King compared to Shakespeare? It's about time.

[kingricefan]

I find him to be more like Steinbeck. He doesn't have Twain ' s side eye humor (at least not in print). I also think he's quite like Alcott.

Only on Friday evenings when Tabby's out at a committee somewhere.....

 

[Kingunlucky]

I know, old thread but wanted to say something.

I don't think King is like Twain, Steinbeck, or Shakespeare. Of course, I can say cliched answer 'King is uniquely King' and he is as most writers are themselves. Yet, the closest person to being a King from the past I'd say is probably Charles Dickens.

Both write very well about their time and place
Both known for writing tomes
Both hugely popular in their time and place as well as going forward
Both known for extremely relatable and occasionally cartoonish characters
Both have a tendency to exploit 'coincidences' for better or for worse

I mean we could probably compare and contrast anytime. I think King, though is probably most like Dickens of today.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I know, old thread but wanted to say something.

I don't think King is like Twain, Steinbeck, or Shakespeare. Of course, I can say cliched answer 'King is uniquely King' and he is as most writers are themselves. Yet, the closest person to being a King from the past I'd say is probably Charles Dickens.

Both write very well about their time and place
Both known for writing tomes
Both hugely popular in their time and place as well as going forward
Both known for extremely relatable and occasionally cartoonish characters
Both have a tendency to exploit 'coincidences' for better or for worse

I mean we could probably compare and contrast anytime. I think King, though is probably most like Dickens of today.

...well said....

 

[Gerald]

I would say his work is very diverse. He doesn't follow a formula, he has techniques, but not a formula. There are recurring themes: supernatural powers, writing/creativity, domestic abuse,childhood, but he always uses them in different ways. Take Carrie and Firestarter: two books that are close together in subject, as stories though they are still very different. That's what keeps you interested in each new book: you know you're gonna get certain themes, but not HOW he's gonna twist them this time. Literally the books even are different in the way they are organized: he often does the chapter layout different in each book.