Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

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

Stephen King's IT - just way way too long

37 replies

perceptionreality · 13/01/2013 15:53

I first picked this up a few months ago - it is quite scary but definitely not my usual thing so I read something else then went back to it (hate to not finish a book).

Now, 600 pages in the realisation has set in that I will have to read another 700 to find out how they defeated IT!

I think there are certain sections of the book that are too drawn out.

OP posts:
MissPricklePants · 13/01/2013 15:56

IT is one of my favourite SK books, but I am a huge fan and find most his work brilliant. Keep going with it, it is great.

redlac · 13/01/2013 15:56

Stick with it! Fantastic book

Original poster
perceptionreality · 13/01/2013 16:03

Oh, I will definitely finish it - I really like the characters. I have to know the ending. I'm reading this as it was recommended as something you should, along with the Stand which I will read after (but maybe with another book in between to prepare for that marathon!)

OP posts:
MissPricklePants · 13/01/2013 16:05

oh The Stand is amazing! I can also recommend the Dark Tower series by SK to you, they are his best work.

insancerre · 13/01/2013 16:09

Love It but was disappointed by the ending.
The Stand was my favourite until I read the Dark Tower series.
I hate finishing one of his books- I wish they were all as long as the dark tower Grin

Original poster
perceptionreality · 13/01/2013 17:41

How long are the Dark Tower series? I don't mind a long book at all really but 1300 pages is more than any I've read and I think at times he beats about the bush. The characters are so well drawn though.

OP posts:
insancerre · 13/01/2013 17:45

There are 7 books, well 8 now as he has just written another one. But the books are not long in themselves. Well, not all of them.

pointythings · 13/01/2013 19:18

I think one of the great strengths of IT is the way the story strands from 1958 and 1985 are entwined and pulled together, and the level of detail and character development is an integral part of that. But then I like big long books anyway.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2013 19:43

I do agree that the end of 'It' goes on a bit but I think it's a great book and most of the length is ensuring that the characters are 'real' to us in both periods.

LOVE The Dark Tower series other than the recent one, which I thought was rubbish and added nothing at all. They are long but gripping and again his characterisation keeps everything moving quickly, despite the length. I've read them all many times apart from number 4, which bores me a bit as it's mostly set in the past, rather than in the current quest which the other books tell of.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2013 19:43

Love that some of the characters from 'It' appeared briefly in the JFK book too.

StuffezLaBouche · 13/01/2013 20:10

I remember thinking the same about IT - can;t even remember how it ended. Definitely read the Stand though, it's THE BEST post-apocalyptic book I've read.
Would definitely like to give the Dark Towers books a try - can anyone tell me the first one's title so I can have a look on iBooks?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2013 20:11

The first one is The Gunslinger. It's not terribly exciting in itself tbh but works better on re-reading having read a couple of the others, if that makes sense.

StuffezLaBouche · 13/01/2013 20:13

Thanks Remus!

HumphreyCobbler · 13/01/2013 20:15

I might well read the Dark Tower books a try now.

I loved It. I love the detail. It is terribly scary though. I have re-read it many times.

TheMysteryCat · 13/01/2013 20:18

In France, IT is published as two books; a bit odd.

It is long, but not too long for me. I love that book.

Dark tower is superb, but a couple of the books are pretty long.

Excluding short stories, my favourite short King novel is The Eyes of the Dragon. Pretty magical.

HumphreyCobbler · 13/01/2013 20:20

I really need to write sentences in one go, instead of breaking off in the middle to do something else Blush

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2013 20:23

Humphrey - I'm sure you've been promising to read it for years on here! :)

montage · 13/01/2013 20:25

2 books would be more handbag-friendly.

HumphreyCobbler · 13/01/2013 20:27

I know, every time you mention it I think I MUST give that a go, I will probably love it!

I am going to get the first one on amazon right now

HumphreyCobbler · 13/01/2013 20:29

done Grin

TheMysteryCat · 13/01/2013 20:31

Please buy the first two! The Gunslinger is a bit meh until you get into the series. I read it and then didn't read the other for months because I thought it was a bit weird and dull. After I read the first four, I went back and read it again and suddenly "got it".

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/01/2013 20:32

Exactly, Cat. I think read 'The Gunslinger' and the next 2, then read 'Gunslinger' again before reading the long one about Susan (Is that Wizard and Glass?).

Humphrey - well done. You will thank us! :)

TheMysteryCat · 13/01/2013 20:37

Agree. It is the one about Susan that makes sense of it all. I think it is wizard and glass!

DianaPrince3 · 13/01/2013 20:45

Wow, I haven't read IT since 1993 I think!
I love SK and intend to read and re-read all of his books. I'm proper stuck though, on the Bachman Books. I've read the first two of the four, "Rage" and "The Long Walk" but I REALLY haven't enjoyed them, but I can't not finish the book! Sad I have Roadwork and Running Man to go, does it get any better?

My favourite SKs are Dolores, Shining, Green Mile, Shawshank, Misery and Gerald's Game (theonly book to actually make me physically jump when I read the next line!
I started a free sample of 11/22/63 and was rally impressed, I can't wait to finish this bloody boo then I can get on with that!

DianaPrince3 · 13/01/2013 20:46

Argh! An unclosed bracket!

)