just read that tommyknockers is one of SK's least fav of his own works!

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LanceChance

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Jan 11, 2017
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I was so surprised to read this! I really love that book. It's one of my favorite SK books. I wish that I could understand his problems with it. I have read that he did not know he was writing about addiction when he wrote it. I was thunderstruck by that as well. Perhaps he associates it with a difficult time in his own life? For me, that book has spoken to me over and over again over the last 20 years or so. Are there any hard core fans out there who know more about his attitudes towards this book? I would love to know more about why he dislikes it.
 

Doc Creed

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I second the suggestion from Skimom. I think it was that particular article that he most recently discussed this novel. Forgive me for not having better details but I remember another time (early '90s, I think) where he jokingly made reference to The Tommyknockers: "Where does an 800 pound gorilla sit? Anywhere it wants." Loosely speaking he was referring to the double-edged nature of having alot of clout as a successful writer and the tendency he had of writing long, unwieldy books like IT and The Tommyknockers. I guess he has the last word when it comes to editing?
Some readers find no issue with his longer works but, in contrast, critics have never held back at taking a swing at our literary giant. Personally I'd give IT a pass because its plot is superbly woven and rarely misses a beat.

Yes, I liked this book alot.
 

AchtungBaby

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Dec 5, 2011
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Over the years he's made similar comments about Rose Madder, Insomnia, Dreamcatcher, et cetera. Because he created those, he has an unique vantage point, so to speak. Just because he doesn't like a particular book doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't. :)

I suspect Tommyknockers brings up unpleasant memories for him-- he was at the height of his drug addiction when writing it.
 

LanceChance

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Jan 11, 2017
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Thanks guys. I'm impressed at how many people so quickly responded to my post. Looks like I have some people to discuss my favorite author with. I sort of wondered about the "unpleasant memories" thing, myself. I had read that this was about the time that a lot of that was going on for him.
 

GNTLGNT

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Jun 15, 2007
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....Hiya Lance!......maybe this will help....

The novel was written during the height of King's experiences with his own addictions and is filled with metaphors for the stranglehold of substance abuse. In an interview with Rolling Stone, King acknowledged that the quality of his writing suffered during his period of drug use, saying, "The Tommyknockers is an awful book. That was the last one I wrote before I cleaned up my act."
 

GNTLGNT

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I remember not caring for it too much but it's been 17 years since I read it. I might enjoy it more or less now that I'm older, so it might be worth re-visiting for me too. Especially since King doesn't like it, he seems to dislike a lot of his stories/films that I enjoy.
...mainly because he was so addled with booze and drugs when he wrote them....
 

Wayoftheredpanda

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May 15, 2018
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The Onion (Satirical News site) did an article on him some time ago making fun of "The Tommyknockers" and saying that King didn't even remember writing it, which is funny considering his later quotes on "Cujo"
 

Wayoftheredpanda

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