Rereading Stephen King

BevVincent

James Smythe, a writer for the UK newspaper The Guardian, has read every SK book and is now reading them again and reviewing them along the way.  He posted on Carrie on May 24 and 'Salem's Lot on June 11, so this is going to go on for a while. 

BevVincent

At this rate (and factoring in the increasing lengths of the novels), it could take him until 2016!

Lou_Sytsma

At least! His reviews are interesting to read - nice to know there is something long term to look forward to - if he can go the distance.

willowlove

June 22:  The Shining.  Half of the review is actually about the Kubrick film.

Lou_Sytsma

The two have become so intertwined that it is near impossible to talk about one without the other.



I'm enjoying his reviews quite a bit.

willowlove

July 3: Rage.



Quote:  "In the best possible way, I hate Rage."

willowlove

July 17:  Night Shift.  (I kept forgetting to post it.)

willowlove

August 3:  The Stand.  I haven't read the article yet, but it appears to refer to both versions.

willowlove

August 30: The Long Walk.  In reading the comments, I was surprised to see how many people loved this book.

Lou_Sytsma

Put me in the loved category too. 



I just reread this for an installment of our Lilja&Lou Podcast and was struck by how sooooooo relevant this book today.



I hadn't revisited this story in ages and in the wake of Battle Royales, Hunger Games, and reality TV this one has done more than aged well. 



It has been rejuvenated!



And it has a truly scary ending.

jhanic

I guess I'm going to have to reread it. It's been ages since I read it. I'm not AT ALL a fan of reality shows, though. I agree on the ending of the book. Scary indeed.



John

willowlove

September 12:  The Dead Zone.

willowlove

September 27:  Firestarter--the first one he had reservations about.

willowlove

October 16:  Roadwork.

willowlove

November 2:  Cujo.

willowlove

November 22:  The Running Man.  He seems to be doing fiction only, as Danse Macabre has been skipped.

BevVincent

December 13: The Gunslinger

willowlove

January 15:  Different Seasons. 



The conceit that these are weekly posts have been dropped; in fact, the writer says in the comments the posts might be 3 weeks apart from hereon out.

BevVincent

It's a hard pace to maintain

Lou_Sytsma

Indeed it is.

BevVincent

January 30: Christine



Agreed: "For such a straightforward narrative, it's a bit of a structural mess."

Lou_Sytsma

I haven't read Christine in a long time but it was never one of my favorites. Well before I paid attention to structure and such but I suspect that is main reason.



Much like my issues with Cronin's - The Twelve. Unnecessarily convoluted.



I've heard good things about Owen King's upcoming book - Double Feature despite the fact it has a contorted timeline too.

BevVincent

Week 16 – Pet Sematary

Lou_Sytsma

Great review.



Never has the sound - plip - freaked me out so.

BevVincent

I have to reread this book soon and I look forward to re-immersing myself in that feeling of impending dread.

BevVincent

week 17 – Cycle of the Werewolf