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Stephen King--Genius or Hack? I'm a pretty big fan of Stephen King. Right now I'm in book 5 of the Dark Tower series.
I'm not sure he's ever written a great or important book in terms of literature. In fact, I'm pretty sure he hasn't. But every book I read of his reaffirms my opinion that he's something of a genius. Other best-selling writers may churn out lots of books that are entertaining, but most don't have the imagination of Stephen King. He's able to adopt different styles, not just of language, but of storytelling. Each of the Dark Tower books (so far) have had their own stories & styles & settings, and they hold together over the course of thousands of pages. He's written pure horror, and he's written sensitive character pieces. He's written fantasy. He's written pulp. There hasn't been one I haven't enjoyed. And I've never read his greatest books, the Stand or the Shining. Is he a genius or not? My Legacy
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I'd say genius.
I read probably about 8 or 9 of his books only liked all but 1. | |
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Dark Tower VII just made me annoyed. Not because of the ending, but because every great showdown I thought was going to happen lasted a page. It was almost as if he just rushed through so we'd have an ending. I mean, it was still okay, but damn.
I'm a big fan of Gerald's Game. It's the only book that actually ever creeped me out. This one's for you. | |
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Nowadays, he's more on the hack side but his early shit is straight out genius. He's probably my favorite author
And I agree with Gerald's game. That book messed me up 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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You have never read The Stand????!!! That is a must read. The first time I read it in 3 days and all those years ago I saw God in one light and years later when I read it again, I saw god in a completely different light than the first time I read it.....
. [Edited 10/30/06 11:17am] 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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Gerald's Game is one of those examples of him stretching his imagination with a limiting exercise. The whole thing happens with the person tied up in bed.
It's like I read somewhere: "Don't write about the world, don't write about a city, don't write about a building, write about a single brick in the building." My Legacy
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: You have never read The Stand????!!! That is a must read. The first time I read it in 3 days and all those years ago I saw God in one light and years later when I read it again, I saw god in a completely different light than the first time I read it.....
. [Edited 10/30/06 11:17am] He's just got so many damn books! When I was younger, a book that long intimidated me. I feel lucky because I've never read it, and have it to look forward to. Oh, Salem's Lot, too. My brother (Danny) read that as a kid and slept with a cross in his window for a long time afterward. My Legacy
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NDRU said: Gerald's Game is one of those examples of him stretching his imagination with a limiting exercise. The whole thing happens with the person tied up in bed.
It's like I read somewhere: "Don't write about the world, don't write about a city, don't write about a building, write about a single brick in the building." That's an interesting saying I have always wondered how Gerald's game touched men vs women or abused individuals. I really identified with that book from the abuse angle. And I loved how the woman's memory of the eclipse is tied back to Delores Clayborne. When I realized that the vision that Delores had during that eclipse was of that woman when she was a little girl, I had the biggest shivers up my spine :brrr: . [Edited 10/30/06 11:59am] 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: NDRU said: Gerald's Game is one of those examples of him stretching his imagination with a limiting exercise. The whole thing happens with the person tied up in bed.
It's like I read somewhere: "Don't write about the world, don't write about a city, don't write about a building, write about a single brick in the building." That's an interesting saying I have always wondered how Gerald's game touched men vs women or abused individuals. I really identified with that book from the abuse angle. And I loved how the woman's memory of the eclipse is tied back to Deloris Clayborne. When I realized that the vision that Deloris had during that eclipse was of that woman when she was a little girl, I had the biggest shivers up my spine :brrr: I sorta paraphrased that about the brick. Maybe it was Milan Kundera who said it? Stephen King likes to link his various novels with small threads. Somehow he keeps it interesting and not overt or painfully obvious that he's stretching in an attempt to make it seem like he had planned it all before (like George Lucas does) My Legacy
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Genius. Some of his books may have had cop out endings and all but...genius. HE'S COMING AGAIN | |
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Not a genius nor a hack. He is well liked and writes pretty well. He certainly knows how to write a page turner. For me a book needs to be enjoyable and readable and for me Stephen King does that. I think he is probably the author I have read the most from. But I don't think that's been a purposeful choice on my part. He just writes a lot.
I have read and enjoyed Salems Lot Shining The Stand Rose Madder Insomnia Desperation Regulators The Dark Half The Green Mile I Think a few others. He has written a few classics. The Stand is definitely one of them. I'd even say The Shining is another. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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NDRU said: SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: That's an interesting saying I have always wondered how Gerald's game touched men vs women or abused individuals. I really identified with that book from the abuse angle. And I loved how the woman's memory of the eclipse is tied back to Deloris Clayborne. When I realized that the vision that Deloris had during that eclipse was of that woman when she was a little girl, I had the biggest shivers up my spine :brrr: I sorta paraphrased that about the brick. Maybe it was Milan Kundera who said it? Stephen King likes to link his various novels with small threads. Somehow he keeps it interesting and not overt or painfully obvious that he's stretching in an attempt to make it seem like he had planned it all before (like George Lucas does) The first thing I thought of when the whole eclipse thing happened was Delores Claybourne and it didn't occur to me to link the two until I remembered the vision that Deloris had. Not totally obvious at first but the thread becomes apparent. I thought that was absolute genius [Edited 10/30/06 12:00pm] 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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Moderator | Genius
His books are usually the only horror I read Ohh purple joy oh purple bliss oh purple rapture! REAL MUSIC by REAL MUSICIANS - Prince "I kind of wish there was a reason for Prince to make the site crash more" ~~ Ben |
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NDRU said: I'm a pretty big fan of Stephen King. Right now I'm in book 5 of the Dark Tower series.
I'm not sure he's ever written a great or important book in terms of literature. In fact, I'm pretty sure he hasn't. But every book I read of his reaffirms my opinion that he's something of a genius. Other best-selling writers may churn out lots of books that are entertaining, but most don't have the imagination of Stephen King. He's able to adopt different styles, not just of language, but of storytelling. Each of the Dark Tower books (so far) have had their own stories & styles & settings, and they hold together over the course of thousands of pages. He's written pure horror, and he's written sensitive character pieces. He's written fantasy. He's written pulp. There hasn't been one I haven't enjoyed. And I've never read his greatest books, the Stand or the Shining. Is he a genius or not? Those are the 2 Classics. No wonder you don't think you have read anything "classic" from him. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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luv4u said: Genius
His books are usually the only horror I read Yes, me too. My favorite of his has to be The Green Mile - I love that book. I was just thinking the other day I should really pull it out and read it again. [Edited 10/30/06 11:39am] HE'S COMING AGAIN | |
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superspaceboy said: NDRU said: I'm a pretty big fan of Stephen King. Right now I'm in book 5 of the Dark Tower series.
I'm not sure he's ever written a great or important book in terms of literature. In fact, I'm pretty sure he hasn't. But every book I read of his reaffirms my opinion that he's something of a genius. Other best-selling writers may churn out lots of books that are entertaining, but most don't have the imagination of Stephen King. He's able to adopt different styles, not just of language, but of storytelling. Each of the Dark Tower books (so far) have had their own stories & styles & settings, and they hold together over the course of thousands of pages. He's written pure horror, and he's written sensitive character pieces. He's written fantasy. He's written pulp. There hasn't been one I haven't enjoyed. And I've never read his greatest books, the Stand or the Shining. Is he a genius or not? Those are the 2 Classics. No wonder you don't think you have read anything "classic" from him. Important, though? Groundbreaking? or just really good stories? My Legacy
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I read the shining and the writing style wasn't quite to my taste. A very mediocre book, in my opinion, only famous due to the film.
I want to read the Stand and Gerald's Game just having skimmed this thread. Sadly I have to read 3 books by December 1st so I don't have time atm. | |
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Spookymuffin said: I read the shining and the writing style wasn't quite to my taste. A very mediocre book, in my opinion, only famous due to the film.
I want to read the Stand and Gerald's Game just having skimmed this thread. Sadly I have to read 3 books by December 1st so I don't have time atm. I hadn't even mentioned films yet. But you reminded me that (along with some absolutely horrible ones) his stories have inspired some very good films--The Shining, The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me, Misery, Delores Claiborn, Carrie, Creepshow... [Edited 10/30/06 11:57am] My Legacy
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I read The Stand before I read Swan Song and my friend resents the Stand because she feels that Stephen King stole the "end of the world" idea from Robert McCammon. I however disagree because that is the only thing those 2 books have in common. McCammon's writing style is not as complex as Stephen King's and I prefer Kings style of writing but both these books are amazing.
I actually found myself resenting the role of "God" in The Stand. 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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Recommendation for potential Stand readers....get the expanded edition and not the edited version. I have read both and I prefer the meatier story 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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I recently enjoyed Everything's Eventual, his last collection of short stories. These are great ways to exercise style, quick sketches of moods & characters. My Legacy
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How does "It" rank? I've never read that either. My Legacy
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NDRU said: How does "It" rank? I've never read that either.
!!!!! That book is awesome! 2010: Healing the Wounds of the Past.... http://prince.org/msg/8/325740 | |
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when i was in middle school i used to read stephen king novels from cover to cover while everybody else in my class was reading those cruddy goosebumps books. i remember reading the stand all the way through (man, that's a long-assed book...took me about 3 or 4 weeks to finish it), then seeing the made-for-teevee adaptation for it; i was like "dude, wtf?!"
the last book of his i read was nightmares and dreamscapes. that was about, oh, 8 years ago. i should start reading his stuff again, it's been a long time... | |
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NDRU said: superspaceboy said: Those are the 2 Classics. No wonder you don't think you have read anything "classic" from him. Important, though? Groundbreaking? or just really good stories? I would say The Stand is a very important book. It's probably the most modern tale of Absolute Good VS Absolute Evil I can think of. It's really an epic story that deals with a virus that wipes out most of humanity. In this day and time, it is VERY relevant. It's also one of the few books that hinted toward the HIV virus before it was completly classified as such. Many books and stories have paid homage to the book in varied ways. What makes it classic is that it is the utlimate battle of good and evil. The book also uses many literary devices and has a lot of symbolism. The Shining less so, but it is considered a classic horror story. Again this story uses some very good literary devices and also has a lot of symbolism. For a story about alcoholism, it's pretty harrowing. My mom screamed aloud when she read this book and I almost did... That makes it a classic to me. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said: Recommendation for potential Stand readers....get the expanded edition and not the edited version. I have read both and I prefer the meatier story
Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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Handclapsfingasnapz said: when i was in middle school i used to read stephen king novels from cover to cover while everybody else in my class was reading those cruddy goosebumps books. i remember reading the stand all the way through (man, that's a long-assed book...took me about 3 or 4 weeks to finish it), then seeing the made-for-teevee adaptation for it; i was like "dude, wtf?!"
the last book of his i read was nightmares and dreamscapes. that was about, oh, 8 years ago. i should start reading his stuff again, it's been a long time... The Stand Mini Series was AWFUL!!!! They need to make it into a full movie or something. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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Anyone else get creeped out when they got a cold after reading the Stand. I got a cold while reading it and it freaked me out.
Captain Trips! Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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superspaceboy said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: when i was in middle school i used to read stephen king novels from cover to cover while everybody else in my class was reading those cruddy goosebumps books. i remember reading the stand all the way through (man, that's a long-assed book...took me about 3 or 4 weeks to finish it), then seeing the made-for-teevee adaptation for it; i was like "dude, wtf?!"
the last book of his i read was nightmares and dreamscapes. that was about, oh, 8 years ago. i should start reading his stuff again, it's been a long time... The Stand Mini Series was AWFUL!!!! They need to make it into a full movie or something. it would be bad-ass if they made it into a full-length feature film and if they do it right. | |
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superspaceboy said: NDRU said: Important, though? Groundbreaking? or just really good stories? I would say The Stand is a very important book. It's probably the most modern tale of Absolute Good VS Absolute Evil I can think of. It's really an epic story that deals with a virus that wipes out most of humanity. In this day and time, it is VERY relevant. It's also one of the few books that hinted toward the HIV virus before it was completly classified as such. Many books and stories have paid homage to the book in varied ways. What makes it classic is that it is the utlimate battle of good and evil. The book also uses many literary devices and has a lot of symbolism. The Shining less so, but it is considered a classic horror story. Again this story uses some very good literary devices and also has a lot of symbolism. For a story about alcoholism, it's pretty harrowing. My mom screamed aloud when she read this book and I almost did... That makes it a classic to me. yep, a classic doesn't have to be written like Finnegan's Wake. I think Star Trek is classic. It just has to work on whatever level. The Stand is so universally praised by fans. Some day I'll definitely get to it. It seems like the Dark Tower is alluding to it in places, but I don't know for sure My Legacy
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