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Original poster

stephen king -- what should i read?

77 replies

tyaca · 30/10/2010 23:12

never thought of reading his books, but picked up under the dome the other day and loved it.

since got green mile off ebay, halfway through, left at MILs, darn. but really enjoying, looking forward to getting it back in post.

what next? could live without horror, but will consider anything recommended

OP posts:
Sidge · 30/10/2010 23:41

Go on BG which one is it?

ShirleyGarrote · 30/10/2010 23:46

Oh, it's so lovely to be on a thread again with SK lovers.

I have wanted to write to him so many times...I actually wrote a letter once, and then chickened out of sending it, I was scared I would sound like one of those mad people who write to Paul in Misery...

Haven't read Insomnia in YEARS. I loved that book - it was so spiritual, and I loved the fact that he remained unbiased in his writing

The Talisman is also a super book which is NOT SCARY (but also a little bit scary)

GOD, I LOVE HIM

He has defined my life in a way - this sounds weird, but I grew up (from a teenager) reading old tattered paperbacks of my mum's from the 70's - Carrie, The Shining etc.. and have bought every single book since in hardback, I can't wait for the paperback versions.

My idea of heaven is a new Stephen King book, a quiet morning of reading it, a cup of hot chocolate and crackling open fire.

nannynobnobs · 30/10/2010 23:49

The last new one I read was Lisey's Story. I'm pretty sure he has had lots more out since then but I don't know, his older stuff has more teeth. I have nearly all of his books up to then. Can anyone recommend a more recent one that is more along the lines of his older stuff?

Rosieeo · 30/10/2010 23:49

Did anyone see the film The Fog based on the short story? The ending upset me so much more than the story!

The Raft was creepy as hell. The Langoliers too. And the Dune one. Love his short stories.

I thought The Running Man was his best Bachman book. A second for The Stand or It as the best King book though. Bless him. Salem's Lot was good too.

BelligerentGhoul · 30/10/2010 23:51

Survivor Type - just the thought of it makes me shudder. Genius!

Sidge · 30/10/2010 23:53

Shirley I totally understand how you feel - I wrote a letter to him once saying how much his book had moved me but never posted it in case he thought I was deranged Blush

nanny I think since his accident his writing has changed a lot, but Under the Dome was good IMO.

Valpollicella · 30/10/2010 23:53

I started to read Insomnia years ago after it was given to me, and couldn't quite crack the first few chapters...shall have another go now after your recommendation Shirley re the spirituality

nannynobnobs · 30/10/2010 23:54

Oh I read Cell. It was ok, not gripping. I have Blaze but couldn't get more than 2 pages in.

ShirleyGarrote · 30/10/2010 23:55

Nannynobnobs - (cool name, weird but cool!) Duma Key scared the fucking SHIT out of me, it felt very old school SK to me. Try that one!

Rosieeo - Jesus, The Fog film actually gave me nightmares, and upset me for weeks - I don't remember that being the ending of the book? It really was a VERY GOOD adaptation though - SK books don't seem to relate well to film, for me anyway, I wonder if it's because I have images in my head of characters and places and the films NEVER match up. Saying that, I did enjoy the mini-series of The Stand...

Although, maybe that was because I was so deeply in love with the Stu character (actually IN LOVE) that when Gary Sinese played his part I was all....a fluster!

Sidge · 30/10/2010 23:56

Oh BG that is one freaky story!! Just stunning in it's simplicity and the horror of how feasible it is.

I also loved The Moving Finger in Nightmares and Dreamscapes - bonkers but scary!

BelligerentGhoul · 30/10/2010 23:58

I thought 'Cell' was rubbish.

ShirleyGarrote · 31/10/2010 00:02

oh! how about the one in skeleton crew (can never remember the names of short stories, sorry guys) where the Dr was trapped on a desert island, only it was only a rock....LADY FINGERS! arrrgh!

Was "Survivor Type" the one with the painting?

I loved Tempus Fugit, remember that one?

(Don't remember "moving finger" synopsis please!)

I don't know if it's the glass of wine or the HALLOWEEN thing, but I feel quite emotional reading and contributing to this thread.

I have a great idea for a spin off thread though...How about one about books you have read and wish you could read all over again as if as new?

Sure it's been done though.

Rosieeo · 31/10/2010 00:03

Shirley, don't want to give it away to any unsuspecting readers but the film was (to me at least) similar, but different and SO MUCH worse than the story. I thought it was great too and you're right, not many of his books translate well to film.

OMG, I forgot Quitters, Inc, possibly one of the best pieces of writing ever! In Night Shift, I think.

BelligerentGhoul · 31/10/2010 00:04

Survivor Type is the doctor whose plane crashes.

Got goosebumps now!

BelligerentGhoul · 31/10/2010 00:05

Ooh and which one features The Library Police? They terrified me!

BelligerentGhoul · 31/10/2010 00:06

And pre-empted JKR's dementors by years. :)

thelunar66 · 31/10/2010 00:06

God... how could I have forgotten Gerlad's Game? Shock

Sidge · 31/10/2010 00:06

Shirley Survivor Type was the lady fingers!

The Moving Finger was the short story where the bloke went in his bathroom to find a multijointed single finger poking out of the plughole. Synopsis is:

'Howard Mitla is stunned at the sudden appearance of a solitary human finger poking out of the drain in his apartment?s bathroom sink. Afraid that the finger may attack him, Howard tries everything imaginable to get rid of it, from heavy-duty drain-cleaner to chopping it off. But what plagues Howard most is the thought of what, or whom, that finger is attached to.' (from the SK website)

ComeWhineWithMe · 31/10/2010 00:09

Survivor Type you can read it online

My favourites are Misery,The Stand,IT,Firestarter.

Shining scared the shit out of me.

maktaitai · 31/10/2010 00:11

Firestarter.

ShirleyGarrote · 31/10/2010 00:14

OH MY GOD.

See, that's freaky shit right there. The painting one was called...something virus.....

The Library Police is one of the books in which SK investigates child abuse...Naomi was in it and they stuffed red liquorice whips into it's gaping tube like maw and it was a novella called......ARGH.......Shit no, can't get it.

Don't remember Moving Finger - which compilation was it?

I like the short story about the young lad who had to tip his spare money into the drain, he did terrible things with HIS AMAZING BRAIN POWER and that compilation was called....ARGGGGGH

Seriously, I'm shit, I remember the stories, can probably quote passages and name and all, but the names escape me... (for instance, I remember a passage in the library police story in which the old rheumy Dave (was it Dave?) was chasing the librarian through a cornfield and got covered in cornsilk - I found that really..romantic I guess in some weird way..but also really sinister)

STOP TYPING SHIRLEY. sorry, I get over excited!

BelligerentGhoul · 31/10/2010 00:14

Ah - he was in a boat, not a plane. Dare I read it again now you've so kindly linked it?

The line about 'washing it very carefully' is just so cringe-worthy. And I like the way it all falls to pieces at the end iirc.

ShirleyGarrote · 31/10/2010 00:18

oh but Firestarter is sad...

Actually the vast majority of Sk books are achingly sad aren't they?

Do you re-read them?

Do you do as I do and think...NO...NOOOOO, don't take that course of action, please don't...even though I know they will because it's a sodding book I've read before.

or is that just me?

Rosieeo · 31/10/2010 00:18

I loved the one with the shit weasels too. I think that was quite recent. Anyone remember it?

Rosieeo · 31/10/2010 00:19

No, it's not just you Shirley. SK was my teenage years too! I can't read Pet Sematary at all, too sad.