Any Stephen King fans out there?

[blindturtle02]

I searched for a SK discussion thread but couldn't find one. It's always been fun meeting other King fans and discussing his works. No other author of horror novels has even come close to giving me a good scare. As for what topics to bring up, go nuts, I guess. Mods feel free to delete this thing if I made a dub.

[Blossombrooks]

I've only read Dreamcatcher but it was an addictive story, it's a while ago now but I did read it several times. I felt like I'd missed some of the details on the first pass and I recall being right.
I'm not a big horror fan but I'd much rather read a good scary story than see the film. I saw The Mist a few years back, god, I still hate driving in the fog! The ending was a killer too, I guess I should read the book to get the full experience but then I'll be even more of wreck in the mist, lol!

[blindturtle02]

Originally Posted by Blossombrooks

I've only read Dreamcatcher but it was an addictive story, it's a while ago now but I did read it several times. I felt like I'd missed some of the details on the first pass and I recall being right.
I'm not a big horror fan but I'd much rather read a good scary story than see the film. I saw The Mist a few years back, god, I still hate driving in the fog! The ending was a killer too, I guess I should read the book to get the full experience but then I'll be even more of wreck in the mist, lol!

Dreamcatcher is one I've only read once. Need to go back and reread that one. lol I cried at the end of that one though! If you decide to give The Mist in story form a go, it's located in Skeleton Crew, one of his short story anthologies. It's a pretty lengthy novella. I really enjoyed that one. The movie was awesome but yeah, even though I can't see it, I shudder whenever someone says it's going to be foggy or misty outdoors. haha

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

I was a huge Stephen King fan when I was in Middle School- read a lot of his older classics- Cujo, Pet Sematary, Firestarter, The Shining, etc. I then got myself too spooked and stopped reading them for a while. Picked up Bag of Bones around 2004 but couldn't get into it. Then I just stopped reading for pleasure for a while due to the meds I was on at the time, just wasn't interested in reading for "fun" (sounds dumb I know)- I just read textbooks about dog behavior and dog training/behavior books. I just started reading for fun again in the last year... Might have to catch up on some Stephen King.

To any who've read his newer stuff AND older stuff- has his style changed at all?

[MastahShredder]

IT is my favorite book ever.

[blindturtle02]

Dawnatello: Loved Pet Sem and Cujo. I'm just now getting around to adding those books to my King library since they put Cujo on audio only a few years ago. I'm a member of this library service for the blind and dyslexic that also allows readers to download audiobooks to digital talking book players, so that how I managed to come by Pet Sem and such. It's available 24-7, so I practically own the book. Anyway, compared to Joyland and Doctor Sleep or 112263, I'd say they're pretty much the same style. I guess I've been reading him for so long now that I don't really know the difference. Really haven't noticed a style change. I'm too busy hiding under my covers! He's still a very personabel writer. Almost forgot, Bag of Bones is by far my all time favorite ghost story. Although I've heard his fellow writer Peter Straub pens some real page turners too. I also need to check out his son's novels. He goes by the pseudonym Joe Hill.

MastahShredder, I agree. IT is astounding. Pennywise has to be the scariest villain I've ever come across because IT can be whatever it chooses to be. Although I will say that another King villain-- a certain dark and sinister fellow in run down cowboy boots and a denim jacket, ties with IT in my mind when it comes to being scary. Readers of The Stand and Dark Tower series will know who I'm talking about. That's another reason why he's my favorite author. You just can't seem to forget his villains. I've read this guy's stuff for quite some time now, and these two forementioned long-leggedy beasties still manage to give me the shivers every time they pop out at me with the turn of a page. Well, the press of the play button in my case. Meh, a book's a book. You get the idea.

[Leo656]

He's very prolific, but by that same token, he's got a lot of good and a lot of less-good. I personally haven't read enough to know which is which, exactly, but I know he's had a few clunkers. I have all the usual suspects, though, Pet Sematary, Skeleton Crew, etc. I just haven't read them in forever.

"Survivor Type" probably made me more uncomfortable than anything I've ever read, ever. My high school Creative Writing teacher, Mr. Breese, was a huge Stephen King fan, and often had us read King stories or watch King movies in class. When he read "Survivor Type" out loud to the class, he said up front that some people may want to leave, and were free to do so at any time. A few who had read it encouraged this. I can take a lot, but I also have a very vivid imagination and can visualize things very easily. I didn't have to leave - I can't remember if anyone actually did - but a few of us were visibly lightheaded, and several had to grab a quick drink from the fountain to calm down.

Probably the most sickening thing ever, in the sense that, unlike monsters or creatures or aliens or straight up "horror"... it's the idea, the fact, that someone could just DO that... I still struggle through reading it. But even though I "hate" it, I love and respect that effect it has on me, which means it did the job. It stays with you. You read it, you don't ever want to even think about it again, but you will. One day, at random, something about "lady fingers" is gonna put that sh*t back in your head after you locked it away for years and you're gonna lose your goddamn appetite.

[MastahShredder]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

MastahShredder, I agree. IT is astounding. Pennywise has to be the scariest villain I've ever come across because IT can be whatever it chooses to be. Although I will say that another King villain-- a certain dark and sinister fellow in run down cowboy boots and a denim jacket, ties with IT in my mind when it comes to being scary. Readers of The Stand and Dark Tower series will know who I'm talking about. That's another reason why he's my favorite author. You just can't seem to forget his villains. I've read this guy's stuff for quite some time now, and these two forementioned long-leggedy beasties still manage to give me the shivers every time they pop out at me with the turn of a page. Well, the press of the play button in my case. Meh, a book's a book. You get the idea.

What are your thoughts on the film? Tim Curry was amazing as Pennywise.

[blindturtle02]

I loved the film too! When I read the novel, I'll always hear his voice in my head. That was actually the first horror movie I ever saw. My mom watched it on its two premier nights back in Nov of... I wanna say 90? Sure I had to leave the room a few times back then, but I managed to watch most of it. That's one of my favorite TV miniseries of all time. I think it translated from book to film extremely well.

[MastahShredder]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

I loved the film too! When I read the novel, I'll always hear his voice in my head. That was actually the first horror movie I ever saw. My mom watched it on its two premier nights back in Nov of... I wanna say 90? Sure I had to leave the room a few times back then, but I managed to watch most of it. That's one of my favorite TV miniseries of all time. I think it translated from book to film extremely well.

I agree and like most SK films the ending was pretty meh. I wish they had the giant bird scene and the Paul Bunyon statue among others in the film. Pennywise was the ultimate troll.

There are plans to remake IT but I don't know if it's still in development hell.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...pted-by-334899

It's two years old so who knows..

[blindturtle02]

Loved the bird sceen. That would have been great. I think one of the scariest lines uttered by Pennywise was from that statue sceen. "You'll wake up in hell!" Definitely the ultimate troll. I also liked the Derry standpipe sceen and wish they could have incorporated that somehow. Those dead boys could give the zombies in RE a run for their money. Interesting how IT can split itself into multiple parts like that.

As for a remake, I'm thinking it probably won't happen but then movies have escaped from development hell before. I'd give it a go, but Tim Curry will always be the definitive Pennywise for me. Hope King decides to bring it back in another novel some day. At least a cameo.

[Dawnatello Turtle Chick]

Originally Posted by Leo656

He's very prolific, but by that same token, he's got a lot of good and a lot of less-good. I personally haven't read enough to know which is which, exactly, but I know he's had a few clunkers. I have all the usual suspects, though, Pet Sematary, Skeleton Crew, etc. I just haven't read them in forever.

This website is a pretty nice one as far as deciding whether a King book is up your alley. Not only does is rank them but it lists why they are where they are- like some of his older stuff that he wrote in a drug induced craze might not be up your alley.

[Leo656]

I like how he completely admitted his failure directing Maximum Overdrive by blaming it all on his cocaine habit. Attaboy.

[blindturtle02]

I read The Tommyknockers for the first time last summer and am guessing he was pretty far gone when he wrote that one? That one was back in 87, so it definitely fits. It wasn't one of my favs. There were some memorable horror sceens in there, however. He talks about those times in On Writing, I think. It's been a few years since I read that one so I won't swear to it. I'm glad he admitted he had a major problem and decided to change things. Wonder if I should give his son's novels a shot. My bh and I were going to start one last October together but read some short stories instead. I need to read her The Boogeyman. That one made me want to bar my closet door shut at night for a while! I actually slept with the light on a few nights, so that's saying something.

[MastahShredder]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

Loved the bird sceen. That would have been great. I think one of the scariest lines uttered by Pennywise was from that statue sceen. "You'll wake up in hell!" Definitely the ultimate troll. I also liked the Derry standpipe sceen and wish they could have incorporated that somehow. Those dead boys could give the zombies in RE a run for their money. Interesting how IT can split itself into multiple parts like that.

As for a remake, I'm thinking it probably won't happen but then movies have escaped from development hell before. I'd give it a go, but Tim Curry will always be the definitive Pennywise for me. Hope King decides to bring it back in another novel some day. At least a cameo.

Always cracks me up. Who says that? lol

[blindturtle02]

Oh, the "you'll wake up in hell," line? Pennywise was playing tricks on Richy via the Paul Bunyan statue. I forget if it happened in the 50's or the 80's when the Losers came back to Derry.

[MastahShredder]

Originally Posted by blindturtle02

Oh, the "you'll wake up in hell," line? Pennywise was playing tricks on Richy via the Paul Bunyan statue. I forget if it happened in the 50's or the 80's when the Losers came back to Derry.

Nope, the GET OUT BEFORE IT GETS DARK TONIGHT. LAST CHANCE TOZIER.

It makes me chuckle.

[blindturtle02]

Ah there we go. Yeah that bit of dialogue always gave me chills as a kid. You might also like Insomnia, MastahShredder. It's set in Derry as well. This novel is about half the length of IT. Thinkin about reading it after I get done with the newest Star Wars novel and some SK short stories.

[shuriken]

Carrie and the Shining are my faves, Misery is also a damn masterpiece of psychological torture.
Pet Semetary was also great. The green Mile is as good as it is depressing.
I really disliked Christine and Thinner. But at least the movie Christine is ridiculous enough to be enjoyable. Thinner the movie was just bad.

[blindturtle02]

Originally Posted by shuriken

Carrie and the Shining are my faves, Misery is also a damn masterpiece of psychological torture.
Pet Semetary was also great. The green Mile is as good as it is depressing.
I really disliked Christine and Thinner. But at least the movie Christine is ridiculous enough to be enjoyable. Thinner the movie was just bad.

I loved Misery. Got to read that book a few months ago and think I might reread it sooner rather than later. I'm just now getting to read a tun of his oldest novels, so yeah I have to agree about Carrie and The Shining. Only read Carrie once back in 2006, and it's high time I gave that one another. I loved it. That one was very short so I flew through it in no time. I liked his afterword in that one. Yeah even though The Green Mile was a bit depressing, it's still a terrific read. I love the serial novel approach he took with it.