Best Stephen King Book

[Tony Moanero]

7 minutes ago, Edward. said:

I just didn’t think it was anything like the book. Maybe I need to read the book again. It wasn’t bad just not how I remember the book. 

It has been about ten years since I read the book and to be honest, I can’t remember too much about it.
 

I think the TV series is very good in its own right, though. It looks gorgeous, it’s well directed and acted, and held my attention.

[Edward.]

35 minutes ago, Tony Moanero said:

It has been about ten years since I read the book and to be honest, I can’t remember too much about it.
 

I think the TV series is very good in its own right, though. It looks gorgeous, it’s well directed and acted, and held my attention.

I think I got through maybe 4 episodes. It was one of those rare occasions when I sat down with my wife to watch a series, she’s not much into binging so we watched it every Friday night. If I watched it by myself, didn’t have to explain everything and what each person had said I might have got through it.

[Redder Lurtz]

12 hours ago, Tony Moanero said:

I’ve just finished rewatching it. It’s excellent, in my opinion. What didn’t you like about it?

 

Agreed. Thought it was superb. Casting was excellent too. 

 

Just started listening to Mr Mercedes. Dull as fuck so far. Might bin it. 

[Edward.]

No idea what it’s like to listen to but I think the series is a pretty good read.

[Redder Lurtz]

28 minutes ago, Edward. said:

No idea what it’s like to listen to but I think the series is a pretty good read.

 

MM is the first in a series?

[Edward.]

48 minutes ago, Redder Lurtz said:

 

MM is the first in a series?

Yep Finders Keepers and End of Watch. There is also The Outsider and If it Bleeds which are Holly Gibney books. There is a new one coming out soon too. Unsurprisingly called Holly in September.

[Redder Lurtz]

OK, I'll stick with it then! 

[NoelM]

I stopped watching the 11.22.63 series as well when it came out, it was just so different to the book, which I absolutely loved.

I recently went back and re-watched the series and enjoyed it a lot more.

On the Holly Gibney/Mister Mercedes series, Finders Keepers is superb, Mr Mercedes is quite good but slow to start and End of Watch is okay. The Outsider is great and the Holly Gibney novella in If It Bleeds is very good too,

[Pidge]

I've never read much, if any real, King. Just finished Pet Sematary on Audible, narrated by fucking Dexter...

 

That's a book that'll leave a mark. I don't know if I'd ever have finished it if I bought the novel. The more classic horror tropes coming in over the last few chapters weirdly provide a relief, or a distraction to the mess he's been holding your nose to for the last 12 hours. Fucking hell. 

 

Got me thinking about there being a kind of shadow plot in action throughout, the agency in the story doesn't seem to really rest with the characters, but with other influences. I'm assuming that's an approach he goes for a lot more, based on my knowledge of the films and the other books in his canon. Think I want more of that.

 

I think the thing that makes it so interesting is the fact that it's not really explained in any detail, the only information given is inherently flawed (described as a rationalisation earlier in the novel, which the characters all do throughout), and both conflicting influences ("good" and "bad") are clearly limited in their influence, which just makes them feel more dangerous.

 

Was already thinking of Salem's Lot, so based on this thread I might kick on into that.

 

Never touching this book again. 10/10.

[johnsusername]

1. IT

2. The Stand

3. Salem's Lot

 

In my opinion.

 

[Tony Moanero]

My top three:

 

1.  11/22/63

2. The Shining

3. Different Seasons

[Tony Moanero]

On 08/03/2023 at 16:44, NoelM said:

I stopped watching the 11.22.63 series as well when it came out, it was just so different to the book, which I absolutely loved.

I recently went back and re-watched the series and enjoyed it a lot more.

I recently read the book again. I love the tv series, but I love the book more.

[El Rojo]

IT would be my favourite, and I love the ambition of The Stand. 

 

Two that I really loved that don't often get mentioned - Firestarter and the Hearts In Atlantis novella. 

 

Of the more recent ones, The Institute and The Outsider were really good. Also, Billy Summers is just a straight-ahead thriller and is all the better for it. Brilliant tension throughout. 

 

 

[Pidge]

19 hours ago, Pidge said:

I've never read much, if any real, King. Just finished Pet Sematary on Audible, narrated by fucking Dexter...

 

That's a book that'll leave a mark. I don't know if I'd ever have finished it if I bought the novel. The more classic horror tropes coming in over the last few chapters weirdly provide a relief, or a distraction to the mess he's been holding your nose to for the last 12 hours. Fucking hell. 

 

Got me thinking about there being a kind of shadow plot in action throughout, the agency in the story doesn't seem to really rest with the characters, but with other influences. I'm assuming that's an approach he goes for a lot more, based on my knowledge of the films and the other books in his canon. Think I want more of that.

 

I think the thing that makes it so interesting is the fact that it's not really explained in any detail, the only information given is inherently flawed (described as a rationalisation earlier in the novel, which the characters all do throughout), and both conflicting influences ("good" and "bad") are clearly limited in their influence, which just makes them feel more dangerous.

 

Was already thinking of Salem's Lot, so based on this thread I might kick on into that.

 

Never touching this book again. 10/10.

 

Another thought on this one, the structure of the book and the reading experience is like being compelled to follow a path leading somewhere you think you don't want to go.

 

How's that for thematic unity?

[Section_31]

I probably posted this but I tried reading The Stand but it was all over the shop. 

[Redder Lurtz]

Has anyone else read Fairytale? I absolutely loved that. 

[Elite]

The Stand is my favourite but I haven't read most of his stuff.

 

Got The Green Mile audiobook waiting as it's one of my favourite films and am going to get Under The Dome.

[Redder Lurtz]

1 hour ago, Section_31 said:

I probably posted this but I tried reading The Stand but it was all over the shop. 

I loved that too. Stick with it. Just stay away from the godawful TV adaptation. 

[Elite]

For people who like The Stand, get on Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.

[Mudface]

Pet Sematary is one of the few books that's genuinely scared me, although I was 16 at the time I read it. Best holiday I've had recently was when I re-read It and read 11.22.63 for the first time while baking in the sun. I also read most of his short story and novella collections earlier in the year. Perfect holiday fodder.

 

 

[VladimirIlyich]

On 07/03/2023 at 19:40, Tony Moanero said:

I’ve just finished rewatching it. It’s excellent, in my opinion. What didn’t you like about it?

James Franco,for starters.

[Elite]

Started The Green Mile audiobook on Monday and ploughing through it, it's fantastic. I love the film and they got the casting absolutely spot on.

[Shitty Arse]

I haven’t read one of his in ages. Just started Mr Mercedes. Looking forward to reading it. 

[Dicko]

Scariest: Pet Semetary

Best: The Wastelands or The Talisman.

[Edward.]

The Green Mile was an interesting concept as it was released as six paperback novels the first was published in 1996 I think and each volume was released on a monthly basis after that. I remember waiting each month for the next one to be released.