The Stephen King Thread (non Dark Tower series)

Discussion in 'TMB Book Club' started by RegimentML, Mar 3, 2016.

  1. RonBurgundy

    RonBurgundy Well-Known Member

    Starting The Institute today. Love it so far (30% ish), I’m sure King will disappoint me with the ending.
     
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  2. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Started Misery last night. Holy shit this book is something.
     
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  3. NCHusker

    NCHusker We named our yam Pam. It rhymed.
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    don't open until you're done
    he definitely will
     
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  4. NCHusker

    NCHusker We named our yam Pam. It rhymed.
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    Misery movie is worth a watch once you're done with the book. Not as good obviously but Kathy Bates kills it
     
  5. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    Definitely plan on watching it this month.
     
  6. RonBurgundy

    RonBurgundy Well-Known Member

    Finished the Institute. It was good not great. Such a great idea with the climax and ending just being kinda meh.
     
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  7. NCHusker

    NCHusker We named our yam Pam. It rhymed.
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    Yup. Still enjoyed the book overall
     
  8. LuPoor

    LuPoor Cuddle with the homies watching Stand By Me
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    Really enjoyed Pet Sematary. Probably gonna try Misery next, found it crazy cheap on Ebay
     
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  9. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    About 60% through Misery. This shit is messed up and I know it’s only gonna get more insane.

    I’m loving it.
     
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  10. Lorne Malvo

    Lorne Malvo Aces!
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    She just cut off his foot after casually mentioning she puts her hair on shit to see if he is doing things. I can’t get over how insane she is. Incredible villain.
     
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  11. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    That is one part that was significantly different in the movie.

    Broke ankles with sledgehammer instead of chopping off feet :meh:
     
  12. Gin Buckets

    Gin Buckets Well-Known Member
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    If you’ve read these, how would you rank the following King novels? Going to add one to the library soon. Leaning Hearts in Atlantis since I don’t remember the movie well, and don’t love the pure horror genre as much as most.

    Hearts in Atlantis (loved this movie, but haven’t seen it in 20 years)
    The Talisman
    Eyes of the Dragon
    Dream Catcher
    Christine
    Duma Key
    Rita Hayworth (is it the same as Different Seasons?)
    The Outsider
    Misery
     
  13. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    1. Misery
    2. Talisman
    3. Dream Catcher

    Those are the only ones I've read. Misery is prob one of the best Stephen King books overall. Nothing supernatural though, realistic old-fashioned horror.

    Different Seasons is a collection of a bunch of stories. I read it, Skeleton Crew and Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Can't recall what was best
     
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  14. LuPoor

    LuPoor Cuddle with the homies watching Stand By Me
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    I couldn't put Misery down, that's the only one from that list I've read. By reputation Dreamcatcher is a pile of shit though.
     
  15. smeegsgreen

    smeegsgreen Big fan of Koalas
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    Different Seasons is a novella which includes Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. This is a fantastic book. Highly recommend it. It’s beautiful.
     
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  16. NCHusker

    NCHusker We named our yam Pam. It rhymed.
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    Misery is one of my favorite King books. Outsider is great at times and meh at times but overall enjoyed it. That's it for me
     
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  17. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Misery is a must read
     
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  18. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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    Eyes of the Dragon, The Talisman, and Black House (sequel to Talisman) are some of my favorites by King.

    Don’t know if you’ve read Dark Tower, but all three have connections to it. Especially Black House.

    Outsider is pretty good, but, like a lot of King novels, the ending is the weakest part of the novel. The Bill Hodges Trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch) is better, and also pretty much a prequel to Outsider.
     
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  19. ukcats8

    ukcats8 smugapari
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    The Outsider is a bit of a spinoff of the Mr. Mercedes series, and contains spoilers of that series. Wouldn't recommend it unless you've finished Mr. Mercedes already. It has a very nice HBO adaption too.
     
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  20. TheGrifter

    TheGrifter It's a trick. Get an axe.
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  21. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    Been a while since I read the Talisman, but agree it was great. Loved the switching between the two worlds, kinda like light and dark world on Zelda Link to the Past
     
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  22. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    What's the best King book of the last 10 years? Haven't read anything since 11/22/63.

    Is he still doing random tie-ins to the Dark Tower universe? Any good Easter eggs for a LTR?
     
  23. tylerdolphin

    tylerdolphin My spoon is too big
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    I enjoyed the Mr Mercedes trilogy. I think those and 11/22/63 are the only newer ones I've read
     
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  24. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    I havent read that trilogy. I think the only books post 11/22/63 Ive read are The Outsider and The Institute.

    Liked both, but the endings were underwhelming for me. Liked The Outsider a little more.
     
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  25. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    I enjoyed Revival and The Insitute.
     
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  26. RonBurgundy

    RonBurgundy Well-Known Member

    Gave The institute 8/10
    Mr. mercedes 7.5/10
    Revival 6/10

    11/22/63 still best “modern” King novel imo.
     
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  27. tylerdolphin

    tylerdolphin My spoon is too big
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    Oh yeah I read Revival too. Enjoyed it a lot but wasn't a fan of how it ended. Definitely a worthwhile read though.
     
  28. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    Classic era books I never read:

    Salems Lot
    Cujo
    Christine
    Cycle of the Werewolf
    Eyes of the Dragon
    Thinner
    Gerald's Game
    Dolores Claiborne
    Rose Madder

    What's most worthy of going back for? I own Christine hardback so thinking of giving that a shot
     
  29. LuPoor

    LuPoor Cuddle with the homies watching Stand By Me
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    Salem's Lot is a borderline masterpiece. My favorite of his that I've read.
     
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  30. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    My friend read it in 8th grade and said "weird, do not read" but maybe it was a bit over his head.

    That was also his review of Dolores Claiborne
     
  31. The Blackfish

    The Blackfish The Fish in Black
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    Only one I’ve read is Salem’s Lot and it’s great.
     
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  32. LuPoor

    LuPoor Cuddle with the homies watching Stand By Me
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    It might have been over his head. I think it's just really impressive in both painting a picture of this entire small town and of conveying legit vampire based horror.

    I haven't read Dolores Claiborne but isn't it all in like rambling first person? Could see that definitely getting a weird do not read review.
     
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  33. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    Middle school is prob a tad young for Stephen King but 7th grade is when my friend and I upgraded from Christopher Pike to King. We both read Carrie first and had no problem; it's short and easy to read. We both got through "It" eventually. Firestarter and the Shining are pretty easy for the young reader.
     
  34. Fargin' Icehole

    Fargin' Icehole 50% soulless
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    Need to reread Salem's Lot and The Stand. Haven't read since HS. Didn't love either but I don't think I was ready for em.
     
  35. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    My Stand reread last year during pandemic was quite enjoyable. Definitely go unabridged version if you have the choice
     
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  36. RonBurgundy

    RonBurgundy Well-Known Member

    I really didn’t enjoy reading before I was 25. Think I associated it with boring books I was forced to read for school. I tried reading the gunslinger when I was in high school and hated it, made it 2 chapters before stopping. Read it when I was 30 and while it’s the weakest book in the series, I could still enjoy parts of it much more.
     
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  37. TC

    TC Peter, 53, from Toxteth
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    When I was in 7th grade I could finish a whole Christopher Pike type book at school in one day. I was in the dummy class and the teacher put me at a separate table in the back to prevent me from talking so there was nothing else to do
     
  38. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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    We're basically the same as far as reading habits go.

    I only first read salem's lot within the past few years. I liked it, but thought it was kind a meh, by the numbers vampire story. Then someone pointed out that this was the first mainstream modern vampire story that all the others stand on, which gave me a greater appreciation for it.
     
  39. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    I'd put Salem's lot behind 11/22/63 and the stand, I enjoyed it though
     
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  40. Truman

    Truman Well-Known Member
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  41. LuPoor

    LuPoor Cuddle with the homies watching Stand By Me
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    The book describes about fifty different atrocities they could put into the show, but who gives a shit. Don't need this