Stephen King Fans discussion

Happy New Year! Here is the thread for the first book of 2017, Danse Macabre.

Enjoy!

Yeah! my first Goodreads group discussion and my first time reading this book. Ready to learn.

Looking forward to picking this up, probably not for a few days though. I'll chime in when I do start!

I love King's "voice" so am happy to pick this up and read a bit here and there almost any time. Not sure how long it's been since I read it front to back, though.

Hard not to like this: philosophy, biography, and summaries of all the great horror films, novels, and comic books of the last sixty to one hundred years or more. I totally agree with King, we indulge in horror to give ourselves a respite from these monsters all around us, like that serial killer Cancer. Again I'm doing the audiobook and it's okay but the narrator overplays the sarcasm. I wish Mr. King had read this himself, as he did On Writing.

Nick wrote: "Hard not to like this: philosophy, biography, and summaries of all the great horror films, novels, and comic books of the last sixty to one hundred years or more. I totally agree with King, we indu..."

It really should have been King since this is a collection of his thoughts and opinions.

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "Hard not to like this: philosophy, biography, and summaries of all the great horror films, novels, and comic books of the last sixty to one hundred years or more. I totally agree with ..."

Exactly. The guy does a number of good dialects and impressions, but he's too much of a ham.

Very excited to read this for the first time. I am joining this month because I wanted to read Danse Macabre as research for a while. Friends and I are organising horror LARPs (Live Action Role Playing games) and I hope to pick up a few ideas on horror in general... how to generate it, how to implement it. Ideas I can transfer into live/theatre.

I'm excited to read this one. I gave the audiobook a try last year and the narrator couldn't hold my interest, but the bit of text I've read so far has been fantastic. I'm a scaredy cat, though, so this is strictly a daytime read!

I have read pretty much every Stephen King book, but for some reason have just never had any interest in reading Danse Macrabe. Not sure why?! I guess after 25 years of being a King fan I should just read it already!

I'm around halfway through the audio book and love the mix of philosophy, humor, and summaries of some of the best and worst movies ever made, [or to put it another way, one of the top 3 or 4 movies of all time (Psycho) and the undisputed worst (Plan 9 from outer space).] Lots of musing about just what scares us and why. I also liked the idea that all horror novels and movies and even comics can be traced back to 3 great British works: Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde (a version of the wolfman myth). Anyone else see this?

I started listening to the audiobook last night. I started reading this years ago but didn't get very far because I wasn't in the mood for it at the time. It's fun to rediscover it now.

I've been trying to get into audiobooks recently and listened to On Writing in December (which was a great read to begin with!) and based on it being read by SK, I'd have to agree with Nick - Dance Macabre would suit being read by SK too seeing as it's essentially him talking directly to us instead of telling a story.

Great read! "Danse Macabre" is like sitting by the fireplace with a best friend or a "wise old" uncle who has a wonderful perspective on the books and films we all love. But the book leaves you wanting so much more! I keep hoping for an up-date to bring fellow "constant readers" into the 90's and beyond.

Bob wrote: "Great read! "Danse Macabre" is like sitting by the fireplace with a best friend or a "wise old" uncle who has a wonderful perspective on the books and films we all love. But the book leaves you wan..."

I'm with you on the update Bob. TV has certainly changed, and become one of the great media of our time. HBO is far more than it was when the book was written and Game of Thrones certainly is at its heart a horror fantasy. BTW I wonder if King just talked and recorded all this info, it is so much like a conversation.

I also am about half done with my first reading. I am a freddy Kruger generation person and read a lot of all genres and i love his insight into the history of literature, but the movies go over my head. Does anyone else have this problem? When he talks about the eyes of the creature of the black lagoon i have no reference point.

Julie wrote: "I also am about half done with my first reading. I am a freddy Kruger generation person and read a lot of all genres and i love his insight into the history of literature, but the movies go over my..."

Guess you have to rent some of those old 50s horror flicks, Julie, if you want to understand what he's talking about and come face to face with The Creature, or THEM, or any of the others. Most aren't worth the effort, though, and that's what makes the book quite dated... you can't even find those shows at all anymore.

yes, Nick, it really helps you to pick up for film recommendations (I would include as must-sees, "The Thing from Another Planet" ... both the Howard Hawkes/1950s version and the John Carpenter/1980?s remake as they look at the situation, isolation in an arctic zone, from opposite directions ... Hawkes has everyone helping each other and Carp's is the opposite, no one wants to help anyone) -- really interesting reading

I've always wondered how much of this he did off the top of his head? He sounds in the writing that a lot of is off the top of his head but he writes it in such a fine voice it's hard to tell

I saw It Came From Outer Space in a revival about 10 years ago and I have to say it was great... in 3D too. Thant's one you might look for. But I'm on into his discussion of books now. The Haunting of Hill House, which I've never read is beautifully described. I'll get a copy of that - or maybe the audio book. I have read Something Wicked This Way Comes. What book!

Cormac wrote: "yes, Nick, it really helps you to pick up for film recommendations (I would include as must-sees, "The Thing from Another Planet" ... both the Howard Hawkes/1950s version and the John Carpenter/198..."

Since I'm listening to the audio book I definitely get the feeling that I'm almost sitting in Professor King's class in college, listening to one of his lectures and loving his insights. This may be the closest any of us may ever come to attending on of his lectures on horror and critique. Of course, his reading of ON WRITING really is taking a class from King. And so much the better because in that case, King reads his own book. The guy who does this one really overplays it.

Nick wrote: "I saw It Came From Outer Space in a revival about 10 years ago and I have to say it was great... in 3D too. Thant's one you might look for. But I'm on into his discussion of books now. The Haunting..."

I've not listened to The Haunting of Hill House, but I bet it would make a great audio. Either way, Nick, I really think you would like it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was rather short, but sweet.

I am really enjoying this book! I found some of the stuff he talks about on Spotify, like the Arch Oboler collection: https://open.spotify.com/album/3bgEXb... I also just realized BBC Radio 4 Extra has a nice little slot called The 7th Dimension, 6pm GMT on Saturdays and Sundays. With so much stuff available online around the clock, it feels great to have a scheduled program to look forward to! And the shows are available online afterwards, if you miss one. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra

Gearing up to really start this tonight when I get home! I read both forewords in my paperback edition last night; I love the way Steve uses words.

I'm now into King's long discussion of Something Evil This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. It's a terrific analysis. The fact that he reads long passages from the books themselves helps illustrate his points so damn well. I read "SOMETHING EVIL" maybe ten years ago, loved it then, but actually forgot how really good it was. I'm giving it a re-read soon. Thanks, Mr. King

Nick wrote: "I'm now into King's long discussion of Something Evil This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. It's a terrific analysis. The fact that he reads long passages from the books themselves helps illustrate his ..."

Something Wicked This Way comes was one of my favorite years a year ago :)

I've actually been "side, slow-burner" reading this one for months. I need to pick it up again, been awhile

Nick wrote: "I'm now into King's long discussion of Something Evil This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. It's a terrific analysis. The fact that he reads long passages from the books themselves helps illustrate his ..."

We read it as a group a few years ago. Fantastic book!https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Whoops, and Mr. King finally blew it. Up till now, his foresight has been amazing, so I was very surprised when he talked about the pending death of the comic book business and the slow demise of DC and Marvel, and even the prospects of Stan Lee (creator of Spiderman), dismal, was what I think he was implying. Guess that was before all those superhero movies, and video games and the rise of DC and Marvel to empire status, and Stan Lee as one of the rulers of Hollywood, and the deification of Batman, and the Man of Steel.

Nick wrote: "Whoops, and Mr. King finally blew it. Up till now, his foresight has been amazing, so I was very surprised when he talked about the pending death of the comic book business and the slow demise of D..."

I was just thinking, I would love for him to release an updated edition of this covering the span from 1983 to present.

Nick wrote: "Whoops, and Mr. King finally blew it. Up till now, his foresight has been amazing, so I was very surprised when he talked about the pending death of the comic book business and the slow demise of D..."


I think you hit the nail on the head. Had comics NOT forayed into the serious movie scene, not to mention video games, I think they may have died a bit. Not completely, but they would have lost their grip on youth, thus eventually losing their audience in a generation or three.

I'd love to have an update of this book too from Professor King. It would be great to get his take on the current state of the movies, video games, and TV. In that latter case, I'd sure like to read treatises on Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and others, not to mention Haven, and 11.22.63.

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "Nick wrote: "I'm now into King's long discussion of Something Evil This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury. It's a terrific analysis. The fact that he reads long passages from the books themselves helps il..."

the title alone makes it a classic for me ... just describing a situation in life by using that title makes it perfectly clear to another person what is in store for you both lol ... like whistling the hook from The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" ... sends chills up my back ... "Something Wicked" is indeed one of the true classics of the genre ...

Finally finished the dance. I thought the ending was especially good (surprise, after all of my comments about King's bad endings.) In the closing chapters, he discusses the morality of writing horror... in other words: What responsibility do horror writers have for copycat murders based on their work? I think King's analysis is right on and encouraging. I've had these concerns about my own work, although, these days, unless you are a witch who turns herself into a wolf and then eats her enemies, I guess I don't have too much to worry about. I'll have a four-star review up soon. (why only 4: a little too much analysis of old movies and TV shows that no one will ever see - that were even old when he wrote the book.)

Nick wrote: "Finally finished the dance. I thought the ending was especially good (surprise, after all of my comments about King's bad endings.) In the closing chapters, he discusses the morality of writing hor..."

He is a horrid ending writer, but in this and On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft he does a good job. I think it's because these are "real". He's having a conversation, not making things up.

Does that make sense?

Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "Finally finished the dance. I thought the ending was especially good (surprise, after all of my comments about King's bad endings.) In the closing chapters, he discusses the morality o..."

Makes sense Kandice - and - even though I don't think this is where the thread started - I want to say that he IS a great romance writer. I had this realization last night when thinking about the love stories in Bag of Bones, W & G, Christine, and even The Shining and finally understood that the main reason I don't like Desperation and Dreamcatcher is that there is no love story in either of them.

Enjoying this read alot more than I expected, just finished a different book that was taking up a lot of time, so I'll be jumping in head first to Danse Macabre this weekend.

I didn't think of myself as a big fan of horror fantasy before I started reading this, but I'm so familiar with a lot of the things he is discussing. Really enjoying his analysis. My to-read (and to-watch or rewatch) pile is growing quite a bit.

Jen wrote: "Enjoying this read alot more than I expected, just finished a different book that was taking up a lot of time, so I'll be jumping in head first to Danse Macabre this weekend.

I didn't think of my..."

Agreed, Jen, I've definitely added the Haunting of Hill House to my list and probably a re-read of Something Evil and The Shrinking Man. Also am on the lookout for a video of The Black Scorpion.

I finished the book on the airplane back from Cabo. I found parts of the book to be almost torture on its own. I enjoyed the literature comparisons and the morality questions. Where I lost interest is that I do not think I am a fan of horror except in reading. I have not seen any of the tv shows or movies-so it held no personal relevance to me. I think Stephen King ruined it for me- remember your first time reading Cuju- the breath of the dog, the drool- how freaking scary it was and then you see the movie and it a St. Bernard- like the dog that rescues skiers? So I am loving dracula :-)

Julie wrote: "I finished the book on the airplane back from Cabo. I found parts of the book to be almost torture on its own. I enjoyed the literature comparisons and the morality questions. Where I lost interest..."

Yep. Even though the book was written in the 70s and 1980 a lot of those old movies and TV show are from the 50s and 60 and some of the radio shows are from the 40. twenty years ago for King when he wrote it... 60 - 70 years ago today.

I'm slogging through the last quarter of this one. I'm not much of a horror fan, so most of the history and nuance is lost on me.

One thing that caught my attention is the reference to Some of Your Blood. He mentions something twisty or shocking about the end, but the Googling I did didn't provide enough context. What was so surprising about the ending on that one?

Thanks, all!

Nick wrote: "Julie wrote: "I finished the book on the airplane back from Cabo. I found parts of the book to be almost torture on its own. I enjoyed the literature comparisons and the morality questions. Where I..."

Ok Mr. Enabler, I found this at Haf Priced Books today.

:)

I was blessed by someone giving their collection to a thrift store. I got about 15 Stephen king books for .25 each including joyland....now just got to find time

Julie wrote: "I was blessed by someone giving their collection to a thrift store. I got about 15 Stephen king books for .25 each including joyland....now just got to find time"

WOW! That has to be some kind of miracle. 15 astounding reads for what? Less than $4. The only question is where to start. Don't be overwhelmed. Just pick a good one and enjoy.

Julie wrote: "I was blessed by someone giving their collection to a thrift store. I got about 15 Stephen king books for .25 each including joyland....now just got to find time"

Wow! That is great.

Nick wrote: "Whoops, and Mr. King finally blew it. Up till now, his foresight has been amazing, so I was very surprised when he talked about the pending death of the comic book business and the slow demise of D..."

Well, if you look at the economics of actually publishing physical comic books, DC and Marvel have struggled quite a bit, DC in particular. In sales of graphic novels, they are consistently outmatched by non-superhero Scholastic publications. Super heroes, yes, still big money; actual comic books? Not so much.

Has anyone (including King) discussed this book in the context of when he was writing IT? He was working on both around the same period, and opening lines of each book are very similar. More and more, I think of Danse Macabre as like a set of footnotes or cliffs notes to IT -- a lot of the things he dives deep into during Danse Macabre are incorporated into IT, like I WAS A TEENAGE WEREWOLF, shape shifting, and his remembrances of his boyhood. I think he started mentioning the development of IT not long after this was published.

At any rate, remains one of my favorites, and I revisit certain sections annually. I also diligently went through both lists and watched all of the movies and read most of the books. Some have been out of print forever, so I have slowly searched out affordable copies of things like HARRIET SAID.

I read it as a teen, and the movie list sent me in some pretty weird directions. It's an esoteric list, with Ingmar Bergman and Tennessee Williams rubbing shoulders with Roger Corman and William Castle.

Perhaps this has been discussed earlier........ are there any updates re: a "newer" , more current version of "Danse Macabre?

No update that I'm aware of. Danse Macbre is King's assessment of the horror genre at the time. He was a horror writer at the time and the book discusses the influences upon his development and early work. Since he is no longer the same writer, there really isn't a need for him to update DM.

Robert wrote: "Perhaps this has been discussed earlier........ are there any updates re: a "newer" , more current version of "Danse Macabre?"

No, no updates. It's been over forty years, and a lot has happened in his career. An update would be awesome.