Cameron asked Michael J. Sullivan:

I see that you cite Stephen King as one of your influences. I was wondering if there are any of his books you would particularly recommend? I have heard great things of him but have been put off by his reputation for horror (I cannot even watch the film 'Signs' all the way through).

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Cameron,
Thanks for asking...You know, people often think of Stephen King as a "master of horror," but to me I don't really see his books that way. To me King has two major strengths - one is exploring the "What if."

* What if a pandemic killed 98% of the population in a short period of time
* What if you could go back in time and kill Hitler - would you? Should you?

The second thing he is exceptionally good at is creating characters. He really knows how to get into his "people's head" and let us come with him such that we really "understand" the character - and can relate to them. It's his characters and their internal dialog that I'm most impressed by.

Of all his book, my favorite is "The Stand." There are two versions of it, and I've only read the original "shorter" one. It's been at least 30 - 35 years since I read it, and I've read it only once. And yet I can tell you just about everything that happens, and to this day the characters: Nick Andros, Frannie, Stu Redman, Tom Cullen, and many many more (including The Walking Dude himself) are still with me.

Are there some frightening things in The Stand...yeah. For instance leaving New York through the Lincoln Tunnel filled with discarded cars with dead people in them - can be a frightening thing - but it's not gratuitous - it is well written and by "hearing" what Stu is feeling as he does so doesn't come off to me as "horror" but as a great way to give the reader insights into his personality.

Definitely give The Stand a try. I think you'll enjoy it a great deal. If you start and find it "too much" for you - then put it down and pick up "Doctor Sleep" - it is a sequel to "The Shinning (which is much more "horror") but you don't need to read that one to understand the second. Great characters in Doctor Sleep - and nothing that should give you the willies.

Thanks for asking.

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