The most heart-rending book he has ever written?

[Takoren]

I haven't read everything Sai King has written, but I recently started a mass read-it-all project and I found myself effected emotionally on a much deeper level when reading 'Salem's Lot than I remember being the first time. Being a dad now might have something to do with it. The deaths of children, especially the baby, really got to me.

But Pet Sematary amps this up to eleven. To me, that's the one that I could barely finish because I could hardly bear Gage's death.

For that matter, I remember The Green Mile causing me to break down in tears in public. I had just read about Coffee's execution. Short stories that made me weep openly include The Last Rung on the Ladder and The Woman in the Room.

So what about you? What book of his did the best job of clefting your heart in twain?

 

[summer_sky]

Cujo comes to mind immediately.

 

[kingricefan]

Pet Semetary for me. I was so angry at King for playing with my emotions while reading it. Those who have read it know what I'm talking about. King makes you think one thing only to throw it all in your face. Cujo also got to me. The Reach or Do The Dead Sing is another that stirs deep emotions in me. Of course, the last book in the Dark Tower series (#7) really made me weep at one certain point and also there are two other instances in there that made the tears flow.

 

[Takoren]

Cujo comes to mind immediately.

Haven't read that one yet. Thanks for the warning. I'll have to make sure I bring tissues.

 

[Takoren]

Pet Semetary for me. I was so angry at King for playing with my emotions while reading it. Those who have read it know what I'm talking about. King makes you think one thing only to throw it all in your face. Cujo also got to me. The Reach or Do The Dead Sing is another that stirs deep emotions in me. Of course, the last book in the Dark Tower series (#7) really made me weep at one certain point and also there are two other instances in there that made the tears flow.

Oh, hell yes, Dark Tower VII! I'd forgotten about that one! I don't know how I'll feel about it when I re-read that one, but damn if the scenes you're talking about didn't elicit many tears from me. Especially two words: "I, Ake." I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

 

[king family fan]

The Green Mile. Coffey had such dignity and he is one of my favorite King characters. He was a heart of Gold.

 

[kingricefan]

The Green Mile. Coffey had such dignity and he is one of my favorite King characters. He was a heart of Gold.

King was rather heavy-handed with the religious elements in The Green Mile (which I do love this novel!). You do realize what other historical figure John Coffey's initials refer to, right?

 

[king family fan]

King was rather heavy-handed with the religious elements in The Green Mile (which I do love this novel!). You do realize what other historical figure John Coffey's initials refer to, right?

No please tell. Guess jesus Christ?

 

[blunthead]

Who?

 

[Takoren]

King was rather heavy-handed with the religious elements in The Green Mile (which I do love this novel!). You do realize what other historical figure John Coffey's initials refer to, right?

It worked for me, though.

 

[kingricefan]

No please tell. Guess jesus Christ?

Yes. This is correct. Even Steve has said that he was too obvious in this one.

 

[kingricefan]

Haven't read that one yet. Thanks for the warning. I'll have to make sure I bring tissues.

You'll need the whole box!

 

[Pucker]

This is a very difficult question.

I like the mention of The Last Rung on the Ladder. That is a story that has always stuck with me, and one that surprises some people I've met, who think they know all they need to know about Mr. King and what he writes.

At first glance I want to say The Dead Zone. I am not entirely comfortable with the romantic "consolation prize" that is offered Johnny Smith in this story, but he's such a tragic figure. A man of such simple want who is used so badly by both his strange "gift" and however you prefer to describe what I'll call "fate," it's difficult not to want something better for him.

And I don't know anything that rends the heart like wanting something better for those to whom you cannot give it.

 

[shaitan]

The most heart-rending would have to be Cujo and Pet Sematary. The most disturbing - Misery. Those that scared the living sh!t out of me - It, The Shining and Salem's Lot.

 

[80sFan]

So many of his books have passages that get me emotional, but "Joyland" left sobbing.

 

[doowopgirl]

Liseys Story and 11/22/63 had me in tears in places.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Carrie hands down for me.

 

[Takoren]

Carrie hands down for me.

Wow, I can't say as I had that reaction to Carrie. Sure, I felt a lot of strong emotions, but not the sort of overwhelming sorrow that Pet Sematary and The Green Mile evoked.

 

[Spideyman]

The last books of the DT journey. As a parent- Pet Sematary

 

[carrie's younger brother]

Wow, I can't say as I had that reaction to Carrie. Sure, I felt a lot of strong emotions, but not the sort of overwhelming sorrow that Pet Sematary and The Green Mile evoked.

I was bullied almost every day of all 4 years of high school. This book came out my sophomore year.