Stephen King - An Interlude

I'm not going to defend Stephen King.  Or my not-insignificant man love for his books.  If you think he's schlocky, I won't argue.  He's my guilty pleasure and has been for almost 30 years.

Most people who try to defend Stephen King--say that he's a better writer than he's given credit for, say that his ability to "spin a yarn" is superior--aren't really defending Stephen King.  They are defending the fact that THEY LIKE reading Stephen King.  I don't feel the need for any such defense.  I enjoy his books, and I'm proud to say so--even if you think less of my tastes as a result.

There are definitely best, better and okay Stephen King books.  I haven't read all of them.  And I'm not one of those crazy fans who has not only read everything he writes but also has a cupboard full of old VHS copies of items including The Stand miniseries and Kingdom Hospital series.  I've read about 30 of his novels, short story collections and non-fiction books.

There have also been some good movies made or adapted from works.  The best I've seen include Misery, the Shawshank Redemption (many don't know that was adapted from a novella entitled "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" in the book Different Seasons), The Shining (the original with Jack, of course, which, I'll add, Stephen King himself hated, which is why he inexcusably cast Steven Weber from Wings fame in his remake that I refused to see), the Green Mile and Stand By Me (also adapted from a novella found in Different Seasons entitled The Body).  And, at 16 my cousin and I had to bribe some guy to buy us tickets to see Christine.  Then there's Carrie which may be the one most likely to scare the bejeesus out of you or make you giggle watching John Travolta--take your pick.

My favorites, in no particular order, include:  The Stand, It, Dark Tower novels (1-5 only; 6 and 7, not so much), The Talisman, Night Shift (short story collection), Different Seasons (four novellas) and On Writing.

Others that I greatly enjoyed though wouldn't rank among the "best":  Misery, Christine, Duma Key, Dead Zone, Firestarter and Pet Sematery.

Those not on the top of the list:  Dark Tower novels 6 and 7 (Song of Susannah and The Dark Tower), Cell and Thinner.

That's obviously not all that I've read.  There are a few of the early classics that I haven't read--The Shining and Carrie among them.  Nowadays, I read all that come out (like Under the Dome which is in progress) and pick up an oldie but goodie once or twice a year (last year I read The Dead Zone and Desperation).

OK, if this all sounds a little maniacal to you, I don't apologize.  Those of you who know me know that my sense of humor is a little twisted, so the whole Stephen King thing likely doesn't surprise you.

If King's not your tastes, no problem.  If you have dismissed him out of hand, though, as crap without trying, I suggest at least sampling something.  You can dip your toe in the water and read a story or two from Night Shift, Just After Sunset or Skeleton Crew (the story The Mist, from which the movie was adapted, was in Skeleton Crew).  You could avoid a horror novel and read one of his adventure novels like The Talisman or the first book or two of the Dark Tower series.  You could read a suspenseful book like Misery.  Or, you could jump in with both feet and read The Stand or It.

I WILL finish Under the Dome by the end of Thanksgiving weekend (I keep repeating that to myself).  Because, you know, a good book is better than a sharp stick in the eye.