...no apology needed...we just see things from different points...and that's what keeps the atmosphere here mostly convivial...
What is 'atmosphere' to you in a book or movie?
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Atmosphere is that hole in the book that Mr. King creates better than any writer I've ever read. At first you're reading, then you're not really aware of consciously reading, but more looking thru the characters eyes as they witness what is going on. Whatever is going on around me gets the volume turned down and I'm able to lose myself for a while and see the story from the inside. Mr. King has a talent for creating this type of portal with his words. I'm not sure if it's his description of the surroundings, the character depth, or some combination. I'm not bright enough to get how he does it, but I am sure glad he does what he does, because his books have atmosphere, and plenty of it.
...LALALALALA!...I can't HEAR you!!!.....
In a movie a big part of the atmosphere is the music. The Thing, Halloween, Suspiria, Friday the 13th, 'Tubular Bellls' in The Exorcist. Music set to certain locations and weather in those locations plays a big part. But silence is equally important, silence and maybe just one unpleasant, worrying noise.
That's why it's so hard to pinpoint. Atmosphere is many things combined that work together and take turns. It's not just one thing: there is an overall atmosphere usually, for example a lonely and isolated place. But within that there are other atmospheres: for example someone happy, playing music and singing in that isolated place. It comes from both environment/setting and the characters. It seems the main impression of mood you get from a place or person/character(s).
The mood already changes when one person meets another and they have to find an 'atmosphere' (or common ground) in which both feel at ease.
Also everyone experiences it differently. To some a thunderstorm may be frightening, to others exciting or fun.
Unless, like in a good movie or book, the atmosphere is set real clearly, people may take it differently. So maybe that's what is meant by 'the atmosphere was good': it was established very clearly.
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His prose has a certain clarity to it. You feel you are there, not looking at it from the outside as a lot of writers write. It's the combination of a lot of things, but I think detail is a big part. Lesser writers don't get into a lot of detail. It's those details as in life you can see a lot of detail in everything around you. And he's also able to make the details fun and striking.
It's the same with his characters. They're not stereotypes, they have a lot of details too (or layers). They have likes/dislikes, habits, a history, catchphrases etc.
Add to that an intriguing/frightening premise and you got a King book.
Actually, that's why Maximum Overdrive is such a strange film to me, as he wrote and directed himself. This film has very stereotypical characters, not like King wrote it at all. But who knows what happened on set with a lot of people interfering.
The characters in the films he wrote are not as accomplished as in the books (where he has more room off course), but in a film like, say Creepshow, they very much feel like King characters to me.
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I've never read The Exorcist, since it seemed never really available much, or maybe I didn't look hard enough as it's popular enough - even though it's far from before 'my time' to read it and (older) books can often be a little harder to find than movies, as often less get printed I feel (apart from all time classics which get reprinted over and over). But now you can order from internet I should get it some time.
Although in a way I think the idea of reading it always freaked me out a little too, as the film was so strong. I always felt reading that stuff on the page may almost be stronger if it's really vivid.
I used to think books can't really disturb you as much as movies, but In the Tall Grass I found really disturbing. And often it's those matter-of-fact gruesome moments that get me the most. Not when a writer is trying too hard, but just in a thowaway manner relates a gruesome fact.
But what do you mean by 'not technically well-written' if it has such an impact. Maybe not beautifully written then? If it works so well, it must be technically well-written...
...oh well sure, I suppose one COULD obsess over language ...sheesh!....And language
No obsession--it just ties all the other stuff together...oh well sure, I suppose one COULD obsess over language ...sheesh!....
...oh heck, I knowed dat!...just yankin' yer pull chain....No obsession--it just ties all the other stuff together
I liked In the Tall Grass,which reminded me of a much earlier short story,Joseph Payne Brennan's "Canavan's Backyard",which you can easily find in horror collections..frankly I preferred Mr Brennan's story,but SK is right up there..if you have ever been lost,like in a field of corn,or tall grass,and feel that niggling sense that maybe I can't get myself out of this,both stories are cool..said it before,and I truly feel that some of SK's best work is in the short story genre..