Stephen King

[davideyresleftear]

Got any King fans on here? He gets slated sometimes but he’s my all time favourite author. Currently re-reading Salem’s Lot, and I think King’s biggest talent is just describing small town life and really making you feel like you know the place and the characters.

My favourite book of his is 11/22/63. I’ve never read a 800+ page novel that went by so quickly.

[boyyanno]

Welcome constant reader...

I'm a massive King fan, really love his character development and although a lot of people find his works a bit protracted I really don't know anyone who tells a better "story".

Firestarter is one of my all time favorites but so many of his works are fantastic.

[davideyresleftear]

Welcome constant reader...

I'm a massive King fan, really love his character development and although a lot of people find his works a bit protracted I really don't know anyone who tells a better "story".

Firestarter is one of my all time favorites but so many of his works are fantastic.

Really? Firestarter is one of the only ones of his I haven’t read. Not even sure why tbh, but I will definitely change that as soon as I finish Salem’s Lot, if you rank it as one of his best

[daveisaclaret]

I'm a big fan, favourites are anything and everything Dark Tower.

[Taffy on the wing]

Thought he was a goner .....

[claret2018]

Got any King fans on here? He gets slated sometimes but he’s my all time favourite author. Currently re-reading Salem’s Lot, and I think King’s biggest talent is just describing small town life and really making you feel like you know the place and the characters.

My favourite book of his is 11/22/63. I’ve never read a 800+ page novel that went by so quickly.

Agree with you there- his description of a 1950s milkshake in that book will stick with me forever!

[Holmeclaret]

Great writer. He captures childhood and, if not middle America then certainly Maine, very well. In fact, I prefer the writing in the early parts of his novels before things actually go pear shaped. Having said that, all the storylines are pretty good.

[davideyresleftear]

Thought he was a goner .....

Yeah I should have worded the title better, I’d have thought the same. Sorry everyone

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I’m a fan and I’ve read a fair number of his books and watched various films

I’ve seen him get pelters on twitter, for a range of things, and there was even some tool trying to claim King wasn’t even that big of a deal/author
The tool was also an author but not a very big one and he was absolutely ripped on twitter

[Claretmisterg]

Have to say he’s my favourite author also. Loving his later stuff like Billy Summers and the Bill Hodges books. His earlier stuff was just so engrossing that it was only after you finished reading that you’d think how far fetched it was. Absolute master of his craft.

[mikeS]

I'm a King fan.
My top 3...
11/22/63.
IT
The Shining.

His short stories are pretty good too and some of the films, like The Shining, Cats Eye, Carrie, classic horror.

The TV series of Salems Lot with David Soul and James Mason still gives me the creeps.

[Vim Fuego]

Many great reads, but The Long Walk was my fave. First published under his Bachman books

[Aclaret]

Recently finished 'Later' thought it was a good book.

[the_magic_rat]

I'm a big fan too and have read virtually everything he's published. For me The Stand is his finest work. "Captain Trips" 40 years before COVID 19 although the latter didn't turn out to be a fight to the death between good and evil, (at least not yet!)

[jedi_master]

Love him, read pretty much everything of his bar the detective stuff and Dark Tower series.

My favourite stories? What a tough question. Probably my top five would be (in no particular order):

It
The Stand
The Shining
Needful Things
Salems Lot

Some of his short story collections are absolutely top tier too though (Skeleton Crew and Night Shift particularly).

[Stevie Morgan]

Love him, read pretty much everything of his bar the detective stuff and Dark Tower series.

My favourite stories? What a tough question. Probably my top five would be (in no particular order):

It
The Stand
The Shining
Needful Things
Salems Lot

Some of his short story collections are absolutely top tier too though (Skeleton Crew and Night Shift particularly).

Why no dark tower out of interest?

First 4 books at least are brilliant. A little sketchier after that and the ending is controversial (no spoilers).

[jedi_master]

Why no dark tower out of interest?

First 4 books at least are brilliant. A little sketchier after that and the ending is controversial (no spoilers).

You know, it’s something I keep trying to have another go at. I read the first book probably 20 years ago, just didn’t get any desire to persevere really.

I am someone who far prefers a singular story from his reading, as opposed to a long series/narrative (exception being Harry Potter, don’t judge me ).

I will definitely give it another try, just finding the moment.

[Stevie Morgan]

You know, it’s something I keep trying to have another go at. I read the first book probably 20 years ago, just didn’t get any desire to persevere really.

I am someone who far prefers a singular story from his reading, as opposed to a long series/narrative (exception being Harry Potter, don’t judge me ).

I will definitely give it another try, just finding the moment.

I actually started on the 4th book when I received it for a gift so they kind of work as standalones.

I avoided Potter on some sort of principle (as a Tolkien fan) for years until finally bullied into it by my wife a few years ago. They're good. But as not as good as Tolkien

[roperclaret]

The Stand is one of my favourite books ever.

[boyyanno]

Really? Firestarter is one of the only ones of his I haven’t read. Not even sure why tbh, but I will definitely change that as soon as I finish Salem’s Lot, if you rank it as one of his best

It's just classic King if you know what I mean.

Salems lot is another great one and others like Carrie and It are excellent. One of his more recent ones I liked was The Institute. Loved the Long walk and The Running man too.

A lot of his books feel familiar but he really does transcend any specific genre even though he's generally considered a "horror" writer. Misery is one of the best thrillers you'll ever read and The Talisman/Black House and The Dark Tower are two amazing fantasy series. He's just a master craftsman!

[Mondsley]

Another fan here. Have followed him from Carrie and Salems Lot right through to Billy Summers. But my absolute favourite is 11/22/63. One of only two books I've read twice. The TV adaption with James Franco is also excellent.

[Stan Tastic]

No mention of (Rita Hayworth And) The Shawshank Redemption or Misery which became classic films.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

You know, it’s something I keep trying to have another go at. I read the first book probably 20 years ago, just didn’t get any desire to persevere really.

I am someone who far prefers a singular story from his reading, as opposed to a long series/narrative (exception being Harry Potter, don’t judge me ).

I will definitely give it another try, just finding the moment.

I can't get through Dark Tower either

[Aclaret]

I bought ' The Institute ' a few weeks ago, not had chance to read it yet, any good ?

[BabylonClaret]

I love King. He is able to draw you into a yarn superbly. He is just a great story Teller. Even on the ones where he kinda runs out of steam and disappointment to you there's always a great idea to start. (Yeah I'm looking at you Tommyknockers/Dreamcatcher etc al)

Salem's Lot is terrific. As is The Shining and although its a bit absurd I have a real soft spot for Christine (the film doesn't really have the layers and it loses a lot as a consequence) plus Pet Semetary is a creepy ol joyride.

[BabylonClaret]

Many great reads, but The Long Walk was my fave. First published under his Bachman books

I know. Its hard to believe he was so young when he wrote that.

[boyyanno]

I bought ' The Institute ' a few weeks ago, not had chance to read it yet, any good ?

Yep it's King returning to a tried and tested formula!