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I've never read The Stand or Insomnia. I've been reluctant to go for his lengthier stuff after reading It, which I didn't care for at all. Also haven't read The Tommyknockers because I haven't heard anything good about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by megladon8
My favorites of his are 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Desperation, and the novellas Rage and The Long Walk. I take it I should give The Stand a go one of these days?
The Stand is great mostly because the characters are so goddamn memorable. To read it is to become friends with the drugged-out one-hit-wonder Larry Underwood, the sociopathic pyromaniac Trashcan Man, the sympathetic-if-repellent nerd Harold Lauder, the dark man himself Randall Flagg...
It peters out at the end, but it's still an immensely rewarding read.
But yeah, his best books are normal novel-length. The Long Walk, Misery, 'salem's Lot, The Dead Zone, and The Green Mile are superb. It, The Dark Tower (VII), and Needful Things...not so much.
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Originally Posted by Kurosawa Fan
Absolutely. I think it'll be the book that he's most remembered for.
Agreed on everything except "The Dark Tower" which gave me a big "say WHAAAAAAAAT?" reaction.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaMU
I thought you were a fan. At least I got that impression from your comments in the Upcoming forum regarding the potential film series.
Oh, I was referring specifically to the last book in the series, which has some great moments, but just lurches along like a damn zombie.Quote:
Originally Posted by megladon8
Really? Interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurosawa Fan
That one I've been trying to get my hands on as well. I'll have to check my local library.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spun Lepton
Really? I thought it was fantastic, and extremely creepy. Love the book's ending. I don't think it looses its power after the early climax at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dead & Messed Up
Meg I agree (based on what I've read so far) that King is truly something special. And I will try to get around to reading many of his short stories as well.
Double-check how you spelled the title. Maybe then the joke will reveal itself...Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMan
:lol:
actually i like his short stories a lot. but yeah, he has been written so many that it comes as no surprise not a few suck.Quote:
Originally Posted by megladon8
what do you or KF mean by "cuteness"?
for some reason "cuteness" makes me think of that story in which a guy is hallucinated or possessed into committing a series of homicides by this ghost/rat/chick. it's wonderfully written. sad, scary and erotic. the best part is the twist doesn't come out as a twist at all. the story is superbly told with such confidence that it doesn't need a big surprise.
am i the only one missing D at the moment?
Cheeky dialogue/prose. Trying to write with "attitude" or "grit" when it doesn't come naturally with King's voice.Quote:
Originally Posted by lovejuice
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am i the only one missing D at the moment?
I miss him too. I've asked a few times on Random Thoughts if anyone knows where he is, but to no avail.
Have you ever read his attempt at pulp crime, The Colorado Kid? That's the best example I can give. When he tries to nail a certain style, winking at his reader along the way. It's really bad. The Colorado Kid is one of the worst books I've ever read. All I could do while reading was get this mental image of King at his typewriter just smiling like crazy, nodding his head, thinking "Yep, my readers are going to love this one. It's just like the pulp novels I used to read as a kid!". I felt similarly about Tarantino's Death Proof. They're trying too hard to nail down a particular style or voice, and it comes off really corny.Quote:
Originally Posted by lovejuice
hmm....can you give an example? better a well-known one though since it's been a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by megladon8
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Originally Posted by lovejuice
Not at the moment, sorry. I'm at work.
*Shrug* I thought I spelled it correctly. Oh well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dead & Messed Up
Oh and I'm now currently on page 377 of 'Salem's Lot. The shit has not only hit the fan, but the book has become deliciously creepy. Stephen King you crazy nightmare creating bugger, you.
[]
that book is very good. it's amazing too how "low concept" it is. vampire attack in a small town? big deal! but that only shows how much king's at the top of his game.Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMan
So, this 5th book of Ice&Fire: ever to be published or what?
:frustrated:
Probably somewhere late 2010. GRRM is busy working with the tv show now. :cry:Quote:
Originally Posted by kuehnepips
He is always getting sidetracked, but I hope the success of the show will pressure him into finishing the rest of the books faster.
Damn. I might not live that long.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saya
Yes, spot on man. The way he describes it makes it sound like an infection, only the townspeople don't realize it until its too late. I've stalled on page 410, but not because its not getting better-I just haven't had time to read further.Quote:
Originally Posted by lovejuice
So, anyone else read Under the Dome yet?
Finishing up the Earthsea Trilogy this week. What a remarkable little tale this is.
There are actually, like, five now, I guess? I don't think I read them all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Davis
Tombs of Atuan is fantastic. My favorite, easily.
Yeah - I'm going to stop at the original 3.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mara
Tombs is my favorite as well (thus far). Such an odd 2nd entry for a trilogy. It feels more like a side story. I love how the main hero is introduced - it's hilarious.
It sure is. I read the unabridged version a few months ago - blew me away. A real American classic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dead & Messed Up
I never wanted it to end - I wanted to spend more time with the characters.
I recently finished Insomnia - loved it. It's totally weird, and the central characters are great.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurosawa Fan
Desperation is one of my favorites as well. Simply a corking good tale.
The Long Walk is another classic - recently re-read that in preparation for the planned film.
I highly, highly recommend Under the Dome. It is brilliant - King's best single novel, IMO. It's relentlessly paced - the fastest 1,000 pages I've ever read. The first 200 pages are truly something to behold in the way he takes us around the town and shows us the impact of the Dome. Finished it in like 7 work days. He stumbles a bit when writing the dialog for a group of teenagers (he sounds hopelessly dated, and it's too bad because the characters themselves are awesome), but beyond this small problem it contains some of King's best prose, a complex series of expertly plotted events, and dozens of amazing characters, including his most evil villain, Big Jim. It's just brilliant.
Well, dammit, now I have to read it. You're making some big claims my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Davis