Insomnia discussion

My sister is thinking of getting another Stephen King novel for her grandson who is 14 going on 15. He read the one on the Kennedy Assassination and enjoyed it immensely. His mom has heard that Insomnia is a good one but grandma wants to make sure it is appropriate for his age. I think anything King writes would be okay unless the child scares easily which is not the case here. I haven't read this book and I'm afraid my beliefs are different than my sisters as our mom pretty much let us read anything and without going into it I think she was right. You tend to skip things you aren't ready for since you don't understand, etc. what do other readers think? Based on his age are there books that he shouldn't read? And in particular, if you have read Insomnia, is that book okay for him to read. What about Kings books in general? Looking forward to the discussion on this.

I think he will decide himself if its too scary for him. My husband, for example, was reading his fathers bookshelf from the age of 12. Anything from horror to a lot of fantasy (Game of Thrones type of fantasy included!) and he's fine. Obviously this is only my opinion, but I feel that if a young person likes to read, let them go full hog at anything they want! They'll find their limit, their niche. I know some of the books I read as a young teen were above my age level, but it didn't damage me. Kids grow up way too quickly, but if we are to put a stop to that, I'd rather it be my limiting television and video-games than reading material. Good luck hope it works out ok! :)
P.S Insomnia is one my top 5 favorite King Books, I think it will be fine.

I don't think she is worried about the scariness, it's other things.

The kid probably won't care, but King's books tend to have a lot of profanity and sexual content. However, Insomnia in particular I don't remember having as much as most of King's books. I think it's one of the tamer ones, really. It is, of course, scary. But honestly, the kid's getting into his mid-teens, I'm sure he can handle it. I was reading classic King horror when I was twelve and I'm fine. If you (or whoever) is worried, find it at the library or bookstore and thumb through it a little to get an idea.

The protagonists in this book are elderly so you don't have to worry about sexuality or profanity. I'd definitely recommend it to a fifteen year old as it is a great book, and it might even get them reading the dark tower series (which is linked to Insomnia).

Nathan wrote: "The protagonists in this book are elderly so you don't have to worry about sexuality or profanity. I'd definitely recommend it to a fifteen year old as it is a great book, and it might even get the..."

Thanks!

Insomnia is in my top five of Stephen King books too. I see it in many second hand shops, which leads me to believe it isn't among his most popular, but I love it.

Nathan wrote: "Insomnia is in my top five of Stephen King books too. I see it in many second hand shops, which leads me to believe it isn't among his most popular, but I love it."

Agreed Nathan!

I really need to read some his books myself but don't want something like Cujo. I loved 11/22/63 I didn't want it to end. And if I read a few I'd be able to recommend some for the teen referred to above. Let me know which ones I should look for ... Good for me and for the teen. Thanks

If he has insomnia.. this will cure him. zzzzzzzzzzzz

I just ran acros the hardback at an estate sale for $.80 along with another King major hit, The Stand. This should give me a better idea of whether I want to read anymore of his books myself as I'm not into this genre, but I love live lived 11/22/63

I am not worried. My mom and dad let me read anything when I was growing up. She told me when I asked about it when I was an adult, that if it was somethIng I wasn't ready for I would probably just skip over it. And I remembered that it was exactly what I did