About The Novel

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sam peebles

Well-Known Member
Sep 17, 2008
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Massachusetts
I have 4 King novels left that I haven't read yet. I'm saving them for rainy days. I recently cracked and read Needful Things for the first time, which was one of those books. And wow, it was amazing. I never realized that King had killed off Castle Rock as a town. This book was glorious, and so full of great Easter Eggs, like Cujo's ghost. I loved this book!

I'm the same way. I've read most of King's works at least twice (sometimes three or four times), but there're a few still out there that I haven't, and I'm in no rush to get to them. It's nice to know there's a couple of novels I'm almost guaranteed to love, and they're patiently waiting for me.
 
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recitador

Speed Reader
Sep 3, 2016
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I have 4 King novels left that I haven't read yet. I'm saving them for rainy days. I recently cracked and read Needful Things for the first time, which was one of those books. And wow, it was amazing. I never realized that King had killed off Castle Rock as a town. This book was glorious, and so full of great Easter Eggs, like Cujo's ghost. I loved this book!
I gotta say, most of my favorite books from king are when he just jacks up an entire town. Maybe it's the (super)natural disaster feel of them. Salem's lot, tommyknockers, needful things, to some extent It . . .nobody can build up a whole town just to tear it down quite like king. Also the stand is another favotite, which was the worldwide version
 

MikiM

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May 25, 2016
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OK, I may have noticed an error in this book. In The Dark Half, Pangborn's sons are Toby and Todd. In Needful Things, they are Alan Jr and Todd. Did I miss something, or am I just "mis-remembering" Al Jr/Toby's name?
 

MikiM

Well-Known Member
May 25, 2016
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Houston, Texas
It was one that took a couple of readings for me. The first time, I thought it was just meh, but really enjoyed it the second time. Maybe it goes back to it being the right time, or maybe absorbing so many characters? At any rate, it reminded me quite a bit in tone of The Dark Half (and shares a character or two with that book).

I finished The Dark Half (one of my SK Faves, by the way)..did you notice that Alan Pangborn's sons names were Toby and Todd? In NT, the oldest is named at Al Jr, and I could have SWORN, it was Toby.
 

Doc Creed

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Nov 18, 2015
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OK, I may have noticed an error in this book. In The Dark Half, Pangborn's sons are Toby and Todd. In Needful Things, they are Alan Jr and Todd. Did I miss something, or am I just "mis-remembering" Al Jr/Toby's name?
I honestly can't remember. It is conceivable that one of his sons looked more like him and therefore was dubbed Alan Jr. I'm not sure how common it is elsewhere but in the South a person can be given a name at birth but be called something different. Usually this happens because the child is branded with an affectionate nickname or sobriquet.
 
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Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
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I honestly can't remember. It is conceivable that one of his sons looked more like him and therefore was dubbed Alan Jr. I'm not sure how common it is elsewhere but in the South a person can be given a name at birth but be called something different. Usually this happens because the child is branded with an affectionate nickname or sobriquet.
Howzitgoing Billy Bob Doc Creed?

:m_bigwink:

from Neesy Schneezle Denny Jean
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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I finished The Dark Half (one of my SK Faves, by the way)..did you notice that Alan Pangborn's sons names were Toby and Todd? In NT, the oldest is named at Al Jr, and I could have SWORN, it was Toby.
....this websites own character listings, vouch for your memory....you have the names correct as written-just one of those "slipped through the cracks" things I guess.....
 
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London Init Geezer

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Mar 22, 2015
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I’m a slow and I mean slow reader ...so being a fan of Stephen King who tends to right massive Tomes sort of bucks the system.
Started reading needful things at the end of April and I’m just over half way through...believe it or not this is quick for me
Great read .
Though apart from the Dark Tower series.
I’ve loved every Stephen king book.
I know king fan but hates the dark tower.
Sacrilege
 

Doc Creed

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Nov 18, 2015
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It's a tall order to create a town that has geographical integrity and people it with believable characters. He did it in 'Salem's Lot and he did it in Needful Things. Under the Dome was hit and miss. 'Salem's Lot was like Peyton Place but with vampires. I like King's genius introduction for Needful Things, the reader is greeted and reminded that we have "been here before." It really is like visiting a town one grew up in, excellent story and loads of fun and scares.
 
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