Stephen King: The First Decade

by Reino Jose (Editor)

Twayne's United States Authors, English Authors, and World Authors Series present concise critical introductions to great writers and their works.Devoted to critical interpretation and discussion of an author's work, each study takes account of major literary trends and important scholarly contributions and provides new critical insights with an original point of view. An Authors Series volume addresses readers ranging from advanced high school students to university professors. The book suggests to the informed reader new ways of considering a writer's work.

Each volume features:

-- A critical, interpretive study and explication of the author's works

-- A brief biography of the author

-- An accessible chronology outlining the life, the work, and relevant historical context

-- Aids for further study: complete notes and references, a selected annotated bibliography and an index

-- A readable style presented in a manageable length

Genres: Horror

184 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1988

Reviews

[RL Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

So as I hit the half way mark through King's bibliography I thought I'd read a little critical insight to his books. This one is outdated, published 30 years ago. I didn't find much insight in here really and it was quite dull.

[James Allred · Rating 3 out of 5]

A $2 find at a used bookstore, this book was great! Though I’ve loved King’s work, my exposure has been more to the later than former. This book sparked an interest in his earlier work that has me so excited for the journey!

[Robert Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text offers a brief critical sketch of the first decade of Steven King's work, covering everything from Carrie to Pet Cemetery. Reino is generally a thoughtful reader, although too much effort is made trying to legitimate the text through references to classical sources. The engagement with H.P. Lovecraft is more relevant, but I wish Reino took a little more time to systemically explore the influence, and perhaps take more time to discuss King's own perspective the genre as spelled out in interviews and his book of non-fiction. Still, despite a couple minor misreadings, the text does a good job of covering the breadth of King's work, and brings in some interesting reading of all of them.

[Mary Follis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads a whole lot into fatherless King's writing motives, but very interesting.