How I Became a Constant Reader of The Works of Stephen King
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Mike talks about how he first discovered the works of Stephen King and became a Constant Reader for the last 30 years.
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There you were, Mike, in the Summer of 2019, talking about The Stand, blissfully unaware that Captain Trips was right around the corner.
Heh. Right?
Yeah, I picked a heck of a time to read that book for the first time....
Except for the fact that Captain Trips had a 99.7% mortality rate and Covid 19 has about a 99+% survival rate.
@@richardmccart7426 sometimes I don’t think a single person has actually succumbed from the virus
@@reginaldforthright805 I know, right?! The vast majority of people that have died in regards to covid, have died WITH covid, but very few have died exclusively FROM it. And the very small percentage of people that have truly died FROM it have been those that are elderly and/or suffering from serious preexisting health conditions to begin with. But these comparisons to the virus in The Stand are completely asinine. The only similarity is that they both happen to be flu viruses. The key difference is that Captain Trips had a 99.7% fatality rate (so literally almost the entire population of the country was wiped out!) while Covid-19 has about a 99.7% survival rate. So yeah, no comparison. Apples to oranges.
I once wrote a paper arguing that King was one of the greatest contributors to American contemporary literature and my chosen work was The Stand. Part of the project required analyzing a piece of his bibliography. The instructor, who had started with no regard for the horror genre or of King’s work was so impressed that they not only rewarded me with an A+ on the assignment, they also later became a fan of King’s work.
Wow that seems like such a big accomplishment. I want to do this someday.
Wow! I got goosebumps
The thing about King is that, while a lot of his stories include some kind of supernatural horror element, the ghosts and ghouls and goblins are almost never the _real_ threat in the story. The real threat usually comes from the human element, and the supernatural menace merely forces the characters to deal with their baggage. A really interesting example is _Carrie,_ where the supernatural "menace" also happens to be the protagonist; and the threat comes from her abusive home and school environments, from the people around her who just keep pushing and pushing and _pushing_ her until she breaks. But it holds for other books, too: _Christine_ isn't *about* a killer car, _Cujo_ isn't *about* a rabid St. Bernard, _Salem's Lot_ isn't *about* vampires, and so on. They're *about* growing up and growing apart from old friends, and finding out what you *really* prioritize when the shit hits the fan, and loss of faith and the destruction of community, and so on.
I think this is why adaptations of his stories so often miss the mark. All too often, the screen versions of the stories focus way too much on the supernatural elements, at the expense of the "mundane" (but relatable) human concerns that really make the stories _work._ I think that's why the non- and less-supernatural stories tend to make better movies: _Apt Pupil, Green Mile, Misery, Stand By Me,_ and _The Shawshank Redemption_ are all free to focus on the character drama, with no werewolves or haunted hotels or wacky psychic abilities to distract from the real meat of the stories.
But what do I know? Nobody's paying _me_ millions of dollars to turn iconic American horror novels into profitable films. I'm just some random jerk on the Internet, and my opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it.
Shut up an take my Money!...Eh... LIKE!
This... all of this
Everytime someone sees me reading king. They say something like. "Oh you like dark stuff huh?" No I like suspense with interesting characters
You know what man, I’ll take your advice. I want to be a filmmaker someday, might not happen, but we’ll see. One of my dreams is to adapt a couple of Stephen king Stories that I think bear some film abilities. What you’re saying makes total sense!
Absolutely hit the nail on the head!
watched the whole thing. thank you, can’t explain the feeling of discovering his books as a 13 year old. I lived over an hour away from school, and King was my company during long morning and evening train commutes. I remember getting of the train and literally having to sprint home past dark alleys and empty streets after reading IT or Salem’s Lot. Those were some scary walks too lol. The real magic is the timelessness of his writing and storytelling. It amazes me how my 12 year old nephew sends me memes about Pennywise lol. I’m really happy of the legacy King has created for himself.
11/22/63 was my first King story, changed my life completely. I’ve fallen in love with reading because of that story & King’s words have taught me things I never thought I would understand.
Same bro. Best Stephen King book I’ve ever read
It also has a brilliant series adaptation starring James Franco - best his role, IMO
The long walk is what made me a king fan
Such an emotionally powerful book. The last chapter tore me up.
Metoo
Where did you go? How far? I once walked a marathon.
This was the book i told my mom she should make her 8th grade english class read. She didn’t put it on the list, but she read it, and said it was too sad, but that it was a good book.
Read this and then read it again straight after. Love, love this book.
New Stephen King reader here! Big fan of Lotr, Dune and Discworld. 25 years old and have always been a bit reluctant to immerse myself in the King universe (especially horror). I have now decided to buy four of his books (the ones that I feel could give me an understanding of the author at least for his older novels) The Shining, IT, Misery and The Stand. Can't wait to read them! Love from Rome, Italy!
Great choices! Did you enjoy them?
His 2010s work has had way more hits than misses. 11/22/63, Revival, Wind Through The Keyhole, Joyland, Full Dark No Stars, The Outsider, The Institute ... all phenomenal (just to name a few).
Thank you, this is what I was wanting to hear. I know it’s one persons opinion (no offense) but I’d heard from man this newer stuff wasn’t as good by a long shot. Interested in 11/22/63 and the outsiders.
11/22/63 was really fun to read! Joyland is also a good one, and Revival was super weird but i enjoyed it!
Great list. Some of my favourites there for sure.
Ill never forget the Stand. and the 90s miniseries with Gary Sinise
While reading Salem's Lot I stupidly read it at night. And I kept hearing scratches at my window.! On the second floor!
Oh no
Dude....I LOVE your videos.....I'm a huge Stephen King fan, (have all his books), and I'm reading Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time.....great reviews....makes me want to read all your choices 👍👍👍
We're going to get along swell, then. The King content will be greatly increased after I finish the flurry of fantasy novels.
Same here friend! A got a New videos you can checkout I love Stephen King and Robert Jordan
@@mikesbookreviews did you ever read H.P Lovecraft
I watched the whole video. I didn't get bored listening to you talk once. GREAT VID!
Mike, i had a similar experience with my mom hating my Stephen Kings books. My mom wanted to take all my Stephen King novels, Motley Crue tapes and my Oakland Raiders flag and burn them. She claimed they brought an evil spirit into the house. I had to fight/strongly debate with her, to keep them all. I basically told her she could destroy them as much as she wanted but i would just keep re-buying them. She eventually gave in. That is why i dedicate very one of my novels to Stephen King, Motley Crue and the Oakland Raiders
This is awesome. I’m laughing out loud. We hid our rock albums in the vinyl sleeves of The Monkees and Beach Boys.
@@mikesbookreviews I blasted Motley Crue as loud as I could. My mom was right to hate it!!
Dude. This feels like I'm sitting and having a conversation with you. You're really good at keeping the flow chill and conversational. As a fellow King nerd dating back to 1990, when I was 11 and my aunt gave me Cujo to read because I was bored. Hooked from that day forward
My favorite king book is Salem's lot. I agree with you about Pet cemetery,it was scary as hell.
daniel cooper Scary in multiple ways, too. As a parent, I can’t think of anything as horrifying as losing a child to street traffic because you weren’t paying attention.
I grew up in a former Soviet block country in the 90s and my parents didn't want me to watch Power Rangers because it was "too violent" :D
Edmond Dantes My mom went back and forth with stuff like that. One day she would say she doesn’t care and then the next day my Guns ‘n Roses album were the music of the devil. We laugh about it now, but it was an annoying way to grow up.
My first book of Stephen King’s was Cujo when I was in Junior high. It terrified me! I still re-read it now and then. I’m glad you mentioned it! A lot of people ignore Cujo and it makes me sad.
Hearing you talk about your Mom makes me grateful for my own Mother, she stopped trying to censor my reading material about the time I turned 11, and I started reading Stephen King not to much later , by that point I guess she figured if I was mature enough to want to read it, I was old enough to handle it.
Wow, great video. I have read SK off-and-on since the 70s. This year (2020) I have collected all his books in hard cover and started reading from his first books. Also read ”The Institute”. Great! Oh, on Hulu is a fantastic adaption of 11/22/63 with James Franko. Wow. Not to be missed.
Franco really surprised me in that.
I'm 37 years old and the first serious read I did was 11/22/63 four years ago (Before that I never read books essentially). It blew me away is all I can say! Now I consistently read daily and have started collecting everything he has as well fantasy & sci-fi genres all thanks to Mr. King. He truly turned me into a book worm.
He was my gateway to the long-form novel, for sure. 11/22/63 was so damn amazing in that it came at a time where I thought he had lost his touch. He's had a great decade plus after that, too.
IT was the first Stephen King book I ever read at age 12 and I was hooked ever since!
Once he gets those hooks in you...
Michael Moorcock is the first fantasy writer to ever do a shared universe I believe. All his Eternal Champion stuff are directly connected in insane ways. He doesn’t get enough credit imo.
Love King more and more with age.
I love your reviews! 10/10 would listen again
Thanks! Nothing I love more than talking about King.
😁👍
Wow, I really love this video. I started reading SK in high school during one of the truly dark periods in my life, and I think the books really helped me. When real life is so dark and bleak, the nightmares between the pages become a welcomed escape. Everyone has their own SK story; it's really nice to hear about yours.
You nailed it. I was 15, living in a new city and King became my escape. I like to think his books helped me get through a lot of the sucky parts of growing up.
Thank you for great content.
Thank you for watching!
When I was 11 years old I was reading the Tommyknockers In Southern California. When the dog started glowing green there was an earthquake. I was in the most secluded room in the house. Though I acknowledge it sucks, it still has a special place for me
That's a unique memory.
I am just starting my Stephen King journey, thanks for your many videos.
Enjoy the ride!
I remember when I read my very first Stephen King novel, was when I watched my first Stephen King movie. Which was a very bad adaptation-which was Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation. I only say it was “horrible,” because after I saw the book of Stephen King’s novel The Shining. I saw the true Torrance family as how it was intended; and I felt sympathy and connection for Jack Torrance and Danny Torrance. The idea about how alcoholism is like a poison, that damages both the addict’s soul, mind, and body slowly. I will always love Stephen King and his work. He’s my favorite author for my teenager years in my high school and adult years. The Shining is one of his books that holds a special place in my heart for the humanity, care, and sympathy Jack has as supposed to the literal monster in the Kubrick film. I related with Jack, because I too had a fear of becoming an alcoholic, and what I could do if I kept on drinking as I am now as a twenty-one year old. But now I’ve gotten over that fear; but that fear is still lingering deep down inside of me.
I’m not one to get down with his political beliefs, but this dude is a master author. I love reading almost everything this guy does.
Indeed. Most of my favorite authors and entertainers have politics I find batshit. But I still believe in separating the art from the artist.
Mike's Book Reviews well said, sir. Love your SK reviews btw 👍🏻. Keep it up!
@@mikesbookreviews Same here haha.
This was fun! I could listen to you talk of King all day and all of his books 🥰
Thank you for the company, it's very helpful. Great long video
Crazy thing is, this was me rushing it. I could have made a video for just each decade of his books.
@@mikesbookreviews , you just know people would watch that!🍂
My first Stephen King book was Skeleton Crew at age 11 (My cool uncle let me borrow it). Second one was The Stand, read on a weeklong road trip through Colorado the summer before 6th grade. Been hooked ever since.
IT was my first Stephen King book; I read it the summer I turned 11, when I was roughly the same age as The Losers, and it was one Hell of an experience. I was hooked going forward, my next one was Pet Sematary and those are still my two favorite SK books. Also love Doctor Sleep and Night Shift. I reread IT every couple of years, but in 6 or 7 years I will be about the same age as the Adult Losers so I'm looking forward to re-experiencing IT at the same age as the protagonists once again.
From a Buick 8 is absolutely nothing like Christine. the only element they share is a supernatural car. It is so incredibly underrated and you should give it another chance.
I’d so love to read more about what’s found in that car
I loved Thinner. IT scared me too much as a teen and I had to put it down.
Misery is incredible and terrifying.
Thinner is super underrated.
I think there must be a portion of millenials who were big on Hunger Games or general dystopian stuff who then became drawn to King. Even though dystopia is not the same as horror, I feel like they are close cousins. That may partly explain renewed interest in his work.
I don't think my wife would have even read The Long Walk before she got into the dystopian genre.
Just might be
The Shining book was really good, and I felt the movie did it justice.
Stephen King means so much to me in my life, so much that he has inspired me and given me motivation to become a writer myself.
THE CELL. It is quick and easy. Have not watched the movie but will at some point. Taken at face value not much but if you read and truly hear what you have read it is deep. Scary. So underrated.
IT scared the shit out of me when I was a kid.
I first read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and then Carrie when I was 12-13, back in 2005ish. That's when I first fell in love with reading, and then I read Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, which I also fell in love with.
I didn't read much in my teen and college years, but in 2020 I read The Institute, and that really got me back into reading. Two years ago my wife and I bought a house and I started collecting King books, once I had the space. Since then, I've collected 112 copies of Kings book, which includes duplicates - I enjoy having different covers.
This was a fun video!
I’m so hyped to start the lovely hardcover of 11/23/63 I got at the thrift shop now! My dad has been telling me to read it for years, just haven’t gotten to it. I was on a King strike for a while despite also being a fan since I was a teenager thanks to his Twitter / political comments. But I’m eager to recapture that joy.
Fantastic video!
So many people don’t even realize King wrote Shawshank. I think it’s more of a terror that could happen to anyone so they don’t associate it with him. My husband that don’t even care too much about King loves that movie and he was so surprised to learn that King wrote it!
I think the movies adapted from his books should take place in the time period they were written or the time period he set them in.
PREACH.
I have just got into reading Stephen king and im flying through them, just about to read pet sematary and just ordered the first book from the dark tower series
Buckle up.
Superb video. Thanks so much for sharing how you became a Stephen King fan. I’m the same age as your brother being born in 1972 and like you I began reading SK at 15. My first book was Salem’s Lot and I was hooked. That “It” mini series from 1990 was quite well done I thought. I also remember so well when MTV played music videos.
I love how we can all feel different as fans. The Dead Zone is by far my favourite King book. I just love the thoughts that there is more to the Human brain that we know. Can we really access the abilities Johnny Smith possess? The movie and series were both great too. The likes of IT, The Stand, Misery, The Shining and Pet Sematary are all generally loved, very few think otherwise, as is 11/22/63, wow, that really is a classic. Salem's Lot is generally up there too as is Carrie. Hell, just what I have mentioned ... what a collection. I loved Doctor Sleep too. I so enjoyed The Outsider, it is underrated in my opinion.
The Dark Half scared me more AFTER reading it. Underappreciated IMO.
I never read that one.
I'm currently reading through King's work in publication order. I'm only on the Shining, but I love it so far. So glad I found your channel
It was cool to hear your story sir! Thanks for sharing. My first book I read by King was Pet Semetary and it's been a big influence to me in my writing and that started my interest in reading recreationally. He's such an important figure in American literature.
I haven’t read much Stephen King. Only Duma Key and Bag of Bones, both of which were phenomenal.
In regards to King adaptations "sometimes dead is better"
I just finished Wolves of the Calla and now you have me scared to finish the last 2 books lol
I think that you maybe missed the mark on ‘Insomnia’ and ‘Hearts in Atlantis’
Maybe you would have to have been a little older to relate to them.
Your stephen king trajectory almost mirrors mine. You started reading before i did. I read Eyes of the Dragon, Needful Things, The Dark Half, and The Gunslinger from 1988 until whenever the latest book of the ones listed came out. I tried reading Desperation, but that was just too big for me. While it lasted, I loved the book. Around 1996, i fell off stephen king (i graduated hs in 1997 like yourself). The next Stephen King book i read was 11-22-63 on release day, and now, here i am.
Between 2000 or so and when 11-22-63 came out, i was big into Dan Brown, of Da Vinci Code fame!
Great video man, thanks!
You are spot on about his works evoking nostalgia of era or events we have never personally experienced or lived through. I live and grew up in Asia, but his stories connect with me. His writing is universal.
Have you read Joyland? I thought it was short and sweet, one of his better recent outputs.
Bingo. And yes, Joyland was a fun, quick read.
We all share the human experience 🍂
First SK book was Salem's Lot, after watching the TV series, way back when. Still gives me the chills.
King is a nice steak from a chain steakhouse, Dean Koontz is a greasy big mac that sat in your car for two weeks.
I hope you have since went back and read both Duma Key and Revival. Both great!
I found your channel somewhat recently and really appreciate your take on King. I had only read Carrie and Christine many years ago in HS, but now in my 40s I decided to re-discover King’s books. So far, I’ve read Salems Lot, Needful Things and am just starting Pet Sematary. I can’t stop! Usually after reading 1-2 books in a row by the same author, I’m ready to change it up. But not with King, and lucky for me there are TONS of books to choose from to keep up my reading streak. Thanks for your thoughtful videos and reviews :) they always help me choose my next King read.
I found a copy of Salems Lot laying around my house. Idk where it came from, my parents aren't a fan of horror books & I dont think my brother bought it so who knows but I read it last month & it intrigued me. Currently reading The Stand now & thoroughly enjoying it. Eager to read more of King's work.
Didn't have the heart to break up, but since my whole journey of restarting after IT, SALEM'S LOT, PET SEMATARY, & THE STAND reading everything in published order was a big letdown with that stretch run, yeah I felt the same man...at least until 7's last sentence. However I cannot recommend enough reading the 'between/revisit tale' aka 4.5: The Wind Through The Keyhole. The stuff tying to the love of a mother shows that Sai King remembered some of the important themes from his early inceptions of the series. Plus, it's a brisk read that wouldn't keep you away from much. STORY/Within A Story/within a story. As a fellow Tower Junkie you owe it to yourself with where it lands timeline-wise.
I'm planning my Dark Tower re-reads as I progress through my Into the Multiverse series and I'm pretty excited about it. I'll probably skip ahead and do WTTK after Wizard and Glass just to keep them chronological.
Wow this brought back memories. Reading Stephen King in the 90s, Dark Half, It, Needful Things, internet messageboards. Stephen King is a storyteller, as you say, and his characters are real people. Very easy reading, I can probably read a Stephen King 1000 page book faster than some other authors' 300 page books. You've finally convinced me to try the Dark Tower series, I'm currently halfway through The Stand.
Year, I'm also that creepy year seven (that's English for eighth grade) kid with his nose buried in a horror book; last time was The Exorcist, and this time is It!
HUGE King fan and I had NO IDEA that he was the one that wrote Shawshank Redemption...
TF is wrong with me..
Ha ha when I tell most people that's a Stephen King story, they think I'm making it up.
I didn't realize this either, one of my top 5 movies of all time. It's perfection.
11/22/63 was actually my first King novel. I read it on kindle while I was riding the bus to school
The Running Man was one of my favorite short stories.
I stumbled upon Stephen King's work quite by accident. I was 13 years old and the year was 1986. The first King book I read was Cujo. I had seen the film a couple of months previous and loved it. I had never heard of Stephen King at that point and while browsing through a book store one day, not looking for anything in particular, my eyes happened to fall upon the cover to Cujo. Immediately I thought of the movie and wondered weather this was the same story. After reading the plot synopsis on the back cover I found that it was. I decided to buy it and to this day I don't regret that decision. I started reading it as soon as I got home and finished it in about 2 days. Immediately after finishing it I went back to the book store (we literally lived across the highway from a major shopping centre) to see what other books this man had written. The second book I bought was It. Over the course of the next year or so, I had bought and read every book that King had released up to that point.
Thank you for this video, I can really feel your passion, love that! I‘ve read three King books so far (not his most famousand loved one’s) and I liked them a lot!! Looking forward to „real“ famous ones;)
It got me over the fear of clowns
Have you watched Storm of the Century at this point? So, so well done. Talk about brutal endings. The 90s CGI is a little hard to take, but the acting, especially by the villain, is worth the watch.
I absolutely love Stephen King's books! Misery remains one of my personal favourites. I love his short stories, like 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption' and 'The Mist'. The psychology behind his characters, his 'what if' twisted imagination and the cross-references in his novels are amazing! And his writing just makes all of his books page turners. No movie could capture the exact atmosphere that he envokes in his books. King is something else. As Christian parents, we wouldn't stop our children from reading his books. A close reader and fan will notice that 'hope' is a theme that often re-occurs in his novels (though it's often left out in the movie adaptations). Some scenes I wouldn't recommend. E.g. I loved the new IT movies. The adaptation if faithful enough and they left out some sensitive, R-rated stuff you don't need to understand the story, so I would recommend the movies above the book. Good horror should provide a good warning against evil and I think King does exactly that! Pet Sematary was indeed very scary. I read it at 15 and am now a parent of young children. Considering how emotional it got me then, I wouldn't revisit it any time soon... 🙂'On Writing' has always been my personal favourite of all the 'how to' guides on writing. It's been very inspiring and helpful in creating our own stories.
Brother!!! Born and raised United Pentecostal horror lover here! My parents were very lenient and let me read/watch horror productions. But I can’t tell you how many times members of the church thought I’d be demon possessed 😂.
The Exorcist is the only thing they didn’t want me to watch, so I waited until about 19. Biggest disappointment ever. Demon possession bores me. Not my thing.
Pet Sematary was my introduction to Mr. King, the movie. My parents slept in my bedroom with me that night. Zelda, to this day, is my nightmare. The book followed and from that day until now it’s my favorite book in the entire world. 🖤
I’m so glad your mom let you explore horror in the end. It’s always been my favorite. Freddy Kruger was my hero at 5. 😂
Edit: not still a Pentecostal for many years. Gotta make that crystal clear. 😂
That's a rough upbringing ha ha
Rewatched this video after two years. I have to say, my opinions on King have changed a lot since I first warched this. Love your channel. I listen to it when I want to be inspired to write.
From a Buick 8 is actually one of my favourite Stephen King stories of all time.
Joe is fantastic from what I've read so far. Heart shaped box was awesome but the ending left lots to be desired. Both myself and my girl felt the same way about that.
Salem's Lot and the short story, Jeruslems Lot hooked me through the gills, only a couple of wet firecrackers in the bunch. I've gotten so much enjoyment out of most of his stuff, and I've started reading Joe Hill Recently. Just so much there. I find it really ironic that so many people assume he is all horror 100% of the time.
I think the 90's were his best decade. Needful Things, Desperation. The Green Mile. Hearts in Atlantis. Bag of Bones, Storm of the Century, The Wastelands. Wizard and Glass. These are all great to me.
Love your vids! I was about 12 when a friend of mine gave me The Bachman Books and The Talisman. I was a little overwhelmed because both were big thick books to me. I may have started into The Bachman Books but i remember really starting with Pet Sematary. When i bought the PB I told the cashier what a big book it was lol. That book cemented my love for King and i was completely hooked. I saved up money and bought IT and loved it! From then on i had to have every book King wrote. I started buying his books day one starting with Misery! I went back and read most of the books up until Misery and just kept going. Even though a few books I struggled with i still finished them. I do feel like he rushed the last 3 books of Dark Tower. I almost gave up on King around Dreamcatcher. But i was so invested in him i kept going. I won’t read Danse Macabre or Faithful though. 11/22/63 was so good. The tv show was pretty good. I wrote more than i intended but this video got me going!
Man, this was an incredible video. I think I'll just jump in with IT. Never watched the films but I feel like I can get through the book (or can I?.. lol) I mean that in a "I'm afraid to watch horror" type of way.
I saw the 1989 film adaptation for Pet Sematary when I was 8 (I thank my crazy sister for taking me to R rated horror movies!). The film scarred me for years. I finally read the book when I turned 14. I've read it multiple times since then and am now the father of a toddler. The book has a WHOLE new impact on me and the fear I thought I lost years ago has come back with a vengeance. It scares me soooooooo much more now. I have now been reading IT for the first time. On page 639......its incredible.
It really is
Im so happy I found this channel, thanks to my wife im getting into Kings stuff, then come here and listen to him talk its just awesome, wish I had found it soon and gotten into king sooner!
I was not into reading at all until
I found Stephen King....then I read everything I could buy or borrow or check out of the library.
If you're reading this Stephen, you have taught the world to read.
I remember being about eight years old when my older cousin showed me the Pet Semetary movie. It scared the living shit out of me, especially the Zelda scene. After I got over it I wanted to read the book. I've read most of his books since then and that's where it all started.
The Zelda scenes creep me out TODAY.
NEVER GET OUT OF BED AGAIN!!!
Read Misery back in high school. Late at night looking over my shoulder every few minutes.
I love your page!
I also read It first and it hooked me. I've read at least 20 of his books and he is one of my favorite authors ever. His voice is so recognizable and comfortable.
I’ve read 32 of kings books. About to start If It Bleeds sometime soon.
Cool. First story is real good
Stephen King is legend at this point. Even if somebody never read any of his books, they'd probably be familiar with scary elements from his novels from movies, television, and The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror. Kind of like of how everyone knows who Frankenstein and Dracula are. I pretty much like everything from what I consider his golden age from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.
started with IT in middle school, then picked up the dark tower series in high school right as the last few books were releasing. king is king!
Though I'm about six years older than you I have a similar history with King's work. I read most of my King from the Ages of 12-20. My favorites are IT, Cujo, Pet Sematary and also the Talisman with Peter Straub so I was wondering if you've gone on to read this one. King himself was actually his own undoing for me. I was reading an article and King stated that Clive Barker was the True King of Horror. Within a week I read The Great and Secret Show and Imajica and I never looked back. I recently reread the classics and then tried to read some of his new books. I read the first book in Mr Mercedes and even though it was well written I really didn't enjoy King writing a crime novel. Every time I think I'm going to read the Dark Tower Series someone such as yourself poops on it and I push it down to the bottom of TBR. I starting reading fantasy actually long before King with Tolkien, Piers Anthony etc and now herald the Lies of Locke Lamore as my favorite of this generation. I love your content and would love an invite to your discord. Thank you for this video. I'm going to reread IT for about the 15th time because of it. Best coming of age story of all time. Cheers
Would love to have you there. The link to the Discord is in the description below.
I started reading King before he was famous. We read his work for different reasons and with different preferences and that is great. I liked the ending to The Dark Tower ( though I kind of agree about book six) and I loved Elevation. I love The Talisman and Black House.... LOL. I'm just glad he is here to disagree over.
I had a similar experience.
I'm from South Africa and when I was around 12 years old we went on a long holiday trip by train.
At one of the train stations I picked up "Four past midnight", devoured it and the rest was history. I also strangely ventured into Fantasy from horror but I will always a have place for King :-)
I am from the same region in Maine as King (I am about an hour & a half away from him). Growing up all of us know who he is & our older family members have his books on their shelves so King is just part of Maine culture. I remember being 8 years old & seeing Storm of the Century amongst other SK titles on my grandfather's bookshelf. I, like thousands of other Maine kids, went to a school with a library funded by SK. The first book I read by SK was Everything's Eventual. I have been hooked on his short story collections ever since with Nightmares & Dreamscapes being my favorite thus far. As far as my favorite SK novel, it's a toss up between Needful Things & 11/22/63.
I’m from rural maine also. I left Maine and never looked back. I have a hard time with his books because the descriptions of places and how people act are way to accurate.
The dark tower 7 I enjoyed!! Didn't expect you to hate it. I thought the end was perfect. The meta thing you mentioned did kind of throw me off though.
Also, I agree ... Finders Keepers is the best of the Mercedes trilogy. Loved that one. End of Watch fell flat big time for me.
Loved hearing your thoughts on being a Constant Reader. I'm pushing 30 Stephen King books now myself. A lot of the ones you've mentioned I've read, a lot are still on my list. He's so enigmatic and his brain is just unlike anybody else in the world. It's so interesting to hear your thoughts on the ending of The Dark Tower. I wasn't someone who had to wait in between books, I was able to just shoot straight through them and I loved every second of it. I hope you liked Doctor Sleep, I loved both book and movie.
Outside of Pet Sematary, which I read 30 years ago and loved - I jumped on board with The Institute! I saw it for 40% off at Costco and figured why not.I then read about 10 King books in a row - Needful Things, Dr Sleep, The 3 Mercedes books, Carrie, Cujo....
I now buy each King release the day they come out.
I find that the old King books have certain highlights, but in general, I prefer the post-accident King best! He does not kill readers with as much personal details and backgrounds. As you see in Institute, he tells backstories as he needs to progress the story. I like his tone. I am a constant reader, and I started at age 50!
I’m so happy you mentioned the greatness that is the movie Clue! Thank you!
Also, your videos are such a treat for my life as a fantasy reader and massive King fan!
I've bounced around King for probably 17 years now, I finally just convinced myself to read everything in order. So since it's fresh in my brain from a re-read, let me argue that the only scene in The Shining that raised my heart rate more than room 217 was Halloran looking for the blankets in the garden shed. oh the anxiety 😬
The first King book I read cover to cover was The Gunslinger when I was 19 in 2017. Changed how I thought about genre.