"People want to know why I do this, why I write such gross stuff. I like to tell them I have the heart of a small boy... and I keep it in a jar on my desk."
-Stephen King
I read this quote on my Half Price Books calendar and it intrigued me. I haven't read any King and, given the time of the year, I am starting to wonder if I am missing out. So, my question to you, lovely readers, is if I were to pick a book, which should I start with?
photo via the New York Times
Misery, Pet Semetary, The Shining, Everything's Eventual (short stories) are my favorites. His short story 1408, included in Everything's Eventual, is my favorite short story. There is more to Stephen King than I think he gets credit for.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are Misery, The Shining and the Dead Zone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Red. I've had a sneaky feeling that was the case after reading the quote Thanks for your input!
ReplyDeleteI've read maybe 3 pieces by him: The Stand Complete and Uncut, Rage, and The Running Man.
ReplyDeleteThe Running Man was ok. It involves a man who has to play a twisted gameshow where he's running around while people try to kill him.
The Stand was good, but very long and you can pretty much get the same story with watching the miniseries. It's about a plague that destroys humanity and the survivors.
Rage was actually a book that I liked, but it isn't available in the wake of school shootings. It's about (from what I remember...it's been like 15 years) a kid who is upset with school, shoots the teacher, and takes his classmates hostage.
Hmmm... the only book I've read by him is The Shining, and I wasn't a fan. It was so meandering and I had to stop myself from putting it down for good. It seems as though others really like it though!
ReplyDeleteThe Stand, Misery, and Under the Dome are all varied and interesting in their own ways - definitely really fun reads. Just pick one and I'm sure you'll enjoy it - King is solid.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy Stephen King. I've read his entire Dark Tower series of novels and I am just about finished the third in the graphic novels. I also recently finished Under The Dome and have a review up on my blog. I really should read The Stand though, as it is supposed to be one of his bests.
ReplyDeleteOh God... there are so many great Kings, but it all depends on your taste. My absolute favorite of his isn't scary at all, it's not the typical King book. He wrote it for his daughter when she was little. It's called THE EYES OF THE DRAGON, and it's a twisted fairy tale story.
ReplyDeleteI would also recommend INSOMNIA (it's big, but totally worth the read).
Thanks for all the recommendations! I'm starting to believe King is worth a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to second Pet Semetary, possibly just because it's the first Stephen King I read. Haven't read this one but saw the (mini-series) movie for Rose Madder which is the next SK I would probably pick up for myself.
ReplyDeleteAll the ones the others have mentioned really. He does have a tendency to give EVERY minor character a back story but hes a very entertaining writer and I've enjoyed all of his books that I have read.
ReplyDeleteBrenna,
ReplyDeleteStephen King is great. He doesn't have the niftiest sentences, but the man can tell a story and dish out dialog with bad intentions. He also has a gift for characterization. He spots what makes people human under the worst conditions.
I'm not too keen on his Pet Semetary period and his dark Langoliers, Tommyknockers era. His portrayal of women is sometimes appalling too. I remember reading Cujo and being like: "Jesus, any woman I know would have shown more courage".
Misery, Bag Of Bones, Dreamcatcher, IT and The Shining are personal favorites. Also, may I recommend his Richard Bachman era as an introduction. I read Rage, The Long Walk and Roadwork and loved them all. They don't have elements of supernatural so therefore they are accessible.
If I had to chose one, I'd tell you to go with The Long Walk
Oh, love all these comments - I, too, have never read King, and always wonder where to start...
ReplyDeleteI've only read Carrie and quite a few of his short story collections. I feel like I should check out The Stand or one of his bigger novels.
ReplyDeleteI would highly recommend his book Different Seasons, which is made up of 4 novellas, including "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," which the movie is based on. It also has one called "The Body," which is the basis for the movie Stand by Me.
Jessica, Thanks for the heads up :)
ReplyDeleteBen, I just might have to start with The Long Walk then.
Kerry, Happy I could help!
Avid Reader, Different Seasons sounds really interesting. I had no idea so many movies were based on King's work.
"The Stand" (Uncut and Complete) is a monumental novel, and will still be read 100+ years from now! A true classic! I've read most of the rest, and "The Stand" is clearly a cut above! Have fun! Cheers! Chris
ReplyDeleteChris! Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely look into that one. I feel like I can trust your literary taste. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteActually I went and bought The Long Walk today! Because of your thread :O) I had read it a gazillion years ago in french traduction on a library copy. And still it moved me!
ReplyDeleteI <3 Stephen King! I would start with "The Shining". Have you seen the movie? The book has a totally different ending. "Misery" is another great one. ...and oooh - "Duma Key."
ReplyDeleteI think that there can be some gore in King novels, however most of them are not scary for this reason. I find his work to be psychologically scary. The characters are a little TOO real. The scenario is a little TOO plausible. Even when it's fantasy he writes in such a personal way that you find yourself not finding the situation odd in the slightest.
I think that Stephen King is an excellent storyteller. His writing is fantastic. I'm always pulled in from the very beginning. Some people don't like the swearing. Me? It doesn't phase me because it's how people actually talk - well... my friends, anyway!
Ben that's really cool! You've basically convinced me to start with The Long Walk!
ReplyDeleteKate, Thanks for the suggestions and telling me why you love stephen king so much! I have seen The Shining and Misery and I was thinking it would be best to start with a book that I don't already know the whole story thought. Duma Key sounds like something to look into.
I love the quote! Thanks for sharing. I have never read Stephen King but I am intrigued now!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'm late to Uncle Stevie's party, but brought some ideas:
ReplyDeleteThinner (which is published under his pseudonym "Richard Bachman")
Misery
Different Seasons
Christine
My favorites are the Stand, the Bachman Books, Different Seasons, It, and the Dead Zone. His earliest books, Salems Lot, Christine, Firestarter, etc. are all really good. The middle period I didn't like much, he got too violent for me. Recently, I liked Lisey's Story.
ReplyDeleteStephen King is definitely worth reading. I think that he's really misunderstood, especially by literary folk. He's a lot more than a cheap horror writer and some of his books could stand right aside any 'literary' work. Start with The Stand and Lisey's Story. To very different books, but, in my opinion, his best.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of King when I was about 13/14 years old, but grew out of it really quickly. The only novel I read and liked when I was older (and indeed the only novel that I've kept around and read multiple times) is Insomnia. Apparently he thinks it's a very poor book as his books go, but to me, it was the best.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you think of King, I'm sure his bank balance is healthy.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you'll read this because it's so late in posting but I have read most of SK and I think the best one to start with is The Green Mile. It shows how well he can weave a story and hold your attention on a razor's edge
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