Thread: Reading first Stephen King Novel

I picked up the book "Misery" at a thriftstore a while back, and finally started to read it. I have about 70 more pages to go, and so far it is pretty good. Certainly not the best book I have every read, but it is keeping my interest. This is my first King Novel, and I just expected it to be more...scary. Like mess with my mind, can't sleep scary, not cut off the characters legs with an ax scary. Does anyone know any "mess with your mind" books out there (king or otherwise)?

King's Bag of Bones or It.

It was very frightening when I read it as a kid. Misery was more of a good read than scary. Most of King's books are more enjoyable than really scary.

Originally Posted by T.N. Kettman

I picked up the book "Misery" at a thriftstore a while back, and finally started to read it. I have about 70 more pages to go, and so far it is pretty good. Certainly not the best book I have every read, but it is keeping my interest. This is my first King Novel, and I just expected it to be more...scary. Like mess with my mind, can't sleep scary, not cut off the characters legs with an ax scary. Does anyone know any "mess with your mind" books out there (king or otherwise)?

It's more suspense than anything. Oddly enough, I've found that King's better books are the ones that don't go for flat out horror. It seems that when he does try to scare you he over does it a bit. I like King though and if you're interested in his other non-horrish books, I recommend the Dark Tower series.

Apt Pupil is quite chilling. It's from one of his short story collections. The book it's in has four novellas, one of the others being Shawshank.

King's best 'head messer' is probably The Shining, especially if you like a long and intricate build up of atmosphere. The Tommyknockers has a wonderful, weird and compulsively readable first half but, IMO, is let down by a drab second half. His fairly recent Duma Key goes for less visceral territory this time and mainly aspires to be creepy.

Originally Posted by Dr. Malone

Apt Pupil is quite chilling. It's from one of his short story collections. The book it's in has four novellas, one of the others being Shawshank.

Four Past Midnight. The Langoliers, another head messer, is also in that book.

Originally Posted by RomanticRose

Four Past Midnight. The Langoliers, another head messer, is also in that book.

Actually, Apt Pupil is the 'Summer' segment of King's Different Seasons, along with Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption, The Body and The Breathing Method.

You do remind me of Four Past Midnight though. The Library Policeman and The Sun Dog are real head-messers, especially The Sun Dog. I remember a strong case of the creeps with that one.

I loved Misery when I first read it, but you're right, it's not really a book that messes with your head (although if I was in the same situation I think I'd be scared out of my mind).

I'd also try out most of his short stories; although not as deep as some of his novels, I find them more enjoyable to read over and over again (especially his collection Skeleton Crew)

I think Misery is his fantasy/nightmare.

I forgot how old Different Seasons was until you mentioned The Body.

I know King didn't invent the concept of being conscious but unable to react during an autopsy, but that short he wrote based on the subject has always stuck with me. Based on that short, I've actually developed a worry that some consciousness will linger with the body after death, and I'll be stuck in a black coffin for all eternity with nothing to do.

And I think he started working on The Dark Tower when he was still really heavy into drugs. That's what someone told me at least. Reading it, I believe it. I definitely don't think it's supposed to be horror. For me that series is kind of slow moving with occasional flashes of brilliance. I never got past the third or fourth book, though.

The Ruins is supposed to be scary. I haven't read it yet, but the movie was creepy. It's the only movie that's ever made me sick. I had to rush out real quick because I felt I was going to puke or pass out (during a certain part anyway.) I'll have to tell you if the book is really scary or not after I read it.

I haven't read it but I've heard "Pet Semetary"[sic] is very scary/creepy.

Some of his short stories have really freaked me out. I read "The Jaunt" when I was in my early teens, and I remember having serious trouble sleeping that night. You know when you wake up from a nightmare scared out of your wits, turning on lights and stuff. That scared. Just the notion... I will say no more. Mr. King, I tip my hat to you. I recommend The Skeleton Crew.

Oh, The Raft! Oh shit I forgot about The Raft. Man was that fucking shiver-inducing. Freaky ass story.

I haven't read many of his books, but I did enjoy Salem's Lot even though it was a tad corny in one or two instances. Not the actual story, but just one or two things that happen. People who've read it probably know what I mean.

I have The Stand and It etc. ready to read but don't get much chance to do much of that at the moment. Did try reading Insomnia but found it a bit too... slow. I'll have to give it another try though when I get chance due to it being integral to The Dark Tower series I believe.

I'm about three-fourths of the way through It right now, also my first Stephen King book. So far it has failed to scare me (except once when I heard the show draining in strange gurgling noises, but that wasn't really the book's fault).

However, it has succeeded in being entertaining and well written. King is great with characters and pacing. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good read, if you're looking for scares and are over twelve years old, this probably isn't going to do it.

I think it's probably easier for a short story to be truly scare than a full novel. A short story can focus on some isolated terror, while a novel has to balance plot and characters, which can lessen the shock.