Book freaks discussion

Here's the discussion thread for Blockade Billy by Stephen King may the discussion fly free!

Great! I just finished reading Blockade Billy. Huge sports fan here.

Shirley wrote: "Great! I just finished reading Blockade Billy. Huge sports fan here."

Do you think you have to really understand baseball to read it? Or do you think I'll learn as I go?!

Gorfo wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Great! I just finished reading Blockade Billy. Huge sports fan here."

Do you think you have to really understand baseball to read it? Or do you think I'll learn as I go?!"

Gorfo, you don't really need to understand baseball. It's more of a horror story. It just happens on the baseball field. You'll be fine and if you have questions, just ask. :-)

Well that's a relief 'cause I know absolutely NOTHING about baseball :)

Yeah this thing plays out greatven for the people that don't know too much about baseball. It's definitely fast paced and wow Annie Wilks from Misery would not be happy with King's language...he'd be a dirty bird for this one. I also really enjoyed the short story Morality. It actually made me think about it for a bit and even come up with a plan for things to work out in a different way for the characters. I wish King would visit us just so I could ask him somethings about that story.

I so want to read this book, however, lack the extra money at the moment to purchase the kindle edition. I will see if I can get it through the local library...though I've already got a handful of books out through them that I am wading through.

I know what ya mean about the lack of extra money. I've been using the library a lot this year and actually found this book, Blockade Billy, there. Keep in mind you have till the end of next month to read it and again there's no pressure. Read which ever titles we pick that interest you. I do have to say if you get a copy, it's a very fast paced read. I finished it in 3 days which is awesome for me. Well, happy reading and good luck finding the book.

Thanks, gonna hunt it down at the library. XD Found it! Waiting for home delivery, a feature that I ADORE with my local library.

Finished Blockade Billy last night-what a super quick read. I am not a sports fan, but I really felt King's love of baseball in his descriptions. I didn't think the story was all that great. Without giving anything away, the ending is probably not that far off from something that could happen in this day and age. I thought it was alright.

I read Blockade Billy yesterday. It was a quick read and I liked the Interview feel to it. That being said, I didn't care for the story. I am not a sports fan and know absolutely nothing about baseball so the descriptions of the plays and innings were completely outside my understanding.

I think sports fans will like this fast paced story. As for me, if it had been a full length novel I wouldn't have finished it.

I actually thought the second story in the book was actually better but I did like the feel of Blockade Billy and I was wondering where he was going with it. It is a horror story but more of a horror story to those that are fans of baseball or play it cause the ending really sucked for the team Billy played on. I have a nephew that plays minor and college baseball and this story could possibly cause him nightmares, especially knowing how hard he works to perfect his game.

Like many others I can appreciate King's love for baseball that is demonstrated in this short story...but that's about all I can appreciate. To be fair I am not a horror genre loving reader and sports books rank up there with root canals on my personal fun meter. However, I'm glad I read it because it is so different from what I normally would pick up myself to read. I did like the almost sweet gruff nature of "granny" but aside from that...meh.

I noticed nobody has mentioned the second story in the book so far, has anyone read that one as well? If so what were your feelings on it?

Karida02 wrote: "I so want to read this book, however, lack the extra money at the moment to purchase the kindle edition. I will see if I can get it through the local library...though I've already got a handful of..."

I have a kindle copy and it is lendable. If you would like I'll lend it to you. It's a quick read.

Steven wrote: "I noticed nobody has mentioned the second story in the book so far, has anyone read that one as well? If so what were your feelings on it?"

Well, that story isn't in my book. I have the original book that came with the baseball card and the kindle edition. Neither of which contain the short story. :-(

I'm probably in the minority but I did enjoy the book. It certainly isn't on the level of THE STAND or MISERY, my two favorite Steven King books, but still an enjoyable read. To me it says a lot about Kings writing abilities and imagination that he could take a seemingly innocent game and make a horror story out of it. But, that's what he does so well. Also, I read a lot of independent/self published authors. There are many good writers who just haven't caught the attention of big publishers but then there are some "not so good authors". Lately, I've read a lot of the later and to just read something with good grammar and sentence structure is a plus. :-)

I agree Shirley, about the grammar and sentence structure thing. I notice a lot of, even best seller titles, coming out with things the editors should have cause. Things spelled wrong or words flipped around are a big thing. I think the publishers may not see this as a big deal but maybe if they thought of it like a movie (dvd) with a lot a skip spots in it, then it does get annoying.
As for King's book, I don't think it was his all out best thing but it was entertaining to me and a great start to the summer baseball season ... in a dark way of coarse :o) As for the short story I hope you get a chance to read it. It was called Morality. Maybe you can hunt down an ebook version or something. If you do it will make you think about things a bit for sure.

I'm still snorting and laughing. I guess I have a sick humor, but I loved it. So silly but so good. Omg. The writing was excellent. I think it reflected old time baseball perfectly. I really liked it. When I think of the things I've yelled at the ump.....there I go again, snickering loudly. : D

yeah I guess maybe baseball fans would really get the book a bit better. I thought the ending was like, "What The Hell!!!" but it was so fast paced and he new where he was going with it but was leaving me guessing.

I really, really liked this book. Blockade Billy is definitely one of my favorite little personae that have been featured in Stephen's stories.

Mortality...now, that is definitely Stephen King right from the get go. It was unique and definitely held my attention and I had a major "What the hell..." moment when the offer was laid on the table for the wife.

I love the spin on the story of Blockade Billy and even more so the twists in Morality.

All in all, I adored this book. I even understood the baseball terminology because I'm a baseball fan XD

Okay I have to ask before I buy the book, is it Stephen Kingish? *LOL* I mean some of his books didn't have that tone to me. Like Dolores Claiborne. I'm okay with baseball but if it doesn't have the woooh this weird feel it won't be the same for me.

It's Stephen Kingish. Despite the baseball it has that undertone that is unique to his work. Morality is definitely Stephen King :)

I can't believe I haven't read this one yet, as I actually own it! Guess I got caught up reading other stuff and forgot I had it waiting on my bookshelf. Now, I'll get to it!

Glad to hear you don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy it. I had to give up on Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season because I didn't understand the lingo. Only Stephen King book I couldn't finish.

Happy reading!
Debra

Steven wrote: I also really enjoyed the short story Morality. It actually made me think about it for a bit and even come up with a plan for things to work out in a different way for the characters. I wish King would visit us just so I could ask him somethings about that story.



What are you going to do? Write something? I would encourage you to do that and would be interested in seeing it.

I liked Morality too - as I was listening, I kept thinking some clue would tie it to Blockade -ha ha!

Started listening to the audio this afternoon - finished tonight - a short book.

As always, SK amused me with his yarns. He never fails.

('Cept for IT ... didn't like that book)

I love these expressions King introduces - about as much chance as a low fart in a windstorm.

Arnab wrote: "this one was tough on me :) baseball isnt really a popular sport in my country. so feel free to laugh at me when i tell you that i had to check wikipedia to know what a 'catcher' is. the only thing..."

Arnab ... do your friends call you 'Arnie'? Just curious.

You should go to a baseball game, if you can find one, and get an idea of how it's played.

:-)