Which Stephen King's book makes you feel good?

  • This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
I'm currently living in a house share with a couple. The girl is German and had never heard of Stephen King until she met me ( yeah, I know, pretty crazy isn't it?) When she saw me regularly step out for a cigarette with a SK book in my hand she asked me about him. She was surprised that I was reading "Horror" stuff. So I told her that it wasn't all about horror, far from it and that the only way she'd understand it was if she'd try it. So I lent her " Needful Things" and the following week she was engrossed in it, hardly making time to do anything else but read. Her boyfriend told me that in the evening in bed he would see her totally clasping the book with her hands and he couldn't even talk to her. She was in " Castle Rock" and that was it. I smiled, remembering what it was like reading it myself. One evening when I walked in she was in the living room, " Needful things" in hands and she looked up at me looking totally distressed, she said: " Oh, why did you give me that book to read?" I said: " The dog, is it?" . She nodded.

Then she finished the book, I came home one night and the book was by my door next to a box of chocolate and message saying: " Thanks, it was fabulous". I was pleased to have opened the door for her to something that brings me such joy.

But then, she said to me that she thought that before she could make her mind up about SK, she needed to read at least another one. I got slightly offended I have to say. As if it was fluke, or that even though I went to Paris for one day just to see SK, even though I just pretty got myself a new wardrobe emblazoned with his name in the following excitement, maybe he's not that great? :/


Anyway, I ramble, but she said: " This book was really good but it was heavy and very shocking, would there be one that would make you feel positive and happy?"


In my opinion, it made her FEEL, surely that's enough, no? I felt like suggesting a Danielle Steele to her, maybe...


SK books make me feel good, always, because I love the territory, because the voice is familiar...because I'm a Constant Reader really. But for anyone else, is there one that would fit that description? One that makes you feel happy and positive? What do you think?
 

Liselle

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2006
1,586
1,448
51
England
I'm the same as you Bev, it doesn't matter which one I read (except maybe for Tommyknockers) I feel totally happy that I am back in the land that feels like home because all the places become so familiar and the characters that pop in and out of the different stories begin to feel like family that I end up saying so that's what you're up to now. Even the darker stories make me feel happy because it reflects life....life is not always happy and rosy.
 

mustangclaire

There's petrol runnin' through my veins.
Jun 15, 2010
2,956
12,726
52
East Sussex, UK
Crumbs, that's a tricky one. I have to say I love ALL his books. In a way (although not an obvious one) IT makes me feel happy because of the love between friends. So many of his books show friendship at it's best. Or what about The Girl who loved Tom Gordon? I don't know, I'm grasping at straws.
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I'm currently living in a house share with a couple. The girl is German and had never heard of Stephen King until she met me ( yeah, I know, pretty crazy isn't it?) When she saw me regularly step out for a cigarette with a SK book in my hand she asked me about him. She was surprised that I was reading "Horror" stuff. So I told her that it wasn't all about horror, far from it and that the only way she'd understand it was if she'd try it. So I lent her " Needful Things" and the following week she was engrossed in it, hardly making time to do anything else but read. Her boyfriend told me that in the evening in bed he would see her totally clasping the book with her hands and he couldn't even talk to her. She was in " Castle Rock" and that was it. I smiled, remembering what it was like reading it myself. One evening when I walked in she was in the living room, " Needful things" in hands and she looked up at me looking totally distressed, she said: " Oh, why did you give me that book to read?" I said: " The dog, is it?" . She nodded.

Then she finished the book, I came home one night and the book was by my door next to a box of chocolate and message saying: " Thanks, it was fabulous". I was pleased to have opened the door for her to something that brings me such joy.

But then, she said to me that she thought that before she could make her mind up about SK, she needed to read at least another one. I got slightly offended I have to say. As if it was fluke, or that even though I went to Paris for one day just to see SK, even though I just pretty got myself a new wardrobe emblazoned with his name in the following excitement, maybe he's not that great? :/


Anyway, I ramble, but she said: " This book was really good but it was heavy and very shocking, would there be one that would make you feel positive and happy?"


In my opinion, it made her FEEL, surely that's enough, no? I felt like suggesting a Danielle Steele to her, maybe...


SK books make me feel good, always, because I love the territory, because the voice is familiar...because I'm a Constant Reader really. But for anyone else, is there one that would fit that description? One that makes you feel happy and positive? What do you think?

That comment about suggesting a Danielle Steele to her was so funny!

How about "The Eyes of the Dragon"? I felt it was a good story, and not just for children.

Duma Key? Hearts in Atlantis? Even 11/22/63 which is more of a fantasy than a horror. Does she like the idea of time travel?

Good luck. If she liked Needful Things then next how about a collection of short stories? The Green Mile was originally done in six parts. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption?
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
I wasn't aware that a book needed to make me feel positive and happy in order for me to enjoy it. I tend to be drawn to the darker stories, because I enjoy the "what if" aspect of life....
I'm sure there are several others, but the only one that I can think of right off the top of my head would be Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.....it left me feeling very happy for Andy and Red in the end.

Oh.....and I wouldn't worry much about her wanting to read another book to be sure she likes SK....she's already hooked, she just needs to confirm the addiction :)
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I wasn't aware that a book needed to make me feel positive and happy in order for me to enjoy it. I tend to be drawn to the darker stories, because I enjoy the "what if" aspect of life....
I'm sure there are several others, but the only one that I can think of right off the top of my head would be Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.....it left me feeling very happy for Andy and Red in the end

Right! Plus it was made into a movie, as was The Green Mile. So maybe she could introduce the room mate to something that is more popular. Or even "The Body" that Stand by Me was based on.
 

rudiroo

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2008
474
1,898
London, England
Awwww, this is too hard.
SK's books are my palliatives:shake:
They're bigger & more important (to me) than a feel-good factor (this from a woman who watches zombie & apocalyptic films for light relief).
But getting the feel-goods is a positive reaction (think of the number of books that can make you feel bad ).

Everyone who's reads his books gets something special from them.
That's why so many of us read them.
 

Chuggs

Well-Known Member
Feb 6, 2012
3,777
6,426
Arkansas
I felt good with Lisey's Story, I think in part because it reminded me of my wife and I. Neither of us have died, and God willing, we won't for a very long time, but the two's relationship reminded me of us. They were very much in love, and it was cool. Desperation made me feel good as well, because of the positive religious overtones.
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
I'm the same as you Bev, it doesn't matter which one I read (except maybe for Tommyknockers) I feel totally happy that I am back in the land that feels like home because all the places become so familiar and the characters that pop in and out of the different stories begin to feel like family that I end up saying so that's what you're up to now. Even the darker stories make me feel happy because it reflects life....life is not always happy and rosy.
I couldn't have put it better Liselle :)
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
That comment about suggesting a Danielle Steele to her was so funny!

How about "The Eyes of the Dragon"? I felt it was a good story, and not just for children.

Duma Key? Hearts in Atlantis? Even 11/22/63 which is more of a fantasy than a horror. Does she like the idea of time travel?

Good luck. If she liked Needful Things then next how about a collection of short stories? The Green Mile was originally done in six parts. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption?

THanks Neesy! I agree with 11/22/63 actually that would show the variety in his work and she normally only mostly read historical novels. Don't know why I didn't think of it before!
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
I wasn't aware that a book needed to make me feel positive and happy in order for me to enjoy it. I tend to be drawn to the darker stories, because I enjoy the "what if" aspect of life....
I'm sure there are several others, but the only one that I can think of right off the top of my head would be Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.....it left me feeling very happy for Andy and Red in the end.

Oh.....and I wouldn't worry much about her wanting to read another book to be sure she likes SK....she's already hooked, she just needs to confirm the addiction :)
Thanks Sundrop. and I think she's hooked too actually. And even if she doesn't feel the book makes her feel positive or happy (such a strange request) I know she'll still love it anyway.
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
I felt good with Lisey's Story, I think in part because it reminded me of my wife and I. Neither of us have died, and God willing, we won't for a very long time, but the two's relationship reminded me of us. They were very much in love, and it was cool. Desperation made me feel good as well, because of the positive religious overtones.
I would agree with you there, as Lisey's Story is my favorite SK novel. I loved its intensity, and among all the books I've read, it's my favorite love story. But although that side of it might make her feel good, I worry that the dark bits, his childhood, may be a little too dark for her. I hadn't though of Desperation, thanks, you're right it's quite positive in that sense.
 

weezergirl

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2011
96
187
Oh man that's a hard one...there are many that have PARTS that make me feel happy and positive. As a matter of fact, I'd be hard pressed to find even on SK book that didn't have ANY happy/positive part. But to be completely honest, I quite look forward to being disturbed by his work. I guess I just like disturbing things lol! Mr. King you are a disturbing man and I love you for it. Can we clone you??
 

weezergirl

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2011
96
187
That comment about suggesting a Danielle Steele to her was so funny!

How about "The Eyes of the Dragon"? I felt it was a good story, and not just for children.

Duma Key? Hearts in Atlantis? Even 11/22/63 which is more of a fantasy than a horror. Does she like the idea of time travel?

Good luck. If she liked Needful Things then next how about a collection of short stories? The Green Mile was originally done in six parts. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption?
Oh the green mile is one of the saddest books I've ever read. I can't even reread it. It just makes my heart feel heavy and I was in a funk for days after it. I even dreamed about it.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Aside from some of the stories and FULL DARK, NO STARS, I find them all pretty uplifting. No, seriously! Underneath the dark storylines, there shines such a faith in the everyman--a belief that there is good in people and in the world that can't be denied and can't be completely overshadowed by darkness. He sees people as they really are, of course, and not everyone is a peach, but at the end of the day, good keeps right on going. He makes my heart happy (even when he makes me cry).