Stephen King Fans discussion

Discuss Hearts in Atlantis here. Please mark all spoilers for those reading along with the group. Thanks!

Sorry i never have followed what thr group is up to--my fault...but I hope that i can be helpful here to announce that the Kingslingers podcast will be reading and analyzing 'Low Men In Yellow Coats' (the girst novella in HoA) over the forthcoming weeks.

This is my favorite King novel (novella/short story collection, whatever). If i have the time I will definitely reread it. Ive read it twice already.

Stephen King is a master of — among other things — the novella form. The "Low Men in Yellow Coats" novella that leads off Hearts in Atlantis is, in my opinion, one of his very best.

Hey, Tek... I agree with you on the confusion about the nature of this work. The first (and only) time I read it I was sure it was a novel... a continuing story at least. It will be interesting to see how it plays this time. But Jerry is right, Low Men In Coats is mastrful.

I reread a lot, but really cannot remember if I have read this more than once, which would be unusual for me. I remember loving it when it came out, so I avoided the movie. Maybe it's time I reread and then watch, and what better time than with the group?

So... i'm in the middle of reading Low Men. It took about 130 pages for something to actually happen, which kind of pissed me off.

I have already read the entire DT series but had never read this one, so the connections are nice to see, but at the moment this isn't jumping out as being as great as people say it is. I hope it gets better.

I'll save my final comments for when I finish the entire collection. It's entirely possible my thoughts will have changed.

I don’t remember reading this despite owning the hardcover since it came out! I assumed I read it but a few years ago I found a bookmark in it and it was only about a quarter in. So I don’t know if I just put the bookmark in the book or if I started reading it and never got back to it (which is not like me at all).

So I will be joining in! LOLOLOL

Mark wrote: "So... i'm in the middle of reading Low Men. It took about 130 pages for something to actually happen, which kind of pissed me off.

I have already read the entire DT series but had never read this ..."

I often have trouble when people say "nothing actually happens" in a book, like there's some secret meaning of the word "actually" that I am somehow not privy to.

Sorry, but I'm going to defend "Low Men in Yellow Coats". In the first chapter you begin getting to know three of SK's more interesting and wonderful characters, namely Bobby Garfield, his mother Liz Garfield, and the mysterious visitor Ted Brautigan. And in Chapter II, you have "signs of the the low men", which, to me, has to count as "something happening". Also there's the tension between Liz Garfield and mysterious visitor Ted becoming more and more palpable. I don't know, I just found this story an utter delight to read and, for that matter, reread.

I will say that if you are still put off or bored by the "Low Men" novella, you might as well set Hearts in Atlantis aside and move on to something else, because I doubt you'll find much to redeem it in what comes after.

I'm currently in chapter 3 of the low men novella. I really enjoy reading about the three friends. It feels a little bit like revisiting some scenes from IT.

I've read Hearts in Atlantis decades ago so I hardly remember anything.

I progressed until chapter 8 and just this morning I realized why King loves kids as his main characters. Imagine what the story would be like if Bobby was already grown...

I started this and thought it seemed familiar. And now I remember it. I may or may not continue because I have many books to read in other groups. But I must say that the first part of this book is as good as King gets. (IMHO)

Flower wrote: "I'm currently in chapter 3 of the low men novella. I really enjoy reading about the three friends. It feels a little bit like revisiting some scenes from IT."

So now I'm thinking I should go read "IT" because I never have.

Kateblue wrote: "I started this and thought it seemed familiar. And now I remember it. I may or may not continue because I have many books to read in other groups. But I must say that the first part of this book is..."

I'm sure you know that IT is way up there on everyone's list of King's best books. Probably in the top 5 of almost everyone's list. So, yes, you really SHOULD read it.

definitely

I am halfway finished. I remembered reading Low Men in Yellow Coats. The second one so far doesn’t ring any bells.

Nancy, my husband always wonders why I forget the plots of movies and books. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. Then again I read this book 20 years ago, so it figures.

(view spoiler)[The only thing I remember about the book is the story about the college boy who cheats on his long distance girlfriend. I was furious back then because I just recently went to one college myself and my boyfriend to another and it made me mad to think of him cheating on me. Which wasn't so far fetched, I'm afraid. Now that's long ago and the guy has been history for ages, so I guess I'll be cool this time. :) (hide spoiler)]

Ah, I just read that you might not have finished the book back then. I forgot about that, sorry. So much for my memory. :)

Just finished Low Men, and here's my question: (view spoiler)[why did the kid go so bad. I know he had to beat up the bully, but why keep it going? (hide spoiler)]

As for the second story, I remember liking it a lot. But can't remember why. I guess I'll find out.

Flower wrote: "Ah, I just read that you might not have finished the book back then. I forgot about that, sorry. So much for my memory. :)"

LOL

Nick wrote: "Just finished Low Men, and here's my question: [spoilers removed]

As for the second story, I remember liking it a lot. But can't remember why. I guess I'll find out."

I was thinking about that while reading. (view spoiler)[My only guess is everything that happened the bully, the low men, his feeling guilty about not protecting Ted (who was his only real father figure) and especially with how his mom was and how she treated him just culminated at that moment in his life to forever shape him. He probably never got over everything that happened that summer and just made him an angry guy. (hide spoiler)]

Nancy wrote: "Nick wrote: "Just finished Low Men, and here's my question: [spoilers removed]

As for the second story, I remember liking it a lot. But can't remember why. I guess I'll find out."

I was thinking ..."\\


I think you're right Nancy. But then (view spoiler)[I seem to remember that he comes back at the very end of the book. Or am I wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Nick wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Nick wrote: "Just finished Low Men, and here's my question: [spoilers removed]

As for the second story, I remember liking it a lot. But can't remember why. I guess I'll find out."

I..."

I don’t know. I don’t think I ever finished the book the first time around. The Hearts In Atlantis story is not ringing any bells. So we will find out!

I'm finally through with the low men and here are my two cents:

(view spoiler)[I think it was the feeling of being helpless and powerless on the day the low men came which made him so mad. He was powerless to protect the three people he loved most. He tried to make up for it by helping his mother and Carol, but he just couldn't do anything for Ted and so that feeling remained. I think most angry people feel powerless inside and they have to constantly prove that feeling wrong. Only when he got the message that Ted was save he could let go off that guilt und inadequacy and be good again. (hide spoiler)]

Flower wrote: "I'm finally through with the low men and here are my two cents:

[spoilers removed]"

Great insights, Flower. I think you're right.

I wonder about something, though. On the back of my book it says that each story is haunted by the Vietnam War. How is the low men story related to it? I can't recall it being mentioned in the story.

Flower wrote: "I wonder about something, though. On the back of my book it says that each story is haunted by the Vietnam War. How is the low men story related to it? I can't recall it being mentioned in the story."

There was a brief mention that Bobby's friend, instead of growing up to own a nice car dealership would die in Viet Nam.

Ah, that's why. Okay, thanks.

Michael wrote: "Flower wrote: "I wonder about something, though. On the back of my book it says that each story is haunted by the Vietnam War. How is the low men story related to it? I can't recall it being mentio..."

You're probably right, Michael - jacket copy may play up the vietnam connection to help sell books. I went back and tried to find the line in LOW MEN where the narrator says Sully was killed in vietman. I'll have to look harder. I'm sure it's there somewhere though it probably doesn't actually use the word, "vietnam." Anyway, I did find this quote. Chapter V - Bobby Reads the Paper: "Viet skermishes Intensify." Not sure whether or not that qualifies as haunting or not.

Personally, I think this is a NOVEL about vietnam, the stores all have a throughline. It's been many years since I've read the book, and I haven't read through to the end so maybe I'm wrong. But that's how I felt the last time through.

Yesterday I finished the Hearts in Atlantis story. At first it was very hard for me to get into the story knowing little about American college life and even less about Hearts. So I rushed through the first half hoping it would get more interesting. It turned out to be a very thought-provoking story after all and I had to take a break after I finished it.

I am a child of the eighties. But at university I also had my Atlantis time. I felt closely related to the sixties and I believe that young people even now experience that. It's just that back then the circumstances were more extreme which made more people think about what really mattered.

King's conclusion about the human nature left me a little sad. I am after all a hopeless dreamer and like Ringo will always hold onto the concepts of peace and love.

So, I'm done with reading the book. I thought the ending was quite nice. The third and fourth story were a heavy read.
And I didn't quite understand Willie's behavior. (view spoiler)[Was there a specific reason why he would use so many persona or was he just a little wacky from the war? (hide spoiler)]

A few comments. 1 - I thought the erotic scenes in "Hearts" were/are the most explicit and probably the best in any of Kings writing, adding empathy to a moment that is one of the very best in the lives of the characters (Pete and Carol.) 2 - At the very end of the book Carol mentions that she (view spoiler)[almost died in a fire in a house in LA (hide spoiler)] the is a reference to the Symbionese Liberation Army or SLA, and Carol is suggesting that she was a member of a group very much like them. If you don't know the events from the mid-seventies check it out on Wikipedia. It's fascinating. 3 - My thoughts on Willie's behavior is that he (view spoiler)[ was a little wacky from the war, but also never got over his involvement with Carol's beating. (hide spoiler)]

Nick wrote: "A few comments. 1 - I thought the erotic scenes in "Hearts" were/are the most explicit and probably the best in any of Kings writing, adding empathy to a moment that is one of the very best in the ..."

I agree, I think Willie (view spoiler)[just never got over the incident with Carol and that is what he was doing penance for (his journal writings). What I don’t understand is why he would spend all that money on two office spaces and all the elaborate disguises just to pan handle, (hide spoiler)]

I am almost finished.

I finished! I liked the ending and (view spoiler)[bringing it back around to Bobby and Carol and what happened to them (hide spoiler)]

Nancy wrote: "I finished! I liked the ending and [spoilers removed]"

I agree...

Hi My Fellow Uncle Stevie Readers,

I have completed my read of this month's book - "Hearts in Atlantis" and posted my review in the following link:

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

Please finish your own read before looking at my review. I tried to hold back on spoilers, but I have a lot of comments that make much more sense if you have finished your own read.

Also, when I first read this book when it was published in 1999, I really struggled to enjoy it. Now, over 20 years later I am still struggling with how I feel about it and I explore why in what is probably my longest and most wordy review. I am sure that it will probably spark lots of discussion. But then, that's what we are here, to discuss what we enjoy so much about King's writing...

Enjoy everyone.

Thanks and best wishes,

Scott.

Just finished the book. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I guess I missed it back when it came out, as I tend to believe I have read everything SK has written.

One interesting thing ( well to me at least) I found out. I initially started this book with an audiobook version. Part one went well with william Hurt doing the reading and I breezed through that section listening while doing the annual leaf cleanup and winter prep in the backyard. Halfway through part two I found I couldn’t absorb the story and switched to book form. I was having to go over sections multiple times. I haven’t fully concluded if it was the audiobook format or the story that didn’t hold my attention.

Russ

Scott wrote: "Hi My Fellow Uncle Stevie Readers,

I have completed my read of this month's book - "Hearts in Atlantis" and posted my review in the following link:

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

Hey Scott, loved your review. I thought you found the weaknesses in the work and called them out. I also thought you found the strengths and showed them to us.

I'll have my own review of this in a few days. This is my second read and, like you, I gave it 4 stars before and probably will again.

Interestingly enough, my summary of the stories, I think, will be quite different from yours. It's like I thought this book was about something else entirely: the maddening, destructive effects of violence. On the other hand I was please to see that you identified another theme which I had missed, the disillusionment of King's generation with its failures.

Standby.

wow... so i borrowed the audio book from my library. i had no idea these were short stories until i came here to comment.

Ok, i've read everyone's comments and spoilers. Like i mentioned, I listened to the audio book. The first part was read by William Hurt. He reads in such a sleepy voice, I wasn't sure if I would be able to listen or not but he gets so much better. Then Stephen King is reading. I thought the part were he begins is like an author's note, I didn't realize it was still part of the story. I thought this was his experience at college. So i'm not done with the book after all. With all this being said, I think this one did not translate so well to audio.
As for stories, (so far) it's not my favorite.

Latasha wrote: "i had no idea these were short stories until i came here to comment."

well, they are and they aren't; they're connected, and you miss out on a good deal of both the fun and the significance if you read them solely as "stories"

Jerry wrote: "Latasha wrote: "i had no idea these were short stories until i came here to comment."

well, they are and they aren't; they're connected, and you miss out on a good deal of both the fun and the si..."

ohhh ok. well i listened to it as a book.

Jerry wrote: "Latasha wrote: "i had no idea these were short stories until i came here to comment."

well, they are and they aren't; they're connected, and you miss out on a good deal of both the fun and the si..."

Right, Jerry. Again, I think of this as a novel, even though Low Men really is a stand alone. But Ted's story becomes almost tangential to the real developments that happen in that first story. It's what happens to Carol and Bobby that sets up ALL of the events in the stories that follow.

Latasha wrote: "Ok, i've read everyone's comments and spoilers. Like i mentioned, I listened to the audio book. The first part was read by William Hurt. He reads in such a sleepy voice, I wasn't sure if I would be..."

Funny, I thought the same thing, that Hurt got better in the first story, but maybe I just got used to him, and started to like him. I did like his reading of the fourth story. In fact that is such a strange dream-of-consciousness piece that I think his delivery helps the story make much more sense. Otherwise I agree with you on all counts about the audio, and I do think King does a poor job as a reader of this particular work.

Nick wrote: "Scott wrote: "Hi My Fellow Uncle Stevie Readers,

I have completed my read of this month's book - "Hearts in Atlantis" and posted my review in the following link:

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

Hi Nick,

I am not surprised. Our reviews tend to have a lot of parallel thoughts and perceptions. And I always appreciate your insights. This was a really tough book for me as I wrote in my review. I look forward to reading your review.

When I wrote my summaries, I purposely tried to keep them spoiler free and more of an book cover approach so that it didn't ruin anything for those who hadn't read the book yet. Not sure if that was a good idea or not... But what I really like is that this book in particular provides a lot of ground for discussion. There are so many ways to examine King's themes, discuss and debate them. This will be fun...

I agree that it's more like a novel. The funny thing about it is, that you only realize it at the end, where the shortest of all stories are. Then step by step the bigger picture reveals itself. So it's a little odd to read while you're at it and only afterwards when you think about it you suddenly start appreciating it.

I also keep wondering about the historical events behind the book. King mentions the failure if his generation and I keep wondering what could have gone differently to change the events for a better ending. I think this is a topic for all generations because when we are young most of all want to change society for the better but it's like fighting against windmills and progress is coming ever so slowly.

Umm... Sorry if this is in the wrong place guys but I need some help. What was written on the book Carol gave to Pete? What was the inscription? Because I think my book's broken... it says: "This is what I found in the white space on the title page: My eyes filled with sudden unexpected tears." and it goes on with the rest of the paragraph. I was so confused because it seems to be talking about Pete's reaction to the inscription, so I'm guessing my copy (which is digital btw) is messed up and missing that part..?

I haven't seen the movie version - does it cover the whole book or just the first story? Is it worth watching?

Helena wrote: "Umm... Sorry if this is in the wrong place guys but I need some help. What was written on the book Carol gave to Pete? What was the inscription? Because I think my book's broken... it says: "This i..."

It was a hand-drawn equation: A heart with an arrow through it, plus, a peace sign, equals, the word information (eg: pierced heart PLUS peace sign EQUALS information.)

Not sure where you are in the book. If you are only on the second story then I'll leave it at that.

Thank you Nick!