Lush Library discussion

This is the discussion thread for 11.22.63 as it was decided that it would be the monthly book along with Under the Dome. As in the other thread I have come up with some questions you might like to discuss but if you think of anything else then go ahead!

How did you think this book compared with the rest of Stephen King's books? Was it as good without the supernatural elements that are in most of his others?

How likable did you find Jake?

Did you enjoy the first journeys into the past or would you have preferred for the book to have gone straight into the JFK storyline?

Did you guess what the yellow card man was about? Did you think he was significant at the start or was it a surprise?

Were you disappointed that Jake could only travel from present until the exact same point? What did you think of the explanation for this?

Those of you who know the story of the assassination - what did you think about the fact that Stephen King chose to go with Oswald rather than choose one of the conspiracy theories? Do you think that Jake did enough research to prove that it couldn't have been anybody else?

Were you shocked about what had happened once Jake got back to the present? I know some people were disappointed because they wanted more of the book to be about how preventing the assassination would effect present day. Was this the case for you?

I haven't read the first post but I wanted to post spoilers so I've popped over here.
I've just read to the part where he has set off for Dallas. The attack on Harry's family was quite brutal but thankfully not as descriptive as it could have been. I was relieved, and surprised, when he couldn't find the portal because I didn't want to read him going through the whole thing again. When he heard Al though I was relieved that he was still alive more than anything but was torn between wanting him to go and see the results (and reassure Al) and to just stay quiet so that he could just get on with trying to save Kennedy. I was also worried that the portal might not be there when he went to go back. I'd hoped Al wasn't sick and I still hope he finds him in the past and stops him smoking. I have a feeling he'll stay in the past.
The stuff about Derry is quite creepy and I went to read IT when I was 15 but it was the first book I couldn't finish (the language felt really strong - fag I think it was) and Pennywise scared the crap out of me so the mention of it was creepy. Are there references to other books in the part I've read?

Finished - phew. It didn't feel like it was a natural subject for King which, I think, affected the flow and made it seem more like a research dissertation converted into a book. I would have liked more eerie creepiness as opposed to predominately science fiction. I do think it would make a good movie though and I'm glad that the rights have been bought.
I'll pop on tonight and go into more detail using the questions above:)

I finally finished, what a beast of a book this was. I didn't notice that it wasn't a natural subject for SK It just flowed really well for me, but I do love SK he's one of my favourite all time authors. I love the way Jake talked about the past it all seemed so fresh and amazing, what I did notice was Jake reminded me of the male lead in and Sadie reminded me of Lisey in . I've really enjoyed the book laughed and cried at the end. I didn't want Jake 'George' to have to leave Sadie and I was devastated but glad he managed to be a crying man in the end. I found the ending beautiful but I cried buckets haha! Yellow card man- I thought he was important but didn't realise HOW important, I was shocked by the world 'George' created by helping Kennedy live, but after thinking it over I could see how it could be a worst case scenario. I have a thing about the 50's/ 60's and I think SK told it really well based on books I have read and films I have seen. I wasn't disappointed that Jake could only travel to a certain point in time as for me that made the explanation of the rabbit hole more acceptable. I felt like I was there, I wanted to be there I could see 'George' and Sadie doing the lindy and all the sounds smells etc. Yes Stephen King writes loooong books but the detailing is amazing.
All in all I loved it absolutely, and I'm not sad it wasn't horror it was something different. Once again I bow to one of my heroes, Thank you Stephen King you rock!

It has been driving me crazy that SK said that his son Joe Hill helped him to give the story a better ending, so of course I had to find out the ending King wrote alone if you want to read it you can find it here... http://www.stephenking.com/other/1122... Anyway it seems Joe Hill made me cry not Stephen King :O *enters Joe's name on Amazon* hehe

is amazing, if you're interested in reading some Joe Hill. It's the book got me started reading horror :)

I have read some very bad but also very good reviews of this book, but I totally trust your judgement Sarah as I know we have very similar taste in books. Thanks for the recommendation have you read ?

I've read some bad reviews, too, but I loved it anyway :)

I read Horns not so long ago. It's a lot stranger than Heart Shaped Box, and that's putting it lightly. The story at the heart of it is much sadder, too. I think if you like one you'll like the other, but Heart Shaped Box is my favourite. They both have their dark, violent moments -- but Horns was more weird with it, where Heart Shaped Box is more of a ghost story.

I don't want to start giving away plot points, so I'll shut up now, but I think if you like Stephen King, you'll like Joe Hill.

Thank Sarah, yeah what put me off was people saying he's not a patch on his dad etc. I did however like the ending much better that he gave to 11.22.63 than the one his father did so I will put them on my amazon wishlist :) thank you x

I don't think he's trying to emulate his dad. If anything I think that's exactly what he's trying not to do.

If they're expecting it to be Stephen King under another name, then I can see why people might be disappointed. The way Joe Hill does things is quite different, but I think it's a good different. His books are worthy all on their own.

It's hard to put into words, but I think you'll see what I mean when you read them. I don't think I could ever confuse Stephen King's writing with Joe Hill's --Joe Hill makes me cry more, so that would be a dead giveaway -- but I'm interested to hear what you think :)

Yes, the ending of 11.22.63 was by Joe Hill so he made me cry too, I am happy for them to be different just want it to be gripping like his dad's books are. I am going to order one soon :)

I don't think you need to worry about them being gripping :)