Mr Mercedes - Please read, Mr King *Possible Spoilers*

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John Adam

Member
Jul 31, 2014
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Hi, I'm John Adam and I'm new here. I was looking for a way to write to Mr King, and it seems like this Forum is the closest I'll be able to get. I am a BIG SK fan, I've read every book and every short story you've ever written (except for the non-fictional stuff), some books 2 to 3 times. You are by far my no.1 author. However, I just want to say that Mr Mercedes is the absolute worst book you ever wrote! Reading this drivel (Mr Mercedes) I asked myself frequently whether this is really SK, or someone pretending to be you? VERY disappointed, I expect much better from you, Mr King!
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
...Mr Mercedes is the absolute worst book you ever wrote! Reading this drivel (Mr Mercedes) I asked myself frequently whether this is really SK, or someone pretending to be you? VERY disappointed, I expect much better from you, Mr King!
Welcome to the SKMB! Can you be specific, give examples of what in your opinion is wrong with Mr Mercedes?
 

John Adam

Member
Jul 31, 2014
15
44
57
Hmmmm, well, hi John. Sorry you didn't like Mr. Mercedes. Maybe you can get in one of the discussion threads and talk about the story. Perhaps some of our members can shed some light on some aspects and maybe change your mind?

What was your favorite book?
No, nobody will change my mind. I did not like the book, it's poorly written (compared to what we've come to expect from SK), and predictable.
My favorite book? Hard to pick only one, certainly The Stand, IT, Dark Tower series (especially Wizards and Glass). That's vintage SK.
 

John Adam

Member
Jul 31, 2014
15
44
57
Welcome to the SKMB! Can you be specific, give examples of what in your opinion is wrong with Mr Mercedes?
Nothing 'wrong' per se. But anybody could have written a yarn like that, it's predictable, and nowhere near the quality of writing we expect from the master. A few things didn't 'sit right'; for example right after
Janey got blown up in Hodges' car, he gets Jerome to post a message to the effect of "You missed, *******", with a smiley face. Now, that just doesn't sit right. If nobody got killed, yes, then you would post a message like that, but just after his 'girlfriend', who he was falling in love with, got blown up in his car, he says "You missed, *******", with a smiley face???
Not believable.
The characters are stereotypes, no depth and not believable, which is usually his strong point.
 
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SutterKane

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2014
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I still haven't read this book yet but so far it seems to be one of those divisive ones where one side of the room shouts "I loved this book so much, can't wait for the sequel" and the other side shouts "I hated it so much I wish I went blind instead".

Either way, it would appear Steve doesn't agree with your criticisms, having already planned to bring these characters back for 2 more novels.

Maybe you'll be a little more happier with "Revival", which is coming in November, it's supposedly more of a traditional king horror novel.
 

John Adam

Member
Jul 31, 2014
15
44
57
I still haven't read this book yet but so far it seems to be one of those divisive ones where one side of the room shouts "I loved this book so much, can't wait for the sequel" and the other side shouts "I hated it so much I wish I went blind instead".

Either way, it would appear Steve doesn't agree with the criticisms, having already planned to bring these characters back for 2 more novels.

Maybe you'll be a little more happier with "Revival", which is coming in November, it's supposedly more of a traditional king horror novel.
Looks like it's going to be quantity over quality for Mr King in his 'retirement age', wouldn't have thought that he needs the money....
He should stick with what he's the best in the world at, the abnormal, the unexpected; and not try to write popular crime thrillers.
 

SutterKane

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2014
297
1,891
41
Looks like it's going to be quantity over quality for Mr King in his 'retirement age', wouldn't have thought that he needs the money....
He should stick with what he's the best in the world at, the abnormal, the unexpected; and not try to write popular crime thrillers.

I wouldn't assume a guy who already has the net worth of a small country is doing anything "For the Money". It could just be that he wanted to write that book and disagrees with your opinion on it. It's not as if there is a Universal agreement that the book is bad, a lot of critics and fans liked it, others didn't. You happen to fall in the latter category, which is fine.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Looks like it's going to be quantity over quality for Mr King in his 'retirement age', wouldn't have thought that he needs the money....
He should stick with what he's the best in the world at, the abnormal, the unexpected; and not try to write popular crime thrillers.
That's an interesting opinion, but I guess that just because you didn't receive what you expected, doesn't necessarily mean the Stephen didn't achieve what he was after.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to enjoying (or not) a specific story, we all have different tastes.

Welcome to the community. :)
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
No, nobody will change my mind. I did not like the book, it's poorly written (compared to what we've come to expect from SK), and predictable.
My favorite book? Hard to pick only one, certainly The Stand, IT, Dark Tower series (especially Wizards and Glass). That's vintage SK.
Welcome! :watermelon:

I've been a constant reader since Carrie was first published. I too have read just about everything for the last 40 years. I really liked Mr. Mercedes. I thought it was sharp, witty and a great story. To me, the writing was vintage SK. And guess what? I'm really not that big a fan of The Stand. I remember reading it when it first came out and thinking, "What a long book and not much really happens." My point is, not every book SK writes is going to rock you world. We all look to his writing for different things.
 

carrie's younger brother

Well-Known Member
Mar 8, 2012
5,428
25,651
NJ
Looks like it's going to be quantity over quality for Mr King in his 'retirement age', wouldn't have thought that he needs the money....
He should stick with what he's the best in the world at, the abnormal, the unexpected; and not try to write popular crime thrillers.
If it were a case of quantity over quality, would he have written Joyland? Such a beautifully written book with a touching story of friendship and love. I think it's one of his best ever.

I've been with SK from just about the beginning. I have certainly not loved everything he has written, but I do think he's always stayed true to himself.

As for the $$$ issue, think about this: SK has a contract with a publishing company. He is probably their top money maker. He has a responsibility to them (legally and morally) to produce. So yes, he is doing it for the money. It's his job and thousands of people at his publishing company depend on him.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
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Just north of Duma Key
Hello and welcome. I too have been reading SK since Carrie was published. It is true SK has been labeled "King of Horror", but that does not mean all his books/stories have to fit that genre. I enjoy all his books, some more than others. Mr. Mercedes was one I really enjoyed. Old saying- to each his own. Perhaps Revival will be more to your liking.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
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Cambridge, Ohio
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pigeon of the
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...and this Thread is the statue...
 

Lets Rock

.. still breathing...
Jul 5, 2014
323
1,210
I enjoyed Mr Mercedes.
I was surprised by the lack of 'grief' after the explosion but not by the pursue the murderer reaction A 'do what needs to done and deal with the crap later' approach isn't uncommon.
I'm grateful he continues to write (I assume it's something he enjoys).
Some people are motivated by things beyond bank balances and I think he is I of them.
Looking forward to Revival
 
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skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
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USA
I enjoyed Mr Mercedes. I was surprised by the lack of 'grief' after the explosion but not by the pursue the murderer reaction A 'do what needs to done and deal with the crap later' approach isn't uncommon.
I'm grateful he continues to write (I assume it's something he enjoys).
Some people are motivated by things beyond bank balances and I think he is I of them.
Looking forward to Revival

That rang true for me, for two reasons:
first, they really did barely know each other. Hodges was sad, I thought, but not destroyed the way he would had been if they'd been together for a long time. Second, he's an older guy (thus likely not one to express strong emotion) and a cop, used to compartmentalizing. I think your perception of 'get the job done' is spot on. What he had Jerome send wasn't done to express a cavalier attitude, but to incite Brady & draw him out.
He's a cop first. MOD: maybe LR's post should be spoilered for the benefit of people who haven't read the book yet?

The OP didn't like the book, and that's okay. I don't like every book either. Doesn't mean they're not decent books; just means they didn't float my boat. Y'all know my attitude: ROLL WITH IT, BABY. It's all good.
 

Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
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The High Seas
That rang true for me, for two reasons:
first, they really did barely know each other. Hodges was sad, I thought, but not destroyed the way he would had been if they'd been together for a long time. Second, he's an older guy (thus likely not one to express strong emotion) and a cop, used to compartmentalizing. I think your perception of 'get the job done' is spot on. What he had Jerome send wasn't done to express a cavalier attitude, but to incite Brady & draw him out.
He's a cop first. MOD: maybe LR's post should be spoilered for the benefit of people who haven't read the book yet?

The OP didn't like the book, and that's okay. I don't like every book either. Doesn't mean they're not decent books; just means they didn't float my boat. Y'all know my attitude: ROLL WITH IT, BABY. It's all good.
done