Which SK book to read next?

[EddieDeanofNYC]

First of all, I hope this is the proper forum. If not, I apologize!

I've been wanting to read all of Sai King's novels for a while now. The only ones left are Roadwork, The Running Man, Eyes of the Dragon, The Regulators, The Colorado Kid and Lisey's Story. Either reviews of them have indicated that they're not exactly home runs or the topic hasn't particularly interested me. I just can't figure out which one to go with and have been mulling it over for quite a while. I finally just gave up and reread The Gunslinger again lol. Now that I'm done with that, I'm either going to read one of these or just move on to Drawing of Three.

Before I do that though, I wanted to ask like-minded King fans which they would go with and why. I started reading King for the horror but have stayed for his beautiful command of the English language. So I'm really just looking for the best overall story...doesn't have to be the scariest. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Long days and pleasant nights

 

[blunthead]

Of the list you provide and since you've apparently read Desperation, I'd recommend The Regulators first, then Lisey's Story. The Regulators is a companion novel to Desperation, includes at least one of the same characters, and is just plain interesting in a unique, bizarre way. Lisey's Story is a must read as it's so well-written, and an atypical-for-sK love story. (I've read that sK says Lisey's Story is his own personal favorite.)

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Thanks! Yes, I have read Desperation. Thought it was slightly above average for a King novel (so pretty damn good lol!). I hadn't heard wonderful things about the Regulators but if another King fan recommends it, then that's another story I

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Oh and also have heard amazing things about Lisey's Story...but also terrible things. Seems to be a real love/hate thing with that one (at least on amazon...I tend to not trust those reviews though, especially when it comes to King novels, since the general public seems to have a love/hate relationship with him in general).

 

[blunthead]

Oh and also have heard amazing things about Lisey's Story...but also terrible things. Seems to be a real love/hate thing with that one (at least on amazon...I tend to not trust those reviews though, especially when it comes to King novels, since the general public seems to have a love/hate relationship with him in general).

Around here Lisey's Story is generally well-loved. It seems not to be everyone's favorite, but no one work sK is (though The Stand, IT, and the Dark Tower books - with the possible exception of The Gunslinger - seem to have accumulated high scores in terms of votes); which is why a better answer to yer original question is arguably "take a stab at a title".

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Haha! Since the weekend is coming up I'm sorely tempted to read the first twenty pages of each and then decide. BUT, I hate starting a book and not finishing it (even if I'm only twenty deep) and that could just confuse me further...what if they're all intriguing in their own ways! Haha, first world problems huh?

 

[doowopgirl]

Don't mind reviews. They are just someones opinion. You may not agree with them. Try Liseys Story. Weird, but in a good way. Thats just my opinion. Hope you agree.

 

[Riot87]

Misery a good one. .

 

[The Nameless]

The thing about Lisey's Story appears to be some loved it, some hated it, and you wont know until you try. I have not read any on your "to read list" so can't offer opinions, I am currently reading Desperation though, so naturally I would be thinking The Regulators, don't know too much about it, just that its kind of a reversal - set in the city, not the desert, Johnny Marinville is quiet and minds his own business, and the Carver kids are always bickering and loud. I don't think that needs spoiler tags - it's on the back cover of my book.

 

[notebookgirl]

Oh and also have heard amazing things about Lisey's Story...but also terrible things. Seems to be a real love/hate thing with that one (at least on amazon...I tend to not trust those reviews though, especially when it comes to King novels, since the general public seems to have a love/hate relationship with him in general).

I would recommend Lisey's Story. It's a great story and one of King's personal favorites!

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Based on some of the comments in this thread I went with Lisey's (Lee-Cee's hehe) Story. So far I'm loving it...I think? The tangents King goes off on and the narrative style itself is slightly confusing, but since that's Kings way of showing Lisey's present state of mind it works fine. Did have to go back and reread a few pages here and there, because there were certain things that were privy to her, but not to the reader yet, that I wasn't sure if I was missing stuff. Stopped right when (and I don't want to give any specific spoilers) we're about to jump back for an authentic flashback, just not Lisey's present day memories of it which should help.

If these seem like complaints they're not...I'm really digging how King is laying out the story in such a manner, sucking you in one little tidbit at a time, before giving the full picture. Like assembling a puzzle one piece at a time. And like I said, it works since it's Lisey's recollections (her story...ah, I think I get the title lol!) and not just a straightforward narrative.

Like I said though I'm not terribly far into it and don't know what's in store for the last 9/10 of the book. So I could be talking out my @ss haha. Just my first impressions. But thanks for the help guys! Looks like I've been steered in the right direction.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Here's how I decide: I grab a book and open it to a random page and start reading. If I am hooked and want to know more about what's going on - then I'll read it. If it bores me, I'll save it for another time. I've done this since I was in grade school.

I will say - I loved Lisey's Story. Buy I truly, truly loved The Drawing of the Three. I think that would be my pick for next for you. I thought, with your screen name that you had already completed the DT series. Learn more about that Eddie Dean of NYC. You'll love him.

 

[AchtungBaby]

Since you've already read Desperation, I'd go with Regulators next. Then, (unpopular opinion alert) I'd read Roadwork, which is a book I used to hate but now quite enjoy.

 

[jchanic]

Unlike the majority here, I did not like Lisey's Story at all. I even reread it to see if it had improved in my mind, but no luck. It's one of the very few King books that I've disliked. I've been trying to determine just WHY I don't like it, but I can't nail it down.

John

 

[AchtungBaby]

Unlike the majority here, I did not like Lisey's Story at all. I even reread it to see if it had improved in my mind, but no luck. It's one of the very few King books that I've disliked. I've been trying to determine just WHY I don't like it, but I can't nail it down.

John

That's perfectly okay -- LS is definitely not for everyone. I feel the same way toward Buick 8. Most folks here seem to like it a lot, but I only made it halfway through before giving up.

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Here's how I decide: I grab a book and open it to a random page and start reading. If I am hooked and want to know more about what's going on - then I'll read it. If it bores me, I'll save it for another time. I've done this since I was in grade school.

I will say - I loved Lisey's Story. Buy I truly, truly loved The Drawing of the Three. I think that would be my pick for next for you. I thought, with your screen name that you had already completed the DT series. Learn more about that Eddie Dean of NYC. You'll love him.

Yeah I have read through the DT series...many times was just thinking I might reread them since I couldn't figure which new one to read!

 

[Neesy]

Unlike the majority here, I did not like Lisey's Story at all. I even reread it to see if it had improved in my mind, but no luck. It's one of the very few King books that I've disliked. I've been trying to determine just WHY I don't like it, but I can't nail it down.

John

hey jchanic - love that new avatar - and yes I do agree - nobody DOES understand us crabby people!


But I have been trying to tone it down lately to keep the blood pressure down!

(oh yeah - in regards to Lisey's Story - I found my mind wandering a bit and I was losing track so that is something (I had never had that happen before in any of his books) but I just kept going and in the end I did like it quite a lot).

 

[EddieDeanofNYC]

Neesy, so far I have a bit of mind wandering too with LS. The way he bounces around can be confusing, though I suppose it's supposed to mirror the way Lisey's mind is bouncing around, so I approve of his technique (which I'm sure is a relief to Sai King ). Plus I find her little...tangents?...interesting. It's a bit of a challenge to keep up but I think it'll be worth it . Thanks again guys for all your help! Going to do Regulators after LS. After that...I'll probably be back here asking for help again lol!

 

[not_nadine]

I tried to get through Lisey's story three times. I could just not get into it

Have you read any of the short stories? They are all great.

 

[AchtungBaby]

Agreed...you can't go wrong with any of the story collections. Night Shift is the best of the bunch.