Too chicken to read Stephen King . . .

[Andrea Pearson, Author]

I've been seeing a lot about Stephen King across the boards lately. And I have to confess to something . . .

I've never read anything by him. I'm too chicken to do it. Even when it's made seriously easy for me (as in, my neighbor trying to force me to borrow The Shining and me saying no).

It's not that I can't handle a good thriller - Michael Crichton's books made up my high school experience - I read every single one I could get my hands on before the age of 16. I just don't know about the horror side. The only horror stories I've read lately have been HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. Oh, and I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. I know, I know, they're not even close to King's books.

That said, I've been considering taking the dip. Is it worth it? Anyone else out there who was too chicken to try his books, did it anyway, and found they really enjoyed them? (And didn't have nightmares for months afterwards? . . . 'Course, maybe that's the point. )

[michaelabayomi]

Hey Andrea,

I confess that I was in your very same position until quite recently. I remember trying to read Cujo as a kid, and never making it past the first page, even though I'd already seen the movie (which was scary as hell by the way). But I've always loved the movie adaptations of his books, especially Carrie and The Shining.

Stephen King writes in various genres, not just horror. I'm currently reading 11/22/63 at the moment, which is a sci-fi novel about time travel. The first book by him that I completely read was a non-fiction book called On Writing, which is an autobiography of sorts. It also contains valuable tips about the writing process, which is a must read for all writers. It was after reading that book that I decided to give his fiction a try. I haven't had one nightmare ever since... (yet. )

[Bleekness]

Yes there are a few King books that aren't really scary. Just pick one and work your way into it. Course, I might not be the best one to suggest which books are best suited to this (I'm pretty much desensitized to his stuff now).

Like Michael said--On Writing is great for the info a writer should know, but it's part biography as well and quite interesting to read about his life and "start."

The Eyes of the Dragon-- was written for his kids I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
The Green Mile
The Girl who loved Tom Gordon
Blaze (writing as Bachman--his pen name)


I also want to suggest Different Seasons because two stories in there "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" and  "The Body" were made into well received movies. "Apt Pupil" is more creepy I think, and I can't remember much about "The Breathing Method" so it might not be so good.

"The Long Walk" is my favourite Bachman book (King's pen name) but bloody.

Anyway, there you go.

[Colin Taber]

A short and punchy King read would be Carrie, and I don't think I ever thought of it as scary - perhaps because you kind of know where it's all going.

Another great read from him, but about 4 times as long with moments of chills is The Stand. If you want an end of the world epic, then try this.

Still too chicken?

Try his On Writing which has been previously mentioned. You'll get a great taste for his conversational and so easy to read style in the half of the book that tells the tale of how he got to where he is today.

[R. M. Reed]

Hearts in Atlantis is not a horror novel, exactly. It's mostly about college kids in the early 1960's.
Dolores Claiborne is about a woman who lives her whole life on a small island and works for the summer visitors. There is a murder but it's not really horrific.

[Bleekness]

"Dolores Claiborne" was pretty good--I'd forgotten about that one.

[Elizabeth Black]

I've been seeing a lot about Stephen King across the boards lately. And I have to confess to something . . .

I've never read anything by him. I'm too chicken to do it. Even when it's made seriously easy for me (as in, my neighbor trying to force me to borrow The Shining and me saying no).

It's not that I can't handle a good thriller - Michael Crichton's books made up my high school experience - I read every single one I could get my hands on before the age of 16. I just don't know about the horror side. The only horror stories I've read lately have been HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. Oh, and I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. I know, I know, they're not even close to King's books.

That said, I've been considering taking the dip. Is it worth it? Anyone else out there who was too chicken to try his books, did it anyway, and found they really enjoyed them? (And didn't have nightmares for months afterwards? . . . 'Course, maybe that's the point. )

I've always been partial to "Carrie" because I could identify so much with Carrie White as a picked-on teenager. The book is more about her treatment by her peers than outright horror in my opinion. I found her treatment to be more horrific than her ability to move objects with her mind. I think that's a good book to start with if you're itching to get your feet wet with Stephen King.

Try his short story collections. "Skeleton Crew" was especially good. Maybe taking King is smaller doses could work for you.

[KindleGirl]

I haven't read "Misery" but I saw the movie and I didn't think that one was too scary. Good, but wouldn't make me sleep with the lights on or anything. I did read "The Shining" since we visited the Stanley Hotel a couple summers ago....again, it was good but not real scary to me. Others have found that one scary though.

[Andrea Pearson, Author]

Oh, wow. Yay for suggestions! 11/22/63 sounds great, as do the others - I had no idea he wrote anything but horror. And I'd heard of his writing book - I may even have purchased it and will have to dig around to see if that's true. If not, I need to own it.

Wasn't Carrie his first published book? I know he shopped around for a while and had a couple of novels rejected before handing that one over. I feel bad for the publishers who rejected him.

[MichelleR]

I've been seeing a lot about Stephen King across the boards lately. And I have to confess to something . . .

I've never read anything by him. I'm too chicken to do it. Even when it's made seriously easy for me (as in, my neighbor trying to force me to borrow The Shining and me saying no).

It's not that I can't handle a good thriller - Michael Crichton's books made up my high school experience - I read every single one I could get my hands on before the age of 16. I just don't know about the horror side. The only horror stories I've read lately have been HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. Oh, and I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. I know, I know, they're not even close to King's books.

That said, I've been considering taking the dip. Is it worth it? Anyone else out there who was too chicken to try his books, did it anyway, and found they really enjoyed them? (And didn't have nightmares for months afterwards? . . . 'Course, maybe that's the point. )

I think the mere fact that you've not read him because you think he'll be too scary might work in your favor -- because you've built it up so much in your mind. Stephen King has written before about how what we imagine in our minds is always going to be scarier than any reality could be.

I've read King all my life and no long term nightmares. I think he's reinforced a few fears, like clowns, and, oh, clowns. Also clowns. Child vampires floating outside windows. Zombie pets. (You know, the usual) I think you'll be okay, though.

As mentioned, he doesn't just write horror -- for instance (Rita Hayworth) and the Shawshank Redemption. His latest, and I can't say too much since haven't reviewed it yet, is more scifi, and has a very strong and present love story.  (11/22/63.) I think he gets into your head, but it's not always to scare you.

[Andrea Pearson, Author]

I think the mere fact that you've not read him because you think he'll be too scary might work in your favor -- because you've built it up so much in your mind. Stephen King has written before about how what we imagine in our minds is always going to be scarier than any reality could be.

I've read King all my life and no long term nightmares. I think he's reinforced a few fears, like clowns, and, oh, clowns. Also clowns. Child vampires floating outside windows. Zombie pets. (You know, the usual) I think you'll be okay, though.

As mentioned, he doesn't just write horror -- for instance (Rita Hayworth) and the Shawshank Redemption. His latest, and I can't say too much since haven't reviewed it yet, is more scifi, and has a very strong and present love story.  (11/22/63.) I think he gets into your head, but it's not always to scare you.

Ha ha! Great points.

Oh, and how do you feel about clowns?

[MichelleR]

Wasn't Carrie his first published book? I know he shopped around for a while and had a couple of novels rejected before handing that one over. I feel bad for the publishers who rejected him.

He'd tossed Carrie into the trash. His wife fished it out and told him there was something to it and that he ought to pursue it. Can you imagine?

He freely admits he owes a lot to his wife. There were some tough times, financially, and he said if she'd ever told him it was time to hang up the writing and go get a night job to help cover the bills, he would have. She considered writing to be his job, though. And, again, she fished Carrie out of the trash.

[Bleekness]

I feel bad for the publishers who rejected him. Smiley

I don't. 

[MichelleR]

Oh, and how do you feel about clowns?

When I was a very little girl, the guy who lived downstairs, who seemed to be about 7 feet tall, was a firefighter who played a clown for, oh, charitable events, I guess. This was at a time when people could spank each other's kids. So, I was raised by women, and there was this giant clown with a big, booming voice, who'd shoot cats,* and who spanked me at least once.

And, as scary as the book version was, you then have Tim Curry in the miniseries. ::shudder:: Two words: They float!

Female cat in heat showed up to try to lure our cat. Her sounds of seduction were not appreciated. He shot her. However, my cat then had it in for him, and would wait for him at the top of the stairs. So, scary clown or not, he would call up and make sure Norman was in our apartment.

[Andrea Pearson, Author]

When I was a very little girl, the guy who lived downstairs, who seemed to be about 7 feet tall, was a firefighter who played a clown for, oh, charitable events, I guess. This was at a time when people could spank each other's kids. So, I was raised by women, and there was this giant clown with a big, booming voice, who'd shoot cats,* and who spanked me at least once.

And, as scary as the book version was, you then have Tim Curry in the miniseries. ::shudder:: Two words: They float!

Female cat in heat showed up to try to lure our cat. Her sounds of seduction were not appreciated. He shot her. However, my cat then had it in for him, and would wait for him at the top of the stairs. So, scary clown or not, he would call up and make sure Norman was in our apartment.

Oh, wow! Go Norman! :-) And I never had any bad experiences with clowns - thank goodness - but my husband sure did! He used to be absolutely terrified of them.

It sounds like Stephen King made a great choice when he married his wife.

[Ann in Arlington]

I'm not afraid of clowns.  I just never got the point.  Don't find physical humor all that funny, which seems to be most of what they do. 

[Harry Shannon]

Another vote for Different Seasons, just skip "The Breathing Method" if you get queasy 

[Andrea Pearson, Author]

I'm not afraid of clowns.  I just never got the point.  Don't find physical humor all that funny, which seems to be most of what they do. 

I never liked or disliked them. Thought they were stupid.

Another vote for Different Seasons, just skip "The Breathing Method" if you get queasy 

Thanks! I'm guessing this breathing method is well noted and I'll know when to start skipping?

[R. M. Reed]

Thanks! I'm guessing this breathing method is well noted and I'll know when to start skipping?

It's one of four stories in that book, so it's easy to skip. I don't even remember that one, though I do remember the other three.

[bordercollielady]

If you don't like scary books - you should definitely read "11-22-63"..   it isn't scary at all - but a fascinating trip through time.   Before this book - my favorite King book was "Salem's Lot" - but I wouldn't recommend that for the faint of heart.

[DYB]

Yes, as some people have pointed out, not all of King is horror.  Some of his books are just thrillers.  Like "Misery," which is spectacular.

[busy91]

AS others pointed out 11/22/63 is a good place to start.
I liked "The Long Walk" this is more of a thriller.  And I thought "The Green Mile" and "The Shawshank Redemption" were two very good books that didn't have the horror of his other books.

[mistyd107]

I1/22/63 is my going to be  first read of 2012 but I am one that loves The Green Mile.  Not Scary at all but an amazing book

[jwest]

I've been seeing a lot about Stephen King across the boards lately. And I have to confess to something . . .

I've never read anything by him. I'm too chicken to do it. Even when it's made seriously easy for me (as in, my neighbor trying to force me to borrow The Shining and me saying no).

It's not that I can't handle a good thriller - Michael Crichton's books made up my high school experience - I read every single one I could get my hands on before the age of 16. I just don't know about the horror side. The only horror stories I've read lately have been HP Lovecraft and Robert E Howard. Oh, and I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. I know, I know, they're not even close to King's books.

That said, I've been considering taking the dip. Is it worth it? Anyone else out there who was too chicken to try his books, did it anyway, and found they really enjoyed them? (And didn't have nightmares for months afterwards? . . . 'Course, maybe that's the point. )

Hi Andrea,

I know what you mean, but don't be afraid to take the plunge!! Come to the dark side...ha ha! He really is an amazing writer. If you are worried about being scared, he actually has a few novels that aren't that scary.

My all-time favorite is The Talisman. There are some scary moments in there, but overall the story is amazing. It's about a young boy trying to save his mother. You should check it out

[Lursa (aka 9MMare)]

I answered in the other thread:

I've rarely found King's books that scary, except maybe for The Shining and Salem's Lot. I hear IT is very scary but that one just kind of bored me...I know I read it but remember almost nothing of it.

I'm probably not the regular King reader tho, as I dont even care for Horror....I just find him to be a good storyteller.

Both The Shining and Salem's Lot were excellent books tho.

My favorite is The Stand....I'd love it without the paranormal aspect and dont really think that part of it was very scary.

But Misery & The Green Mile & the short for The Shawshank Redemption are all very good too and not scary. (As others have all recommended) The Dead Zone is good too and I didnt think particularly scary at all.