tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post4453327776195877348..comments2024-03-27T01:27:21.576-08:00Comments on The Immoral Minority: Two of my favorite people. President Obama honors Stephen King with the National Medal of the Arts.Gryphenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356503547155430235noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-71438404044364933772015-09-16T10:43:10.914-08:002015-09-16T10:43:10.914-08:00Sounds like those people are literary snobs.
Hor...Sounds like those people are literary snobs. <br /><br />Horror is the new SciFi, getting no respect, just like SciFi was belittled as pulp in the first half of the 20th century. mlaiuppahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13792165896828163411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-84787608524667475162015-09-15T04:48:56.486-08:002015-09-15T04:48:56.486-08:00That book was Gerald's Game, from 1992.That book was Gerald's Game, from 1992. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-70778109275409643842015-09-14T17:40:58.274-08:002015-09-14T17:40:58.274-08:00Thanks. I still remember an article I read in the ...Thanks. I still remember an article I read in the Washington Post about what made King such an effective writer of horror. In it, the writer described a scenario in a King story - in which a couple go to an isolated cabin for some fun, but then the woman dies and that leaves the man still tied to the bed. Meanwhile, animals start coming into the cabin... The writer pointed out that by using a possible scenario that could actually happen, King created a scene of genuine nightmarish horror.<br />And succeeded in scaring me away from King yet again, but I will look up those stories you mentioned.<br />He also wrote an excellent essay about writing that I still have.<br />Thanks.<br />M from MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-70798407899007478472015-09-14T17:22:24.993-08:002015-09-14T17:22:24.993-08:00This^This^Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-33727100309803215332015-09-14T16:42:34.256-08:002015-09-14T16:42:34.256-08:00I've read it. Twice, actually. It's being ...I've read it. Twice, actually. It's being made into a TV series with JJ Abrams producing. I referred to a singular genre only because that's what he's known for and that's how a vast majority of his work is categorized.<br /><br />I from Maine, so I'm probably more familiar with the breadth of his work than most, since he's a local hero. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-5499058674098742742015-09-14T13:59:50.090-08:002015-09-14T13:59:50.090-08:00I've read a few Koontz books; I had no idea ab...I've read a few Koontz books; I had no idea about his background at all. They were lent to me by a friend (who I'm also sure didn't, since he is less plugged into that kind of thing than I am), and I read them because, well, my friend wanted me to. He was a fan of that kind of book. I wasn't, but I made it through the books. They were OK, but I had no desire to ever read another one. Koontz, IMO, was definitey not in any way in King's class. None of them have become classics, as King's books have. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-52004474297908469032015-09-14T13:52:59.061-08:002015-09-14T13:52:59.061-08:00Stephen King is one hell of a kickass author and I...Stephen King is one hell of a kickass author and I say this as one who is not a fan of his usual genre. I have read a few of his books, though, and was totally impressed by his writing ability on every level. "The Stand" remains one of the most memorable books I've ever read (and I mostly read classic English literature, because I'm an Anglophile). It's spectacular, King's a spectacular author, and he richly deserves this award, IMO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-82129250228993813252015-09-14T13:02:43.077-08:002015-09-14T13:02:43.077-08:00I stopped reading King years ago because his stori...I stopped reading King years ago because his stories (the horror ones anyways) all started sounding the same too. Think it was around 'Tommyknockers' if I got the name right. <br /><br />His early stuff was really good though, I thought his short story books were some of his best work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-32734920189107939992015-09-14T12:41:46.539-08:002015-09-14T12:41:46.539-08:009:57--Oh, please. Can it.
Dean Koontz was "l...9:57--Oh, please. Can it.<br /><br />Dean Koontz was "left out" because, as 10:20 pointed out, Stephen King is a much better writer and at this point, a national institution as well.<br /><br />Only in conservative eyes does politics have anything to do with literary merit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-81766667520299411232015-09-14T12:39:32.341-08:002015-09-14T12:39:32.341-08:00The Green Mile is a must.
As someone said above, ...The Green Mile is a must.<br />As someone said above, Stand By Me. The pie eating scene from the movie still makes me laugh myself breathless. <br /><br />The Long Walk, I wouldn't consider scary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-91086805384090595572015-09-14T12:36:51.033-08:002015-09-14T12:36:51.033-08:00Just finished 'Doctor Sleep' and 'The ...Just finished 'Doctor Sleep' and 'The Long Walk'. Both are amazing books.TwoBlueJaysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-90970120362508283352015-09-14T12:32:07.019-08:002015-09-14T12:32:07.019-08:00Yes, his short stories are just excellent. There i...Yes, his short stories are just excellent. There is one called "Big Fish" which turns out to be about the devil in disguise, and it is just terrifying in such a creepy, eerie way.<br /><br />Definitely not "best-seller" style though, so if someone is snobbish enough to disdain his (great, IMO) books, point them to the stories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-54666397499845027892015-09-14T12:20:55.223-08:002015-09-14T12:20:55.223-08:00The Stand. Both the shorter and longer version. I ...The Stand. Both the shorter and longer version. I will always love that book. Followed close by the Shining. <br /><br />To my left stands the bookcase that holds almost everything he has written. Even his picture book on gargoyles Nightmares In The Sky.<br /><br />Also in there are several of Tabitha's and his son "Joe Hill."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-15989709565728501102015-09-14T12:20:47.871-08:002015-09-14T12:20:47.871-08:00Beneath your intellect? Why not just point out tha...Beneath your intellect? Why not just point out that if they believe that,they have either never read Steven King,or they lack the intellect to understand what the nuances in what he writes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-16654359711239088912015-09-14T11:44:02.602-08:002015-09-14T11:44:02.602-08:00I got into Koontz for awhile but honestly a lot o...I got into Koontz for awhile but honestly a lot of his books are the same story just different subjects. It got boring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-19351045503963994242015-09-14T11:37:33.451-08:002015-09-14T11:37:33.451-08:00Misery kept me up at night.Misery kept me up at night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-10391671845763946592015-09-14T11:24:17.513-08:002015-09-14T11:24:17.513-08:00There's a reason they call Koontz the poor man...There's a reason they call Koontz the poor man's Stephen King.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-25859080501847716482015-09-14T10:46:49.830-08:002015-09-14T10:46:49.830-08:00I regret I have never read his work. The scary stu...I regret I have never read his work. The scary stuff I KNOW would come after me in my sleep. (Seeing Night of the Living Dead messed me up when i was 14.) But please recommend some none scary stuff.Aragon64https://www.blogger.com/profile/09168378865414859748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-11075917586905321332015-09-14T10:43:49.600-08:002015-09-14T10:43:49.600-08:00I always keep water in my car now.I always keep water in my car now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-8344048033912045802015-09-14T10:23:22.996-08:002015-09-14T10:23:22.996-08:00Also too, "Misery", book and movie!Also too, "Misery", book and movie!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-36026809303627996602015-09-14T10:22:17.596-08:002015-09-14T10:22:17.596-08:00Parts of "It" would make my hair stand u...Parts of "It" would make my hair stand up.<br /><br />Until the end, when it turned to shit unfortunately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-47523548659459233842015-09-14T10:21:29.956-08:002015-09-14T10:21:29.956-08:00He's not just about horror. Check out "1...He's not just about horror. Check out "1963" and his Kindle short on gun violence/control.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-31151054772414917682015-09-14T10:20:47.130-08:002015-09-14T10:20:47.130-08:00Koontz isn't half as talented a writer as King...Koontz isn't half as talented a writer as King. King has branched out from horror to historical fiction and has written a very timely piece on gun violence. He's much more well-rounded than Koontz, thus the medal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-88146429037537135822015-09-14T10:15:51.059-08:002015-09-14T10:15:51.059-08:00Randall, Thank you for your comments. I have to te...Randall, Thank you for your comments. I have to tell you, the first Stephen King book I read was Salem's Lot. It was 1977, and I read that book while I was working, on my break and while I was cooking dinner at night. It scared the hell out of me, and I locked every window and door!!!! <br />I was hooked, as well! Moongal6https://www.blogger.com/profile/11875539567236857237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9361564.post-1511035687633569062015-09-14T10:11:29.996-08:002015-09-14T10:11:29.996-08:00Thank you for your comments. If you saw the film &...Thank you for your comments. If you saw the film "Stand by Me" or the "Shawshank Redemption" (plus many others) then you know Mr. King's work. Happy reading! You will not be disappointed. Moongal6https://www.blogger.com/profile/11875539567236857237noreply@blogger.com