[Mithfânion]

I've never read a Stephen King book. I've seen some films made out of his books though. IT was definitly scary stuff, and then there was another miniseries about a family in a hotel, the name eludes me. Was primarily about a young boy I think. Storm of the Century was by far the best one though, I loved that film, seen it thrice by now.

what book would be a good one to start with? I was thinking The Stand, because it seemed to be the most intriguing.

Is the novel of the Storm of the century different from the film?

[ChrisW]

Well as this is a Fantasy forum how about ya start with his "Dark Tower" series. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif Plus you get a bit of "The Stand" in there.

[Coldfire]

The family in the hotel would be "the shining" and it's definately one of his best. "Pet sematary" is good also.

[Belgarion]

Start in Chronilogical order, King's style of writing changed as he got older!

Start with Salem's Lot (not his 1st book but an excellent introduction to King).

Fitzflagg, tell him to post this Thread in the Horror Section!! (Yes I am aware that King did some fantasy books but nonetheless he is a horror writer!)

[Erebus]

Well, I think King is a multi-genre writer in truth, whilst most famous for his horror, true, but I certainly don't see a problem with him being discussed here, as well as in the Horror section, of course. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

In fact, some of Kings best stories, IMO, have been neither SF, Fantasy, or Horror!

[Cadfael]

I agree with Caldazar... The Dark Tower books are brilliant, and he does touch on characters in The Stand in those... also, if you read his collaboration with Peter Straub, The Talisman and Black House... you will get a bit Dark Tower in those books.

Whilst movie/TV adaptations of King's books are very good in general... there is so much more in the book IT, and I would very much recommend it as well.

You could play it safe... just read everything the guy has ever written... you will not be too dissapointed then. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Warewolf]

Being a King fanatic, here is my list of his best stuff, in my order of preference:

Christine
The Stand
The Dark Tower
It
The Dark Half
Gerald's Game
The Dead Zone
The Long Walk (written as Richard Bachman)

[templarsaint]

A good introduction to King is to read his collection of short stories - Night Shift

If you like this style (he has developed somewhat since then) then for pure chills I'd read It

IMO his best works are The Stand, The Dark Tower Series, It, The Talisman, The Shining and The Green Mile in that order

[Elessar]

In addition to the above, I think you should read "Bag of Bones" and maybe "Insomnia".


-- Elessar

[Eventine]

I my be on a different track here, but read Desperation, and then Richard Bachmans The Regulators.

Did anyone else like what he did here?