If you could recommend ONE Stephen King book...

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

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
2,080
8,261
42
The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
People always have misconceptions about Stephen, I would say the best way to show that he is not a one trick pony is with the stand. It may be a biggie, but it proves he can write horror, humour, suspense, romance (kinda), and that he can build characters as good as anyone and make you love and hate them as if they were real.

It may be starting at the deep end but so what? I did with IT, not only was it my introduction to king, it was the novel I'd read through choice.
 

Sliced Bread

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2011
145
574
44
From Scotland, live in Ireland
Thank you for all the suggestions! I ended up going with Duma Key. Here's her engrossed in it at the airport as we were waiting to fly out to Amsterdam. Unfortunately I couldn't find my own copy and my local bookshop didn't have it so it's kindle only (although it did mean a walk around the bookshop and a few things for myself =D)

IMG_20161126_111053.jpg
 

Richard Allen

New Member
Dec 14, 2016
1
6
68
Hello all :)

My wife, who has never read a Stephen King book, has agreed to read one of his books on my recommendation. I doubt she'll ever become a Constant Reader, but I would love to get her hooked and bring her over to the dark side ;-D:bat: . The problem is, trying to pick just one out of all those wonderful books is so hard! I'm thinking of going with my favourite, Duma Key, although I know a few people who didn't enjoy it. I was just curious, if you were in this situation which one book would you recommend?

(of course, I could cheat and give her Different Seasons - she's bound to get hooked with four stories!)
11/22/63 is one of the best books I've ever read
 

SpazzTheBassPlayer

Well-Known Member
Dec 16, 2014
296
1,156
58
Theres two I recommend:

The Stand is probably the one book that best captures the complexity of the SK psyche in one giant net.......If someone asked me "What book can I read that best encapsulates Stephen King?", that would be it

Another book that I have recommended to women unfamiliar with King ( and that is a very odd choice) is Rose Madder......Its mind-boggling to read Rose Madder thinking that the author isnt a female....its a testament to King's character depth

Edit: Just finished the rest of thread -- I see Im late for this party :D
 

Maddie

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Jul 10, 2006
4,945
9,346
that dollhouse at the end of the street
Theres two I recommend:

The Stand is probably the one book that best captures the complexity of the SK psyche in one giant net.......If someone asked me "What book can I read that best encapsulates Stephen King?", that would be it

Another book that I have recommended to women unfamiliar with King ( and that is a very odd choice) is Rose Madder......Its mind-boggling to read Rose Madder thinking that the author isnt a female....its a testament to King's character depth

Edit: Just finished the rest of thread -- I see Im late for this party :D


Ah I see and me too
. for Anyone else ..... :love_heart: ROSE MADDER ; )
 

lowman

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2015
438
2,154
50
Is go for "the dark half" Holland was ok but the dark half is one of the better ones I think but that's jmo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GNTLGNT

Hartley

Well-Known Member
Aug 6, 2009
53
2
56
Hampshire, UK
Oh Lord, don't make me choose one .

I've recently converted my very good friend into King novels - it's one of my faves but I loaned her my first edition "Bag of Bones" . I know, they've gotta be a special friend for that to happen.
She's almost half way through and is loving it. Normally she'll shoot to the end and see how it ends up but not his time. Not sure if my forbidding her to do so made any difference - unlikely I'd suggest.

Others I'd recommend if I may be so bold :-

Misery
Joyland
Nightmares and Dreamscapes.
Carrie

I've read 'em all but if I'd not read any King then Duma Key and Lisey's Story as a first read would've likely meant I'd not have tried any more. There's probably more who love them than don't but ....... just not for me.

Best plan is to read them all then re read the ones you love no matter what fools like me recommend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dynamo and GNTLGNT