Stephen King - Where to Start?

[LollipopViolet]

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 :)

[pointythings]

I agree that the film of The Green Mile is brilliant, a really excellent adaptation.

I don't agree about James Herbert though, he has written some great stuff but also quite a lot of complete and utter drivel. I don't think he is as good a writer as SK. And most of his sex scenes require the proximity of a bucket. I read him for entertainment but there are better horror writers around - Joe Donnelly (a lot of his stuff is out of print but still) springs to mind (Bane, Still Life, The Shee, Havock Junction), also early Phil Rickman (Candlenight, Crybbe, The Man in the Moss, December) is worth a read - he draws people very well, just as SK does (but differently).

[keithlemonsbackdoors]

James Herbert is nowhere near Stephen Kings league - some of his books are cringingly awful. The Fog for example, utter shite!

Recommend Bag of Bones, The Stand, The Shining, The Girl who loved Tom Gordon.

[CreepyCrawly]

The Stand, definitely. It's very long, but without a doubt the best book I've ever read.

Insomnia is pretty good, but I thought it dipped a little towards the end.

Pet Semetary absolutely terrified me, I had to keep putting it down.

Salem's Lot did nothing for me, I thought it was awful and couldn't wait to finish it. I didn't like the film either though so..

[CoteDAzur]

As mrsfollowill said, I would recommend you start with the older books:
Firestarter
Carrie
Dead Zone
The Shining
The Stand

Among his newer stuff, Duma Key is really good.

Cell is very silly. He might be growing old, I'm afraid.

[CoteDAzur]

By the way, you are so lucky to be a SK virgin - oh to have all these books to read for the first time!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I enjoyed 'Salem's Lot' more on second reading, for some reason.

Have just re-read 'Cujo' for the first time since I was a teenager - not his best by any means but a pleasant enough way to spend a couple of hours!

[macthecatsmum]

Agree with ms followill-early stuff is v good-the castle rock mythos is great-remember not being able to sleep for a week after Salem's lot. short stories are usually a good call. I REALLY didnt like Shawshank or Green Mile(film or story) must be the only person in the world who doesnt. Thought they were sentimental tosh.

[misslinnet]

I agree a lot of his early stuff is very good.

My favourite SK books are The Stand, The Shining, Firestarter, Carrie and The Eye of the Dragon.

I hated Cell and Gerald's Game. Dreamcatcher and Desperation also did nothing for me.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Dreamcatcher is rubbish. I loathed Needful Things too.

'Cell' I hated on first reading (like The Stand but rubbish) and liked more on second reading (but still not his best by any means).

'Desperation' not great but I do like 'The Regulators' and think they work better as a pair.

[tummytickler]

Has nobody mentioned Thinner? It is one of his best I think. Absolutely brilliant (although not very long).
I agree with the poster that said how lucky you are to be a SK virgin! I would love to be reading his stuff for the first time.

[CoteDAzur]

I agree that Dreamcatcher is rubbish, but I didn't find Needful Things that bad. Definitely not his best, but not his worst, either. If written by anyone else, it would have been an achievement.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

:) I actually thought it was one of the worst books I have ever read! I HATE saying that about the great Mr King but I thought it was excrutiatingly awful - cliched, predicatable, misogynistic. Just horrible.

[CoteDAzur]

That was Cell, for me.

SK is a great author but obviously doesn't have a single technical/scientific bone in his body so couldn't explain the how and the why of the story at all.

[QODSaveOurGraciousQueen]

Recently read Under The Dome - really enjoyed it

[SuperAwesome]

Oh yes, I definitely second Thinner! I've been reading SK since I was 11 or so. I started with Pet Semetary (which I still love), but second the comment about how it can be a bit disturbing for those with littlies. IT is still a perennial favorite of mine, and I just invested in a new copy of The Stand, so tattered was my old copy.

[readysalted]

Geralds game I enjoyed that

[Angelico]

The Stand is brilliant - his best for sure (he admits this himself). Really enjoyed Lisey's Story (it's a love story and surprisingly tender), Bag of Bones. Cujo isn't bad. Most scary / creepy - Pet Cemetary and the most terrifying - IT! Still haven't finished it as was living on my own at the time and kept waiting for things to get me every time I stood at a sink cleaning teeth / washing dishes etc :o

[insancerre]

tiggy I do not agree that James herbert is as good as Stephen King. SK is a master and JH is a mere apprentice. He will never be as good as SK
My favourite book by SK is The Stand. I also really enjoyed the Dark Tower series but wouldn't recommend them for a SK novice. They have been written over many years and include charcters and references from many books that you will miss if you haven't read the others. It's part of what made it such a great masterpiece, how it maps his writing career.

I reallt didn't rate Cell, but can see how it fits in with his recovery after his accident- he wrote a book that was similiar to the Stand but sadly inferior.
His last few books have been very good, such as Duma Key and Under the Dome,with such depth and insights into human nature. it is fascinationg to compare them to his earlier works.
I have reread all my SK books several times. I have read most of his works.

[LollipopViolet]

Bringing this thread back to say, I finished the Green Mile, and watched the film. I agree - both brilliant! Had a really interesting conversation with a friend about SK last night - he's thrilled I've started reading and has given me loads of recommendations.

Working my way through Pet Semetary now. I'm so happy, I used to love reading and then when I got into my teens I didn't find an author to take me across from Jaqueline Wilson etc to stuff meant for my age group, so I just stopped reading. Now I can't keep my head out of a book again and it's great! :)

[diabolo]

For short stories check out Night Shift (1978) - scares the crap out of me to this day.

Salem's Lot - just finished re-reading. That and Misery are excellent.

[AnyFucker]

I have treated myself to a new paperback copy of The Stand

I read it years ago, but it will do me for my holiday reading. It is very lengthy, but very very good.

I have it in my bikini drawer all ready to go in the case, and am trying very hard not to be tempted to start it

[insancerre]

Glad you enjoyd The Green Mile, op.
I have read it at least 3 times. I never tire of re-reading SK. In fact, I relish it- it's like meeting an old friend again.

[PuppyMonkey]

The Stand is great, read it on a boring holiday once and it really cheered me up.

[AnyFucker]

cheered you up ?

I am not sure it's a cheery book

[Stannwigg]

Love most of his books, but was really blown away by 11.22.63, was just brilliant.
The one that sticks with me most is Pet Semetary shudder