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The Stephen King Thread

dcbc

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futureman

futureman 22565

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On 6/16/2024 at 8:58 AM, Travo said:

I’ve never read any SK, but have read this whole thread. I do not consider myself to be a big fan or horror, but I like drama and classic works. Also, I’m remembering that my first books read as a child were from the Goosebumps series, which I assume was influenced by SK. I’m perhaps in an enviable position for a newb as I have not seen the movie adaptations, or if I have, it’s been at least ten years, so it’ll all be pretty fresh and untainted. I want to read at least 3-5 of his books, so below is the loose plan.

I think I’m going to start with IT then 11/22/63 and slot in Carrie either after or before these two. I might try to squeeze in the Duma Key audiobook since I’m curious to hear John Slattery’s narration (generally prefer to read than listen). I also have Pet Sematary and Different Seasons slotted high on the list. My general reading list is extensive so this will probably take a while.

or the stand.  I think the first 2/3 of the stand is the most fun I’ve had reading a book in my life. 

On 11/30/2023 at 10:38 AM, Superhero said:

The Langoliers   - meh

the tv version was a big player in my childhood. 

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dcbc

dcbc 14570

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On 6/16/2024 at 4:46 PM, NorthLoop said:

It and 11/22 are both pretty long so keep that in mind

They're perfect to read in that order though.  11/22/63 is my favorite; IT is a close second.

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Buzzrock

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Finally finished The Stand after getting it for Christmas a couple years ago. At 1000+ pages it’s not easy but it’s pretty good. Very long build up to the eventual conflict and lots of good character arcs. 

Apparently the 2020 miniseries isn’t very good, but the whole 1990 series is on YouTube. It’s got the production value of an 80s Dr Who season, but a good cast. 
 

 

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NorthLoop

NorthLoop 14304

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6 minutes ago, MrX said:

Always recommend Salem’s Lot for a first time King reader. 

I think that was my first one. 

Never read The Stand, but have watched the 90s miniseries more than once. How different is the book?

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South Austin

South Austin 52745

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So my 8th grade son has a hefty bit of reading assignments this year, and first up is a biography or autobiography, no other parameters.  I ask him, "Are you thinking about someone in sports, politics, maybe science?"  He responds, "I was thinking about Stephen King."  And next up is fantasy, and he wants to read Fairy Tale.

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Duane Moore

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I read You Like it Darker. It was fine but I  think this was the first set of SK short stories where there wasn’t one that will stick with me. All of them seemed like variations of ones he’s done before. Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream has the antagonist who is slowly deteriorating mentally, Rattlesnakes has the vengeful ghosts of a tragic death, The Dreamers has some concepts from Revival (which in turn borrowed from some old Weird Fiction short stories), Weird Willie is a variation of Gramma. Only The Answer Man had a fresh concept that I’ll remember, even if it isn’t a great story. Apparently he started writing it in the 70’s, so maybe that’s why. 
 

It makes me a little sad to think that the Master of Horror, who I’ve been reading for 40+ years and has given me so much enjoyment, might finally be slowing down.  I just got Fairy Tale and Holly and I’m glad to see some good reviews of the former on here, so fingers crossed.

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South Austin

South Austin 52745

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11 hours ago, Duane Moore said:

It makes me a little sad to think that the Master of Horror, who I’ve been reading for 40+ years and has given me so much enjoyment, might finally be slowing down.  I just got Fairy Tale and Holly and I’m glad to see some good reviews of the former on here, so fingers crossed.

He might be, and yes, it's sad, just like listening to the last couple U2 albums and thinking, "Damn, they just can't bring it anymore like they used to."

But he can still deliver his fastball.  Fairly Tale was excellent.  And after reading If It Bleeds, the novella featuring Holly Gibney, I'm looking forward to Holly.  I think he writes that character very well, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Mercedes trilogy. 

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retread

retread 2951

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^ I've never read a lot of King, but got interested after hearing some interviews on NYT book review audio. Started with some shorter works. Have liked From a Buick 8, The Long Walk, Under the Dome, and Duma Key.

The character development of Holly is great. In addition to If It Bleeds, I enjoyed the other two with her as a primary character, The Outsider (2018) and Holly.

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South Austin

South Austin 52745

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1 hour ago, retread said:

^ I've never read a lot of King, but got interested after hearing some interviews on NYT book review audio. Started with some shorter works. Have liked From a Buick 8, The Long Walk, Under the Dome, and Duma Key.

I don't know if it's one of his more popular books, but I loved Duma Key and have read it twice.

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South Austin

South Austin 52745

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On 10/30/2024 at 10:47 PM, Texas St. Armadillos said:

Picked Duma Key on Audible.   Really good. John Slattery was incredible. 

Loved the characters.  Wireman was great. Everyone felt real.  Loved the setting King painted (no pun).

One of my favorites, and I don’t think that‘s shared among many King fans. Something about the Florida coast setting, the painting/premonition device, and the Persephone mythology, just captured me. I’ve read it twice and will probably read it again.

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NorthLoop

NorthLoop 14304

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https://apnews.com/article/book-bans-education-florida-desantis-censorship-schools-b4647f7709d06ae7780dd03003dfcd90

 

Florida bans Stephen King books

 

Quote

Schools have restricted access to dozens of books by Stephen King, a master of the horror genre known for bestsellers like “It” and “Pet Sematary.” Officials in Clay County also decided that his book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” was inappropriate for students.

King, who spends part of the year in Florida, has spoken out about efforts to get his books out of students’ hands, urging readers to run to their closest library or bookstore.

“What the f---?” King posted on social media in August, reacting to the decision by some Florida schools to pull his books from their shelves.

 

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Doc Sam Beckett

Doc Sam Beckett 5808

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4 hours ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

How many more novels do ya'll think he has left in him?

Let's hope this turns into something... 

 

The Dark Tower has been on Stephen King's mind for months now.

After weeks of dropping hints on X (formerly Twitter) over the summer, the horror master finally said what a new story set in the universe of his eight-book series might look like — and now he's confirmed that he's actually got something in the works. 

"I'm back in Mid-World...and the Territories," wrote King over the weekend. "Don't know if it will develop into anything--I never know--but it's good to be back."

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dcbc

dcbc 14570

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On 11/7/2024 at 6:37 PM, South Austin said:

One of my favorites, and I don’t think that‘s shared among many King fans. Something about the Florida coast setting, the painting/premonition device, and the Persephone mythology, just captured me. I’ve read it twice and will probably read it again.

I need to reread (relisten to) it.  I got the audiobook early in my dive into his catalog and, despite my having read nearly universal praise for it, I wasn't grabbed by it compared to other books of his I'd read.  End of Watch is next for me.  Then, I might jump into Duma Key again.

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dcbc

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1 minute ago, South Austin said:

That's a really good one.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Mercedes trilogy.

I've really enjoyed it as well.  I read The Outsider before I started reading the Hodges stories and didn't enjoy the Holly character much.  But in the trilogy, I finder her quite likable.  

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South Austin

South Austin 52745

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40 minutes ago, dcbc said:

I've really enjoyed it as well.  I read The Outsider before I started reading the Hodges stories and didn't enjoy the Holly character much.  But in the trilogy, I finder her quite likable.  

She grows on you.  I really liked her in the novella If It Bleeds.

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NorthLoop

NorthLoop 14304

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53 minutes ago, South Austin said:

She grows on you.  I really liked her in the novella If It Bleeds.

Yep - I wish he had made that short story into a novel. The bad guy was a fascinating one. Maybe we'll get more of that in the next Holly book. 

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