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Never read any, and am intrigued, following the "Shining 2" publicity
It
It *2. his best work
the Stand for a more sci-fi rather than outright horror
pop round, I've got a couple
The Stand. Find the full, unabridged edition.
Thinner always stuck in my head years after reading (and It).
[Edit] just remembered Misery as a good one too.
'IT' scared the shit out of me. took me ages to read.
I also quite liked 'Insomnia'. Kept me up a few nights though.
I was going to say The Stand as that's one of my all time favorites, but for a proper introduction to SK it has to be proper scary!
I think It was the first one of his that I read and I was hooked for years. Most of his older stuff is great, the later stuff not so much I thought but could just have been my taste changing.
For Sci Fi type stuff also look at the Dark Tower (Gunslinger) series, 8 books IIRC. Very good [s]but a slightly disappointing ending IMO.[/s]
Under the done is actually a brilliant read (nothing like the guffy tv rip off)
scotroutes - Member
The Stand. Find the full, unabridged edition.
+1
11/22/63. A bit different from his horror stuff as it has a time travel theme, I really liked it.
Salems Lot. Classic scary king, nothing like the crap tv series.
It, is great. Also loved Talisman, just started The shining just so i can read the new follow up
IT
Christine, Firestarter. Lots of very good Stephen King out there, but stay away from the Dark Tower Series until you're read a good few. In fact stay away from 11/22/63 for a while too.
Some short stories worth reading too. Hearts in Atlantis is worth reading. Stay away from Dark Tower as long as you can. It's very good, but you need to be fairly embedded in your Stephen King to really appreciate it
and of course IT
It was very good. I enjoyed Christine and Cujo
For Sci Fi type stuff also look at the Dark Tower (Gunslinger) series, 8 books IIRC. Very good but a slightly disappointing ending IMO.
I wouldn't have though of Dark Tower as Sci-Fi. The ending is about the only ending there could be!
The stand was awesome when I was 17, dunno if it would be as good now. I'll need to read it again and see.
+1 for Christine. As with [s]most[/s] all books it kicks the ass out of the film. 🙂
edit
IT, Dark Half, Christine.
The running man
Thinner
The long walk.
And of course, Rita Heyworth and Shankshaw redemption
Another vote for "The Stand", reread it this summer and it was excellent.
Not sure I'd vote for Misery - it's one of those (few?) cases where the film is better than the book.
Enjoyed "The Tommyknockers" when I read it, but that was a long time ago - not sure how well it's aged.
Pet Cemetary was my first 😀
Not sure I'd vote for Misery - it's one of those (few?) cases where the film is better than the book.
I'm probably remembering the film so yes I'd like to retract Misery from the list
Another recommendation for IT, one of the great modern novels.
Started to watch the film the other day, could only get 10 minutes in, acting was average and looks very dated now. Would be intrigued to see it as a full length TV series but not sure it's filmable.
i also really enjoyed The Shining.
Yes good point, I just wasn't sure how to classify it. It's certainly not his standard fayre. I'd also agree to stay away until you're sold on his writing.I wouldn't have though of Dark Tower as Sci-Fi.
Whatever you read, pay attention. There are quite often very slight (and sometimes not so slight) references to other stories/characters thrown in. It helps to understand the link sometimes, although is by no means essential.
Lawn mower man is another good short story, totally different to the film.
Nightmares and Dreamscapes is a great collection of short stories.
Surprised at all the love for It, it's a long way from the top of my list. If you've not read any od his stuff before, I think Different Seasons is a good place to start, Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemption and The Body are fantastic and accessible, as well as being amazing films. Loved The Stand, Christine, Pet Cemetary, Thinner, Skeleton Crew, but he went a bit overblown in tne nineties, for my money
I thought Christine was excellent, then really disappointed by the film. The Bachman Books I also enjoyed (short stories), especially The Long Walk (I think that's what it's called). NB: I'm not into scary
I was also enjoying some similar Dean R. Koontz around this period, one based around subliminal messaging springs to mind
The long walk and running man both came from the same drug session I expect. 😉
Desperation
The shining is fine but if you want something that makes you uncomfortable I would recommend the above.
Green Mile.
Stand by me
??Stand by me
Was The Body rereleased as that?
Yes
I think it really depends on what the OP likes ultimately.
If you want brilliantly created and detailed worlds with very nicely written characters that you can lose yourself in then I think The Stand / IT are good suggestions. Possibly Talisman / Black House in there too but they aren't solo SK efforts.
There are some excellent collections of short stories if you want a quicker fix.
I'd agree that there is some 'shlock' in his catalogue - Pet Semetary potentially falling into that.
I actually found Under the Dome very disappointing in terms of the ending but it is another example of how well he can build a believable world for the reader.
Also - do you want overtly scary or more thoughtful / considered frights?
I guess I'd also say hold off the Dark Tower until you read a few others. It is an extraordinary series for me both in content and in terms of how interwoven it is / many other books are to it (depending on your POV). I say 'I guess' because I love it and want to share it with people but you do get more from it if you read others first. There is a site somewhere that will tell you which books to read when if you're just starting the DT series (8 books now and 1 short story - The Little Sisters of Eluria although only the first 7 are 'key' ;D).
Then there are the Dark Tower Marvel Comics too!
No one talks about the Dark Tower embarrassment. Talking dogs, gun-shooting knights and possibly the killer Thomas the Tank Engine.... 😀
Wooosh!
Dolores claibourne is good read
The Body. I did read it before I saw the film .
His early works collected in The Bachman Books. And Cell.
Pet Cemetary is not schlock!
It's one of the best explorations of grief and loss I've ever read.
And it's brilliantly written.
Salem's Lot is superb.
I was impressed by It and The Sttand as a kid but not so much as an adult.
The short stories are fantastic.
I was about fourteen when I read pet semetary and I've never re-read it, which is unusual for me. It's not cause it was rubbish, more that it deeply disturbed me and made me feel quite uncomfortable, which I suppose means it's an excellent horror novel