Stephen King Fans discussion

It just blew my mind that there wasn't already a post created for this book. Looks like I linked it up to Desperation. Opps! Thanks for starting the topic!

Hey Russell!

I'm almost finished The Regulators and I'm really enjoying it so far.

It's reminding me of old Twilight Zone episodes that I used to love.

I decided to read this one and then join in on the May group read of Desperation.

What did you think of it?

I enjoyed both The Regulators and Desperation. I loved how characters and locals paralleled each other in the books. I agree with Kirstin about it reminding me of Twilight Zone (especially the "Its a Good Life" episode)

The Regulators first chapter took me right back to my childhood. He described a perfect july day just like I remember. Something mundane and comforting like walking with my brother to the store...and then BAM!

I think that's my favourite thing about a lot of SK's stories. No one is out in the woods alone, there is no haunted house. It's regular people put into such bizarre situations.

I really liked Desperation too. I read it a while ago and I haven't finished Regulators yet so I'm not sure which one I like more. But they are two sides of the same coin and I want to read them back to back.

Desperation was such a nightmare situation. It seemed less supernatural than Regulators but I may just not remember.

What made you like it more?

I found Desperation a bit creepier as well. What sealed it for me was when the cop was reading them their Miranda rights and just casually slipped the line "I'm going to kill you" right in the middle of it without missing a beat or a change in voice infliction or anything like that. That part always creeped me out

I kinda wish I had read The Regulators first because it's weird having Entragian(the cop) be a good guy. Every time I see his name I think Tak! and I flash back to how scary he was.

You're already a bit on edge getting pulled over by the cops, so I loved that line too. Definitely struck a nerve!

Chris wrote: "I found Desperation a bit creepier as well. What sealed it for me was when the cop was reading them their Miranda rights and just casually slipped the line "I'm going to kill you" right in the midd..."

Desperation is my least favorite King book, too much unrelenting horror. No one ever catches a break. Heart Shaped Box started out like that but then let up a little and allowed me to catch my breath (and my sanity). I liked the Regulators much better. I should probably join the group read and give "D" another chance. I've changed my mind about the last few books I've re-read. Unfortunately,I'm reading a lot already. Maybe later.

Nick wrote: "Chris wrote: "I found Desperation a bit creepier as well. What sealed it for me was when the cop was reading them their Miranda rights and just casually slipped the line "I'm going to kill you" rig..."

Hi Nick, I found the first half of The Regulators just that, unrelenting horror. Everyone's shot, there's nowhere to go and the vans keep coming back! It's scaring me and that's a rare thing for a King novel. I'm liking it more than I thought I would.

I've never warmed to this book the way I have to desperation. Has always felt like a writing exercise more than a fully realized novel. It's also come off as a wallow in unpleasantness. Perhaps if I had read it more close on the heels of Desperation my opinion wouldn't be as negative.

I just picked up The Regulators at a local used book store and I'm about 100 pages deep. I like it so far. I also picked up Desperation on the same trip. Should I read Desperation before The Regulators or vice versa?

Also I'm annoyed that one The Regulators book is by Richard Bachman and Desperation is by Stephen King. I couldn't pass up the price a book a piece. Anyone else cooky like me and want both by Bachman.

I read Desporation first and wish I'd read Regulators first. These books are great a really great story set. I've always enjoyed the complex and through story settings that King creates. These were like a little mini series.

Ryan wrote: "I just picked up The Regulators at a local used book store and I'm about 100 pages deep. I like it so far. I also picked up Desperation on the same trip. Should I read Desperation before The Regula..."


Hi Ryan! I don't think it matters which one you read first. They are different books that share some similarities. Desperation was always by Stephen King. He only put out Regulators under Bachman. I'm afraid you'll have to remain annoyed. ;)

I really liked them both. Enjoy!

I preferred Collie Etragian as a bad guy, and like some of you was just flabbergasted by him sliding in that little "exttra" line of the miranda. I love when authors slide something in as if it is innocuous. You read past a little and have to go back and re-read when your brain says “WTF?”. Cormac McCarthy does that all the time.

One of the reasons I enjoyed The Regulators more than Desperation was the idea of an Autistic character. I have a mentally challenged niece and the idea that she is really "in there" but unable to communicate that to us on a regular basis is almost as terrifying as anything King could make up.

I have to admit to being a little let down by the ending.

This is a reread for me and I'm not disappointed. As soon as I started I was transported back to my own childhood. King's descriptions are unparalleled ! Since I'm living in Ohio and it is July it's even better this time around. Hoping to spend some more time with it on a lazy July day in the sun.

I agree, Cynthia. The opening of this book took me right back to childhood too, walking to the corner store with my brother. SK did that perfectly and that made what happens next all the more horrific, in my mind.

I am thrilled to find out who the driver of the van is. So far I've read up to page 100 and I am enjoying the variety of characters in the story, especially with the cop, well ex-cop. Can't wait to get out of work and keep reading.

I agree!!! I'm around page 100 too and so far I'm really loving this book. I've never read this one and I am totally happy with it so far. I like it because it's an easy read. I'm curious to know who's behind this.

Was disappointed by this one when I read it - ages ago - comments on here making me consider a re-read.

I just finished The Regulators for the second time. The first time I read it was around 2005 while working at National Book Warehouse. I remember liking it then for the creepy street scenes with the vans. This go around, our young autistic protagonist captured my imagination the most. And of course, you can't help but love the ex-cop and demon of Desperation.

A great summer read! Our next King novel... maybe Mr. Mercedes?

Chris wrote: "I found Desperation a bit creepier as well. What sealed it for me was when the cop was reading them their Miranda rights and just casually slipped the line "I'm going to kill you" right in the midd..."

I agree, Desperation was way more creepier and a personal fave of mine outside of The Shining, It, and Salem's Lot.

I read Desperation almost 15 years ago. I'll have to read it again. I just read The Shinning for the first time 6 months ago and it creeped me out bad. I heard IT is also very creepy. I have yet to read that one. I really like The Regulators so far. I'm only on Chapter 5 and I haven't been introduced to the little boy yet but I'm excited that we are reading this book this month because it probably wouldn't have been high on my list to read.

Just finished desperation and now I just started reading the regulators for the first time enjoying it 50 pages in :)

I should re read this, and then in English. I'm dutch and read both The Regulators and Desperation many years ago in my own language. I find lots gets lost in translation when it comes to Stephen King books.

I remember that one of the characters from Rose Madder is in this book, correct?

Yep that is correct. Now my question is how many think regulators should be read before desperation?

Timothy wrote: "Yep that is correct. Now my question is how many think regulators should be read before desperation?"

I don't think it makes any difference. No matter which you read first you will feel a bit of confusion in the beginning changing who the characters are in that novel. I think that may be part of why King used some of the same names. We all go into a story with preconceived notions due to blurbs, hype, reviews, etc. By making us let go of those we can see the story "with fresh eyes" once they've been shed.

I read Desperation first, and The Regulators second, and I'm glad I read them in this order. I didn't like Desperation much, in the sense that I thought it was too creepy, too icky in places. The strange thing was, that I took that feeling and had it cross over into The Regulators, and for me it added an extra dimension to the story. And made it even better.

I know it sounds weird, but that's what happened for me. I liked The Regulators better in general in any case, also because the story took place in such a mundane environment. It's the typical SK "take the commonplace and make it creepy" that I like so much. Desperation was ... alienating, somehow.

Lyanna wrote: "I read Desperation first, and The Regulators second, and I'm glad I read them in this order. I didn't like Desperation much, in the sense that I thought it was too creepy, too icky in places. The s..."

I preferred The Regulators for the same reasons!

I loved how The Regulators is more or less just constant carnage and chaos.

Steve Ames, the hippie, is definitely my favorite character. I like how King drops Ames' life philosophy into the narrative.

"NO PROBLEMS."

Heh.

I liked both the Regulators and Desperation. I thought it was really cool how they paralleled each other. No one tells a tale like the King!!!

I have not started this group read as of yet. Is this book, The Regulators, a sequel to Desperation? I have issues with reading books out of sequence. But...I am starting back to school in 2 weeks (teacher) so my time will be limited and I will once again be exhausted. I guess I am needing someone to say it is ok to read Desperation first. Lame post, right?
I've been relaxing with the Tudor Court series all summer; Phoenix is too darn hot, so I read. Shame on me for leaving King behind since May.

HAHA just received an extensive heat warning here in Phoenix so read all day and errands at night.

I read Desperation a long time ago, almost 13 years. I remember the big picture but not details. It helps to read it first to understand the picture, I think. The Regulators is a fairly quick read. I'm almost done. I would be done already if I wasn't so busy. I really liked both books!

Loved both Desperation and The Regulators. . love that they seem to take place in parallel universes (can't help liking parallel universes being a Dark Tower junkie. . lol) was nice to read it again..

Staci wrote: "I have not started this group read as of yet. Is this book, The Regulators, a sequel to Desperation? I have issues with reading books out of sequence. But...I am starting back to school in 2 weeks ..."

Hi Staci, You don't need to read Desperation first. The two books are different imaginings of the same idea. The character names and the villain are the only similarities. The Regulators is a really great read! I hope you enjoy it. :)

I just finished this book Friday. I absolutely loved this book. I won't put any details because I don't want to ruin it for other readers but I really loved Seth's character, Aunt Audrey, and Johnny. There were of course a few that I would have not been able to cope with. obviously its just a book but those few characters just annoyed the crap out of me. of course you have to have a few of those in every story. I think that the idea and concept of this book was very interesting. I'm so glad to have read this book.

What happened to The Time Machine thread? Is that still the August group read?

Ι have read it back in 2011 and i thought it was ok for a Stephen King novel. Certainly not one of his best but quite good. It had i dark twisted and surreal tone if i may add.

Just finished "The Regulators" last night. For me, this one is in the middle - nowhere near my favourites ("11/12/63" or "Dr. Sleep") and not near my least favourites ("Cell" or "Buick 8".)

Loved the action, but I didn't make the usual connection with the characters. The ending/epilogue seemed to need something, too.

6.5/10?

I'm a big Stephen King fan and I was wondering whether I should read The Regulators or not. The plot seemed interesting, but I've heard it is one of King's worst books. Is there any reason I should or should not read it?

The Regulators (and Desperation) were OK. Neither would crack my Top 10 SK books for what it's worth. Frankly, both seemed too unrealistic to me. I never became attached to the characters in either of these books the way ai did in most other SK books. 6/10?

I have yet to read Desperation but, I loved The Regulators and burned through that quite fast for one of the slower readers around these boards. It wasn't at all his worst novel imo. Far from it. I'd give it a shot, good end of summer read. 8-10.

I actually loved The Regulators because it appealed to me personally. King is such an expert at getting into the head of "others". In this case, the mentally handicapped. I always wonder how he is able to do it. He can write women, children, animals, anything.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks for yall's input! I'll definitely read it! And yeah I agree, Cell was his worst book I've read

I haven't seen the movie for Cell, but really enjoyed the book. I think I'm in the minority, but there it is.

Kandice, I also liked the Cell and I haven't seen the movie either.

I loved Cell! I was devastated ahhh I can't say it. Spoilers! It was a very creepy novel that was in a sense believable given our dependency on technology today.

mrbooks wrote: "Kandice, I also liked the Cell and I haven't seen the movie either."

Great minds... you know. ;)

You are the one with a great mind, I am the one with a book addled mind lol.

I always imagine some poor fool reading both Desperation and The Regulators and not knowing Stephen King and Richard Bachman are one in the same