Question about reading Stephen King

  • Thread starter Thread starter StudentMI
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

StudentMI

Guest
So, I’m not asking if it’s a sin to read him, but I’m asking my fellow Catholics: are his books (specifically The Stand and It) a good read for a Catholic? I’m trying to ‘clean’ up some of my listening and reading habits a bit, not making everything g rated but just avoiding things that aren’t necessarily good for me. I was interested in reading those novels and I’m wondering what the experience of others was, or anyone’s thoughts. Thanks.
 
I enjoy Stephen King. Finished reading The Running Man and am now reading Misery
 
Critics loathe King but readers love his work. Personally I am a fan and have read most if not all of his works…most trend roughly PG-13 IMO. The Dark Tower series (his magnus opus) is really a good summation of his work; ties most of his books together.
 
This is a prudential matter.

I have enjoied some of Mr King’s work (his non-fiction book “Dance Macabre” is fascinating). YMMV
 
The Stand is a very powerful tale of good vs. evil. I’d recommend it to anyone.
 
I’ve seen profanity. I don’t think his books are clean enough.
 
Is there a new version of the Running Man in novel form? I glanced at it briefly at the store the other day but I always though the movie was based off of a short story by King.
 
I see nothing wrong with The Stand…or King in general to a point…his short stories seem to have been better suited to my taste…his many later novels became repetitive and his inhabitants cardboard caricatures.

Being a dreaded English Major I will also say, King is really not a “great” writer…unique and creepy ideas? Sure…prolific? Check…engaging? not always…highly repetitive to the point he even carries main villains (I.E. Flagg) in some form or another from book to book.

I drew the line at “It” and the pedophila…he steps over the line quite a bit for shock value and to make those twisted characters he is known for.

Just be choosey is what I am saying…and prepared for foul language and images of torture, horror, perversion being introduced into your mind.

Eyes of the Dragon is a good one, as he wrote it for his own child…

Personally there are a jillion other authors out there that are not only better writers than King but much more beneficial for your heart soul mind and body that I would go to first.

Now all that being said…anyone interested in becoming a writer I highly recommend King’s book On Writing…he has some great insight on character development.

 
Last edited:
I found “On Writing” to be a difficult read. After finishing it, I was left with a “this is pretty close but not quite there” feeling. It’s good but still somewhat lacking.

The material about his drug abuse was needless in terms of detail. He could have written: “There was the drugs. Bad idea. Sorry I started.”
 
I like his books. On long drives I usually listen to them. Some of his stuff is PG-13/R rated, that’s for sure. I also don’t like how the bad people in his books are always religious fanatics.
 
edwest211 said:
I found “On Writing” to be a difficult read. After finishing it, I was left with a “this is pretty close but not quite there” feeling. It’s good but still somewhat lacking.

The material about his drug abuse was needless in terms of detail. He could have written: “There was the drugs. Bad idea. Sorry I started.”
Click to expand...
That was actually a book in one of my upper level college writing classes we had to read…and I agree with ya 100%…it has some gems in there but a lot of crud too. His take on “the toolbox” " “character development” “how to make a normal observation stick with your reader” and just “showing up” to write were the most valuable and I still remember after all these years.

I give him some leave way as it was his first book after nearly being killed by the drunk driver while walking along the road…and now the person who hit him is dead…always thought that was weird.
 
Last edited:
Usually I prefer novels to movies. But in King’s case I prefer the movies. I could never get into his writing style.
 
Can anyone rank his best say, 10 books. It’s been so long that I’ve read him I don’t feel qualified to answer the OP’s question. I will say however that if memory serves there’s often a little sexual content in his books, but that is outweighed by the content devoted to things like decomposing bodies, in other words, icky stuff that is supposed to make the reader feel uncomfortable or afraid (not sure if that’s considered sinful or just in poor taste?).
 
Last edited:
I thought my college creative writing class was a waste. Our instructor gave us a Hippie-style, “do your own thing” approach. I skipped my final reading. No point.

Character development can be taught but I have yet to hear of a course that actually teaches that. Now if that had been part of the class I took, it would have made it worthwhile.
 
Isn’t the best method to think of someone you know who’s a bit of a character (we all know a few) and build around that?
 
Some people think they can figure it out but there’s a process or template and it needs to get into research and beyond personal experience.
 
I enjoy the worlds he creates but I get tired of his need for pervyness. I don’t need to hear about a sudden sensation on our main character’s genitals as he stands atop a windy cliff. Also his female characters make you wonder if he knows any women. Still, as much as I complain, every few years I read some more Stephen King, enjoy the ride, and then get mad all over again. Anyone read Revival? I screamed a wild angry scream about the terribleness of the ending.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top