Stephen King Fans discussion

We should be able to discuss The Stand here....

Derrick, thanks for creating this thread. I’m about 20% in right now. I like how each of the characters (who I assume will become critical) are being developed in depth. Also the introduction of the man in black, and some hints about their dreams. I like it so far - getting excited to see where it goes

It was cool reading about how everyone was spreading it around.

So far I seem to be into Frannie. I'm wondering what will happen with her and I hope she's still around by the end of the book.

Derrick wrote: "We should be able to discuss The Stand here...."

I was thinking about joining in and decided I'll follow along because having read it before my comments would be leaning towards spoilers. The prior knowledge is too much.

I also think that Frannie is an interesting character so far. I also like Stu Redman; cool attitude. Larry seems hard to figure out, possibly nice guy with a selfish streak deep down...?

Jaye wrote: "Derrick wrote: "We should be able to discuss The Stand here...."

I was thinking about joining in and decided I'll follow along because having read it before my comments would be leaning towards sp..."

Alright well feel free to chime in whenever. We would welcome your comments.

Eric wrote: "I also think that Frannie is an interesting character so far. I also like Stu Redman; cool attitude. Larry seems hard to figure out, possibly nice guy with a selfish streak deep down...?"

I think the selfish streak is closer to the surface for Larry lol

Had I known how cool this is, I wouldn't have waited so long to read it!

Derrick wrote: "Had I known how cool this is, I wouldn't have waited so long to read it!"

It remains one of my all-time favorites!
I like this type of book ...survival and description of how the physical world changed.
no zombies needed.

Derrick wrote: "Had I known how cool this is, I wouldn't have waited so long to read it!"

Hey, Derrick, it's a great book, and the good news is, the more often you read it the better it gets. The recent TV show was quite good too I thought, although I didn't especially like their portrayal of my favorite character... but he's way deep into the book.

Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Had I known how cool this is, I wouldn't have waited so long to read it!"

Hey, Derrick, it's a great book, and the good news is, the more often you read it the better it gets. The ..."

I'm about a quarter of the way into it now...still so much left to go lol

Eric and Jaye I'm not sure if either of you have read The Tommyknockers but I noticed a brief reference to it. Gus Dinsmore, who was the parking lot attendant at the beach, (I had to go back and remind myself who he was) is reading a western novel written by "that author who lives up in Haven. I only know one author of westerns from Haven and her name is Bobbi Anderson....

I haven’t read tommyknockers, but that is a cool reference.

I just got past the part with Kit Bradenton and one of the first long sections with Flagg. To be honest I got a bit confused during some of the parts with Kit, how it jumped around kind of randomly. I’m guessing it was hallucinations, or Flagg in his head?

Eric wrote: "I haven’t read tommyknockers, but that is a cool reference.

I just got past the part with Kit Bradenton and one of the first long sections with Flagg. To be honest I got a bit confused during some..."

Yeah I think it was flashbacks/hallucinations

Derrick wrote: "Eric and Jaye I'm not sure if either of you have read The Tommyknockers but I noticed a brief reference to it. Gus Dinsmore, who was the parking lot attendant at the beach, (I had to go back and re..."

I did read Tommyknockers. A long time ago. I can't say as i remember the reference.

I'm always on the lookout for references to his other books. I'm sure there's a lot that I miss because there's a lot of King books I haven't read yet.

I remember the reference to Bobby's books, and I think it's been made in a few others as well, at least one for sure. King's mega verse (is that the right word?) is part of why it's a good idea to read his books in order. Not necessary, but it adds a level of richness to the experience.

Kandice wrote: "I remember the reference to Bobby's books, and I think it's been made in a few others as well, at least one for sure. King's mega verse (is that the right word?) is part of why it's a good idea to ..."

That ship has unfortunately sailed. I just read them all random and willy nilly. It is my goal to own/read all of them eventually. Mega verse is the perfect word. I also use the word multi verse occasionally. I'm doing a reread of the dark tower series and it was brought to my attention that I should read The Stand before continuing on to Wizard and Glass. I wanted more backstory on Flagg anyway so it kind of works out. I also need to read Eyes of the Dragon for even more backstory on him. I'll get to that one eventually.

Eye of the Dragon is unusual, it features many of the same characters as the dark tower and yet the events are different. You get a little more familiar with the characters but the story events don't actually line up perfectly. I'm not sure it holds any real secrets.

I'm still plugging along. Eric I might be a little ahead of you so I'm trying not to say too much. This is a spoiler free zone lol. I am still really enjoying reading it. It's really fun following all the different characters and all the different paths the story is taking.

I'm at around 37% right now (reading on kindle). One of my favorite parts so far was the meet up between Frannie, Harold, and Stu - I like how the storylines have started to merge together. I look forward to seeing more of that...

Eric wrote: "I'm at around 37% right now (reading on kindle). One of my favorite parts so far was the meet up between Frannie, Harold, and Stu - I like how the storylines have started to merge together. I look ..."

I'm at like 47% so approaching the halfway mark. King does such a great job at joining the different paths of the story. Makes it so fun and enjoyable to read.

Omg Harold is such a whiny little puke! Can't stand him.

I loved the introduction and background on mother abagail. Also how it is starting to expand on the good bs evil, supernatural/ spiritual aspect. I’m at 43% now

Eric wrote: "I loved the introduction and background on mother abagail. Also how it is starting to expand on the good bs evil, supernatural/ spiritual aspect. I’m at 43% now"

I'm at 49% now. I won't get any reading done tonight because one of the few shows I like on tv is on tonight lol

I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she reminded him of his old life. he is unstable and a threat for the group.
I’m at 50% now, so not sure how it will play out between Harold, Fran, and Stu

Eric wrote: "I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she reminded him of his old life. he is unstable and a threat ..."

I'm just a little ahead of you at 54%. Well over 600 pages in which sounds like a lot. Hell it is a lot lol and yet there's still so much left to go. This book is really long. I'm enjoying every minute of it though. Can't wait to see what's going to happen next!

Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she reminded him of his old life. he is unstable ..."

You guys are lucky going into this book for the first time, not knowing what's going to happen next. Just a really great book... with tons of terrific characters.

Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she reminded him of his old life...."

I wish I didn't wait so long to read this! The 1000+ page books are intimidating but they've been worth it so far. I've read IT and also The Witching Hour. This is only my third book of that length. I need to read Under the Dome at some point. I hear it's a good one too.

Derrick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she reminded him of ..."

Under the Dome is great too... maybe easier to read than the three books you just mentioned, though all of them are well worth the effort. I really loved the witching hour and the incredibly detailed world it created.

Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "I think Harold would have been better off going on his own from the start - the obsession with Frannie made things worse for him, plus she ..."

I loved The Witching Hour. It was my first time reading anything by Anne Rice. I need to read the other two books that go with it.

Derrick wrote: "I loved The Witching Hour. It was my first time reading anything by Anne Rice. I need to read the other two books that go with it...."

The Mayfair Witches was (were) my introduction to Rice as well, many decades ago. The other two books are very worth reading. They also loosely tie into her vampire series. She is an excellent world-builder.

Kandice wrote: "Derrick wrote: "I loved The Witching Hour. It was my first time reading anything by Anne Rice. I need to read the other two books that go with it...."

The Mayfair Witches was (were) my introductio..."

There's so many of those vampire books. I'm sure I'll get to them eventually. I also really want to read those two wolf books mentioned to you before.

Eric, on a side note, I've lived in Colorado for my entire life and grew up about 30 minutes southeast of Boulder.

Derrick, that’s awesome, I bet it must make the story even more interesting to you. I’ve visited out there and loved it.

I’m at 67% and really liking the story...about how they are trying to reform a society

Eric wrote: "Derrick, that’s awesome, I bet it must make the story even more interesting to you. I’ve visited out there and loved it.

I’m at 67% and really liking the story...about how they are trying to refor..."

It's cool being familiar with all the cities\towns, street names, landmarks. There's actually quite a few King books that, at least in part, have to do with Colorado. The Shining of course takes place mostly in Colorado. I've stayed at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. My mom and grandma took me to stay there for my 18th birthday. I won't go into how many years ago that was but it was an awesome experience and something I would consider to be "one in a lifetime"

I have around 80ish pages left to go. It's been a long journey but so worth it. Super excited to see how it's all going to come out in the end.

Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "Derrick, that’s awesome, I bet it must make the story even more interesting to you. I’ve visited out there and loved it.

I’m at 67% and really liking the story...about how they are tr..."

Awesome - I didn't realize that al the street names and everything were actually real. You got through the book fast - look forward to discussing it more after I finally finish it

Eric wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Eric wrote: "Derrick, that’s awesome, I bet it must make the story even more interesting to you. I’ve visited out there and loved it.

I’m at 67% and really liking the story...about..."

I feel like it's taking me forever to finish this. I started back on April 23rd.

I've finished the book! How am I supposed to write a review for something of this magnitude??

Derrick wrote: "I've finished the book! How am I supposed to write a review for something of this magnitude??"

Maybe just start by trying to explain it...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Derrick wrote: "I've finished the book! How am I supposed to write a review for something of this magnitude??"

Maybe just review as to how much you enjoyed it.
Or a particular part that impressed you.

There are a gazillion reviews anyway.
I leave comments occasionally but don't review anymore since a glitch years ago made a lot disappear.

The only one that i should go back to is a cookbook i added recently that has no reviews. It's an impressive book too, so i kinda feel like a jerk for not saying anything! 😳

Derrick wrote: "I've finished the book! How am I supposed to write a review for something of this magnitude??"

Well, let's see. You could talk about:
- Your favorite/least favorite parts.
- The "AAAGGGHHHH!!!" or "Meh..." bits
- Who you liked/hated and why.
- What you thought was most/least credible.
- What you think it says about religion, fate, or free will.
- ????

:D

Here's the link to my spoiler free review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Derrick wrote: "Here's the link to my spoiler free review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

You got through it in three weeks! That's pretty good :)

Michele wrote: "Derrick wrote: "Here's the link to my spoiler free review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

You got through it in three weeks! That's pretty good :)"

I suppose you're right. I still feel like it was a long time by my standards lol. I'll be reading a couple of much shorter books to help make up for it.

Eric, you still hanging in there bro? I haven't forgotten about you lol

Hey Derrick, just finished it! Last quarter of the book flew by, spend most of today reading. I think that the first third and last third of the book were 5/5 - middle portion dragged out sometimes. I really liked the ending - I saw a lot of other reviews saying otherwise, but thought it wrapped up well. I will post a full review later...

Eric wrote: "Hey Derrick, just finished it! Last quarter of the book flew by, spend most of today reading. I think that the first third and last third of the book were 5/5 - middle portion dragged out sometimes..."

That is how i remember it too. Parts of it dragged along, but the good parts were really good.

Eric wrote: "Hey Derrick, just finished it! Last quarter of the book flew by, spend most of today reading. I think that the first third and last third of the book were 5/5 - middle portion dragged out sometimes..."

I'm glad you were able to get it finished. It would seem we have pretty much the same opinion. I look forward to your full review.