Quote Quoting megladon8 (view post)
Totally agree. Many of his short stories suffer from the "cuteness" you're talking about - trying too hard to give a wink and a nod with the morbid humor, when it's not really necessary at all.

But reading stuff like "'Salem's Lot", "The Stand", "The Shining" and "Insomnia" shows quite a talent there.

However I've never been able to enjoy "The Tommyknockers". I read it twice and both times just felt "blech" about it.
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.

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?