Gore and More discussion

I just noticed no one has added Stephen King yet.He was the reason I started reading horror and he still remains my favourite author to this day.Any other fans?

Fave King Reads

I liked Kings older books "The Stand" was a great read.

I no longer read King, he lost me after "It".

Although I did read Desperation, Hearts In Atlantis, and Misery, which all came after It. ;-)

I also prefer his earlier ones,although I do think he's still pretty consistent.I haven't read his latest 11/22/63,but I did like his other recent books Under The Dome and Full Dark.

I have a few friends who have had issues with "It",mostly with the length and the ending.I loved it though,It's probably my favourite King book.

Debby,If you liked The Stand you might want to give a try.It reminded me a lot of his early days with so many characters,and so much going on.Just so you know though,like The Stand,it's a massive door stopper,and you won't be able to carry it around with you,the thing weighs a ton.lol!!!!

I also loved Pet Sematary.Imo one of Kings creepiest and darkest books.

I thought Under The Dome ending was ok,maybe a little bit of an anti-climax.I still really enjoyed the book though.I remember watching Twilight Zone as a kid,and i think i remember the episode you mentioned.You might be right about the ending.

The Dark Tower series were excellent. The last three were very gripping. I thought the grand ending was great though most do not agree. I havent liked his Rose Madder phase was awful and The Cell didn't quite work, but I enjoyed his early work very much.

Eric wrote: "The Dark Tower series were excellent. The last three were very gripping. I thought the grand ending was great though most do not agree. I havent liked his Rose Madder phase was awful and The Cell d..."

I never finished this series. I read the first two books but for some reason I just didnt continue.

Christine may be my favorite!!

Cindy wrote: "Christine may be my favorite!!"

I never read this book, but I did see the movie twice.

Kevin wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Christine may be my favorite!!"

I never read this book, but I did see the movie twice."

Oh. the movie is great, I think, but pales in comparison to the horror of the book!! It scared the bejeezes out of me, back when I was seventeen!!! lol It was one of my first King's.

Christine was awesome (did not see the film) but could not bring myself to read From a Buick 8. Sounded like a repeat.

Christine is one of the few King books from the 80's I haven't read yet.I think I'll bump it up the TBR pile.

Anyone read The Talisman? I thought that was an extraordinary read. I didn't like Black House as much but I really empathisized with that little boy for some reason. When they went on the train I was at the edge of my seat.

I've always been a bit reluctant to read King's fantasy books,just never really seemed like my thing.I'll maybe give The Talisman a try since i have it.

I enjoyed The Talisman, a bit different from standard King, but a good read.

I've read way more King than any other single author. Even his bad work is better than the good work of most.

My favorite is

I adore Stephen King. I read It when I was 13 and was hooked from there. The Dark Tower series are by far my favorites of his, though The Shining disturbed me the most.

I'm currently reading Doctor Sleep, (behind the times, I know,) and I'm loving it!

I (mostly) gave up on king after Cujo. I have dipped into various books since then, Joyland was OK, Now it seems he and his son are just imitating each other and producing ever increasingly higher priced books ( I notice that his up coming books are in the 30 buck range (Mr. Mercedes and Revival: A Novel by Stephen King Publisher: Scribner Format: Trade Hardcover
Publication Date: November 2014 Trade Hardcover: 30.00
Pages: 520 - almost collectors prices - and that's the new price of the trade hardcover.

I like the shinning and misery I love how much he uses his imagination to think what it would be like to be that person it's just amazing!!!

Steven wrote: "I've read a lot of King, but I wouldn't say his bad stuff is better than most authors good stuff. I find that to be a ridiculous comment. Kings prose are not exactly world class, his ideas and stor..."

LOL!
Yep, I never considered King a world class writer. There in no poetic beauty or lyrical construction to his writing. He's a middle of the road writer, with great stories to tell.

His bad stuff, is just bad. I've read some great authors and I surely wouldn't rate Kings bad stuff with someone such as Gifunes great stuff. There are many authors writing fantastic novels, it's a shame many of their names are never heard.

For those of you who haven't read Gifune, I highly recommend him. He is a bright shinning star in the world of horror.

Kevin wrote: "Steven wrote: "I've read a lot of King, but I wouldn't say his bad stuff is better than most authors good stuff. I find that to be a ridiculous comment. Kings prose are not exactly world class, his..."

Gifune! Yes indeed! That was a great book read we had in this group. Bleeding Season was a pleasant surprise, and yes it is much better than any bad book King has written, including The Tommyknockers!

Eric wrote: "Anyone read The Talisman? I thought that was an extraordinary read. I didn't like Black House as much but I really empathisized with that little boy for some reason. When they went on the train I w..."

I started reading the Talisman on my last vacation. Found it on a pile with left books in the hotel and it was the only english one (I'm german). Just grabbed it because it was by Stephen King. Thought it might be a little boring when I read the blurb, but it turned out to be a great emotional and catching story, although I couldn't identify with the main protagonist I could still feel with him. I'm not a big fan of fantasy, but King has the talent to make me accept it as something that happens for a plausible reason and that with a thrilling effect.

Tristen wrote: "JDB wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Steven wrote: "I've read a lot of King, but I wouldn't say his bad stuff is better than most authors good stuff. I find that to be a ridiculous comment. Kings prose are no..."

So, so true. King could put his name on anything and it would sell.

I actually read this year 4 of his books:
, , and ,
I'm also going to be reading in June , it'll be my 5th book this year

I have to say I love his new stuff. Duma Key is my favorite. I really loved Salem's lot as well. If you haven't read Duma give it a shot it's an incredible book!

I actually love Salem's Lot but I hate the movie, I'm actually getting back into his books its been a while since I picked up his books ,so I'm slowly getting them.

Elizabeth wrote: "I actually love Salem's Lot but I hate the movie, I'm actually getting back into his books its been a while since I picked up his books ,so I'm slowly getting them."

Salem's Lot is one of my personal favorite reads of King. The atmosphere is amazing and you could vividly see each character in King's small town. The character development was fantastic on such a grand scale.

Ken wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I actually love Salem's Lot but I hate the movie, I'm actually getting back into his books its been a while since I picked up his books ,so I'm slowly getting them."

Salem's Lot ..."

my all time favorites of his is:The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition,Desperation , Needful Things, and this year to that list I added Mr. Mercedes and Finder Keepers,
I'm slowly getting back into his books since its been a while.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ken wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I actually love Salem's Lot but I hate the movie, I'm actually getting back into his books its been a while since I picked up his books ,so I'm slowly getting them."

..."

Yes, I feel The Stand is one of Kings better offerings. I'm a sucker for dystopian novels, so that book was right up my alley. I don't know why, but I also really enjoyed The Dead Zone.

Kevin, have you read Robert McCammon's Swan Song?

Ken wrote: "Kevin, have you read Robert McCammon's Swan Song?"

Ken, I have read quite a bit from McCammon. Swansong was great and I hate when people knock it because King also wrote a book about end of times. They are two separate novels, each very good.

I agree with everyone on Swan Song - thoroughly enjoyed it. Really liked The Dead Zone, too. I haven't pulled the trigger on The Stand yet, but it's on my short TBR list right now.

I pretty much love anything by Stephen King but I truly enjoyed Doctor Sleep. It's Danny from the Shining as an adult and was just a great story. I also am counting down the days until End of Watch comes out. This trilogy was one of my favorites.

Cathy wrote: "I pretty much love anything by Stephen King but I truly enjoyed Doctor Sleep. It's Danny from the Shining as an adult and was just a great story. I also am counting down the days until End of Watch..."

I did too, Cathy. While I've seen others complain that it wasn't "as good" as The Shining, I wasn't looking for it to knock The Shining off of its pedestal. I simply wanted a good story that filled me in on what Danny Torrance has been doing for the past 40 years. I thought it was an enjoyable read that falls somewhere in the middle of all of King's works for greatness.

I agree Ken. I wouldn't want it to be like the Shining since I always imagined Danny to be better than his father.

I've read every one of King's novels and while I can't say I've loved them all, I do enjoy them. There are only a few I haven't re-read, some as many as 10 times. Even when I don't care for his plot or story, I just love the way the characters he writes seem so real. I feel I would recognize them on the street. He is also one of the few writers I feel can make the setting an actual character in the story.

I enjoy a great Stephen King book now and then. I am currently reading Revival. It is a page turner. It is usual either hit or miss with me and his books. I either really enjoy it and can't put it down, or hate it and can't get past the first few chapters. Some of my favorites so far has been The Talisman and Dolores Claiborne!

Revival is on my tbr.

He's hit or miss with me too. Mostly because of subject matter. I started reading Mr. Mercedes and quickly abandoned it because people running over people with cars isn't what I want to read about.

I prefer spooky monsters in general, although Misery was a great read.

Overall I'm a fan.

I'm one of "those" who says they prefer his older stuff. King is creative with plotting, writes good villains and heroes, but most of his books would be better if they were trimmed and he usually disappoints me with his endings.

I'm reading Danse Macabre right now but it's taking me forever. I thought it would be a lot more interesting.

The Shining - enjoyed it a lot, but again I disliked the ending and found it cheesy and a strange turn.
I actually loved Cujo and consider it among his best.
Dolores Claiborne had a strong voice.
Pet Semetary is creepy and deserves a read.
Firestarter is underrated. Some of his best writing.
Christine was fun but in a cheesier way.
I thought the Colorado Kid was more dull than enjoyable and dislike his draw to dialogue filled novels.
IT truly does have chilling parts, I love the idea, the coming of age theme, but like some of his other stuff think he could have improved it by trimming off a few hundred pages.
Desperation was intense and good.
Misery is excellent if you ignore some irritating dialogue.
The Dark Tower series was good - not something I usually read so I struggled a little, but happy I read it.
The Stand - I remember the length annoying me, but I liked it. Forgot most of it by now
Carrie - I hated Carrie. Like the story but hate how he wrote this.
On Writing was an excellent memoir and writing guide!
Salem's Lot was well written, slower, but not forgettable.

I loved his novellas in A Different Seasons - I wish he would do more dramas. He's definitely talented with them.

I read a lot of King when I was younger, but my tastes changed after I hit 35 or so. I haven't read any of his novels since I finished reading Insomnia shortly after Gerald's Game; although I still read his short stories.

There was always a certain preachiness about the evils of society that I found annoying and all the worshipful baby boomer pop culture references just made me grind my teeth.

I've just finished reading Joyland and really enjoyed the story, though I don't feel there was anything scary in it. A lot more could have been done with the ghost. Still a good read.

Have you all read the Dark Towers books? I only just discovered them and am reading the second one now. I love them and can't believe I left it so long to get in to them!

I read most of the first one but was bored out of my mind. A lot of people seem to love them but they aren't for me.

Emma wrote: "Have you all read the Dark Towers books? I only just discovered them and am reading the second one now. I love them and can't believe I left it so long to get in to them!"

I've read the series a few times and also own all the graphic novels. Love the story!

D20 wrote: "I read most of the first one but was bored out of my mind. A lot of people seem to love them but they aren't for me."

The first is very different from the rest. He began it so, so long ago and despite a rewrite, that first one is dry.

I agree with Kandice. The first one is an absolute chore to get through. It was originally published in bits and pieces in magazines when King first wrote it. He took all of the pieces and put them together to create the first Dark Tower book, but I think it's barely readable. Things really start cooking in the 2nd one. If you're into fantasy, you might want to give it another shot.

Damn. And I had written it off. Now I'm going to have to try again.

It's one of those series that improves (kind of) as it continues. The first is dry and impersonal, as has been said, but it gets more of a spark with the second

Not only does the writing improve, but King has such a way of drawing characters and making them feel real and very personal even in his short stories, imagine how invested you become in them after eight books and 1000 pages of comics? It's heart wrenching!

King is for, like a lot of people, one of the writers that got me into reading horror. IT and the Dead Zone are currently my favorites. Most recently I read Revival which I thought was absolutely chilling.