So, rereading Firestarter and Came Across This...

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

Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
359
1,829
Chicago Suburbs
...on page 202 of my library's edition (white hardcover with Charlie's face on the cover somewhat obscured by flames:

"Eleven doctors and psychologists had put the combination report and prospectus together under the overall direction of Dr. Patrick Hockstetter, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. He was, in Cap's opinion, one of the ten or twelve most astute minds at the Shop's disposal..."

Now of course we all know how SK likes to connect his works together, but this obviously has no connection to the character that we find in IT. This is the first time that I've ever noticed Mr. King to use the same character name in two completely separate novels, even for minor characters. James Ellroy is notorious for doing this, giving several characters the same or similar names in his novels. I've gotten used to it, but this one really stuck out for me.

Apologies if everyone has already discussed this and I'm just late to the party...
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
...on page 202 of my library's edition (white hardcover with Charlie's face on the cover somewhat obscured by flames:

"Eleven doctors and psychologists had put the combination report and prospectus together under the overall direction of Dr. Patrick Hockstetter, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. He was, in Cap's opinion, one of the ten or twelve most astute minds at the Shop's disposal..."

Now of course we all know how SK likes to connect his works together, but this obviously has no connection to the character that we find in IT. This is the first time that I've ever noticed Mr. King to use the same character name in two completely separate novels, even for minor characters. James Ellroy is notorious for doing this, giving several characters the same or similar names in his novels. I've gotten used to it, but this one really stuck out for me.

Apologies if everyone has already discussed this and I'm just late to the party...
I believe he used the name Ray Garraty a few times but, presently, can only be sure of him using it in The Long Walk.
 

Constant Reader XIX

Active Member
Apr 13, 2017
34
129
Hockstetter was the
flying leech kid; correct? Bowers's hand-puppet?

In IT, I mean, of course.

(Isn't Firestarter great, though!?! One of my favorites! BACK OFF! I love it more upon every reading!)


I have read things more than once, but I don't believe in re-reading anymore.


Eleven doctors and psychiatrists
led by several flying leeches
no...
That isn't right...

I know tall people!
 

Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
359
1,829
Chicago Suburbs
So I finished it, but the board was out of commission. Have to say that I enjoyed it and glad that I went back to it. Is it one of the best? No - definitely not, but it still had that old school SK feel to it that I love from the early days (Salem's Lot, The Dead Zone, etc), even if it did read more like a Bachman book to me. John Rainbird was the most interesting character for me, a pretty good villain me thinks. I wasn't thrilled with the ending, but how exactly do you end a tale like that anyway? You can't please everyone...

Now that I've returned that one, I'm on to Bazaar of Bad Dreams. I've always enjoyed SK's short stories.
 

recitador

Speed Reader
Sep 3, 2016
1,750
8,264
41
it seems like i noticed a name or two in some of his novels that were essentially the same or very similar (maybe same unusual last name?), but considering how many i've read it doesn't immediately spring to mind. one of them might have been tommyknockers? at least my brain is telling me so. i wanna say it's a couple of the bigger ones with large casts. i'll eventually re-read them and figure it out i'm sure.
 

HisAngelBaby1212

New Member
Jan 24, 2008
1
3
Utah
I am reading this again too and made the same connection and had to go look to see if it was the same name. It definitely wasn't intentional but still made me stop and think because the dark tower does intentionally do this exact same thing. Welcome to the world of SK!
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
R-8834168-1469744832-8910.jpeg.jpg
....Hi!.....
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I am reading this again too and made the same connection and had to go look to see if it was the same name. It definitely wasn't intentional but still made me stop and think because the dark tower does intentionally do this exact same thing. Welcome to the world of SK!
Welcome to SKMB

cat gif with tail.gif