The Stephen King Master Thread

[Lacit170]

So, with Kings TV show, Under the Dome under way, I figured I'd start up a master thread to all things King...

I grew up watching his horror movies at a young age, where watching The Shining up at our ski house in Vermont with friends was a ritual and rite of passage. The Shining is my all time favorite horror movie

[Show spoiler]the Kubrick version, i know its different than the book!

and Pet Sematary were big movies that hooked me into the world of horror at a very young age.

I started watching King movies/mini series over the years, starting in the 80's with The Shining, Pet Sematary, Creepshow and Children of the Corn to the 90's with IT, Misery, The Langoliers and Thinner and countless other titles in between. The 2000's have a lot to live up to but he has given us some greats in 1408 and one of my all time favorites of Kings in The Mist

[Show spoiler]again, i know Kings ending was different!

.

All that said, I've grown up and started to read his books starting 5-6 years or so ago. My first must read was obviously The Shining and i was not disappointed and came to understand why Kubrick decided to make a few changes. I love what King wrote in every single way but lets face it, his literary works dont always translate well to film especially with the lack of technology way back when.

I want to try and read all of his greats and started this thread to discuss your favorites and anything else related to KING!

So far I've gotten to The Shining, Carrie, 'Salems Lot, The Stand, Under the Dome and one of my all time favorites of King but in a whole new direction for him; The Dark Tower series.

What are some of your MUST read recommendations as well as movies?

[akayw0718]

So, I haven't really seen any King movies, and I've only just started Under the Dome, but I had to stop in and recommend 11/22/63.

One of the best books I read in 2012. Such a great, great read.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by akayw0718

So, I haven't really seen any King movies, and I've only just started Under the Dome, but I had to stop in and recommend 11/22/63.

One of the best books I read in 2012. Such a great, great read.

my fiance actually bought 11/22/63 for her brother when it came out. He is a HUGE JFK fan and i dont believe i followed up with him to see if he liked it or not.

thanks for the recommendation though, i will be sure to borrow it from him in the near future. Currently reading Dan Browns Inferno but intend to jump into another King novel afterwards. I tend to read a King novel every other book...

How are you liking Under the Dome? I personally loved it and think the show is going to be great. the first episode was great i thought!

youre not watching the show are you?

[chris_sc77]

Ive read almost every book of his save for The Tommyknockers, Danse Macabre, and The Colorado Kid and seen nearly all of the TV and film adaptations

Best Stephen King Books - Dark Tower series (Especially Dark Tower II, II, IV, V) ; Insomnia; The Shining, The Stand , The first 3/4 of the book IT ; The Dead Zone ; 11/22/63 ; The Green Mile ; Night Shift ; Full Dark No Stars ; Different Seasons ; Misery; Nightmares and Dreamscapes ; Under The Dome ; Skeleton Crew ; Needful Things

Worst Stephen King Books - Rose Madder ; Gerald's Game ; The Dark Half ; Lisey's Story ; Duma Key (starts good but awful last 1/3)


Best Stephen King film adaptations - The Shining ; The Dead Zone ; Shawshank Redemption ; The Green mile; The Mist; The Dead Zone; Pet Semetary ; Misery; Dolan's Cadillac ; Dolores Claiborne ; Needful Things


Worst Stephen King film adaptations - Children of the Corn ; The Dark Half ; Graveyard SHift ; Dreamcatcher (Well made film that is ruined by the tard and way different ending) ; Secret Window ; Sleepwalkers


Best Stephen King TV adaptations - The Stand ; IT ; Langoliers (despite having the worst CG creatures ever) ; Storm of the Century (good screenplay read as well)


Worst Stephen King TV adaptations - Bag of Bones ; Golden Years ; Desperation

[akayw0718]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

my fiance actually bought 11/22/63 for her brother when it came out. He is a HUGE JFK fan and i dont believe i followed up with him to see if he liked it or not.

thanks for the recommendation though, i will be sure to borrow it from him in the near future. Currently reading Dan Browns Inferno but intend to jump into another King novel afterwards. I tend to read a King novel every other book...

How are you liking Under the Dome? I personally loved it and think the show is going to be great. the first episode was great i thought!

youre not watching the show are you?

Inferno is supposed to be good. I'm so behind on my reading.

I like it so far, I'm barely started though. I review books for publishers, so they have to go first so that they publishers don't get all mad at me.

I'm waiting to watch the show until I read the book. I don't like seeing something that was a book before I read the book.

[Hucksta G]

Just getting in to him only read The Dark tower series and The Stand, loved both

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

[Show spoiler]
Best Stephen King Books - Dark Tower series (Especially Dark Tower II, II, IV, V) ; Insomnia; The Shining, The Stand , The first 3/4 of the book IT ; The Dead Zone ; 11/22/63 ; The Green Mile ; Night Shift ; Full Dark No Stars ; Different Seasons ; Misery; Nightmares and Dreamscapes ; Under The Dome ; Skeleton Crew ; Needful Things

Worst Stephen King Books - Rose Madder ; Gerald's Game ; The Dark Half ; Lisey's Story ; Duma Key (starts good but awful last 1/3)


Best Stephen King film adaptations - The Shining ; The Dead Zone ; Shawshank Redemption ; The Green mile; The Mist; The Dead Zone; Pet Semetary ; Misery; Dolan's Cadillac ; Dolores Claiborne ; Needful Things


Worst Stephen King film adaptations - Children of the Corn ; The Dark Half ; Graveyard SHift ; Dreamcatcher (Well made film that is ruined by the tard and way different ending) ; Secret Window ; Sleepwalkers


Best Stephen King TV adaptations - The Stand ; IT ; Langoliers (despite having the worst CG creatures ever) ; Storm of the Century (good screenplay read as well)


Worst Stephen King TV adaptations - Bag of Bones ; Golden Years ; Desperation

Gerald's Game actually sounds really good.... i have it on my list of books to buy and read soon.... should i hold off on this one?

and i actually liked Bag of Bones mini series...did you like the book?

Originally Posted by akayw0718

Inferno is supposed to be good. I'm so behind on my reading.

I like it so far, I'm barely started though. I review books for publishers, so they have to go first so that they publishers don't get all mad at me.

I'm waiting to watch the show until I read the book. I don't like seeing something that was a book before I read the book.

good idea...even though things are different in the show, better off going in to both the book and TV series fresh

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

Just getting in to him only read The Dark tower series and The Stand, loved both

well you picked two great ones to start with ! whats next for you?

[chris_sc77]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

Gerald's Game actually sounds really good.... i have it on my list of books to buy and read soon.... should i hold off on this one?

and i actually liked Bag of Bones mini series...did you like the book?

I wouldn't really rush to get to Gerald's game. Its not awful but one of Kings lesser efforts. Still its not his worst novel.


And yeah I liked Bag of Bones the novel (even though the ending was pretty weak but until the storm happened I thought it was really good.). The miniseries I thought was laughably bad. Horrible performances and super cheesy.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

I wouldn't really rush to get to Gerald's game. Its not awful but one of Kings lesser efforts. Still its not his worst novel.


And yeah I liked Bag of Bones the novel (even though the ending was pretty weak but until the storm happened I thought it was really good.). The miniseries I thought was laughably bad. Horrible performances and super cheesy.

lol...exactly.....were talking about a stephen king mini series.... arent they always like that

[Hucksta G]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

well you picked two great ones to start with ! whats next for you?

Just recently finished Under the Dome, next up is Carrie, I'm reading a different author's book between each King book I read

[dallywhitty]

In preparation for Doctor Sleep, I'm re-reading The Shining. I've only ever read it once and that was nearly a decade ago. I thought it was great at the time but not up there with his best. Eighty pages into my re-read, though, and I'm loving it.

[chris_sc77]

Doctor sleep is out today. I have heard good things. Can't wait to read this.
Also available today is room 237. Watching now on instant netflix. Pretty odd but interesting documentary about Kubricks film the Shining

[dallywhitty]

I bought my copy of Doctor Sleep this morning before work. I popped into ASDA and couldn't see it, but WHSmith had it for a tenner and theirs has an 'exclusive limited edition cover' which is purple as opposed to the usual teal. I'm about forty pages in and I already know I'm going to love it.

[The Great Owl]

I just finished Doctor Sleep a few minutes ago, and I loved it. It's not Stephen King's career peak or anything like that, but it is a rocking intense story with a comfortably reminiscent edge.

[Jett Rink]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just finished Doctor Sleep a few minutes ago, and I loved it. It's not Stephen King's career peak or anything like that, but it is a rocking intense story with a comfortably reminiscent edge.

Can I read it alone or will I be totally lost?

[dallywhitty]

I finished Doctor Sleep yesterday. Excellent book. I think I preferred it to The Shining which, as great as it is, becomes repetitive. There was a twist towards the end that didn't sit well with me, but otherwise, I really enjoyed it and it may be one of my favourites.

Originally Posted by Jett Blu

Can I read it alone or will I be totally lost?

I don't think you'll be lost (it works well as a standalone novel), but I think you'll appreciate it more if you read The Shining beforehand. At the very least, you might want to read an overview of the original novel so you're up to date. If you've only ever seen Kubrick's film, know that

[Show spoiler]Dick Hallorann (the chef who 'shines') never died in the novel. He actually helped Wendy and Danny escape.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by Hucksta G

Just recently finished Under the Dome, next up is Carrie, I'm reading a different author's book between each King book I read

Carrie is a good one too...and i do the same thing...i alternate authors when i read lol

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

In preparation for Doctor Sleep, I'm re-reading The Shining. I've only ever read it once and that was nearly a decade ago. I thought it was great at the time but not up there with his best. Eighty pages into my re-read, though, and I'm loving it.

obviously love the shining!!! i read it a few years ago, otherwise i would have read it right before Doctor Sleep as well.

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

Doctor sleep is out today. I have heard good things. Can't wait to read this.
Also available today is room 237. Watching now on instant netflix. Pretty odd but interesting documentary about Kubricks film the Shining

watched room 237 the other day and thought it was awesome. very cool to see various peoples opinions and interpretations on the film. many i agree with while many are such a stretch its ridiculous....if your a shining fan, you have to see this documentary imo


I was holding off in reading Doctor Sleep until a trip to Italy i am taking this month. I preordered it, and when it came in the mail, i couldnt hold off from reading the first few chapters lol...so far, so good!

but i am holding off until my trip in a few weeks when i can really get into it on the plane etc...

[Hucksta G]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

Carrie is a good one too...and i do the same thing...i alternate authors when i read lol

Yep really enjoyed Carrie next up is 11/22/63

[Sgt]

I was so impressed by Doctor Sleep, partially because it's a sequel. I didn't have very high expectation, and man did that pay off. Good job King, good. job.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Sgt

I was so impressed by Doctor Sleep, partially because it's a sequel. I didn't have very high expectation, and man did that pay off. Good job King, good. job.

I'm almost done reading The Shining, think Doctor Sleep will be my next book.