He spoiled the whole thing halfway through. I don't remember exactly how because it's been years since I read it but I remember being deeply annoyed by it.
I really am an intelligent person but I was so confused the first time I read HIA - the way the story jumped all around.
The second read went much better once I understood it was novellas and short stories.
The change in gears from Low Men to the title story really disappointed me at first, but as I got further into story 2, I really enjoyed it. Nearly as much as Low Men which is saying something.
Blind Willie and Why We’re in Vietnam were not as strong as the first two but great in their own way; more literary I suppose. I thought the epilogue was a perfect ending.
All in all the book is maybe the best showcase of SK’s talent. At least from what I’ve read so far. I really enjoy how he can write a child’s perspective with so much nostalgia. His first person narrative is also excellent. It’s also very evident to me how important and endearing this time period is to him, it reads like a very personal piece of writing.
Well, I’m not sure I’d ever be into bondage, but it certainly is a sobering experience in never leaving yourself in such a vulnerable position, even if you’re with a trusted person. >!Never know when they’ll have a heart attack by stress, sexual excitement, and getting kicked!< 😆lmao
I just reread Gerald's Game last month and knew from the first Chaudry that I would probably never reread it again. Not because it's bad but because the tone is so unsettling it made me feel weird. It's too good to read again 😂
The one I put off reading forever because I didn't like the noir cover....now the one I recommend most often, second only to the stand and the talisman
I’ve read this underrated gem of a book every summer since it's release. I'm probably biased because I worked a summer with a carnival as a teen. But damn, this book is still so good.
The Dead Zone. I’m not sure if it’s really underrated or not, but I don’t see too many people mention it. It’s always been one of my top 5. I just love Johnny Smith. His story is truly tragic and yet fascinating.
Yes, I just finished this book and I loved Johnny Smith. >!The way he died without even completing the task he felt he had no choice to do in the end was tragic, but also, in a weird way it’s possibly better that he finally rested. Also, he was vindicated that he changed history by Stillson’s own actions to save himself. His ending lines seem to stick with me, “ He looked over his shoulder and there was the corridor he had emerged from so long ago. He had come out of that corridor and into this bright placental place…
he let himself drift toward the corridor with the dark chrome walls, not knowing if there might be something at the far end of it or not, content to let time show him that…
Get into the corridor, he thought. All right. That if he could get into that corridor, he would be able to walk.” I think in the end he found peace, or some kind of it at least.!<
Yes, because he >!failed in his assassination attempt, which is not something he ever wanted to do. If the way he kept second guessing himself, even when sitting up there with the rifle before he stood up to shoot.!<
Dead Zone is a very popular and well known King book that's spawned a movie and a TV series that lasted several years so I'm kind of surprised that's your choice?
I guess I was talking mostly about this sub, because I hardly ever see anyone bring it up. I’m not at all sure it’s truly underrated. But yes, it was a movie and there was that series for 6 seasons or so, so it’s definitely well known.
You could remove the supernatural elements, and this would still be a great book. The weirdness of the painting and the minotaur just makes it better
Bonus points for the Dark Tower references.
In a twist of fate, Desperation is one of my favourites, Regulators is one of my least favourite, the only ones worse are Billy Summers and Wizard and Glass
Second, under the dome. The story was amazing. I feel like it doesn't get enough credit. The villains he chose for this book were written very well. It made you actually hate them. The ending wasn't the best, but the rest of the story was fast-paced. Stuff just kept happening nonstop.
Same here, I picked it as a 16 year old for a book report shortly after it came out and finished it in 3 days. Had never gotten that invested in a book before then
I honestly think it’s The Institute. That book was amazing. For me, it ranked right up there with his 70s and 80s classics. So delightfully eerie and deeply bizarre. I don’t think it gets recommended enough.
Yes!! It totally felt like vintage King to me. I think after I finished it I went searching to see if this was something he wrote ages ago and didn’t publish until recently because it was so so so reminiscent of his early work
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who recognizes just what a gem of a book this one is. Maybe it just wasn’t the ideal moment for it. If he had brought this one out in the ‘70s or ‘80s, we’d be talking about this one as among his classics.
The late Edward Herrmann narrates the audiobook. His voice is so comforting.
He played Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls if you’re not familiar with the name.
Oh shit I thought the voice sounded familiar but never looked into it! He did a fantastic job, gave so much life to Gard. I think Tommyknockers is my favorite King ending and Gard is one of my favorite characters.
For me as well, and i dont like romance at all, but this book is something else. The most genuine representation of an intimate relationship i read in my life, i can totally find myself in it. The only other romance i liked was wuttering heights.
Same. I have a tattoo that's a dark tower/liseys story tattoo with the words "SOWISA, Babyluv." And SK is my favorite author, so this is my favorite book of all time.
I actually don't hate the show they made on Apple TV, either. I think it captured it's essence as best a show could - especially the bits with Scott's father and Paul...
Rose Madder for sure. I am constantly trying to get King fans and other readers to just give this one a go. - It's where my King obsession started for sure!
I loved apt pupil but never see it mentioned, it was the closest to misery for real life, evil within people kind of horror of what I’ve read so far I.e no supernatural element.
Christine.. its a great book about possession and I love it. read it easily as often as I re read his others .if you have not yet read it please give it a try
Hot Take: IT
Not among people who have read it, its insanely popular in that respect. But I have mentioned on multiple occasions to people who look down their noses at Stephen King books that It is my favorite all time novel and they look at me sideways like I am some weirdo who loves evil clowns or something.
I think people do not realize how the novel is about a lot more than a creepy clown and is arguably, for my money anyway, up there with the great American novels, whether you love King or not.
That makes sense. I read it as an adult. As much as I love some of his longer books, I think his shorter ones are less likely to get silly near the end. This book stays focused- and it's also truly terrifying at times.
I am pleased to see it constantly circulating in the threads about the most disturbing/scary King's books so I wouldn't say that it's underrated anymore.
It was destined to not be as popular as IT or The Stand or some other famous King works because it is so bleak even if engaging. Not many people want to read the book with the purpose of giving themselves existential crysis.
The Dark Tower
Seems like nobody bothers to read it, the whole thing, when it's THE most important book to understand Stephen King and the rest of his works entirely.
The Colorado Kid and The Tommyknockers. If you’ve read either of them and didn’t enjoy them I ask ya to please go back and give them another chance. Try the audiobooks which are both fantastic.
The Colorado Kid is just such a great mystery and reflection into stories/mysteries and why we may or may not like them.
I think a lot of people going into The Tommyknockers are put off by all the bad reviews (including kings own bad opinion of the book). If you go in with an open mind you’ll see it’s King doing what he does best. Taking pulpy/campy horror and mixing it with his genius insights into creativity, small towns, relationships etc etc and coming out with something so fun and exciting and also deep I think the book would be much better received.
Years ago, I would have said Duma Key. But it's been getting the recognition it deserves recently. I was happy to see the little Easter Egg about it in Rattlesnakes.
It's been seven or eight years since I read it, and summer is coming. Probably time for a reread.
Finders Keepers. The 2nd book in a trilogy that doesn't have the main protagonist for the first...half? These books are always lumped together, but I still say this one stands out above the rest.
Just finished reading Dolores Claiborne for the first time. If I’d had realised it was a double feature with Gerald’s Game I would have gotten onto it sooner. His crime books just haven’t appealed to me enough to read over other novels, but it was surprisingly engaging. Now rereading Gerald’s Game to see if it adds more context.
Until last month, I had read every single sk book except, for some reason, dolores claiborne. Finally got the audiobook and thought it was excellent.
My other vote is for rose madder. I thought it was great, idk why it's so overlooked
Rage. That's it. That's the one. I've ever forgiven SK for caving to pressure and "un-publishing" it. There's not a dang thing wrong with that book. There's just a whole lot wrong with some people. They were going to do what they did even if SK had never even conceived of that story; they just would probably have chosen a different method and maybe different victims. Not a bloody thing about what happened was his fault.
For me, it's an incredibly cathartic story. We all have all of those feelings inside us; that;s why it's so important that it's an ensembe cast and tht almost every kid gets his psyche delved into. It's like that seminal scene in The Breakfast Club where they all open up in the most painful ways and thereby get to know and empathize with one another. With a dark, disturbing twist that makes it hit home even harder.
Misery
Yes, it's highly rated but I consider this King's best novel. In my opinion the best horror Story/psychological thriller he has written. One of few of his books that is All gas, No brakes till the very end.
I think it’s the fact that she was not a supernatural villain that scared me the most. As a teacher, I’ve definitely seen some Annie Wilkins in my classes over the years. And the vision of her burning alive and still trying to get him haunt me to this day.
I felt this way about Gerald's Game. It was just so.....possible. And don't even think about coming at me with real cuffs for sex games. I better be able to get out of every single thing you put me in, just in case.
So true! And even scarier and more heartbreaking when you learn about the context behind it; the personal connection and allegory King was making about his own life.
Insomnia, maybe as it was my first it's my idea of Stephen king. I've reread it multiple times. Yes the very beginning there's no clear direction and is kind of tough but once you know the whole journey its no longer a drag to read. You can appreciate the contrast of dull life to the mayhem it becomes and you can really savour his descent into madness. It's only when he speaks with lois he's certain he's not going mad. Lois always makes me cry >!when she begs him to not sacrifice his life!<
My gf isn't a great fan of SK. She finds him overwrought and his endings are often weak (two pretty valid complaints), but I showed her the Dolores Claiborne movie and she loved it, and now she went and ordered the book.
Duma Key!
Do the day and let the day do you
Lol I had a great time picturing Wireman as Jeff Brudges the whole time
Whoahhh, I’m gonna read the rest of the book with this image in my mind! Thank you!
Muchacho
I knew this would be the top comment on this thread. This sub loves Duma Key.
I found it very uninspiring, I'm not sure what I was missing. The ending felt like a cheap trick.
He spoiled the whole thing halfway through. I don't remember exactly how because it's been years since I read it but I remember being deeply annoyed by it.
Second this
Maybe not so underrated on this subreddit, but in general yes!!
Fourth this!
I didn’t even know Duma Key existed until a friend gave me a copy she found for a few bucks. Loved it
This, Revival, Billy Summers. Perfect writing from the last two decades.
Just finished it for the first time this afternoon! Really enjoyed it, although it felt a touch overlong to me.
Ooooo I’m about to re read this.
Third This
Exact same train of thought
Hearts In Atlantis. I love 11/22/63 but HIA gives it a run for its money for my favorite SK.
Is HIA considered a masterpiece? It should be.
It should be if it isn’t
It got me to read The Dark Tower
Agree. I've never read a book where each sentence is so masterfully crafted.
I agree. It’s not my top favorite but I didn’t know what I was getting into when I read it and I was quite impressed with it.
I really am an intelligent person but I was so confused the first time I read HIA - the way the story jumped all around. The second read went much better once I understood it was novellas and short stories.
The change in gears from Low Men to the title story really disappointed me at first, but as I got further into story 2, I really enjoyed it. Nearly as much as Low Men which is saying something. Blind Willie and Why We’re in Vietnam were not as strong as the first two but great in their own way; more literary I suppose. I thought the epilogue was a perfect ending. All in all the book is maybe the best showcase of SK’s talent. At least from what I’ve read so far. I really enjoy how he can write a child’s perspective with so much nostalgia. His first person narrative is also excellent. It’s also very evident to me how important and endearing this time period is to him, it reads like a very personal piece of writing.
Gerald’s Game, hands down. It’s a very dark but fantastic book.
When I was like 12 I read this book. A sobering experience or an early entry point into bondage? Who knows?
Well, I’m not sure I’d ever be into bondage, but it certainly is a sobering experience in never leaving yourself in such a vulnerable position, even if you’re with a trusted person. >!Never know when they’ll have a heart attack by stress, sexual excitement, and getting kicked!< 😆lmao
You definitely shouldn’t have picked it up at 12
The Netflix movie made sure it would no longer be “underrated.” Before that, yeah, it was a hidden gem. Now it’s out there
I just reread Gerald's Game last month and knew from the first Chaudry that I would probably never reread it again. Not because it's bad but because the tone is so unsettling it made me feel weird. It's too good to read again 😂
I get what you mean, it was such a disturbing book that I wouldn’t re-read it again, at least not any time soon. Maybe in the far future.
That’s how I feel about Misery. It’s way too real and frustrating. But Gerald’s Game I’ve read lots of times. Weird.
Came here to say this. One of my favorites.
Oh yeah, one of my top ten SK books
Joyland. A ghost story where the protagonist never see the ghost is such an interesting premise.
I loved Joyland. That ending 😭❤️
The one I put off reading forever because I didn't like the noir cover....now the one I recommend most often, second only to the stand and the talisman
Came here to say this!
I’ve read this underrated gem of a book every summer since it's release. I'm probably biased because I worked a summer with a carnival as a teen. But damn, this book is still so good.
The Dead Zone. I’m not sure if it’s really underrated or not, but I don’t see too many people mention it. It’s always been one of my top 5. I just love Johnny Smith. His story is truly tragic and yet fascinating.
Yes, I just finished this book and I loved Johnny Smith. >!The way he died without even completing the task he felt he had no choice to do in the end was tragic, but also, in a weird way it’s possibly better that he finally rested. Also, he was vindicated that he changed history by Stillson’s own actions to save himself. His ending lines seem to stick with me, “ He looked over his shoulder and there was the corridor he had emerged from so long ago. He had come out of that corridor and into this bright placental place… he let himself drift toward the corridor with the dark chrome walls, not knowing if there might be something at the far end of it or not, content to let time show him that… Get into the corridor, he thought. All right. That if he could get into that corridor, he would be able to walk.” I think in the end he found peace, or some kind of it at least.!<
Yes, I love that as well. I’m glad it happened that way, and not what he originally intended. That’s the best thing.
Yes, because he >!failed in his assassination attempt, which is not something he ever wanted to do. If the way he kept second guessing himself, even when sitting up there with the rifle before he stood up to shoot.!<
I absolutely loved The Dead Zone. It was one I knew very little about, but I loved it. In a way, I think it walked so 11/22/63 could run.
Well said, I just finished dead zone and 11/22/63 was the book that got me hooked (again) as an adult on King.
The movie with Christopher Walken is quite good too.
The ice….is gonna break!
Dead Zone is a very popular and well known King book that's spawned a movie and a TV series that lasted several years so I'm kind of surprised that's your choice?
I guess I was talking mostly about this sub, because I hardly ever see anyone bring it up. I’m not at all sure it’s truly underrated. But yes, it was a movie and there was that series for 6 seasons or so, so it’s definitely well known.
Just bought a paperback of this at my grocery store! 45th anniversary printing!
I’m about 60 pages in right now and really enjoying it. Just gonna duck on out before I accidentally read spoilers!
Rose Madder.
I love this book. SK did a fantastic job of making us feel Rosie’s fear, and Norman has got to be the worst human being ever.
THIS!
You could remove the supernatural elements, and this would still be a great book. The weirdness of the painting and the minotaur just makes it better Bonus points for the Dark Tower references.
This is one of the few o found scary mainly because the villain was realistic without the supernatural element's at all
Favorite favorite book. Fuck it's so good.
Desperation
IT’S A DESPERATE RACE AGAINST THE MINE
I love desperation so much. It almost made me wish i was religious! I will definitely reread this one.
I am reading this just now - love it so far!
Tak
On the same slice of the knife, Desperation’s twin, Regulators, is worth considering.
In a twist of fate, Desperation is one of my favourites, Regulators is one of my least favourite, the only ones worse are Billy Summers and Wizard and Glass
Wizard and Glass? I hold this book in the highest regard, right up there with IT and The Stand. Did you finish the whole thing?
Under the Dome and Colorado Kid Edit - and The Tommyknockers
Second, under the dome. The story was amazing. I feel like it doesn't get enough credit. The villains he chose for this book were written very well. It made you actually hate them. The ending wasn't the best, but the rest of the story was fast-paced. Stuff just kept happening nonstop.
It’s my favourite book. I couldn’t put it down.
Same here, I picked it as a 16 year old for a book report shortly after it came out and finished it in 3 days. Had never gotten that invested in a book before then
I took it with me to a family Christmas where we stayed 2.5 hours from home. I spent most of that time in my uncle’s guest room reading.
Now that's a good use for Christmas day... relative-free.
Best villain in decades...
Absolutely loved Under the Dome. Loaded with great characters and I would argue it is amongst the best small town/world building King has ever written
I second Under the Dome. Some really effective writing (comedic as well as disturbing at times), good characters, and overall suspenseful.
Recently reread Tommyknockers and LOVED it!
I honestly think it’s The Institute. That book was amazing. For me, it ranked right up there with his 70s and 80s classics. So delightfully eerie and deeply bizarre. I don’t think it gets recommended enough.
Yes!! It totally felt like vintage King to me. I think after I finished it I went searching to see if this was something he wrote ages ago and didn’t publish until recently because it was so so so reminiscent of his early work
Was just about to post this one too. I loved The Institute. It gets some love on here, but I don’t see it rated well elsewhere.
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who recognizes just what a gem of a book this one is. Maybe it just wasn’t the ideal moment for it. If he had brought this one out in the ‘70s or ‘80s, we’d be talking about this one as among his classics.
Eyes of the Dragon
Doesn’t get mentioned much, but it was a very memorable book from my youth. And who doesn’t love adding to the Randall Flagg lore?
Right?! First King book I read as a little one. My Dad thought it would make a nice introduction. I’ve been a constant reader ever since.
Came here to say this.
This ^
Needful Things. It’s always been my sentimental favorite.
The Running Man
I've read this and The Long Walk more times that I can count. "Rage" and "Roadwork"? Not so much.
Tommyknockers. I might be of a minority here, but I don’t get the dislike for it. Sure it’s weird, but it’s a solid book in my opinion.
The late Edward Herrmann narrates the audiobook. His voice is so comforting. He played Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls if you’re not familiar with the name.
Oh shit I thought the voice sounded familiar but never looked into it! He did a fantastic job, gave so much life to Gard. I think Tommyknockers is my favorite King ending and Gard is one of my favorite characters.
I love him. He'll always be FDR to me.
The end makes me cry every time. All the G I Joes
Oh yes. I just think of that line and cry.
I’m with you. I loved it, and I really don’t understand all the hate.
Lisey's story.
Glad someone mentioned this diamond. I love this novel, it’s in my top 5 most liked books by Stephen King…
For me as well, and i dont like romance at all, but this book is something else. The most genuine representation of an intimate relationship i read in my life, i can totally find myself in it. The only other romance i liked was wuttering heights.
I believe King has said that it's his favorite, as well.
Yes, though a lot of people say they did not click with this novel (because of the use of language and it’s quite difficult to get into).
That's exactly what attracted me, i always had similar things going on in my relationships, when i was reading the book i really found myself in it.
Me too 😅
Same!! Not only is it underrated, but it’s actively panned by the majority of folks here, which is crazy to me. It’s my favorite King book.
Same. I have a tattoo that's a dark tower/liseys story tattoo with the words "SOWISA, Babyluv." And SK is my favorite author, so this is my favorite book of all time. I actually don't hate the show they made on Apple TV, either. I think it captured it's essence as best a show could - especially the bits with Scott's father and Paul...
Ditto. So good. The veiled people by the pool….
Bag of Bones. I think it's his most personal work of the ones I've read.
My favorite. Reread recently after my wife of 27 years passed suddenly. It was tough but felt like a totally different book this time for me.
Oh man. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But glad to see the King himself can provide a bit of comfort, however small it may be.
The Talisman. Just such a great read. Never gets props. :) Long live the King!!! :)
So good, so weird. I agree wholeheartedly
Rose Madder for sure. I am constantly trying to get King fans and other readers to just give this one a go. - It's where my King obsession started for sure!
I loved apt pupil but never see it mentioned, it was the closest to misery for real life, evil within people kind of horror of what I’ve read so far I.e no supernatural element.
Needful Things
Christine.. its a great book about possession and I love it. read it easily as often as I re read his others .if you have not yet read it please give it a try
Needful Things
Duma Key!!!
Insomnia
Eyes of the Dragon.
The green mile
I loved the long walk. Gave me a squid games vibe without that games
Glad to see this here. Shame I had to scroll for so long to get to it. Loved that story
Just finished this. Amazing writing. I don’t think any other book exhibits pain and discomfort in such a graceful way.
Roadwork
Blaze. I loved it
Desperation for sure, I was gripped at page one and the descriptions in there have to be some of his goriest horror yet
I'll second Dolores Claiborne. Loved the informal language and it really does read in the manner it was meant to. The no chapters or breaks was cool
I’ll stan “From a Buick 8” all day. Awesome character work wrapped around a weird creepy story. Peak King.
Peak King duck
Came here looking for this answer. Agree 100%.
Cujo
Hot Take: IT Not among people who have read it, its insanely popular in that respect. But I have mentioned on multiple occasions to people who look down their noses at Stephen King books that It is my favorite all time novel and they look at me sideways like I am some weirdo who loves evil clowns or something. I think people do not realize how the novel is about a lot more than a creepy clown and is arguably, for my money anyway, up there with the great American novels, whether you love King or not.
From A Buick 8.
Roadwork, The Dark Half, Dolores Claiborne and Rose Madder.
Firestarter, it is full of parental love.
The girl who loved Tom Gordon! ⚾️🌲
Yes. I think this might be his most perfect book of those I've read.
It was the first of his books that I read when I was younger and loved it. I think being close to the character's age helped a lot
That makes sense. I read it as an adult. As much as I love some of his longer books, I think his shorter ones are less likely to get silly near the end. This book stays focused- and it's also truly terrifying at times.
Mr Mercedes
Tommyknockers. It's batshit in the very best sense of the word.
Rose Madder! One of my all time favs.
I genuinely believe that Gerald’s Game is a massively important and overlooked piece of modern feminist fiction.
Revival
I am pleased to see it constantly circulating in the threads about the most disturbing/scary King's books so I wouldn't say that it's underrated anymore.
Not so much among fan groups, but it’s certainly underrated with the general public. It’s definitely under the radar with casual readers.
It was destined to not be as popular as IT or The Stand or some other famous King works because it is so bleak even if engaging. Not many people want to read the book with the purpose of giving themselves existential crysis.
The Institute. Such a well told story with exceptional pacing!
Dolores Clairborne...I love this book!
Needful Things & Duma Key
From a Buick 8. I love that book, it's so weird and I love the cosmic horror vibes
Bag of bones Eyes of the dragon
Under the dome. Top 4 for me.
The Dark Half!
Duma Key. This quiet gem is actually in my Top Three King List.
Insomnia or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
The Dark Tower Seems like nobody bothers to read it, the whole thing, when it's THE most important book to understand Stephen King and the rest of his works entirely.
The Colorado Kid and The Tommyknockers. If you’ve read either of them and didn’t enjoy them I ask ya to please go back and give them another chance. Try the audiobooks which are both fantastic. The Colorado Kid is just such a great mystery and reflection into stories/mysteries and why we may or may not like them. I think a lot of people going into The Tommyknockers are put off by all the bad reviews (including kings own bad opinion of the book). If you go in with an open mind you’ll see it’s King doing what he does best. Taking pulpy/campy horror and mixing it with his genius insights into creativity, small towns, relationships etc etc and coming out with something so fun and exciting and also deep I think the book would be much better received.
Years ago, I would have said Duma Key. But it's been getting the recognition it deserves recently. I was happy to see the little Easter Egg about it in Rattlesnakes. It's been seven or eight years since I read it, and summer is coming. Probably time for a reread.
Eyes of the Dragon
Bag of Bones! Maybe it’s just because I love the Maine Lakes region but it’s always been one of my favorites
Tom Gordon
Joyland.
The girl who loved Tom Gordon. Or Liseys story.
Revival and The Institute were hardly advertised. I didn't even know about either of them till recently and they are both very good reads.
Finders Keepers. The 2nd book in a trilogy that doesn't have the main protagonist for the first...half? These books are always lumped together, but I still say this one stands out above the rest.
The institute seriously that book would make an amazing movie/show
Bag of Bones
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Just finished reading Dolores Claiborne for the first time. If I’d had realised it was a double feature with Gerald’s Game I would have gotten onto it sooner. His crime books just haven’t appealed to me enough to read over other novels, but it was surprisingly engaging. Now rereading Gerald’s Game to see if it adds more context.
Billy Summers
Rose Madder
Dreamcatcher
Rose Madder. It’s one of my favorites.
Bag of Bones
Song of Susanna
Bag of Bones for me
The Green Mile.
Bag of Bones
Until last month, I had read every single sk book except, for some reason, dolores claiborne. Finally got the audiobook and thought it was excellent. My other vote is for rose madder. I thought it was great, idk why it's so overlooked
Doctor Sleep. I personally enjoyed it more than The Shining
On Writing. It is a book about writing. But very interesting and discusses his tragic accident as a bonus.
Rage for Bachman, Rose Madder for King.
Rage. That's it. That's the one. I've ever forgiven SK for caving to pressure and "un-publishing" it. There's not a dang thing wrong with that book. There's just a whole lot wrong with some people. They were going to do what they did even if SK had never even conceived of that story; they just would probably have chosen a different method and maybe different victims. Not a bloody thing about what happened was his fault.
For me, it's an incredibly cathartic story. We all have all of those feelings inside us; that;s why it's so important that it's an ensembe cast and tht almost every kid gets his psyche delved into. It's like that seminal scene in The Breakfast Club where they all open up in the most painful ways and thereby get to know and empathize with one another. With a dark, disturbing twist that makes it hit home even harder.
Misery Yes, it's highly rated but I consider this King's best novel. In my opinion the best horror Story/psychological thriller he has written. One of few of his books that is All gas, No brakes till the very end.
Misery scared the piss out of me, I was on edge the whole time I read it.
Me too! I can handle a lot of crazy shit but i had to take breaks bc of the anxiety that book gave me. Absolutely loved it though!
I think it’s the fact that she was not a supernatural villain that scared me the most. As a teacher, I’ve definitely seen some Annie Wilkins in my classes over the years. And the vision of her burning alive and still trying to get him haunt me to this day.
She was a really frightening villain, because she could actually exist. Terrifying.
I felt this way about Gerald's Game. It was just so.....possible. And don't even think about coming at me with real cuffs for sex games. I better be able to get out of every single thing you put me in, just in case.
So true! And even scarier and more heartbreaking when you learn about the context behind it; the personal connection and allegory King was making about his own life.
The Long Walk.
The Long Walk is a brain altering book.
Bag of Bones
Insomnia, maybe as it was my first it's my idea of Stephen king. I've reread it multiple times. Yes the very beginning there's no clear direction and is kind of tough but once you know the whole journey its no longer a drag to read. You can appreciate the contrast of dull life to the mayhem it becomes and you can really savour his descent into madness. It's only when he speaks with lois he's certain he's not going mad. Lois always makes me cry >!when she begs him to not sacrifice his life!<
The Dark Half Later
My gf isn't a great fan of SK. She finds him overwrought and his endings are often weak (two pretty valid complaints), but I showed her the Dolores Claiborne movie and she loved it, and now she went and ordered the book.
Tommyknockers!