I would like to add that the book was far scarier than the movie-- and for many of the reasons you cited. The movie just made Jack nuts, the book made him evil.
I do think you missed a point here. In 1977, Stephen King was an alcoholic writer with a tenuous grasp on family life. Jack Torrence, in many aspects, *is* Stephen King. You know, before King got hit by a car and decided to put himself in his own story.
I also think the entire concept of the Breakers in the Dark Tower arena was an excellent idea that was sort of lost over time. It's in the Talisman, it's in the DT series, and it's resolution is weak. Unfortunately, like much of King's writing post-accident.
Question - What *is* your required King reading list? Let's limit it to five books. I'd go with Carrie(it started it all), The Stand(his greatest work), Misery(the transition book to psychological horror), The Shining(for obvious reasons) and It(the peak of his books focusing on the power of children). Also in the discussion - Pet Semetery, possibly Cujo, and one of the collection of short stories? I don't consider the DT series in here, as it's really it's own beast.
The Stand - epic, awesome from one end to the other IT - I see it more as the power of friendship, m'self Insomnia - for making being old cool again Eyes of the Dragon - because it's so different, and it's good to see an author try new things Tommyknockers.... Just kidding. Needful Things - "Sandy Koufax sucks." BANG! Plus it underscores the dangers inherent in runaway consumerism. And evil sorcerers.
For short stories/novellas, I'd have to put in Rage, The Long Walk, The Body, The Ten O'Clock People, My Pretty Pony....
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I agree with your whole review. *thumbs up*
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I do think you missed a point here. In 1977, Stephen King was an alcoholic writer with a tenuous grasp on family life. Jack Torrence, in many aspects, *is* Stephen King. You know, before King got hit by a car and decided to put himself in his own story.
I also think the entire concept of the Breakers in the Dark Tower arena was an excellent idea that was sort of lost over time. It's in the Talisman, it's in the DT series, and it's resolution is weak. Unfortunately, like much of King's writing post-accident.
Question - What *is* your required King reading list? Let's limit it to five books. I'd go with Carrie(it started it all), The Stand(his greatest work), Misery(the transition book to psychological horror), The Shining(for obvious reasons) and It(the peak of his books focusing on the power of children). Also in the discussion - Pet Semetery, possibly Cujo, and one of the collection of short stories? I don't consider the DT series in here, as it's really it's own beast.
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As for my King Canon, hmm...
The Stand - epic, awesome from one end to the other
IT - I see it more as the power of friendship, m'self
Insomnia - for making being old cool again
Eyes of the Dragon - because it's so different, and it's good to see an author try new things
Tommyknockers.... Just kidding.
Needful Things - "Sandy Koufax sucks." BANG! Plus it underscores the dangers inherent in runaway consumerism. And evil sorcerers.
For short stories/novellas, I'd have to put in Rage, The Long Walk, The Body, The Ten O'Clock People, My Pretty Pony....
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Needful Things - it's been awhile, and I enjoyed it, but never enough to go back.
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