2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Fairy Tale by Stephen King.

Pages: 608 pages

Length: 1 month (May)

Participants: Joan, Rebecca, Rachael

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Can't wait to start this!

I have just started this. My copy has illustrations at the beginning of each chapter which is kinda cool. Also, I like how Stephen King made reference to one of his own works in the eleventh section of chapter 1

This was one of mt favorite reads. I hope you love it.

Just finished Chapter 6. (view spoiler)[Not much fantasy yet, a lot of setting the scene. I'm interested to know where Howard got that gold from. (hide spoiler)]

Rachael wrote: "I have just started this. My copy has illustrations at the beginning of each chapter which is kinda cool. Also, I like how Stephen King made reference to one of his own works in the eleventh sectio..."

I'm jealous!

Up to Chapter 17 now. (view spoiler)[Just got into the fairy tale elements, very intriguing... (hide spoiler)]

Rachael wrote: "Up to Chapter 17 now. [spoilers removed]"

I was thinking there was a dragon in this story but as I read about it now I don't think so. I just now realized there was a dog on the cover and I only realized that after I read more about it. I'm not really that observant. And my book I noticed does have illustrations before each chapter.

I'm starting this one tonight or tomorrow. Trying to get a little further in 11/22/63 before I start this one. I finally broke page 500 and trying to get to part 5 today. It's really good. I'm just taking my time with it.

I started the book several weeks ago and keep picking it up at intervals. I like the tension around the shed and the character of the old man. I am on page 30.

I really like the style of writing that sets King apart from other authors.

The illustrations at the start of each chapter are encouraging ad I like to see the next one so that also drives me to continue reading.

Is it okay that I'm so far behind some people?

It’s definitely okay to be behind, Emily. I haven’t even started it yet, and it will likely be at least a week before I do start. 😊

I've finished this book. I enjoyed it and will discuss it more with you when you've read more

I've started it. I've only read the first chapter so far and it's flowing nicely.

Rachael wrote: "Just finished Chapter 6. [spoilers removed]"

Rachael - I just read through Chapter 6. I'm right there with you on the comments.

(view spoiler)[I'm enjoying the relationship with Charlie and Mr. Bowditch. He certainly is taking his time to set it up but I guess I wouldn't expect anything less from King. It says right in the summary that Mr. Bowditch is going to die and I'm kind of guessing that might happen over the gold but I guess I'll see. (hide spoiler)]

I'm definitely enjoying it so far. King's writing flows so easily for me. There is any going back for me and trying to decipher something. Reading his books are effortless for me. I listened to his book On Writing this year and he narrated it. Now when I read his books most of the time it is his voice in my head as the narrator.

Hi all,

Hopefully it's not too late for me to join in? :). I've had this book waiting on my shelf for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to read with you all!

Rina wrote: "Hi all,

Hopefully it's not too late for me to join in? :). I've had this book waiting on my shelf for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to read with you all!"

It's never too late!

I've read through chapter 13

(view spoiler)[He is finally beginning the journey in the world in the well. It was a long set up which I would normally mind but reading King is easy. It just flows and I don't mind the long set up. I'm interested to see what happens. I have a feeling the haha guy will be back somewhere. (hide spoiler)]

I've read through chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ I'm kind of bored with the dungeon part. I miss Radar. (hide spoiler)]

I finished reading it yesterday. I rated it 4 stars but that was probably rounded up from a 3.5

(view spoiler)[I thought the part in the dungeon dragged on. And I was annoyed that all he had to do was yell at the monster in the well and then it went away. I mean I read over 500 pages for him to yell at a monster and it be done. He did kill a lot of things up to that point. I did like how throwing the water at the night soldiers killed them and sent their bones flying.

I loved the relationships in the book and I loved how he tied it all up. I loved that Radar was fine in the end. That part stressed me out. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to chapter 24! The 'adventure' once he reached the Dungeon was definitely unexpected for me. But then again, I didn't really have any clear expectation of where the story would go. I was happy to just consume whatever Stephen King presented haha.

I found a potential 'mistake'.
(view spoiler)[Did anyone else notice that Charlie initially said the word 'miles' didn't come out of his mouth, which led him to believe that it wasn't a concept recognisable in Empis. But then shortly after Claudia said her house was 'four miles' away! (hide spoiler)]

I finished on 31 May. I really enjoyed the book!

Rina wrote: "I finished on 31 May. I really enjoyed the book!"

I'm glad you liked it. I rated it 4 stars but the dungeon part dragged on for me. I thought he ended it how he should have.