References From Other SK Works In Mr. Mercedes. Possible Spoilers!

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plgordon

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2009
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Carver MA.
I just turned the last page on Mr. Mercedes. The references did not escape me, and in fact I did say to myself, "I see what you did there" many tines. The Judas Coyne reference had a particularly satisfying effect on me, and I came right to the message board to see what others were saying about it. I knew it would not escape the constant reader! Even if was a King reference of a different kind.
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
A reference that a few people caught: the boy band "Round Here" is mentioned in Doctor Sleep as Abra Stone's favorite band.
I missed that one. I read Dr Sleep shortly after it was released. Small details often slip me by, especially if there is a year or so in between. I just figured he pulled out a generic name for a generic pop boy band parody, new for Mr Mercedes.

I obviously got (and loved) the early IT and Christine references, and a couple of names towards the end - not quite references, but he usually makes an effort not to re-use surnames, or unusual forenames, yet Barbara's friends were called Dinah (shares a name with the blind girl from the langoliers) and something Carver (family in Desperation/Regulators). I know they're just names, they just rung a bell.
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
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Derry, NH
Okay, I think I wanted to retitle End of Watch "FortyTwo Shades of Pet Semetary" at one point because of a few striking similarities: the red hat and truck scene, Brady's similarity to Pascow (in and evil way), and a few others. I actually jumped for joy at the Shining references woven throughout the story. The Shining was more like the heartbeat of the trilogy.
 

Maddie

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Jul 10, 2006
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that dollhouse at the end of the street
My name did just happen to pop up in one of his books and we, me myself and I, were pretty sure that I was her and she was me. I don't mean Mattie from Bag of Bones but it was my real name for which the nicknames come, that I was using at the time. It was a character that , his character, you know his character 'in the book' (always the writer) had a 'mental connection' and well, you know I was very happy about that and although the character was a little nutty, so was I !!! It was confirmed to me when another member here sent me a nasty little private message and pretty much assured me when she said this to me, of all things, that 'Stephen was never going to leave his wife for me'! and 'so what if he 'named a character after me in a book because he had wrote about 'her' 'too'. '.... anyway, she thought that character was obviously me too, although aside from that she was completely nuts with being all ANNIE'ed out. See, it happened just after he had auctioned to do a character name for Cell and I LOST because I was heartbroken that I couldn't even rightly 'bid' because it got so sky high but, shortly thereafter, my name showed up in the next one, so , whether anyone else ever believes it or not, I do. :biggrin2: (Miss Mod if youre listening please don't bust my bubble about this :laugh: )
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
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Derry, NH
Maddie,
My connection with Stephen King is simple to explain in a logical way; he doesn't know who I am and never will. Sure, there are coincidental connections but that's only because I was exposed to his writing from age eight. The connections between the towns and the characters- that was no different for me than any other avid reader from the New England (ISH) area. He was giving an interview recently where he referred to books as kind of a literary telepathy. I took that to mean that the more you read, the better your ability think in the abstract, identify metaphorical connections, and imagine. That other stuff
(like tripping over a retro gaming toy as you read the reveal in End of Watch)
Or like the line in Dr. Sleep where the True North was heading (west?)
-the stuff that you know, it's best to chalk it up to immersive writing and interactive reading.
You know why?
People will gaslight you if you read to much into anything. I know enough to understand that my perspective is only just that, mine. Which is a good thing, I can use my imagination as a playground.
In reality - I completely understand what you are saying - that's why I made the suggestion a while ago to use a journal.
I'm sorry that you were treated that way! That kind of thing makes me want to take a little break from this place. I'm as eccentric as the next person, but I know that there is nothing fundamentally unlikable about me. What does that tell you? One of his Facebook posts (a fairly mundane and brief one at that) generated something like 4.5k comments-most of whom are infatuated women. Women can be caddy and jealous. If that person had the gall to message you that way, you were most likely dealing with an immature person. She felt the need to lash out at someone else's love of Stephen King? That is beyond the pale. .. Just remember to smile and don't read to much into any comment or reply- it isn't about you. It is never the case.
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
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Derry, NH
I've glanced a few direct replies that were a little off putting. One person concealed an expletive aimed at me in a spoiler!
It's fine! All in good fun! I love it.
What I take a little issue with (and I cannot recall intentionally doing this myself) is folks who (let's just say in a book club) who are not skilled enough to make a subversive comment sound like natural musing, who instead perseverate on a minor plot inconsistency.
 

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
Thank you Nomi. :smile2: I have always enjoyed playing with pictures and being creative and have probably given wrong impressions of myself at times. You would laugh if you saw them all but its all in good fun, not to be read into on deep intellectual levels for sure. Same for writing, and there are always some who will read something different no matter what you write. Youre so right there is Absolutely Nothing unlikable about you Nomi but on the contrary, Everything to like and quite possibly to love! We all have to be a little Eccentric sometimes! I have to say Thank you for sharing and for so many positive vibes that you send out. for Being Genuinely You. You really are a sweetheart. :love_heart:
 

Nomik

Carry on
Jun 19, 2016
3,973
22,555
47
Derry, NH
Thank you Nomi. :smile2: I have always enjoyed playing with pictures and being creative and have probably given wrong impressions of myself at times. You would laugh if you saw them all but its all in good fun, not to be read into on deep intellectual levels for sure. Same for writing, and there are always some who will read something different no matter what you write. Youre so right there is Absolutely Nothing unlikable about you Nomi but on the contrary, Everything to like and quite possibly to love! We all have to be a little Eccentric sometimes! I have to say Thank you for sharing and for so many positive vibes that you send out. for Being Genuinely You. You really are a sweetheart. :love_heart:
That is officially one of the nicest things I've ever heard! I'm framing that comment for proof, just in case I forget ;;)
I couldn't look at the pics that night and judging by the sluggishness of my touch typing right now, I'll wait.
There's been a "hack", evidently. Apps aren't working.
 

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
I've glanced a few direct replies that were a little off putting. One person concealed an expletive aimed at me in a spoiler!
It's fine! All in good fun! I love it.
What I take a little issue with (and I cannot recall intentionally doing this myself) is folks who (let's just say in a book club) who are not skilled enough to make a subversive comment sound like natural musing, who instead perseverate on a minor plot inconsistency.

I know what you mean. Rise above it. They go low, you go high. Even disassociate from settings that trouble you. I cant really put myself in book clubs or structured storytelling unless its just frivolous because it should always be fun and enjoyable. I did something once that probably pissed someone off in a group story but I really didn't know what else to do, though it seemed I did it on purpose to them surely, I liked the way the story had started, then two more writers went before my turn, and by the time it got to my turn, it was all about cars blowing up and fire was everywhere and people were running and screaming, and you know what I did? I went right in there and for my chapter I put '13 Years Later'..... and started the whole thing over where I wanted it, lol, that was hilarious though, awesome story it turned out to be!