Some thoughts on Stephen King:
He really is a good writer. I usually hate superfluous writing. I hate it when writers drone on and on about the scenery or weather or how a particular color of a blade of grass reminds them of a lime they once ate. Bor-ing! King though, while he's certainly not stingy with the words, really manages to suck you in. And his metaphors are some of the most creative and unique that I've seen. They're not just interesting though, they really describe the scene in a way that makes you know exactly what he's trying to make you envision. You can picture each character clearly. Know what their voice sounds like. Know what kind of home they live in. All without the overly flowery language that some writers fall prey to.
But - and here's the hitch - his interests definitely sway to the dark side (as if you didn't know that already). He doesn't pull punches when talking about violence, or disease. All that stuff I said about making you feel like you're there? It's not always not a pretty scene. I had a hard time with this book (and even parts of Under The Dome) just because my gag reflex kicked in a bit (TMI? sorry). It can be gross.
I really wish he would use his powers for good, instead of evil.
Luckily though, at least in the case of this book, the grossness doesn't last forever. If you can make it through the beginning of this book (which to be fair, for such a long book the "beginning" is about 300 pages...) you'll be welcomed with not quite so gag-worthy reading. And here is where I bury the lead and say, I really liked this book.
The basic premise of The Stand: Expanded Edition
is this: Horrible superflu virus is released, killing 99.5% of the world's population. The survivors of the virus, known as "Captain Trips," are compelled to one of two growing populations - good or evil. All sorts of supernatural stuff ensues.
I don't see it mentioned much in the summaries of this book that I've read online, but there is a strong God vs. The Devil theme in this book. I'm not religious, so when I first started reading it I was turned off, but in the end I didn't mind it at all. If you're like me (a non-religious type) I think it's easy to read the God vs. Devil themes as Good vs. Evil, or the clash between man's instincts to come together and lift each other up vs. take down/control the other guy to benefit yourself. However you look at it, I think King did a good job of illustrating his take on the constant struggle between good and bad.
But still, the dog was my favorite part of the book. No surprise there.
He really is a good writer. I usually hate superfluous writing. I hate it when writers drone on and on about the scenery or weather or how a particular color of a blade of grass reminds them of a lime they once ate. Bor-ing! King though, while he's certainly not stingy with the words, really manages to suck you in. And his metaphors are some of the most creative and unique that I've seen. They're not just interesting though, they really describe the scene in a way that makes you know exactly what he's trying to make you envision. You can picture each character clearly. Know what their voice sounds like. Know what kind of home they live in. All without the overly flowery language that some writers fall prey to.
But - and here's the hitch - his interests definitely sway to the dark side (as if you didn't know that already). He doesn't pull punches when talking about violence, or disease. All that stuff I said about making you feel like you're there? It's not always not a pretty scene. I had a hard time with this book (and even parts of Under The Dome) just because my gag reflex kicked in a bit (TMI? sorry). It can be gross.
I really wish he would use his powers for good, instead of evil.
Luckily though, at least in the case of this book, the grossness doesn't last forever. If you can make it through the beginning of this book (which to be fair, for such a long book the "beginning" is about 300 pages...) you'll be welcomed with not quite so gag-worthy reading. And here is where I bury the lead and say, I really liked this book.
This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.
And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.
The basic premise of The Stand: Expanded Edition
is this: Horrible superflu virus is released, killing 99.5% of the world's population. The survivors of the virus, known as "Captain Trips," are compelled to one of two growing populations - good or evil. All sorts of supernatural stuff ensues.I don't see it mentioned much in the summaries of this book that I've read online, but there is a strong God vs. The Devil theme in this book. I'm not religious, so when I first started reading it I was turned off, but in the end I didn't mind it at all. If you're like me (a non-religious type) I think it's easy to read the God vs. Devil themes as Good vs. Evil, or the clash between man's instincts to come together and lift each other up vs. take down/control the other guy to benefit yourself. However you look at it, I think King did a good job of illustrating his take on the constant struggle between good and bad.
But still, the dog was my favorite part of the book. No surprise there.
What to see what I'm reading next? Check me out on Goodreads.com.
I've been a King fan since he first scared the hell out of me when I was 12 and read 'Salem's Lot. A lot of people have criticized his style over the years, but I happen to think he's a good writer and that The Stand is among his best work.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite lines, that I can still remember all these years later: "M-O-O-N ... that spells Tom Cullen." :-)
I loved this book. I read it the first time when it first came out (a million years ago) then I read it again a couple of years ago. I am not one of those people that reads a book and can tell you everything that happened, so I am able to re-read it and still be entertained.
ReplyDeleteIt was made into a mini series, if you don't already know that, and I think they did a pretty good job.
The Gunslinger series is also great. Very different from most of his writing, but it includes things from most of his previous work.
I'm the same way about books (movies too) - I can usually read things a couple times before I "get" everything and get bored with it. The Stand was so long I'm sure I could read it ten times before catching everything ;) I didn't know it was a miniseries, I'll have to check that out.
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