I know what you mean. Just today my English teacher said that Stephen King books were not literary works and lumped it in with other popular fiction like Twilight. It really ticked me off.
'The Shining' - the scariest (really gave me a strange and creepy feeling)
'Misery' - the craziest (Annie was waay crazier than she was in the movie)
'Nightshift' - the most entertaining (a 'snack-book' with some of his best short stories)
'The Stand' - not as good as I thought (too long and kinda boring)...
I know almost all of them (exept for Under The Dome) and The Dark Tower is his MASTERPIECE! Never read anything so amazing before! Too bad that so many King-fans haven't read it.
@schlumbl84 How the hell do you sit there and call The Stand "too long and kinda boring"? I was riveted by the book and it easily is one of his most focused in terms of scope and it's themes. Sure, it's a long book, but the characters are so well drawn and I can't think of a better sampling of his work and I've read a large portion of his catalogue.
@schlumbl84 I just started reading the Dark Tower series. I do agree that it gets lost in the shuffle among alot of his fans, me included up until now. I'm directly in the middle of The Drawing of the Three right now and I can't wait to pick up the next couple volumes.
About the Stand, the only issue in my eyes is the somewhat letdown feeling I got from the whole final confrontation which was a tad anti climactic. I guess the characters and the whole getting there was what won me over.
@samspadena Yeah, The Dark Tower really gets lost. It's different and a very incredible story. When I finished reading it I had a feeling like: TOO BAD I've finished it and that's the BEST! Just the best. His masterpiece and the center of all his stories.
I've never read any of his books, though, so I can't judge them on a pure quality basis: that's why I trust Eric that they're great. But, below the surface, are they really drug-induced? Does such a vibe even carry over to the written word? I've heard Eric talk about one comic he thought was conceived by the author while he was high, but i believe he still liked it. I'd be interested to hear what Eric thinks about drug-inspired fiction.
@Veomunn the 2nd Dark Tower book is DEFINITELY drug inspired. king has definietley used psychedelics. Its themes of possession and voyaging between times/alternate realities are as trippy as anything in burroughs or philip k dick... in addition, cocaine and heroin are both featured in the story (king was using alcohol and much cocaine at the time of writing).
Based on what he's admitted to, I think his work is influenced/might be conceived through his use of marijuana. Artists in the past used opium for creative flare, and I think both of these examples are akin to using steroids in a competitive sport in many ways.
@Veomunn no, you're wrong--writing is not a sport or a competition--it's an attempt to explore COMPLETELY the depths of the psyche, and there are states of awareness one can NOT reach without the keys to the doors of perception
He's ok - I prefer Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman though - I really enjoyed IT and Needful Things, as well as the Night Shift collection, but most of King's other work has left me fairly bored, or if not bored, mainly just thinking "this is supposed to be a horror novel? I get it - people treat each other terribly, people can be just as evil as the big bad blah blah blah - give it a rest."
I keep hearing that kind of thing, about how king's writing has gone down hill after his accident, which is such a shame cause he is a brilliant writer and was better before that.
Stephen King's also a major fave writer of mine. I don't have much access to his stuff most times but I'm hell-bent catching up. Currently reading "The Langoliers".
King is my favorite author...I've been reading him since I was in the fourth grade and he really opened me up to reading 'adult' books. He's acually the reason I've gone on to read such greats as Wilde and Camus. I think King is great, at prose, characters, plot build up and just about everything else. Under The Dome was great but it was also a dissapointment. His writing has gone down-hill but he can still have me finish a thousend page book in a week.
Naw i think its one a year - this year was under the dome and i think maybe last years was just after sunset (?), maybe duma key or cell - idk - but im pretty damn sure its not 4 books a year dats overkill
I LOVE Stephen King! I just started reading IT about a week ago. He's just an amazing writer and can create very realistic human characters but at the same time create terrifying villians who are just the epitomy of evil. I read the first scene with Pennywortg and he hasn't appeared again after 200 pages but that first appearejce still resonated perfectly and u can still feel his presence lingeringn thr story. Just amazing. I've read so many of his books and I intend to read all of them
I have read The Green Mile. There is a book with no horror or anything supernatural (I consider some events more spiritual that supernatural) and I really enjoyed it. It is a book that nothing like the reputation that he is given.
I personally liked it. It is in the same vein as The Stand but the minor characters arent as developed. Still, this is coming from the guy who thought King's previous success was Dreamcatcher. I suggest buying it even, but read IT and Salem's Lot first
I'm reading "IT" right now, and I gotta say, although I like the TV-Movie, so far, with what i've read, it's got nothing on the book. cant wait for the movie, since it'll be closer to the novel. I heard the only difference is that it'll be set in the 80s' and today, as opposed to the 50s/80s' like the book.
but I like the original shining as a standalone piece inspired by his book,however, as a "based-off the book", then shining sucked ass. the TV series version of shining was better.
I was a big Stephen King fan, but I agree he has lost his touch. He's still cool though cos he said "Stephenie Meyer cant write worth a darn. Shes not very good.
Most movies based on his work suck, but there are good ones out there. I liked The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Maybe cos they weren't horror tales so they could focus more on character.
also what i mean with masterpiece is its so unique and disturbing even while in the movie there isnt so much goin on, like I said jack makes this movie ALOT better than it really is
I actually saw it before I read the book and thought it was terrible.
the film makes no sence. And Jack's weakness as an actor really shows through. I never beliv ehe's a good man who goes crazy. He just comes off as an almost crazy guy all the time then he finally just goes with it.
you have a good point there, personally I think that jack(Torrence) never was a good man and that he was crazy all the time. Whatever well the movie really doesnt make sense but I blelieve in rare cases ilike this one its better to leave logical gaps to let the viewer himself make his own opinion about the movie and not explainng the entire plot, atleast I think it has more of an impact that way
With me, it's strange, but I love good short books. And I love his writing but his books are huge. It's one of the main reasons why I can't get into Harry Potter nor the Twilight BS because the stories are annoyingly long.
Might I suggest 'Neverwhere' then. It's by Neil Gaiman who is, in my opinion, the most life-estranging avatar of abstract brilliance the 90's had to offer. Also the book's like 300 or so pages. I think you'll muddle through somehow. Also I've heard 'American Gods' is good, and if you like short stories 'Sandman' and 'Smoke and Mirors' are incredible choices to pick from.
Also try 'Ender's Game' if you're penchants lean more to sci-fi. Phillip K. Dick's great too.
Great video. I agree with that statement "He writes about the people who own that house that the creature lives in." I think that's why his books don't always translate well into movies. The makers are trying to make the movie about the monster instead about the characters. I think most people are critical of King based on the movies & not bothering to try to read the books, which is a mistake.
stephen king is a demonic devil !!! he is of the devil! nuff said
jimblackmon 1 month ago
I know what you mean. Just today my English teacher said that Stephen King books were not literary works and lumped it in with other popular fiction like Twilight. It really ticked me off.
Bowserfett08 5 months ago
no one can EXPLAIN stephen king.......
redpaul79 5 months ago
'The Shining' - the scariest (really gave me a strange and creepy feeling)
'Misery' - the craziest (Annie was waay crazier than she was in the movie)
'Nightshift' - the most entertaining (a 'snack-book' with some of his best short stories)
'The Stand' - not as good as I thought (too long and kinda boring)...
I know almost all of them (exept for Under The Dome) and The Dark Tower is his MASTERPIECE! Never read anything so amazing before! Too bad that so many King-fans haven't read it.
schlumbl84 6 months ago
@schlumbl84 How the hell do you sit there and call The Stand "too long and kinda boring"? I was riveted by the book and it easily is one of his most focused in terms of scope and it's themes. Sure, it's a long book, but the characters are so well drawn and I can't think of a better sampling of his work and I've read a large portion of his catalogue.
samspadena 5 months ago
@samspadena It was boring to me. By the way: The ONLY boring King book I've ever read. And I've read them all exept for Under the Dome.
schlumbl84 5 months ago
@schlumbl84 I just started reading the Dark Tower series. I do agree that it gets lost in the shuffle among alot of his fans, me included up until now. I'm directly in the middle of The Drawing of the Three right now and I can't wait to pick up the next couple volumes.
About the Stand, the only issue in my eyes is the somewhat letdown feeling I got from the whole final confrontation which was a tad anti climactic. I guess the characters and the whole getting there was what won me over.
samspadena 5 months ago
@samspadena Yeah, The Dark Tower really gets lost. It's different and a very incredible story. When I finished reading it I had a feeling like: TOO BAD I've finished it and that's the BEST! Just the best. His masterpiece and the center of all his stories.
schlumbl84 5 months ago
I've never read any of his books, though, so I can't judge them on a pure quality basis: that's why I trust Eric that they're great. But, below the surface, are they really drug-induced? Does such a vibe even carry over to the written word? I've heard Eric talk about one comic he thought was conceived by the author while he was high, but i believe he still liked it. I'd be interested to hear what Eric thinks about drug-inspired fiction.
(Part 2 of 2.)
Veomunn 11 months ago
@Veomunn the 2nd Dark Tower book is DEFINITELY drug inspired. king has definietley used psychedelics. Its themes of possession and voyaging between times/alternate realities are as trippy as anything in burroughs or philip k dick... in addition, cocaine and heroin are both featured in the story (king was using alcohol and much cocaine at the time of writing).
redpaul79 5 months ago
Here's my problem with Stephen King:
Based on what he's admitted to, I think his work is influenced/might be conceived through his use of marijuana. Artists in the past used opium for creative flare, and I think both of these examples are akin to using steroids in a competitive sport in many ways.
(Part 1 of 2.)
Veomunn 11 months ago
@Veomunn no, you're wrong--writing is not a sport or a competition--it's an attempt to explore COMPLETELY the depths of the psyche, and there are states of awareness one can NOT reach without the keys to the doors of perception
redpaul79 5 months ago
He's ok - I prefer Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman though - I really enjoyed IT and Needful Things, as well as the Night Shift collection, but most of King's other work has left me fairly bored, or if not bored, mainly just thinking "this is supposed to be a horror novel? I get it - people treat each other terribly, people can be just as evil as the big bad blah blah blah - give it a rest."
vladdt 1 year ago
i would argue that the dark tower series as a whole should be ranked up there with other epics such as the lord of the rings
reeper250 1 year ago
Misery is my favorite Stephen King Book. Green Mile is my second favorite.
JudgeMagisterDelita 1 year ago
I keep hearing that kind of thing, about how king's writing has gone down hill after his accident, which is such a shame cause he is a brilliant writer and was better before that.
SonicSlayer66 2 years ago
Stephen King's also a major fave writer of mine. I don't have much access to his stuff most times but I'm hell-bent catching up. Currently reading "The Langoliers".
Any recent stuff you might recommend? =)
RavnDream 2 years ago
King is my favorite author...I've been reading him since I was in the fourth grade and he really opened me up to reading 'adult' books. He's acually the reason I've gone on to read such greats as Wilde and Camus. I think King is great, at prose, characters, plot build up and just about everything else. Under The Dome was great but it was also a dissapointment. His writing has gone down-hill but he can still have me finish a thousend page book in a week.
mercop14 2 years ago
i love Stephen King but i think that he just writes to often like doesn't he have a deal where he writes 4 books a year
padfoot0422 2 years ago
Naw i think its one a year - this year was under the dome and i think maybe last years was just after sunset (?), maybe duma key or cell - idk - but im pretty damn sure its not 4 books a year dats overkill
IndieMovieChannel 2 years ago
I'm reading IT right now,
bigel2189 2 years ago
my favorite King book is pet semitary. not only was it the best horror book ive read, it its also one of the best overall books ive read.
dkbadass 2 years ago
Excellent video. I haven't read a King book in a couple of years. This made me want to pick another one up.
therealmanos 2 years ago
I LOVE Stephen King! I just started reading IT about a week ago. He's just an amazing writer and can create very realistic human characters but at the same time create terrifying villians who are just the epitomy of evil. I read the first scene with Pennywortg and he hasn't appeared again after 200 pages but that first appearejce still resonated perfectly and u can still feel his presence lingeringn thr story. Just amazing. I've read so many of his books and I intend to read all of them
freereviews344 2 years ago
@freereviews344 he appeared in the first two chapters...lol
when georgie and SPOILER ALERT :and when the gay guy is killed by the teens from being thrown over the bridge and eaten by pennywise
venospid 2 years ago
*when georgie died*
venospid 2 years ago
I have read The Green Mile. There is a book with no horror or anything supernatural (I consider some events more spiritual that supernatural) and I really enjoyed it. It is a book that nothing like the reputation that he is given.
Tatorman09 2 years ago
Under the Dome can best be explained as Stephen King's own Lord of the Flies
TheCrisisKings 2 years ago 2
But is it any good?
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
I personally liked it. It is in the same vein as The Stand but the minor characters arent as developed. Still, this is coming from the guy who thought King's previous success was Dreamcatcher. I suggest buying it even, but read IT and Salem's Lot first
TheCrisisKings 2 years ago
@blowshimselfupdude I'm currently reading the book and so far...Hell yeah, it's REALLY good!
OwlEye2010 2 months ago
I'm reading "IT" right now, and I gotta say, although I like the TV-Movie, so far, with what i've read, it's got nothing on the book. cant wait for the movie, since it'll be closer to the novel. I heard the only difference is that it'll be set in the 80s' and today, as opposed to the 50s/80s' like the book.
but I like the original shining as a standalone piece inspired by his book,however, as a "based-off the book", then shining sucked ass. the TV series version of shining was better.
venospid 2 years ago
I like the TV series version quite a bit. The Dad in that was soooo much better then Jack.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
Agreed. 100%
venospid 2 years ago 2
I absolutely love stephen king.
SPORE07 2 years ago
i like it, the stand, the shining,carrie,thinner,he has a talent for the internal
dvid22 2 years ago
What are your thoughts on his Dark Tower series becoming a movie? I believe the first movie is to hit theaters next year.
marco12377 2 years ago
It might not hit theaters so soon.
J.J. Abrams and David Lindelof have said they aren't planning on doing it anymore...
goddesfreackz 2 years ago
It's too big and conects to his other works too much.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
If Twilight can get adaptations, then so can the Dark Tower. That's my thoughts on it.
Voltan 2 years ago
I was a big Stephen King fan, but I agree he has lost his touch. He's still cool though cos he said "Stephenie Meyer cant write worth a darn. Shes not very good.
Most movies based on his work suck, but there are good ones out there. I liked The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile. Maybe cos they weren't horror tales so they could focus more on character.
DarthGaras 2 years ago
What about the shining, it doesnt have that much in common with the book but as a movie is a masterpiece
Fenrirff7 2 years ago
Haven't seen the movie so I couldn't possibly comment.
DarthGaras 2 years ago
What? It's a terrible movie.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
personally I think without jack nicholson the movie would be rather mediocre, however I never read the book so I cnat judge from your perspective.
Fenrirff7 2 years ago
also what i mean with masterpiece is its so unique and disturbing even while in the movie there isnt so much goin on, like I said jack makes this movie ALOT better than it really is
Fenrirff7 2 years ago
I actually saw it before I read the book and thought it was terrible.
the film makes no sence. And Jack's weakness as an actor really shows through. I never beliv ehe's a good man who goes crazy. He just comes off as an almost crazy guy all the time then he finally just goes with it.
I just really think it's a pretty pour film.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
you have a good point there, personally I think that jack(Torrence) never was a good man and that he was crazy all the time. Whatever well the movie really doesnt make sense but I blelieve in rare cases ilike this one its better to leave logical gaps to let the viewer himself make his own opinion about the movie and not explainng the entire plot, atleast I think it has more of an impact that way
Fenrirff7 2 years ago
Maybe that was part of the point of kubrick's version that jack deep down just wasn't a good person.
mummra4ever 2 years ago
On Writing is actually my favorite
animerocker17 2 years ago
what Stephen King movies do you like
bearandmonkeyinokc 2 years ago
Basicly none. I like Secret Window. That's about it.
I did however enjoy The Shining and The Stand minis.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
@blowshimselfupdude do you think his book would be better as minis then movies
bearandmonkeyinokc 2 years ago
Hmm i never have picked up a stephen king book i might now when i get to school tomorrow.
Xicuzab 2 years ago
Start with Carrie, it's the one that started it all.
IggyTthunders 2 years ago
I would start with The Shining or Salem's Lot.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
Thanks it says they have them both ill go pick up the Shining first than Salem's lot.
Xicuzab 2 years ago
With me, it's strange, but I love good short books. And I love his writing but his books are huge. It's one of the main reasons why I can't get into Harry Potter nor the Twilight BS because the stories are annoyingly long.
Maximusmadrica 2 years ago
Yes he does tend ot over write ALOT.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
Might I suggest 'Neverwhere' then. It's by Neil Gaiman who is, in my opinion, the most life-estranging avatar of abstract brilliance the 90's had to offer. Also the book's like 300 or so pages. I think you'll muddle through somehow. Also I've heard 'American Gods' is good, and if you like short stories 'Sandman' and 'Smoke and Mirors' are incredible choices to pick from.
Also try 'Ender's Game' if you're penchants lean more to sci-fi. Phillip K. Dick's great too.
IggyTthunders 2 years ago
Great video. I agree with that statement "He writes about the people who own that house that the creature lives in." I think that's why his books don't always translate well into movies. The makers are trying to make the movie about the monster instead about the characters. I think most people are critical of King based on the movies & not bothering to try to read the books, which is a mistake.
What are your thoughts of Clive Barker?
Dreadpirate46 2 years ago
I'v enever read his books. But I enjoyed the first 2 Hellraisers and Nightbreed.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago
He's pretty good.
ZipBlockBloody 2 years ago
All hail the King. I think Under the Dome was return to form for him though
TheCrisisKings 2 years ago
I've not read it.
blowshimselfupdude 2 years ago