Stephen King has Jumped the Shark

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:21 pm

This is the book that's done it. Lisey's Story. I've gotten through 20 pages and decided that Stephen King has passed on into the realm of self importance that has rendered his books utterly unreadable.

Done.
Fini.

And glad I didn't buy it.

He's pulled out every Kingism in his repertoire from 'pet names' for his characters to imagined conversations, 'tantalizing' hints at what is happening, mid-paragraph changes in time/place.

I have better things to read, and more cogent authors to spend my time with. I'm sure there are King fans who'll love it, but this copy is going back to the library tomorrow.

Tyg

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:04 pm

I can't comment on Stephen King but I do congratulate you for deciding not to read a book that you have started. That is something I have a very hard time doing and I always end up kicking myself when I finish a bad book for the very reasons you give---I could have spent my time reading something much better and life is only so long.

Congratulations · Post by **Congratulations** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:06 pm

Cynth wrote:I can't comment on Stephen King but I do congratulate you for deciding not to read a book that you have started. That is something I have a very hard time doing and I always end up kicking myself when I finish a bad book for the very reasons you give---I could have spent my time reading something much better and life is only so long.

I have a policy: if I make it half way through a book and I don't enjoy reading it, I don't. I have done this with many books.

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:35 pm

I remember I quit reading his books about the time I was halfway thru It. No more.

It's unfortunate, since I rate The Shining and The Stand as 2 of my favorite reads of all time.

Anyway, I often quit books if I don't like them after a few chapters.

I am having a tough time getting through The Living Blood right now, and I am not sure I am going to stay with it.... anyone else out there reading that one?

There are lots of books out there. I no longer read stuff I don't like in the hopes that it will "get better" further on into the story...

M

Post by **Nanohedron** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:42 pm

Christine was the death knell for me. That and those that followed seemed wooden and formulaic. The Stand, however, was the exception.

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 6:55 pm

Umm, does this mean we'll have to rescind his invitation to guest-author a chapter in our serial novel?

missy · Post by **missy** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:02 pm

I tried three times to read "It" - just couldn't do it.

I think I began to loose interest in his books with "Pet Cemetary". The book was going along great, kept my interest, and then it seemed like "Opps- we have 500 pages here, better end it NOW". So everyone dies and comes back to life, and the book ends!!!

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:02 pm

I've always preferred King's short stories to his full-length ones - with the exception of The Stand, which is on my all-time favorites list too.

I used to have a hard time not finishing a book I started, but I have gotten much better at it. Now I have no problem just putting it down, or sometimes throwing it against the wall. With 100 or so books in my to-be-read pile (really a bookcase) I always have something else to read.....

Tril Bluejacket · Post by **Tril Bluejacket** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:48 pm

It would have been better - well, lots shorter, anyway - had King not typed every syllable of the stuttering child's dialogue. (That was in It, wasn't it?)

Can anyone explain the turtle? I never did get what the turtle was about.

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:12 am

Tyghress wrote:This is the book that's done it. Lisey's Story. I've gotten through 20 pages and decided that Stephen King has passed on into the realm of self importance that has rendered his books utterly unreadable.

Done.
Fini.

And glad I didn't buy it.

He's pulled out every Kingism in his repertoire from 'pet names' for his characters to imagined conversations, 'tantalizing' hints at what is happening, mid-paragraph changes in time/place.

I have better things to read, and more cogent authors to spend my time with. I'm sure there are King fans who'll love it, but this copy is going back to the library tomorrow.

Tyg

Finished Lisey's Storey over the weekend...it's definately not his best effort, but my copy was a gift, and at the speed I read, I'm not out anything...

He's pulled out every Kingism in his repertoire

Would you rather he pulled out Hammettisms, Ruleisms, Robbisms, Connellyisms, Gonzoisms, Tolkienisms, Lovcraftisms, Adlerisms, Andrewsisms, Asimovisms, Crichtonisms, Cusslerisms, Baldwinisms, Cardisms, Koontzisms, Zindelisms, Wolfeisms, Williamsisms, Ellisisms, De Vriesisms, Brownisms of all sorts, or, heaven forbid, Hemingwayisms?

Kings books have been predictable (more or less) for decades (yet I still keep coming back, hmmm...

).
You's knew what you's was gettin' into!

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:16 am

I third "The Stand" and "The Shining" as two of my favorite novels. I also could not get through "It". My wife read it though.

I'd still like to read "The Cell" but I'm waiting for paperback.

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:44 pm

I've read most all of his stuff up until more recent novels, The Stand and The Shining being my favorites. I agree that the later books are not quiet as good as some of the earlier writings. I did read "It" but don't remember much. I think the last one I read was the Buick 8 book, and while it was entertaining, it was way too predictable.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:57 pm

Tyghress wrote:This is the book that's done it. Lisey's Story. I've gotten through 20 pages and decided that Stephen King has passed on into the realm of self importance that has rendered his books utterly unreadable.

Done.
Fini.

And glad I didn't buy it.

That's why I love the library. I don't buy fiction, period... I know the publishing industry hates me, but, oh well...

Post by **Nanohedron** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:06 am

Weeks, you are a parsimonious git. I'll bet you begrudge every tissue you pull out of the box.

By the way, I'd never encountered the phrase "jumping the shark" before. Sounds like a highly xtreme, to say nothing of illegal, romantic encounter.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:24 am

Nanohedron wrote:Weeks, you are a parsimonious git. I'll bet you begrudge every tissue you pull out of the box.

They say I am conservative, after all. I mean, really. You read it once, unless it's LITERATURE. And King ain't that, right??? I willingly, well, gladly, I mean, carefully, buy books on the subject of Calif. history. I have a lot too! Best part is, most are used!! Mwahahahaha.

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Stephen King has Jumped the Shark

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