In On Writing, King takes a moment to discuss the writer's burden of making a reader see what he wants them to see. He explains it as a type of telepathy or ESP. I'm paraphrasing but he asks the reader in On Writing to picture a table with a red cloth over it, and upon that table to picture a birdcage or bunny, and he begins to be more specific in his descriptions. His goal is to get every reader as close to seeing what he envisions. To use a recent example, I was talking to other members on how they imagined Wireman from Duma Key. We each named a different actor but we all know this about the character: he's tall, bulky but not fat, gregarious, dark-haired with gray on sides. That's the magic of how the same book can be a unique experience to each reader; we see the same thing, ultimately, but it's somehow different.
I'm currently reading Misery again and I'm down right intoxicated on King's details and descriptions: the calendar on the wall with the boy on a sled, the Arc de Triumphe picture, the blue wall paper and the Ws on the ceiling. When Paul
I could go on for days about this particular novel for many reasons, not the least of which being it was my first Stephen King book, but the greatest is his masterful use of details. (King's dialogue is genius, too).
I promise I'm not going to disparage books that I know many of you cherish but while I'm on the topic there are a few books where I think King falls short in this department. In my opinion these are Insomnia and Rose Madder. Don't misunderstand me, he aptly describes Derry in Insomnia and he gives us nice descriptions of Rose's world, but both books seem generic, I think. It's not exactly a marginalizing issue for me, nor is it simply a matter of it being Early King or Latter King but a matter of effectiveness. I know he is still capable of creating powerful imagery because I've noticed it in books like Duma Key, Bag of Bones, and Lisey's Story. He's still got it, without question.
So, what are your thoughts on this subject? What were his best offerings in the area of strongest imagery? Do you have your own commentary?
Gimme the details.
I'm currently reading Misery again and I'm down right intoxicated on King's details and descriptions: the calendar on the wall with the boy on a sled, the Arc de Triumphe picture, the blue wall paper and the Ws on the ceiling. When Paul
leaves his room for the first time we experience what he sees, too. The white hexagonal tiles in the bathroom, the rusty clawfoot tub, and the brilliant use of name brands like Scope and Avon cement us into Paul's world.
I promise I'm not going to disparage books that I know many of you cherish but while I'm on the topic there are a few books where I think King falls short in this department. In my opinion these are Insomnia and Rose Madder. Don't misunderstand me, he aptly describes Derry in Insomnia and he gives us nice descriptions of Rose's world, but both books seem generic, I think. It's not exactly a marginalizing issue for me, nor is it simply a matter of it being Early King or Latter King but a matter of effectiveness. I know he is still capable of creating powerful imagery because I've noticed it in books like Duma Key, Bag of Bones, and Lisey's Story. He's still got it, without question.
So, what are your thoughts on this subject? What were his best offerings in the area of strongest imagery? Do you have your own commentary?
Gimme the details.
