Stephen King Discussion

[do what donny dont does]

Why the hell does King keep letting his great books get made into crappy movies? Ive read so many of his books, and then saw the movie, and the movie ruined what I had thought about the book.

Stop it Stephen, just stop it. Let your books be great on their own.

The number one culprit has to be "Needfull Things". I enjoyed the book, then saw the movie(or was it a miniseries?), and it was just a complete piece of crap. The movies cannot depict what is in the books.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I liked the Needful Things movie just fine. Max von Sydow was pretty fun to watch. The ending was better than the underwhelming ending the book had but I'd say I enjoyed the book more overall. It is my favorite King book.

[iambobdole1]

For what it's worth, I think Christine worked fairly well as a movie.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

The book was much better for me personally, but the film was alright.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I just read "Morality." It was a pretty dark and twisted little story with a depressing ending, but entertaining for me throughout. I probably preferred it to "Blockade Billy" honestly.

I then read the little prologue to "11/22/63" once more. I forgot how great it is at grasping your attention. Man that was a great book. I might have to put it in my King Top 5. I stopped myself from reading more though, I have yet to re-read any King book. Maybe it'll be first, I dunno.

But before that I still have "Hearts in Atlantis" waiting for me. That's up next.

[The Thompsons]

I think next week I might start reading "11/22/63" you guys keep building up the anticipation, plus my vacation starts. I might not be able to put it down by the sounds of it.

[iambobdole1]

Has anybody here read Wind Through The Keyhole? (no spoilers, please)

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I haven't begun the Dark Tower journey(directly at least) so no not yet. I always wanna pick up the first 4 books in that set they released years ago but never do....

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

So I'm about halfway done with "Low Men in Yellow Coats," the first and easily longest story from Hearts in Atlantis...and my God is it great. The characters are written so wonderfully and realistic. King does a fantastic job with that kind of stuff. And the Dark Tower references.....all things serve the beam! I'm purposely trying to read it slowly since it is my last book by his to read that I own. I need to get some more asap...

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Ok I just spent the last 4 hours or so finishing up "Low Men In Yellow Coats." I am quite tired at the moment but feel I can confidently say that it was a great story, just great. I hate using that word because it sounds too generic and doesn't properly portray how much I enjoyed reading this, but oh well. It was just so great. Well I still have half of the book left now so maybe I'll start that later today.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Still going through Hearts in Atlantis, but I picked up a hard-cover first edition copy of The Seventh Dark Tower book today for7 bucks!

Now all I need is the first six...

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Ok I've only got 50 pages left in Hearts in Atlantis. It has been an enjoyable read but then I enjoy reading just about all the King books I've read so far....just about...anywho I bought the first 4 Dark Tower books today so once I finish with Atlantis I'm gonna officially begin the epic journey!

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Just finished Hearts in Atlantis and ya know, it left me really fuckin' depressed. I even got teary eyed for Christs' sakes! The theme of total failure that King just.... espouses is such a very bleak outlook on his entire generation in that fourth story. The final little epilogue was nice and somewhat hopeful but it wasn't really enough to get me feeling better. Regardless it is a great book, powerfully moving...at least for me. I dunno what else to say really. I don't know that I ever want to read it again and be so emotionally destroyed but...in time I suppose I will if I get the chance.

Not the mind-frame I had hoped to begin Roland's quest in though I can tell you that! Maybe I'll start it today sometime anyway, maybe not I'm still unsure. Considering I think I've posted the last 7 or 8 responses in this thread I'm not sure it should stay open either...kinda becoming something of a blog...ah whatever.

[D4C]

Coming in to The Dark Tower with a weight on your shoulders is EXACTLY the right feeling you need.

You'll see when you finish it. Whenever you do.

[Lionheart]

I finished 11/22/63, and now it's my second favorite book of his after The Stand. What should I read next: Under the Dome, It, Salem's Lot, or Pet Semetary? I own them all but haven't read them yet. I also own the first Dark Tower book and Full Dark, No Stars and haven't read them.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I haven't read Dome or Pet Semetary yet. Salem's Lot and Full Dark, No Stars are both great but I'd recommend the Lot first. I'm about to begin the first Dark Tower book myself

IT is fine but bloated and overrated...although you probably should've read it before 11/22/63. There's a pretty cool reference to it in that book....

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Actually not a huge fan of the Dark Tower books. My mother is, I just can't get into it.

[D4C]

If you want something simple do Lot. If you like horror do It. If you want something interesting and notable in its differences from thevmovie then do Sematary. Dome can wait.

[iambobdole1]

Semi-related topic: Anybody here read Joe Hill? I've read Heart-Shaped Box and Horns, and I thought there were both pretty great. Kid's doing his old man proud!

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

No but I imagine I will someday.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Just finished The Gunslinger maybe half an hour ago. Read the last third in one sitting tonight and the book altogether probably took me no more than 5 or 6 hours. I enjoyed the book quite a bit though it felt introductory as I suppose it is. I have The Drawing of the Three next to me as I type this just begging me to open it...

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Just finished The Drawing of the Three maybe an hour ago and it was fantastic. I wanna start The Waste Lands as quickly as possible...but I'll hold off until later tonight at least. The Gunslinger was good, but The Drawing of the Three grabbed me and sucked me into the world and made me care much more for the characters and story. Great reading so far!

[do what donny dont does]

Just finished The Drawing of the Three maybe an hour ago and it was fantastic. I wanna start The Waste Lands as quickly as possible...but I'll hold off until later tonight at least. The Gunslinger was good, but The Drawing of the Three grabbed me and sucked me into the world and made me care much more for the characters and story. Great reading so far!

Ya I think that is the best of the whole series.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I'm still on The Waste Lands but I've got just over 100 pages left so I'm nearly done. It has been a good read and I would've finished it by now but I'm trying to make it last since I only have Wizard and Glass left after that. I ordered Wolves of the Calla(for a penny!) but it won't get here until next week at the earliest.

[iambobdole1]

Man, you're a fast reader!

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

Only when the story interests me! I ordered Song of Susannah too and I have The Dark Tower already, so once those 2 come in I should be good. The Wind Through The Keyhole will come later I guess. Spoilers ahead:

I'm trying to see how these books could possibly be chopped into only 3 films and it seems too difficult. I mean in my mind the first film could end with Roland getting attacked by the lobstrocities and seeing the first door. The second with Jake and Roland embracing in the rain as Eddie and Susannah look on. That still leaves 4 and a half books for one film...and those other 2 would half to be at least 2 and a half hours each...and even then would feel pretty rushed.

But I'm at the section where Jake is getting pushed/running through all the garbage in Lud while Roland and Oy follow and I can just picture watching this on the big screen and getting the feeling of claustrophobia and just thinking about the possibilities seems so great.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I finished The Waste Lands earlier this morning and thus have completed the first 3 books of The Dark Tower. This one ended on a cliffhanger, moreso than the first two even. It was a fun read but a slower one than the first two for varying reasons. The first half with recovering Jake was something I honestly thought was gonna occur in the second book so to see it be given so much attention here surprised me, but I certainly enjoyed it. The book's title barely even comes into play at the end. I look forward to continuing the journey with Wizard and Glass.

[The Thompsons]

As promised I read "11/22/63" during my sabbatical and thought it was a great book. I think this would place in my top 5. I liked the nod to "IT" and the twists and turns of Jake's adventure through time. This had everything I was expecting and more as I have always wanted someone to do a JFK/time travel book. It also had a very poignant and satisfying ending. Once again just an awesome book and like you rasp I'm very tempted to read it again.

[Oh, that's raspberry!]

I'm just under 200 pages into Wizard and Glass. Wolves of the Calla and Song of Susannah arrived today so I have all 7 initially released!

[D4C]

Are they all new printings