The Stephen King Thread

[MaskedManJRK]

The Stand
Misery
Christine
The Dark Tower series

 

[Lantern Venom]

The Dark Tower Series is possibly the best series of books I have ever read with the exception of the Gunslinger, which is primarily set-up. The series skyrockets with The Drawing of the Three. Every King novel connects to the DT series in some fashion.

Some of King's other masterpieces are Dreamcatcher, Bag of Bones, Insomnia and the Green Mile. Also, his short story collections are too amazing for words.

Other than a few rare missteps ( Lisey's Story for one ) you pretty much can't go wrong with SK.

 

[Bill]

There are some good suggestions here.

I would suggest some of his short stories to give you an idea of what the guy can do without the benefit of invoking the supernatural: Head Down (Nightmares and Dreamscapes) and The Last Rung on the Ladder(Night Shift). Both very good stories that forgo any creepy crawlies. Misery is also a very good read. Some of his more gruesome ones are Survivor Type (Skeleton Crew)and Autopsy Room 4 (Everything's Eventual). One of my other non-horror faves is Dolan's Cadillac (Nightmares and Dreamscapes).

 

[danoyse]

Salem's Lot. And only read it at night.

Also recommended: The Stand, IT, Carrie, The Dead Zone, and The Shining. All good.

 

[The Shredder]

I havent read too many King books, but IT was one that I have read and I definately recommend that one. THE STAND is an obvious recommendation as well. THE SHINING is pretty good as well. Sorta liked NEEDFUL THINGS, but wasnt a fav. Right now, I'm reading CUJO for the hell of it. The 25th Anniversary DVD put me in the mood I suppose.

 

[Galactus]

More details on Duma Key:

And a new short story:

Mute
Posted: October 9, 2007, 08:48:37

King has a new story coming in the December 2007 issue of Playboy called Mute:


MUTE--In a confession to a priest, a traveling salesman tells of his encounter on the Maine turnpike with a deaf-mute hitchhiker to whom he rants about his adulterous wife. Master of the macabre STEPHEN KING delivers another compelling tale with a twist

 

[shapeshifter]

forget king.
read Richard Matheson.
He is the writer that inspired King, and his stories are very good.
He wrote
nightmare at 20,000 feet
What dreams may come
The legend of hell house
I am legend
all of which have been made into movies or shorts that were in no way as good as the books.

 

[Ghostvirus]

Is what the intro to What Dreams May Come true, or was he just making it up. To make it seem like the story was true?

 

[shapeshifter]

Is what the intro to What Dreams May Come true, or was he just making it up. To make it seem like the story was true?

its very possible that it is true. he based a lot of his ideas on facts and actual events

 

[Ghostvirus]

But his brother speaking to him from the other side, through a psychic. That seemed a little far fetched.

 

[Galactus]

A Very Tight Place
Posted: October 11, 2007, 13:10:05

King answers 5 questions asked by USAToday and one is this interesting question about something called A Very Tight Place.


What are you writing? It's called A Very Tight Place. Not a novel but a long story. I've been writing lots of stories lately. I wonder why?

 

[Galactus]

Ayana in November
Posted: October 11, 2007, 22:14:35

King's official site reports that the new story Ayana will be in the Fall issue of The Paris Review.


Get ready for Pocket Rockets
Posted: October 12, 2007, 19:33:15 | Section: Book » Pocket Rockets

As some of you might have guessed it's now confirmed that King has enough stories for a new collection. This is from the official message board:


It's already on the planning board. There are finally enough new ones to complete a collection. It's titled (at least for now) Pocket Rockets...I don't think I'm at liberty yet to reveal which stories will be included, but will do so as soon as I can.

 

[Galactus]

A new interview with King:

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1687229,00.html

 

[The Lizard]

I don't really like King's style enough to enjoy his novels, but I really like his short stories. I guess I just prefer King in small doses. So I'd recommend:

Skeleton Crew

Night Shift

Nightmares and Dreamscapes

 

[ShadowBoxing]

I enjoyed The Mist, mainly because I'm not a huge King fan and that was short. Carrie was good also, just very hard to follow as it switches narration.

 

[danoyse]

I'm re-reading "IT" right now. I haven't read it in at least 15 years, and I'm not ashamed to admit that book is currently scaring the crap out of me. I had forgotten a lot since I last read it.

But it's great (and MUCH better than the movie version). Definitely recommended.

 

[The Lizard]

I'm re-reading "IT" right now. I haven't read it in at least 15 years, and I'm not ashamed to admit that book is currently scaring the crap out of me. I had forgotten a lot since I last read it.

But it's great (and MUCH better than the movie version). Definitely recommended.

I never really understood WTF King was thinking when he wrote the part where [blackout]all the 12 year-olds ******** the one girl to "strengthen their bond"[/blackout] in that book. Sometimes he just doesn't know when to quit and he veers into the realm of ridiculousness.

 

[danoyse]

I never really understood WTF King was thinking when he wrote the part where [blackout]all the 12 year-olds ******** the one girl to "strengthen their bond"[/blackout] in that book. Sometimes he just doesn't know when to quit and he veers into the realm of ridiculousness.

I actually forgot about that part (I'm only about 300 pages into the book so far). But I do seem remember that scene didn't make sense to me at the time, either.

 

[kane9321]

The Stand

The Dark Half

Needful Things

 

[Eggyman]

Four Past Midnight. Four novellas, one being Secret Window, Secret garden -- fantastic story, brought to the screen brilliantly by the talents of Jonny Depp.

 

[Galactus]

King hits 30
Posted: February 13, 2008, 15:50:16

A bit of Trivia for you that you may or may not know... with Duma Key King has notched up 30 number ones on the New York Times best seller list... more than any other author in the history of the list.

1 The Dead Zone Viking October 14, 1979
2 Firestarter Viking September 28, 1980
3 Cujo Viking August 23, 1981
4 Different Seasons Viking August 15, 1982
5 Pet Sematary Doubleday November 13, 1983
6 The Talisman (with Peter Straub) Viking October 28, 1984
7 Thinner (as Richard Bachman) NAL Books April 28, 1985
8 Skeleton Crew Putnam June 23, 1985
9 It Viking September 14, 1986
10 The Eyes of the Dragon Viking February 1, 1987
11 Misery Viking June 7, 1987
12 The Tommyknockers Putnam November 29, 1987
13 The Dark Half Viking November 5, 1989
14 The Stand Doubleday May 13, 1990
15 Four Past Midnight Viking September 16, 1990
16 Gerald's Game Viking July 19, 1992
17 Dolores Claiborne Viking December 6, 1992
18 Insomnia Viking October 23, 1994
19 Desperation Viking October 13, 1996
20 Bag of Bones Scribner October 11, 1998
21 The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon Scribner May 2, 1999
22 Dreamcatcher Scribner April 8, 2001
23 Black House (with Peter Straub) Random House September 30, 2001
24 Everything's Eventual Scribner April 7, 2002
25 From a Buick 8 Scribner October 13, 2002
26 Song of Susannah Donald M. Grant/Scribner June 27, 2004
27 The Dark Tower Donald M. Grant/Scribner October 10, 2004
28 Cell Scribner February 12, 2006
29 Lisey's Story Scribner November 12, 2006
30 Duma Key Scribner February 10, 2008

 

[Ghostvirus]

Well his name is King.

 

[Lighthouse]

If you like Stephen King, I recommend reading some Richard Matheson.

 

[oakzap425]

Kujo, and don't watch the movie. That **** sucked.

 

[Ghostvirus]

I believe it is spelled Cujo.