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Post by beren44 on Jul 5, 2017 19:02:44 GMT
Well, hell! I just spent a half hour writing about a bunch of his work, only to have it wiped out by my dying mouse! I am not in the mood to retype/re-think all of it right now, so I will just say, "The Shining" was the one book that gave me absolute chills when I read it. Didn't care much for the original movie when it came out, but I do like it more now. I have not watched the re-make.
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Post by haxemon on Jul 18, 2017 17:38:40 GMT
I'm a huge Stephen King fan but somewhat ironically it's not the horror elements that keep me coming back. The way he writes the minutia of his characters makes them so relate-able and real for me. I started with The Dark Half and then pretty much read everything I could get my hands on. Some of the Bachman books are even better than the stuff he put his name on (for me).
The Stand and The Gunslinger books are true epics.
Many of the movies and other projects based on his books are crap but some are good (much like comics adapted for other mediums).
I am a constant reader for sure.
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Jul 18, 2017 23:36:13 GMT
I'm a huge Stephen King fan but somewhat ironically it's not the horror elements that keep me coming back. The way he writes the minutia of his characters makes them so relate-able and real for me. I started with The Dark Half and then pretty much read everything I could get my hands on. Some of the Bachman books are even better than the stuff he put his name on (for me). The Stand and The Gunslinger books are true epics. Many of the movies and other projects based on his books are crap but some are good (much like comics adapted for other mediums). I am a constant reader for sure. The Stand is one of my favourite books ever and the Gunslinger series is a close second.  Couldn't make it through The Dark Half, though I did think it was hilarious King dedicated it to Bachman. |
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Post by DoTheMath on Jul 19, 2017 2:25:19 GMT
I'm a huge Stephen King fan but somewhat ironically it's not the horror elements that keep me coming back. The way he writes the minutia of his characters makes them so relate-able and real for me. I started with The Dark Half and then pretty much read everything I could get my hands on. Some of the Bachman books are even better than the stuff he put his name on (for me). The Stand and The Gunslinger books are true epics. Many of the movies and other projects based on his books are crap but some are good (much like comics adapted for other mediums). I am a constant reader for sure.
Exactly, ^this^
His ability to let you get to know the characters and stay engaged with them is second to none. That's the only reason I was able to get all the way through Cujo. For me, as an entire work, it was no where near his best work but character engagement was incredible. I read a book of his short stories many many years ago and his character work was really evident there. His shorts were as compelling as his novels. I agree with Jemma Simmons on The Stand. Couldn't put it down. Also loved his writing in Salem's Lot and Pet Cemetery (the only book to literally give me chills). Haven't read him in years, though (not since Pet Cemetery). Any suggestions?
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Jul 19, 2017 2:55:35 GMT
I'm a huge Stephen King fan but somewhat ironically it's not the horror elements that keep me coming back. The way he writes the minutia of his characters makes them so relate-able and real for me. I started with The Dark Half and then pretty much read everything I could get my hands on. Some of the Bachman books are even better than the stuff he put his name on (for me). The Stand and The Gunslinger books are true epics. Many of the movies and other projects based on his books are crap but some are good (much like comics adapted for other mediums). I am a constant reader for sure.
Exactly, ^this^
His ability to let you get to know the characters and stay engaged with them is second to none. That's the only reason I was able to get all the way through Cujo. For me, as an entire work, it was no where near his best work but character engagement was incredible. I read a book of his short stories many many years ago and his character work was really evident there. His shorts were as compelling as his novels. I agree with Jemma Simmons on The Stand. Couldn't put it down. Also loved his writing in Salem's Lot and Pet Cemetery (the only book to literally give me chills). Haven't read him in years, though (not since Pet Cemetery). Any suggestions?
Agreed about the way he writes the minutia of his characters. Also, he has this way of making the mundane seem very... off in order to build that creepy tension. I think that's one reason his work is difficult to translate to film. As far as recommendations, if you haven't read The Dark Tower series yet, do! Under the Dome was pretty good. Doctor Sleep was a great sequel to The Shining. |
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Post by haxemon on Jul 19, 2017 14:18:27 GMT
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Post by haxemon on Jul 19, 2017 14:20:45 GMT
Doctor Sleep was a great sequel to The Shining. Great recommendation. Another recent set of books are the Mr. Mercedes books. |
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Jul 19, 2017 14:41:49 GMT
Doctor Sleep was a great sequel to The Shining. Great recommendation. Another recent set of books are the Mr. Mercedes books. Yes, those were fantastic too! I rarely enjoy the telly and film adaptations of King's work, but I think that series will lend itself well to being a series. 11/22/63 was a really good book, too. |
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Post by haxemon on Jul 19, 2017 14:44:44 GMT
Great recommendation. Another recent set of books are the Mr. Mercedes books. Yes, those were fantastic too! I rarely enjoy the telly and film adaptations of King's work, but I think that series will lend itself well to being a series. 11/22/63 was a really good book, too. Another great one. Yeah I think (very similar to Marvel back in the day) King often sold the rights to his books with little control or concern for how the film turned out. And other times he did have control and still blew it. But I think many of his works can be amazing in film or TV with the right people making them. |
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Jul 19, 2017 14:54:26 GMT
Yes, those were fantastic too! I rarely enjoy the telly and film adaptations of King's work, but I think that series will lend itself well to being a series. 11/22/63 was a really good book, too. Another great one. Yeah I think (very similar to Marvel back in the day) King often sold the rights to his books with little control or concern for how the film turned out. And other times he did have control and still blew it. But I think many of his works can be amazing in film or TV with the right people making them. I think you're right about the issue partially being how much control over the film King had when selling the rights to his work. He certainly can write entertaining horror movies (see Creepshow!) I also think he's had less luck with the telly adaptations even when he was involved, just because there are things you just can't do on Network (vs. a movie or cable). I know from interviews he was very unhappy with Kubrick's version of The Shining. |
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Post by haxemon on Jul 19, 2017 16:09:21 GMT
I know from interviews he was very unhappy with Kubrick's version of The Shining. Yeah the Kubrick feud was quite something apparently. Classic case of two "artists" having tunnel vision. |
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Post by beren44 on Oct 24, 2017 17:52:18 GMT
a picture for Jemma Simmons and any of you other fans Happy Halloweeny time   |
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Post by haxemon on Feb 14, 2018 21:52:11 GMT
Just started Sleeping Beauties (co-written with Owen King). So far, so creepy!
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Post by Jemma Simmons on Feb 16, 2018 13:41:36 GMT
Just started Sleeping Beauties (co-written with Owen King). So far, so creepy! Good to know! Haven’t gotten to that, as I am currently re-reading The Stand, but it’s on my list! |
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Post by haxemon on Feb 16, 2018 15:15:23 GMT
Just started Sleeping Beauties (co-written with Owen King). So far, so creepy! Good to know! Haven’t gotten to that, as I am currently re-reading The Stand, but it’s on my list! If I ever end up as Omega Man I might read The Stand daily. Just amazing. The Marvel adaptations are really good as well (though each comic is about 60% content and 40% alternate cover designs etc.) (Unless I have Netflix somehow - in which case it will probably take 20 years to just catch up on stuff I've missed.) |
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