Strictly real horror discussion

So I went to my local bookstore this afternoon to get Firestarter, but unfortunately they didn't have any copies in stock and had to order it for me. Instead, I decided to get The Shining since you both recommended it so highly and because I needed something to read in the meantime!
Anyway, I read this in the author's introduction and thought it would be interesting if everyone gave their thoughts:
"I believe these stories exist because we sometimes need to create unreal monsters and bogies to stand in for all the things we fear inour real lives: the parent who punches instead of kissing, the auto accident that takes a loved one, the cancer we one day discover living in our own bodies...The ghost story, the horror story, the uncanny tale- all of these are such filters. The man or woman who insists there are no ghosts is only ignoring the whispers of his or her own heart, and how cruel that seems to me."

Yeah, thats pretty much true, I cant remember where I read it, but HP Lovecraft said something simular.

It's interesting that so many people want to label Stephen King's work as horror. Only a portion of it is. Books like 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, Cycle of the Werewolf, Christine, and a few others are horror. Firestarter isn't horror. Pyrokenisis fits more into science fiction. Same with the telekenesis in Carrie. IT is pure sci-fi (Pennywise is a mental projection of a giant alien spider). The Tommyknockers and the Cell are also SF. The Stand, The Green Mile, and the Dark Tower series are fantasy. Misery is suspense, as is Apt Pupil.

And so on.

And yet, because each of these books speaks to something that we fear (death, disease, loss of personality, etc.) we collectively view them as 'horror'.

And, I agree with that view.

Rebekah wrote: "So I went to my local bookstore this afternoon to get Firestarter, but unfortunately they didn't have any copies in stock and had to order it for me. Instead, I decided to get The Shining since you..."

I had never heard of that quote. Thanks. Really makes you think!

THE SHINING is a great book. If you saw the movie, you may be surprised, because it is pretty different, but I think it is much much better. And I love the movie! I'm jealous that you're reading it for the first time. I love reading a great book, and nothing beats the first reading.

Michelle wrote: "THE SHINING is a great book. If you saw the movie, you may be surprised, because it is pretty different, but I think it is much much better. And I love the movie! I'm jealous that you're reading..."

Thanks Michelle. I absolutely loved it and I was sad when I finished it. I have the movie - I've had it over a week now - I am waiting til I'm not alone in the house to watch it!! LOL

Hahaha...that's not how I would have reacted, Shaun, but I'm glad you had a good time. Haha. I would have freaked out if I thought someone was watching me in the night. Not a fun way to wake up!

Rebekah the book was awesome right? I hope you have Kubrick's version the one with Jack Nicholson, & Shelley Duvall. There's a few things that are different, but it doesn't really hurt the movie. This movie rocks. I think Kubrick got it right, & it should never have been redone.

Lori wrote: " Rebekah the book was awesome right? I hope you have Kubrick's version the one with Jack Nicholson, & Shelley Duvall. There's a few things that are different, but it doesn't really hurt the movie. ..."

I did watch Kubrick's version, yes. Actually I didn't knwo there was a remake! I liked it very much. I thought it was artfully done and over all a great, SCARY movie. The book was much more complex and so I think that, at first, I was disappointed because some of my favorite parts didn't appear on screen or didn't appear as I had envisioned them. I watched the movie only about a week or so after I finished the book, so everything was very fresh in my mind.
Now that some time has passed, I can appreciate the book and the film each for its own merit rather than compare them.

Glad you enjoyed them. I don't recommend the remake, it sucks.

Lets say 50/50 and leave it at that.

Lori wrote: " Lets say 50/50 and leave it at that."

LOL discussions are good Lori! I really appreciated Rob's comment because it's something I hadn't realized as I watched the movie. He makes an excellent observation.

control+c, control+v are your copy and paste friends rob.

Rebekah, It's all fun and games till someone gets hurt. If I stick with Rob on The Shining again, hell we both might get burned again. LOL No thank you. I've said about all I can & dare to on The Shining. It's a great book, and Kubrick got it right the first time around. Just don't waste your time on the remake, like I said it sucks.

I will skip the remake, Lori, thanks! :)

Your Welcome!!

Rob wrote: "But the remake is closer to the book! ;)"

yes, yes it is...slowly backing away now :)

King prefers the remake as well.

Well who ask him?

Rob, stop trying to start a debate on this subject. You know damn well you liked Kubrick's movie better!

turning to walk away now.....;)

Side note here.
I saw him in Sarasota a couple months ago. He related asking Tabitha what she thought about vamps in NYC (he was working out the Salem's Lot storyline at the time) She said nah, they'd get run down by a taxi.
He then said well, how bout a small town in New England?
bOOOOOOOOOOOlllllllllyaaaaaaa

Rob wrote: "Haha! Yeah! Who asked Stephen King?!? What does HE know about The Shining?"

Yeah Rob just thinks all the world loves a smart ass! :)