Any Stephen King fans out there? I'm working towards my goal of reading all of his books. Right now I'm reading The Talisman by King & Straub, and I just cannot get into it! Anyone who has read it - does it get better?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.My favorite totally forgotten book by him, The Eyes of the Dragon.
I found a hardback copy in a rundown bookstore somewheres. Love that book.
Moose42
Level 5
Apr 23, 2018
3
That’s a good one. A bit different than his norm - I got a very “fantasy” vibe from The Eyes of the Dragon. Some of my favorites (so far) are From a Buick 8, 11/22/63, and Revival. IT was good too
@RealmOfReality yeah, it was very fantasy. I liked the lack of dragons and princesses and shit and the more subterfuge type mind job of the progression of the younger prince.
IT was just twisted. I mean, I get it, but thank Dog they left certain points out of the movie.
He owns my local Radio station, even has it called that "Stephen Kings rock station" WKIT
He gives away books and tickets to his movies premiers on it all the time, last was for IT and his new book . . .
Davesnothere
Level 7
Apr 24, 2018
2
I'm a huge Stephen King fangirl, but out of all his books I had the hardest time staying with The Talisman and The Dark Tower series (I know they're different, but some would say the universes they exist in are the same). I can't put my finger on it- I've loved eveything else of his. Those just didn't hold my interest as much.
Hopewatson
Level 4
Apr 23, 2018
2
Dude! I read The Gunslinger a few years ago and HATED it. I was like wtf is even going on in this book. On the recommendation of a new coworker, I read it again and then finished the series. Loved the series
@RealmOfReality Well, it's been years so maybe as an adult I'll give it another shot now on your recommendation. It wouldn't be the first time I've discovered something I didn't give a solid shot before struck a chord with me later in life. Thanks! I'm gonna try and get inspired to dig 'em out of my bookshelves after I finish my current read. 
@Hopewatson You really just have to power through The Gunslinger and get to The Drawing of the Three. The Gunslinger will make way more sense then.
I couldn't stand that he would take 5 pages to just DESCRIBE someone's physical characteristics! 
I;m a big Stephen King fan, but that's one book I haven't read. Last one I read was Revival, which was really good.
RiderJay
Level 5
Apr 23, 2018
1
Revival was great!
He also has done stories that are not horror made into some of the best movies of our era.
The Shawshank Redemption
The Green Mile
Stand by Me
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Apr 23, 2018
1
Yep! And all of those are great stories
He has put out so much stuff some of it is hit and miss. I've ran into some of his that just weren't my cup of tea. Take the good with the bad though I suppose.
MrBrightSide
Level 5
Apr 23, 2018
1
Same. I did not like Rose Madder at all, but I’ve liked
most of his books that I’ve read so far
Is that the one with the werewolf not a werewolf? That one meshes with The Gunslinger world, I think. The Gunslinger stuff is alright. It is just somewhat complex especially if you were to dive into the center.
Many of King's works are interconnected. He drops more Easter Eggs than a certain Lepus.
His book with an adult Danny Torrence (The Shining) as the protagonist is my favorite King novel in recent years. The title is "Doctor Sleep."
And if you fancy yourself pen in hand, "On Writing" cannot be bested.
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Apr 23, 2018
1
I don’t know about the werewolf stuff... I haven’t gotten to that part yet. I loved The Dark Tower series and I really liked Doctor Sleep!
@RealmOfReality It was so satisfying to find our that Danny was more or less OK.
Well...As OK as any of us. lol
@RealmOfReality It may be a different story then. The books are interconnected.
I struggled with this too. Eventually finished it on probably the third attempt, and yes, if I remember correctly it is worth it. Persevere, you'll be glad you did. Favourites are the Dark Tower series, love them!
jjfbrady
Level 2
Apr 23, 2018
1
Thankee-sai! And I love The Dark Tower series too!
@RealmOfReality Long days and pleasant nights!
I read The Talisman years ago and rather enjoyed it.
The sequel Black House is much better. It ties in with the Dark Tower series of books, just don’t watch the movie.
I think some of Kings works are difficult to get into. Many people dislike The Dark Tower but I think it’s a masterpiece
R3ddragon70
Level 4
Apr 23, 2018
1
Too late. I’ve already seen The Dark Tower movie. I saw it when it was out in theaters. It really was awful, but I loved reading The Dark Tower books!
@RealmOfReality it’s not aweful. But neither is it good. It’s in that grey space where you can see the potential but also how badly they fucked it up.
I know some people thought Idris Elba was the wrong person to play Roland but I thought he was the best thing about the movie.
I’m hoping the tv adaptation will stick with the books story more closely, but it’s a long story so I expect some trimming
The Talsiman is a bit "out there" but I certainly would recommend "The Stand" and "The Shining" and "11-22-63"!!!!!!!!
dexman2132
Level 5
Apr 23, 2018
1
I’ve read those already and loved them!
Don’t forget he used the pen-name: Richard Bachman.
But my favorite is a bit cliche I suppose. “IT” is my favorite. But I haven’t read a lot of his other books. I’m collecting the audiobooks right now.
Leo716
Level 6
Apr 23, 2018
1
Oh yeah, the Bachman books were good too, especially "The Running Man".
Of course! I just count Bachman as Stephen King since they’re one and the same. I just finished Thinner last month
Oh gosh, I think I read that in high school. I liked it at the time. Could not get into Tommyknockers or Needful Things.
Marcie1974
Level 8
Apr 23, 2018
1
Tommyknockers was just strange.
All of them? Like, every one?
Honestape
Level 6
Apr 23, 2018
1
Yep. I’m more than halfway done!
He got a bit weird with his writing before he got better. Keep reading, but don't keep your hopes up on that one.
Holysocks
Level 8
Apr 23, 2018
1
I think Carrie was the first one he sold.
I'm a fan; but only of the books turned into movies. I have a hard time staying focused while I read, so the movie is usually easier for me.
MrPadre394
Level 4
Apr 23, 2018
1
Omg so much better!!! But of course that’s to me. The writing is not as good as some of his later works, but the story is amazing! Enjoy the territories!
Jenmcjen
Level 6
Apr 23, 2018
1
Thanks! I can’t just stop reading it, but I kind of want to. Glad to know it does improve
@RealmOfReality not only that, but the sequel when Jack is an adult is SO much better, but not nearly as meaningful if you haven’t read Talisman. It’s an amazing example of how writers improve as they mature. Best advice for Talisman is love Wolf with all your heart.
I loved it really, to me its one of his more emotionally charged works (a tearjerker). If you love Stephen King you really should try works by his son Joe Hill. I think their writing styles are very similar and that makes me very happy because I have always thought I would die of depression if I outlived Mr. King and had no more books of his to look forward to.
exilesky
Level 7
June 1, 2018
0
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