Stephen King Fans discussion

I'm continuing my very slow read of Swan Song and I have to say I'm very impressed. The book is far better than I thought at first. The dramatic scenes and staging are so powerful. I think it compares very favorably to The Stand... another apocalypse from another time, sure, but the working out of that nuclear winter is amazing, and the invention of the physical consequences of radiation.... terrifying.
I'll have a long review when I get through it... soon I hope.

Gavin wrote: "I'm reading Crime and Punishment"

Impressive. Hope you post a review.

Andrew wrote: "This week I started Don Quixote, a not easy book."

Great. My room mate read it in college and laughed all the way through it. I couldn't believe that he was able to get through the old world vocabulary to see the zaniness of the situations. Hope you post a review when you're done. BTW did you know that, in a poll of the must successful living writers, DQ was voted the greatest novel ever written... by an overwhelming majority?

Just starting Orange Is the New Black , the netflix series is great, I'm sure the book will be better.

Nick wrote: "Andrew wrote: "This week I started Don Quixote, a not easy book."

Great. My room mate read it in college and laughed all the way through it. I couldn't believe that he was able to get ..."

I agree. There are a lot of strange situations, some of them crossed with each other. Till now it's funny, sad, absurd and engaging.
I'll try to write my review as soon as I finished.

@Nick, do you really feel that Swan Song can compare to The Stand? I think Swan Song is a pretty good read but not on par with King @ all, seems I'm missing something from McCammon's book that would make me put them in the same field let alone the same ball park. Plz tell me what you think when you've the time or any1 who see's this from an angle I'm clearly missing -_-

H wrote: "@Nick, do you really feel that Swan Song can compare to The Stand? I think Swan Song is a pretty good read but not on par with King @ all, seems I'm missing something from McCammon's book that woul..."

H - It's a pretty desolate landscape McCammon paints, nuclear winter. King gives us a world that's pretty much in tact. There's plenty of material stuff everywhere. These two different outcomes are really a result of the changing possible causes of the apocalypse. In my mind, as horrific as King's world is, McCammon's is far harsher. Then he adds the elements of madness and the disfigurement and facial growths. He's created as horrible a world as I can imagine. Character for character, of course, King has him beat. No one can draw
characters as well as King. As sweet as Swan is, she and the rest of the gang don't draw our sympathy the way KIng's folks do, and the personification of evil (interesting that there's one in both books) is one of King's all time masterpieces...the walkin' dude! McCammon can't come close to that. He's not a poet of King's caliber either. But he has those powers of dramatic description and he can invent details that are absolutely riveting. That scene with the wolves attacking along the road is unforgettable. The rampant madness of those who come anywhere near power is disheartening, terrifying, but brilliant. I need to see how this book ends; I'm not done. But I think for drama, story, staging, and invention McCommon comes pretty close to being able to rival The Stand. And I guess I should add that I just re-read the stand a few months ago.

@Nick, gr8 points, although like I mentioned I'm a fan of McCammon & Swan Song just seemed a bit leaning toward borrowing...
Examples being: Hemingford Home to Mary's Rest, Mother Abigail to a younger version of a savior Swan... Although the apocalypse plot has been written quite a lot. I guess maybe I shouldn't be comparing the 2 @ all it's apples & oranges. Thanx 4 helping me see it from a different angle Nick, Holly

H wrote: "@Nick, gr8 points, although like I mentioned I'm a fan of McCammon & Swan Song just seemed a bit leaning toward borrowing...
Examples being: Hemingford Home to Mary's Rest, Mother Abigail to a youn..."

You know H, I just assumed that Swan Song was written BEFORE The Stand. Reading it makes it seem like it was put together around 1970. (It was written in 1987). I just totally missed the fact that The Stand was written way back in 1978. That is incredible. I think you know that I did some work for the state department in 1997- 2004, and the things King talks about were major topics of concern in the late 90s and 2000s. They still are. But to think that King was tuned into them way back in 78 is extremely impressive. In the late 70s more people were envisioning the kind of apocalypse that McCammon summons up. So, yes, Swan Song really is derivative, especially the bad guy, who is (disappointingly) right out of King. Anyway, I'm not done with the book, so let's see how the story turns out and I'll let you know my final opinion. I still stick with my high opinion of McCammon's outstanding powers of dramatization though.

#Nick, I thought you knew how early The Stand was & that yeah King had killer insight into what is relevant even now. I feel like you get what I'm saying now so whew, that's a relief. I thought I was kinda off my mark but I still feel the same about The Stand. If it had been a major motion picture it would have been awesome but King sometimes feels the need for these made for TV versions that fall terribly short. Thanks again Nick, I so value your impeccable taste & dead on observations.
Holly

I started reading Phantoms by Dean R. Koontz. This is the first novel I've read by him & so far its pretty good. The local 2nd hand book store has a free bin outside & one time it was full of his novels so I brought them all home.

Sandy wrote: "I started reading Phantoms by Dean R. Koontz. This is the first novel I've read by him & so far its pretty good. The local 2nd hand book store has a free bin outside & one time it was full of his n..."

A free bin? Man, that would be a dream come true!

Finished Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon and started Horror House by J.N. Williamson.

Ken wrote: "Finished Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon and started Horror House by J.N. Williamson."

I've been looking for Speaks the Nightbird and can't find it anywhere :(. Did you like it? I read Queen of Bedlam and loved it.

Kathryn wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I started reading Phantoms by Dean R. Koontz. This is the first novel I've read by him & so far its pretty good. The local 2nd hand book store has a free bin outside & one time it was..."

No kidding! I don't think I have ever come across a free bin of books before.

Malina wrote: "Ken wrote: "Finished Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon and started Horror House by J.N. Williamson."

I've been looking for Speak..."

I thoroughly enjoyed Speaks the Nightbird and look forward to continuing the series with Queen of Bedlam. You can download Speaks the Nightbird on Kindle and Nook. They both have it available. If you're looking for a paperback, they've got several on Amazon right now for $1.10 plus shipping.

Ken wrote: "Malina wrote: "Ken wrote: "Finished Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon and started Horror House by J.N. Williamson."

I've been lo..."

Thanks Ken! I'll look on Amazon, I've gotten some used books in pretty good condition there. I'd rather "real" books over kindle when possible.
You will love Queen of Bedlam :)

Yeah, its a company called "Second & Charles", they buy & sell used books as well as CD's, DVD's, vinyl, everything media related. I'm not sure if its local or not, I hope you can find one near you. It's an absolutely awesome place!

Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" and the immortal "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk.

Speaks the Nightbird is a very interesting read, gr8 book, very impressed with it. Baal is also a kewl McCammon book, his debut in fact.

H wrote: "Speaks the Nightbird is a very interesting read, gr8 book, very impressed with it. Baal is also a kewl McCammon book, his debut in fact."

I'm a huge McCammon fan and recommend my favorites of his to everyone. A few of the King fans get a little ouchy on here whenever a comparison is made between McCammon and King. It's really too bad because I think they're both wonderful story tellers and the comparisons aren't made to put down Stephen King, but more to raise awareness on how good Robert McCammon is.

Props 2 McCammon 100%, as a SK super fan the only time I felt a little disturbed was over The Stand. It was written yrs before & I've read Swan Song & I wasn't seeing it as most ppl were, the comparison is lost on me & I wanted 2 be sure I was being fair. I know it sounds a bit neurotic but reading 2 me is my life & I don't want 2 not giv McCammon his due because I'm a fan of his as well. It was just that I wondered if there was something I was missing about Swan Song that others see. That's 1 of the kewl things about GR is discussion about these types of things. Idk another reader like myself so I've no1 to tlk to about books, my friends look @ me mystified, they've no idea-_-

Hello All, I am reading 'PREY' by Michael Chrichton, I find it to be very good, MESMERIZING, Creepy.

So many interesting possible reads:)
Now Fight Club sounds like it'd be an exciting book, I wasn't even aware it existed...

Cathy wrote: Then one day, I had a Eureka moment. I calculated how many books I have left in MY lifetime if I read 40-50 books a year and can read until a ripe old age of 90. Without disclosing too much of my age... it is less than 2000

Hmmm, I did the same math, assuming that my current reading rate of 200 books per year stays approximately the same (might go up once I retire, LOL) and came up with about 8000 books. It seems I might be able to read at least most of the books currently on my TBR list (2720 books, but many are only the first part of a series).

Just finishedWool Omnibus, pleasantly surprised by that one, as I was expecting a light YA read, but I found the book to be quite disturbing and well written.

I'm just about finished with "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini and just starting "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline.

Amber wrote: "I'm just about finished with "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini and just starting "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline."

How did you like it? I loved his first two and heard this was a bit disappointing

This is the first book I've read by him. I'm enjoying it, but still trying to figure out why different character's stories were written. I mean I know they all fit together, but some seem to be a side story not really having any impact on the main story except that the characters knew another character at some point. Hopefully it will tie together in the end.

Finished Gone Baby Gone , probably the best book I have read in the mystery thriller genre. Dennis Lehane never disappoints.

I love Dennis LeHane & one of my favorites is Gone Baby Gone!

I love Mystic River

Mystic River is also one of my favorites but its such an emotional story, it made me feel drained when I was done.

I'm reading The Brothers Karamazov

Sandy wrote: "Mystic River is also one of my favorites but its such an emotional story, it made me feel drained when I was done."

Did you see the movie? I thought it was very well adapted

Yesterday I started Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, a collection of stories by Neil Gaiman

Andrew wrote: "Yesterday I started Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, a collection of stories by Neil Gaiman"

I love Neil Gaiman!! Let us know how you like it

Malina wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Yesterday I started Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, a collection of stories by Neil Gaiman"

I love Neil Gaiman!! Let us know how you like it"

I also like Gaiman. I'm reading a book a month for a challenge. I'll let you know about this novel.

Started The Cuckoo's Calling today, liking it so far.

Amber wrote: "I'm just about finished with "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini and just starting "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline."

Have you read 'COLD MOUNTAIN', You may have seen the Movie-Nicole Kidman, Rene Zelwegger? Jude Law. I read it in one day and it's pretty long. It is now one of my top ten books, (i think the book was much better than the movie :)

Kit★ wrote: "Started The Cuckoo's Calling today, liking it so far."

I just picked that one up. I'm really looking forward to reading it. I hope you like it!

Wizard and Glass

Hey folks. I'm currently reading several books but, I would like to know from my fellow Kingclan if I should invest time in reading David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas?
Watched the movie last night and was mesmerized.
Thoughts?

Just finished The Troop today, very good, and will be starting Unlucky 13 later.

Started Toxic Shadows by Tim Curran

Andrew wrote: "Malina wrote: "Andrew wrote: "Yesterday I started Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, a collection of stories by Neil Gaiman"

I love Neil Gaiman!! Let us know how you like it"..."

Just got a copy to ease into as I finish off Swan Song (Yep, still at it.)

Anything by Michael Crichton :) I'm just finishing 'PREY'-Creepy, Absorbing and Thought Provoking and according to the author (Of Course)absolutely possible in a few years, read it and let me know what you think. Thanks.

Just started Moving Day: A Thriller , so far so good

Reading and .

Holly wrote: "Reading and ."

Guilt is great! I love all Kellerman books

I do too Malina. Alex Delaware is one of my favorite characters. Along with Milo and Robin. :)