Which Stephen King's book makes you feel good?

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mjs9153

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The girl who loved Tom Gordon,for one,though lots already mentioned..Tricia was such a hard fighter,she tried so to be brave and was such a good kid,couldn't help pulling for her..though it is a quick easy read,I enjoyed it and have reread it at least five times..way to hang in there Tricia! :clap:
 

Lina

Committed member
Jun 24, 2009
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Russia
I feel good reading any SK book... As about a book that makes me feel good, that would be more difficult. I think it would be Joyland, too. It is a rather positive book. Also, for me it's The Shining... Well, probably the ending cannot be called a good one, but still this book somehow makes me believe I can cope with many difficult moments in my life.
 

Viktorija

Member
Sep 13, 2009
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Lithuania
Hmm, it's a difficult question... Usually, the books of Stephen King end kind of positively. I mean, with the triumph of Good over Evil. Or at least there's hope in the end. But he's not that kind of author who would finish his books with the before mentioned "happily ever after".
 

BeverleyMarsh

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Jul 23, 2010
862
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The Twilight Zone
Aside from some of the stories and FULL DARK, NO STARS, I find them all pretty uplifting. No, seriously! Underneath the dark storylines, there shines such a faith in the everyman--a belief that there is good in people and in the world that can't be denied and can't be completely overshadowed by darkness. He sees people as they really are, of course, and not everyone is a peach, but at the end of the day, good keeps right on going. He makes my heart happy (even when he makes me cry).
Totally agree, I feel the same happiness even when he makes me cry, because like you say even in his darkest stories, when the light shines, it's really bright and is such a relief. Even in the darkest plots, you have the feeling that SK takes your hand and accompany you all the way.
 

Lisey Landon

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May 20, 2009
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I feel good about most of his books. But I loved Lisey's Story especially. Even though it is sad, it is also a very strong story of love and loyalty and courage. Also the love story in 11/22/63 is so powerful. It made me cry - and I never cry over books! Good luck with giving advice! :)
 

Barlow73

Member
Dec 20, 2010
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Agree with you Lisey. I always feel good while I'm reading one of SK's books. I have, what is almost like, an anxiety in that I get completely lost in the plot and I have a sense of urgency that I will not reach the last page quickly enough! Then when it's finished, I feel sad..............
Very excited about Mr. Mercedes now though!!! Does anybody know if SK has ever/will ever visit Ireland?? He is one of the few people in the world that I would love to meet.
 

Moderator

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Agree with you Lisey. I always feel good while I'm reading one of SK's books. I have, what is almost like, an anxiety in that I get completely lost in the plot and I have a sense of urgency that I will not reach the last page quickly enough! Then when it's finished, I feel sad..............
Very excited about Mr. Mercedes now though!!! Does anybody know if SK has ever/will ever visit Ireland?? He is one of the few people in the world that I would love to meet.

We had to stop to refuel at Shannon Airport on our way back from his European book tour last fall but I'm guessing that doesn't count. ;)
 
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mjs9153

Guest
I know what you mean, I got the six parter edition at Christmas and re-read it then, I didn't expect it would be the same reading it again and after having watched the movie ( it was ten years I hadn't read it) . But again,it was the same raw emotions. I was actually reading it with a friend out loud, he was reading a chapter and I was reading the next, At the end, I was totally in tears and couldn't even read anymore. Such a powerful story.
Especially after Michael Clark Duncan passed so unexpectedly last year..when he was scared and Tom Hanks was trying to comfort him,man,that was tough..
 

Christine62

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Nov 7, 2013
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Oklahoma City
We folks, especially in this instant cocoa culture, don't want to work for anything. We sit back and want to have our images manipulated to set off pings of feeling--top that off with a stuffed crust pizza and 44 ounce soda and call it a day. We live an existence where life happens to us and we call it living--no effort required. We don't like effort, it's just too hard.

What makes me happy about Mr. King's novels and short stories is that you can read them and get those pings of feeling on a superficial level and move on to the next one if you like --they are, everyone, great reads. But....if you step back and look, and watch and think about them they always contain something deeper. Sometimes they float to the surface by often you have to dig them out. What makes me feel good about reading his novels and short stories is that he makes me work to get past all the dark stuff or the supernatural smoke and mirrors to what he is saying about who we are as a culture.

From A Buick 8 was the novel for me that changed the way I looked at Mr. King not as a Horror writer but a Human writer.
And of course his writing always makes me feel good because he just blows the language in so many different directions like a Pollock painting but the speckles of paint always form a perfect picture of something you recognize.
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
...I have no particular "feel good" novel, from King or otherwise...my sense of fulfillment and "feelgoodness" if you will, stems from a well-crafted novel and clever wordsmithing...
I couldn't agree more
Especially after Michael Clark Duncan passed so unexpectedly last year..when he was scared and Tom Hanks was trying to comfort him,man,that was tough..

Tom Hanks being awesome. Hadn't seen that video, Thanks a lot for sharing :)
 

BeverleyMarsh

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2010
862
5,374
The Twilight Zone
We folks, especially in this instant cocoa culture, don't want to work for anything. We sit back and want to have our images manipulated to set off pings of feeling--top that off with a stuffed crust pizza and 44 ounce soda and call it a day. We live an existence where life happens to us and we call it living--no effort required. We don't like effort, it's just too hard.

What makes me happy about Mr. King's novels and short stories is that you can read them and get those pings of feeling on a superficial level and move on to the next one if you like --they are, everyone, great reads. But....if you step back and look, and watch and think about them they always contain something deeper. Sometimes they float to the surface by often you have to dig them out. What makes me feel good about reading his novels and short stories is that he makes me work to get past all the dark stuff or the supernatural smoke and mirrors to what he is saying about who we are as a culture.

From A Buick 8 was the novel for me that changed the way I looked at Mr. King not as a Horror writer but a Human writer.
And of course his writing always makes me feel good because he just blows the language in so many different directions like a Pollock painting but the speckles of paint always form a perfect picture of something you recognize.
:clap::clap::clap: from me too !


I could never have put it so well but you have just expressed exactly how I feel about SK's writing. And like you I don't mind doing a little work to get the full enjoyment of a well crafted story. When my housemate made that request, I thought it was a shame really. Why would you want to know if it's going to make you feel good? Wouldn't the expectation of it being a positive read spoil the party a little? I know it would for me. I like to be taken by surprise, and don't particularly care for a comfortable story, and that's also what I like about his writing, there are no safeguards and you just never know if the next few pages are about to bring you agony, despair, horror, fear, joy, or laughter ,you just enjoy the ride! Thanks for sharing :)