Stephen King.

[jplpool]

Often unfairly labelled a 'Horror writer,' King is probably the best author of the last forty years. He's certainly the most successful.

His novels, ranging from the seven part epic "The Dark Tower"[originally conceptually inspired by the notion of crossing "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" with "The Lord Of The Rings"] to  "The Shining," "Carrie" and "IT" explore many a dark theme. And everybody is aware of his classic horrors such as Salem's Lot.

"Sai" King [as he's known by fans,] however, is far more than a horror writer.

We are talking about the guy who wrote a short story that became the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" [Story name: Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemtion.]

The guy who wrote  "The Green Mile"

Ever seen a film called "Stand By Me" ? ...Yep, you guessed it, another King short story [story name: "The Body."]

He wrote "The Running Man" under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman.

None of them are regarded by his fans to be his greatest work though, that honour goes to "The Stand."

And all of that, is just scratching the surface.

Hail the King.

What's your favourite novel or story?

[Max_Power]

Or a talentless hack. the only reason he wrote a few good novels due to the sheer amount of books he craps out, statistically speaking he's bound to write a gook book here or there..

[jplpool]

 

King is anything but talentless you plumb.

His millions upon millions of fans don't lie. He earned it the hard way. There's not much bullshit attached to media coverage of adult fiction writers. The guy left school and became a teacher. His success is down to his work...End of story [no pun intended.]

[Max_Power]

The same group of "fans" that buys Dan Brown novels.

[jplpool]

The same group of "fans" that buys Dan Brown novels.

He's been massive since the 70's and he's got far more talent than Dan 'plagiarise a conspiracy theory' Brown, you tool.

Go read some comic books.

[Max_Power]

Yes, because "Langoliers" is truly a testament to the written language

[jplpool]

One short story? Is that the best you've got? I don't know if you know this, but Short stories are not meant to have much character development amongst other things.

What else have you read of his? wanna give a more accurate critique? Discuss some themes? I'm all ears.

[Max_Power]

Greenmile: meh, generic melodrama
Shawshank redemption: movie was better
Firestarter: boring, as is with any of his horror novels
Misery: only one i kind of liked
The shining: only recognized because of kubrick's movie which was ten times better

Fact of the matter is: for every half decent novel stephen king writes, there is about 10 shitty novels

[jplpool]

 

That's the most pathetic pile of crap I've ever known anybody to take eighteen  minutes to write.

The shining: only recognized because of kubrick's movie which was ten times better

  Pathetic. Where did Kubrik recognise it? Up his arse?

Firestarter: boring, as is with any of his horror novels

Can't comment, I haven't read it.

Misery: only one I kind of liked

  The only one you've listed where the movie actually is better. Having to read through all the chapters of what the author is being forced to write is painful.

Greenmile: meh, generic melodrama

I'd say it was pretty fucking ace for a series of short stories.

Fact of the matter is: for every half decent novel stephen king writes, there is about 10 shitty novels

He's wrote some shite, but he's wrote far more good stuff. Judging by your amateur effort at exploring themes and constructing critque, I'm not sure you're up for this debate Max.

[RoboAxl]

The Shining film is pretty much universally regarded as superior to the book (despite King hating it, if I recall correctly) so he has you there.

I don't know much of King outside of that. I read a few books of his books as a teen and the Dark Tower series is my next big venture but my knowledge is sorely lacking.

[jplpool]

Nonsense. As great a movie as it was, the only thing it added as an improvement, was the use of the axe instead of the mallett, and the maze scene.

As with 99% of movies adapted from literature, it's inferior.

The history surrounding the hotel is poor, there's no in-depth analysis of the hotel being a gateway, or why it's an evil place; it's like all movies....It just is an eil place, take it on face value.

Universally? by whom? your average adult fiction fan?

I was mainly laughing at his "only recognised because" comment. How the fuck did it become a major movie production then?

[Max_Power]

More people have seen the movie than read the book, q.e.d.

King is a hack, he's to literature what chuck lorre is to tv

[Max_Power]

Stephen king wrote probably 100+ books including short stories. Given that hes got like 5 good stories, thats at most a 5% of his works are readable

[jplpool]

More people have seen the movie than read the book, q.e.d.

And I'd imagine more people watched The Lord of The Rings movies than have read the books. Are you gonna claim them to be superior than tolkeins prose? Silly and irrelevant point.

King is a hack, he's to literature what chuck lorre is to tv

You've provided zero credible insight here, nor any knowledge of his work; only irrelevant soundbites.

[jplpool]

Stephen king wrote probably 100+ books including short stories. Given that hes got like 5 good stories, thats at most a 5% of his works are readable

And you've read them all have you? bollocks. Stop talking out of your arse max.