Best Stephen King book for a beginner

[JimStirlingsPenisTransplant]

What would you recommend to read by Stephen King for someone who hasn’t read any of his books?
My mum recommended The Stand as her favourite but I need something a little less a daunting to begin with!

What is everyone’s favourite Stephen King and what would you recommend as a first timer to read?!

The green mile. It’s amazing - he also wrote the screenplay for the film which is also excellent

Misery will always be my favourite.

My recommendation is that whatever you choose, persevere with it. His writing is rich in description and he takes time to set scenes and build characters. But it's worth it.

I'd start with his older stuff. Pet Semetry, Cujo or Salem's Lot. I also love The Dark Half and Needful Things.

IT and The Stand are my favourites though.

The book of short stories - different seasons?

The book of short stories - different seasons?

If you want to read him at his scariest - go for Salem's Lot and The Shining. If you'd just like to get an idea of his style, I'd try Fairy Tale - it shows off his mastery of atmosphere without having anything too nasty taking up residence in your brain. I hate Misery, and Pet Sematary is truly unpleasant in places. The Stand is good, but I still think SL and The Shining are his best works.

Stand By Me is a superb novella and showcases his considerable talent as a writer depicting childhood.

My favourite is Carrie, it's not scary though, just sad.

Sorry, the book is called The Body, the film based on it is called Stand by Me

The Colorado Kid is a fairly easy read or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is pretty good.

My favourite is the stand

If I remember correctly, it was Carrie. It's not very long (272 pages in paperback) and it has a strong story with a sympathetic protagonist. The opening scene is appalling because it's so familiar; the fact that a young male writer knew exactly how to tap into it tells you something about Stephen King's abilities as a writer. I'm not even a huge fan, but there are some things he does very well.

However, Carrie is firmly in the horror genre. If graphic stuff isn't for you, Salem's Lot might be better. It's much more focused on the metaphysical evil that's in The Exorcist's territory for example.

11.22.63 is one of my favourite books ever. It's a time travel thriller, but it's about the relationships as much as anything else.

I really enjoyed the beginning of Fairy Tale but it loses its way in the second half.

Laura Tremaine is an American podcaster who is a huge Stephen King fan, she has done episodes of her podcast on where to start with him as his books cross so many genres. Her podcast is called 10 things to tell you, this might be a good resource.

Thanks everyone!

I have seen so many of his film adaptions but never actually read any of his work!

Currently sat with my mum watching The Dead Zone on Prime with the great Christopher Walken.

Think a charity shop trip is calling to see what books I can gather!

I would go with Carrie or Needful Things. Just familiarising yourself with his writing.
The Green Mile is a good shout too if you read it in the way it was originally published, which was serialised rather than as a complete novel.

I love The Stand and The Talisman but they are a commitment.

Dolores Claiborne - it’s one of his not scary more realistic ones

depends what you like. I loved Carrie and The Stand. DH is a huge Stephen King fan and recommends Joyland.

I realised recently I'd never read any Stephen King.

Started with Carrie, then read The Shining and Misery. Have also rewatched the films, enjoyed Carrie especially and have recommended to DDs.

Went to the library yesterday, they had loads, so have come out with The Body, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption and Doctor Sleep.

Friend recommended 11.22.63 (plus there's a TV adaptation on Prime) plus the short story collection Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

Watching this thread!

The Dead Zone is also an excellent book as well as a good film - with a beautifully poignant ending. I also particularly enjoyed Needful Things, Duma Key and The Talisman as "good stories" as well as The Shining and Gerald's Game for page turners. Lucky you OP there is so much to explore with SK!

Oh and I almost forgot - Christine is one of the best depictions of male friendship I've ever read as well as being v. exciting!

I forgot as well, another favourite.

If you want to be scared - The Shining, It, Salem's Lot, Gerald's Game (made me literally throw the book across the room!), Firestarter is amazing, The Tommyknockers and Christine too....

I loved 11.12.63, Mr Mercedes is brilliant and also Doctor Sleep - the sequel toThe Shining. I recently re-read The Dead Zone which is scarily relevant today with what's going on in the USA today.

He's my favourite! I'd maybe start with something shorted like Carrie to get into his writing style and a good level of scariness...or maybe The Dark Half.

You've got plenty to choose from!

The talisman which he wrote with another author is incredible. Plus fairy tale.

his trio of books about female abuse is incredible too and have characters in common throughout. These are Gerard’s game, Rose madder and Deloris Claybourne…..excellent.

but short stories are a good shout.

Billy Summer is fab too x

Was just coming on to say The Dead Zone and saw you’re watching the film!

Pet Sematary was the first one I read yonks ago and it’s dark but so good (don’t read if you have small kids tho). Others I loved apart from The Dead Zone are The Stand, 11.22.63, The Long Walk and Needful Things. I hated Cell and Insomnia.

Gerald's Game. Very disturbing.

His older stuff is legendary. I find his newer stuff doesn’t pack such a punch, but it’s still good. Pet Semetary is terrifying. Misery is a great read and his novella collections are a great starting point too.