Looka Dem Bones

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Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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September 22nd, 1998 heralded the arrival of a new King book and, maybe, a new King era: Bag of Bones. At the time of publication Sai King would have been a spry fifty-one. Many of his fans were delighted to see a return to horror and ghosts and his familiar stomping grounds, Maine, but what surprised us most of all was an acute change in tone. Who was this new sagacious, almost grandfatherly, voice? Although he'd written literary novels in the past (Dolores Claiborne, for example), there was a new wind blowing up from the cellar, a wise and introspective voice. This is the literary voice we'd hear again, like snatches of mournful songs from Ophelia, in books like Lisey's Story, Duma Key, and Bazaar of Bad Dreams. Considering the accident that would befall him the next year, it was eerily prescient.
Mike Noonan is another writer protagonist, who despite a crippling fear of writer's block, is still reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Joanna. She was his first reader and the love of his life. This time, though, it feels personal. We know that Noonan is not a thinly disguised King, but, like never before, we hear King's heartbeat on every page. Not until the creation of Lisey and Scott Landon would we see this dynamic again.
I think this is one of his better novels and I appreciate the gothic complexities and hair pin turns. This is a book where Maine is once again beautifully brought to life. Pet Sematary and The Tommyknockers were the last two novels to achieve this kind of ambience, I think.
Yep, the fridge magnets have spelled it out: BAG OF BONES TURNS 20.
It doesn't seem real. Twenty years?
What do you think of this book? Please, share your thoughts.
Bag_of_Bones_10th.jpg
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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Twenty years ago, eh? Wow. It flew by me. A co-worker loaned this to me, it wasn't until just a few years ago that I had my own copy. It would be a good summer re-read. That is a fabulous write up, Doc! You're good. I only remember loving it. And not wanting to give it back to Sherry R.
Thank you, I intended to write an essay but I have too many distractions. I want to read this again, too.
Speaking of rereads...I hope you join in on the book group I'm leading. We are reading The Stand to celebrate its 40th.
 

osnafrank

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2017
7,121
50,822
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Germany
I finished BoB two Days ago...once again.

I loved it right from the beginning.

The first time i have read this Book i thought...Wow, that was different. (Change in Tone)

There was a kind of Humor, that i have never mentioned before.
I had to smirk sometimes, reading SK Books but BoB made me laugh so hard.

The Story (enough to make you almost cry), the Characters and their Dialogues, everything is so vivid

It's an awesome mixture of Humor, Suspense,Creepy Story....it's just Wonderful !


Happy Birthday Bag of Bones :frog: :cheerful:
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
I finished BoB two Days ago...once again.

I loved it right from the beginning.

The first time i have read this Book i thought...Wow, that was different. (Change in Tone)

There was a kind of Humor, that i have never mentioned before.
I had to smirk sometimes, reading SK Books but BoB made me laugh so hard.

The Story (enough to make you almost cry), the Characters and their Dialogues, everything is so vivid

It's an awesome mixture of Humor, Suspense,Creepy Story....it's just Wonderful !


Happy Birthday Bag of Bones :frog::cheerful:
Yep, exactly. It really is filled with an entire spectrum of the emotions you listed. :)
 

osnafrank

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2017
7,121
50,822
47
Germany
bag-of-bones-3.jpg


and we need some Owls

img05d.jpg
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
September 22nd, 1998 heralded the arrival of a new King book and, maybe, a new King era: Bag of Bones. At the time of publication Sai King would have been a spry fifty-one. Many of his fans were delighted to see a return to horror and ghosts and his familiar stomping grounds, Maine, but what surprised us most of all was an acute change in tone. Who was this new sagacious, almost grandfatherly, voice? Although he'd written literary novels in the past (Dolores Claiborne, for example), there was a new wind blowing up from the cellar, a wise and introspective voice. This is the literary voice we'd hear again, like snatches of mournful songs from Ophelia, in books like Lisey's Story, Duma Key, and Bazaar of Bad Dreams. Considering the accident that would befall him the next year, it was eerily prescient.
Mike Noonan is another writer protagonist, who despite a crippling fear of writer's block, is still reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Joanna. She was his first reader and the love of his life. This time, though, it feels personal. We know that Noonan is not a thinly disguised King, but, like never before, we hear King's heartbeat on every page. Not until the creation of Lisey and Scott Landon would we see this dynamic again.
I think this is one of his better novels and I appreciate the gothic complexities and hair pin turns. This is a book where Maine is once again beautifully brought to life. Pet Sematary and The Tommyknockers were the last two novels to achieve this kind of ambience, I think.
Yep, the fridge magnets have spelled it out: BAG OF BONES TURNS 20.
It doesn't seem real. Twenty years?
What do you think of this book? Please, share your thoughts.
View attachment 26654


Know you are not a big fan of DT-- that journey is special to me in many ways and always will be.
Lisey's Story is my favorite book, with Bag of Bones in a tie. You are so correct, this was a different King. The story- grabs you from page one. The characters- they became part of your life.( and GNTLGNT - you know what King does to characters that we care about!) The twists and turns. Near and dear to the heart. Have listened to the audio book more than once in my working days.( long distance work ). Owls---each time I see or hear one, the story beckons to me.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
Know you are not a big fan of DT-- that journey is special to me in many ways and always will be.
Lisey's Story is my favorite book, with Bag of Bones in a tie. You are so correct, this was a different King. The story- grabs you from page one. The characters- they became part of your life.( and GNTLGNT - you know what King does to characters that we care about!) The twists and turns. Near and dear to the heart. Have listened to the audio book more than once in my working days.( long distance work ). Owls---each time I see or hear one, the story beckons to me.
...indeed I do sweetheart and this was an apt post...
 

HollyGolightly

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
9,660
74,320
54
Heart of the South
Thank you, I intended to write an essay but I have too many distractions. I want to read this again, too.
Speaking of rereads...I hope you join in on the book group I'm leading. We are reading The Stand to celebrate its 40th.
That's daunting! That epic - when and where? I'll give it a shot. Original or unabridged? I read it first in 1987 and again in 1991 unabridged. It's a rare book I'd read three times, but this would be one.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
Know you are not a big fan of DT-- that journey is special to me in many ways and always will be.
Lisey's Story is my favorite book, with Bag of Bones in a tie. You are so correct, this was a different King. The story- grabs you from page one. The characters- they became part of your life.( and GNTLGNT - you know what King does to characters that we care about!) The twists and turns. Near and dear to the heart. Have listened to the audio book more than once in my working days.( long distance work ). Owls---each time I see or hear one, the story beckons to me.
Beautiful post, Spidey. Great line about the owls.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
That's daunting! That epic - when and where? I'll give it a shot. Original or unabridged? I read it first in 1987 and again in 1991 unabridged. It's a rare book I'd read three times, but this would be one.
I'll try to supply link. We are choosing the version we want and we have begun reading now. The book is in three parts and we will discuss Book One the first week in September. The meetings for the last two sections will be announced. I hope you can join.