18

The Gunslinger is a slog, but a short one -- worth it to get through it to get to book 2 which is when the series really comes to life. I've re-read books 2/3/4 and never gone back and reread the Gunslinger.

Show quote history

Agree. It’s a bit meh, but it sets up the others. And The Drawing of the Three and The Wasteland (the next in the series) are amazing.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 06/09/2022 18:23

Puddlings · 06/09/2022 10:04

11/22/63 is a brilliant Stephen King book, and not a horror. I couldn't put it down.

Absolute dogshit ending though, pure King. He has no idea how to finish books.

The Stand
It
Pet Semetary
The Shining

Any of his earlier books. Wrote he ran out of ideas.

Sewannoying · 06/09/2022 18:24

The Talisman rarely gets mentioned, but it is one of my favourites and the first one I ever read. It’s follow up Black House isn’t that good imo, although it’s worth a read to find out what happens when Jack grows up.

Love the Dark Tower series, although he goes a bit awry towards the end. Insomnia is good and links to the Dark Tower

The Stand is good, but quite long. I have the extended version which includes Trashcan Man’s journey across America. The Strand also ties in with the Dark Tower, but they are not reliant on each other.

I also really like Rose Madder, which is about domestic violence but ends up in a fantasy world (again, potentially relates to the Dark Tower).

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LadyOfTheCanyon · 06/09/2022 18:26
  • before he ran out of ideas.
exLtEveDallas · 06/09/2022 19:03

The Talisman rarely gets mentioned, but it is one of my favourites and the first one I ever read. It’s follow up Black House isn’t that good imo, although it’s worth a read to find out what happens when Jack grows up

The Talisman is my favourite, read and re-read so many times. I also loved The Black House, right up until the end of the chapter when King writes NOT to read on…. because of course I did, and now I can’t re-read 😰

Jericha · 06/09/2022 19:27

The running man

Fooshufflewickjbannanapants · 06/09/2022 20:00

Sort stories are always worth it bazaar of bad dreams is my current read, I also love insomnia, rose madder and it, also I read green Mile as it came out in parts and have read read it many times. I'd read some of the older stuff too Carrie, Christine, fire starter

Elodie09 · 06/09/2022 20:10

Everything really, I love him. The Institute is one of the more recent ones and is excellent . Cell is very good and I'm reading Later at the moment. These are shorter books for you to try .

The Dark Tower series is amazing . Lisey's story makes me cry, I adore Duma Key and Dr Sleep. 11.22.63 , Mr Mercedes books. So many !

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 07/09/2022 12:53

His short stories are brilliant. Fave novel misery. Also love cujo and Christine

Cooroo · 07/09/2022 14:13

QuebecBagnet · 06/09/2022 14:26

Interesting that no one I don’t think has said The Dark Tower/ gunslinger books yet. I’ve not been able to finish the first one. Should I try again?

Yes! The first was written as a stand alone and the mood and feel change as you move on. Persevere and read the next, I loved this series. You get so wrapped up in the characters.

chocolateisavegetable · 07/09/2022 22:54

My favourite author! Cujo has a special place in my heart as it was my first Stephen King book. Misery is probably my favourite. If you don’t like horror you could try his crime books eg Joyland or try the Dark Tower series if you like fantasy books. Also try his short stories like the Skeleton Crew college

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 07/09/2022 23:07

I have always been an avid reader. Now mid 40s. My brother was a huge fan when we were young but I didn't read any Stephen King until lockdown.I read The Stand, I think to try and make myself feel better about Covid! I absolutely LOVED it. Since then I have really enjoyed The Green Mile, The Institute, Elevation, Salem's Lot (much better than Stoker's Dracula imo) and Needful Things. I tried to read Misery but I just couldn't - it made me really, really tense and stressed. I think it might be because I was really frightened of the French and Saunders version when I was a kid 🤣

I am really glad I picked The Stand up - I will definitely read more. Thank you for starting this thread!

Needhelp101 · 08/09/2022 10:47

His short stories and novellas are superb.

I love the way he really makes you care about the characters, even the evil ones.

I remember reading The Langoliers and getting to a certain scene and having to go back and reread it again as I simply couldn't BELIEVE he had done that to a character.

Short story, Survivor Type, is one of the most chilling stories I've ever read.

The Mist is also great ( and, highly unusually, the ending in the film is much darker than in the book!).

Work2live · 08/09/2022 11:08

The Stand is brilliant, I felt like a period of my life had ended when I finished it, it was that long!

I also liked The Long Walk, which is much shorter.

MooseBreath · 08/09/2022 11:14

The Eye of the Dragon (definitely not horror and totally different to his other stuff)
The Shining
The Green Mile
The Stand

Matildahoney · 08/09/2022 11:30

I haven't read a bad Steven King book.

Duma Key was great, Rose Madder, The Stand, Carrie, The Shining, IT.
Think I might have to read one now!!

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