something you don't like

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carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
His depictions of homosexuals through the years has gotten a bit better, but they are usually depicted negatively in his books. His use of gay epithets is usually cringe worthy as well. In order to enjoy his works for the past 40 years, I have had to ignore this and just chalk it up to a bit of ignorance on his part. Hey, I deal with it day in and day out in the real world; I can take it.

A close second are his alarmingly bad and laugh-out-loud sex scenes. At this point though, I have almost come to look forward to them for the comic relief aspect! :biggrin-new:
 

VampireLily

Vampire Goddess & Consumer of men's souls.
Jul 25, 2013
1,469
8,829
New Jersey
His depictions of homosexuals through the years has gotten a bit better, but they are usually depicted negatively in his books. His use of gay epithets is usually cringe worthy as well. In order to enjoy his works for the past 40 years, I have had to ignore this and just chalk it up to a bit of ignorance on his part. Hey, I deal with it day in and day out in the real world; I can take it.

A close second are his alarmingly bad and laugh-out-loud sex scenes. At this point though, I have almost come to look forward to them for the comic relief aspect! :biggrin-new:


I agree on both accounts! I also wish that just once, he'd write a 2 page short story that went something like this....

Man Beats Wife Once
Wife Suffocates the Prick as He Lays Drunk In Bed
Medical Examiner States on Report that said Prick Choked on his Own Vomit
Widow Meets Dude Worthy of Her
The End.
 

EMARX

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2009
2,970
15,757
His depictions of homosexuals through the years has gotten a bit better, but they are usually depicted negatively in his books. His use of gay epithets is usually cringe worthy as well. In order to enjoy his works for the past 40 years, I have had to ignore this and just chalk it up to a bit of ignorance on his part. Hey, I deal with it day in and day out in the real world; I can take it.

A close second are his alarmingly bad and laugh-out-loud sex scenes. At this point though, I have almost come to look forward to them for the comic relief aspect! :biggrin-new:
So many are unaware of how apparently throwaway statements that may seem harmless to us can scald others. Hopefully in most cases the ignorance is not wilful.
As for sex scenes, I do think it is hard for one to be objective....;)
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
So many are unaware of how apparently throwaway statements that may seem harmless to us can scald others. Hopefully in most cases the ignorance is not wilful.
As for sex scenes, I do think it is hard for one to be objective....;)
I have one word for you about the sex scenes in 11/22/63:

POUNDCAKE!!!

aaaaarrrrgh!!!!!!!
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
There's nearly always going to be some note a writer strikes that doesn't resonate with everyone. The pickinniny voice makes me cringe every time, but nowhere more than in Mr. Mercedes. It hits me the same as someone who tells a horribly racist joke, then goes, "Can you believe someone finds that funny?" (Not that I'm accusing Mr. King of being racist--it's just how it reads to me). Another is sheerly generational: most of my favorite writers come out of the massive social upheaval of the 60's/early 70's, so Vietnam is often a Rock of Gibraltar in their writing. I have to confess that I'm tired to the bone of that theme. My mind knows how life-changing that was for that generation, but I'm too young (barely) to feel the visceral connection they feel. Finally,
the self-insertion in the last books of the DT
(I'm not sure if that had to be spoilered, Ms. Mod, but I thought better safe than yelled at--lol). That was beyond bad, IMHO.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
GUNS. Supposed to be a non-fiction piece, but I’ve never in my life (or ever seen anyone for that matter) take “them to the shooting range once in a while, yell yeehaw and get all horny at the rapid fire and the burning vapour spurting from the end of the barrel.“ But who knows, maybe that's the way they roll in Maine.

I read that as an opinion piece, even if non-fiction. In that light, the was Mr. King characterized shooting was his opinion, and not meant to cover everyone ever.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
There's nearly always going to be some note a writer strikes that doesn't resonate with everyone. The pickinniny voice makes me cringe every time, but nowhere more than in Mr. Mercedes. It hits me the same as someone who tells a horribly racist joke, then goes, "Can you believe someone finds that funny?" (Not that I'm accusing Mr. King of being racist--it's just how it reads to me). Another is sheerly generational: most of my favorite writers come out of the massive social upheaval of the 60's/early 70's, so Vietnam is often a Rock of Gibraltar in their writing. I have to confess that I'm tired to the bone of that theme. My mind knows how life-changing that was for that generation, but I'm too young (barely) to feel the visceral connection they feel. Finally,
the self-insertion in the last books of the DT
(I'm not sure if that had to be spoilered, Ms. Mod, but I thought better safe than yelled at--lol). That was beyond bad, IMHO.
I actually liked the bit in your spoiler. I just thought it made the SK universe a bit closer.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
Some of the dialogue in the early books is a bit creaky. Like in Salems Lot. I thought so then and I think so now. It's nothing to do with the story itself, just some of the dialogue. Not so much in the later books. Still, I'm not a writer but I do read a lot and Sk isn't the only one who creaks now and again. Not wishing to offend fans of Dean Koontz, but IMO his dialogue is drowned by all the creaks.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
LOL. I may have the tact of a sledgehammer and may never get any style points, but my opinions are usually short and sweet, represent what many feel (well perhaps not so many here), and come from the heart.

Agreed. But I still want to pull out the popcorn and the beanbag chair when you and Hoss go at it hammer and tongs--lol. You'll never agree (and both are too far to either ends of the political spectrum to represent me), but it's entertaining :)