I haven't read the book, but on a thread dedicated to King's stories am I ok to give a shout-out to John Carpenter's adaptation of Christine?
It's a film that you expect little from beforehand, regardless of how mint both King and Carpenter, but then you're about half way through and staggered at just how good it is.
Great adaptation of a great book. I haven't read it for years, but I think Ramrod and Cadillac Ranch are quoted in the chapter headings, along with a bunch of 50s and 60s car songs.
Nice! I think I've read before that the songs played on the radio are (maybe obviously) used to indicate how Christine is feeling at that particular moment. I like the idea of "Ramrod" and "Caddy" telling us something about 'her'.
"Misery" is another King novel that was a successful film. In a way it's horror, but the horror is in the situation, and there's no supernatural elements.
I'd also recommend his early dystopian novella, "The Long Walk". Again the horror is in the situation.
If you're not already a horror fan, I cannot recommend highly enough that you start with one of his short story collections—Night Shift and Skeleton Crew are his first—or one of his collections of novellas: as mentioned, Different Seasons is the first and three of its four stories have been turned into films, with the only one that did, "The Breathing Method," actually being my favorite.
Stephen King is erratic, when he's good he's brilliant, but he's also written some right clunkers. I agree with the suggestion of dipping into the short stories and novellas. There are some real gems in there, and if you don't enjoy one you can quickly move on to another.
As with Kurt Vonnegut Jr, I find Stephen King is actually at best when writing short stories and novellas; I love The Stand and much of The Dark Tower, but it's quite clear when he became Stephen King and no longer had to listen to an editor, and the shorter forms force him to reign in some of his worst tendencies and make it all about the story, the story, the story.
This thread also reminds me to tell everyone that the soundtrack to his collaboration with John Mellencamp, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, is a fantastic album.
@whispered secret Some of his classics like Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, I LOVE the Dark Tower books (but they may not be everyone's cup of tea) The Stand is an incredible epic, The Outsider was recently made into a TV Series, but I think perhaps starting with one of his excellent volumes of short stories might be a way to see if you like his writing? I've just finished If It Bleeds, but others like Four Past Midnight and Just After Sunset also contain some excellent stories.
I must clarify that my post wasn't a dig at Kay, its just one of those things that as a King fan frustrate me. Everyone likes different things. I know folks here who love certain music I just don't 'get'....
@Kay Some great adapations of his books as already mentioned here (The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, Stand By Me) but also some terrible ones. Awful. Even he admits to not liking many of them, including the famous version of The Shining with Jack Nicholson. He has been very vocal on his dislike for that adaptation.
I haven't read the book, but on a thread dedicated to King's stories am I ok to give a shout-out to John Carpenter's adaptation of Christine?
It's a film that you expect little from beforehand, regardless of how mint both King and Carpenter, but then you're about half way through and staggered at just how good it is.
"Misery" is another King novel that was a successful film. In a way it's horror, but the horror is in the situation, and there's no supernatural elements.
I'd also recommend his early dystopian novella, "The Long Walk". Again the horror is in the situation.
Ok, you have convinced me! I will visit the library and see what they have.
Stephen King is erratic, when he's good he's brilliant, but he's also written some right clunkers. I agree with the suggestion of dipping into the short stories and novellas. There are some real gems in there, and if you don't enjoy one you can quickly move on to another.
This thread also reminds me to tell everyone that the soundtrack to his collaboration with John Mellencamp, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, is a fantastic album.
@whispered secret Some of his classics like Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, I LOVE the Dark Tower books (but they may not be everyone's cup of tea) The Stand is an incredible epic, The Outsider was recently made into a TV Series, but I think perhaps starting with one of his excellent volumes of short stories might be a way to see if you like his writing? I've just finished If It Bleeds, but others like Four Past Midnight and Just After Sunset also contain some excellent stories.
I have never read any Stephen King because I assumed they were horror stories which I would not like. Maybe it is time to try one - suggestions?
I must clarify that my post wasn't a dig at Kay, its just one of those things that as a King fan frustrate me. Everyone likes different things. I know folks here who love certain music I just don't 'get'....