Books Stephen King Recommends discussion

Stephen King highly endorses , the new book by Stephen Dobyns. His recommendation is on the back cover of the book. I could post a picture of the back cover but I'm not sure how to do that... I think it would be great to have this book as read for the group. My husband is currently reading it. I'm so jealous!

“I've read some very good novels this year, but this one is the best of the best. In a real sense, I didn't read it at all, after the first five pages; I entered the small-town world Stephen Dobyns creates with such affection, horror, and fidelity. I can imagine Nathaniel Hawthorne, Sherwood Anderson, and--yes--Grace Metalious rising to their feet in that special Writing Room of the Dead and giving Dobyns a standing ovation."

Dobyns has always been good, but this book is authentically great. The characters are vivid originals, not a stereotype among them, and the story pulled this reader in so completely that I didn't want the book to end, and actually did go back to re-read the first chapter. One of the characters, Bingo Schwartz, loves opera, and there's something operatic about this book. All the disparate plot-threads draw together in a smashing, full-volume climax. This one is the full meal, by turns terrifying, sweet, and crazily funny. By God, there's even a sex scene so hot it makes those 50 Shades books look like Little Women. I've written some "secrets of a small New England town" books, and in The Burn Palace, it's as if Stephen Dobyns is saying--very gently--"Hey Steve…this is how you really do it."

One more thing. If ever there was a novel that demonstrates why this mode of entertainment remains healthy and vital more that 150 years after Charles Dickens did his thing, The Burn Palace is that book. It is, simply put, the embodiment of why we read stories, and why the novel will always be a better bang for the entertainment buck than movies or TV. Great story, great prose. Musical prose. You can't ask for more than this book gives. I loved it.”
~ Stephen King

Thanks Almeta ! This whole review wasn't on the back cover. I suppose I could have easily done an Internet search to find this. Thanks for posting. Has anyone read it yet?

Josee wrote: "Thanks Almeta ! This whole review wasn't on the back cover. I suppose I could have easily done an Internet search to find this. Thanks for posting. Has anyone read it yet?"

I have not, but I did order it from the library. Can't resist that recommendation!☺

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I just placed a hold at my library! Also, I noticed it was published in 2013! I need some of those 2013 books for my other group. I sure hope this book lives up to the expectation that Uncle Steve has created!

I will add this book to my bookshelf. That certainly a high recommendation from Sai King! We could try putting it on a poll for the May-June group read and hope it wins. But if you guys can't wait for that, let me know. I'm almost thinking that I can't wait until then!

I know, I'm really looking forward to it but since I have so many other books on my plate I don't mind waiting. Also, maybe by waiting the book will be more readily available from the library. Our library usually puts new books on "lighting loan" which means you can only have it for 7 days as opposed to 21 days but I was suprised to see this one wasn't and there was only one other person that had it on hold.

There wasn't a big wait at my library. I, too, was surprised. Word will get out about Uncle Steve's review and then there will be longer wait!

I don't think I'll be waiting!☻

It looks great!

I'm not waiting, either!

Same here, Amber!