I agree. I'm almost through it and dig most of the stories. I've read that most didn't care for Blockade Billy but I really liked the story. But I dig most of King's short stuff so......Originally Posted by pablo
It's King's short fiction, he always nails it, in my opinion, and this one has some great straight fiction pieces like Batman and Robin Have an Altercation.
You don't know my kind.....You don't my mind.....Dark necessities are part of my design.....
I've never had a taste for King's short stories. His novellas are fine, but the shorter they are, I find the more they are lacking. I can only think of a handful of short stories from him I really, really liked, with Dolan's Cadillac, The End of the Whole Mess, and Survivor Type being three of them. Most of them are pretty forgettable to me. That's why I own most of his short story collections yet haven't read any to completion.
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I think BoBD is his weakest collection. If you read it after Night Shift or Skeleton Crew or even Nightmares & Dreamscapes, it becomes pretty clear. There are some gems there for sure but yeah, mostly forgettable.
You're right about reading it at the "right" time. There are some I've not enjoyed, but wondered if the mood just wasn't right at the time (of course, I'm not gonna risk it by trying to reread it either.Abso-freaking-lutely.I mean, don't you guys think it's fair to say that more than 50% of classics are overrated?
There's a lot of classics where I genuinely don't understand why people like them, but with others I guess there's something to be said for not reading them at the "right time." Also, I have found that my opinion of some has changed upon re-reads. Loved 1984 the first time around (high school), didn't love it as much the second (college); HATED Brave New World the first time (high school), really enjoyed it the second time (college).
But Pride and Prejudice? No way.The Scarlet Letter is the book that taught me that life is too short to spend it reading a book that is torture.) Some books came along at the perfect time and I ended up loving them in ways I can't explain. I think I read William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying at some perfect moment in time because it ended up being one of my favorite books. I finished it, then immediately turned around and reread it to try to understand what is was about it that I loved so much. But then I tried reading other William Faulkner books and wasn't very moved by them.
I have to say that I did try to read Jane Austen one time and ended up quitting about 5 pages into the book. Once again, life is too short!
What Jane Austen book did you try?
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
I love Faulkner, As I Lay Dying, The Sound and the Fury and Light in August are my favorites.
I have to finish reading The Sound and The Fury. I'm about halfway through it. I'm enjoying it so far, but it is confusing in parts as different characters have the same name in different time periods and it's not explained all that well, and I had to actually look up a cast of characters for the book for it to make sense to me lol
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Oh absolutely! It's one of the most confusing books ever. Gotta love that stream of consciousness! I don't mind being confused by a book as long as it's entertaining and/or beautiful. There is a film version of it but I will probably never watch it. I can't imagine the material translating well to screen at all.
I want to say that it was Pride and Prejudice that I tried, but it's been so long that I can't be sure. I just remember being thrown off by the language style.
currently reading: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
have no idea whether it is going anywhere at all, but the reading is soothing, almost lulling... bears don't mind
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just tried to start reading The Paying Guests last week but couldn't really get into it. This one sounds much better, let me know how it is when you're done.
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
I CANNOT PUT WOOL DOWN!! Are the other books in the series this good guys that have read it?
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Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
They are all good, but in my opinion Wool was the best of them.
If. If I am ever done.I just tried to start reading The Paying Guests last week but couldn't really get into it. This one sounds much better, let me know how it is when you're done.
It doesn't feel like it's ever going to end - or to start.
at 49%, it is now approximately where it was at 10 or 5
I love them slow. I adore them slow. I hate it when tons of events are happening and everyone runs, shoots, shouts, burns, leaps from roof to roof and hangs from cliffs. But. Something must be happening. People must - talk, think, feel - whatever. There must be some drama to what I read, even if it is over what people eat for breakfast; some collision - even if it's about the bus being late. But some - tension; intrigue; articulation of perceptions, ideas, characters; whatever. So far The Little Stranger has been miraculously lacking most of the above; an initially pleasant, but increasingly annoying yarn.
Still am not losing hope for something - anything. Maybe the second half will make up for the first. Stranger things have been known to happen.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I recommend never picking up La Nausee by Jean-Paul Sartre. I read it several years ago, and maybe I'd have the capacity to finish it now, but half way through I just gave up as nothing had happened. And I too like a slow burn.If. If I am ever done.I just tried to start reading The Paying Guests last week but couldn't really get into it. This one sounds much better, let me know how it is when you're done.
It doesn't feel like it's ever going to end - or to start.
at 49%, it is now approximately where it was at 10 or 5
I love them slow. I adore them slow. I hate it when tons of events are happening and everyone runs, shoots, shouts, burns, leaps from roof to roof and hangs from cliffs. But. Something must be happening. People must - talk, think, feel - whatever. There must be some drama to what I read, even if it is over what people eat for breakfast; some collision - even if it's about the bus being late. But some - tension; intrigue; articulation of perceptions, ideas, characters; whatever. So far The Little Stranger has been miraculously lacking most of the above; an initially pleasant, but increasingly annoying yarn.
Still am not losing hope for something - anything. Maybe the second half will make up for the first. Stranger things have been known to happen.
LOL, I read La Nausee, and even liked it, but it was about 35 years ago - I was young and thought I liked Big, Real Literature with Thoughts. Now I am sure I wouldn't get past page five.
(Still love Sartre's plays, though)
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm about halfway through John R Little's Little by Little. Every time I have to put it down, I think of when I'll be able to pick it up again. The dude knows how to write! He's easy to read and has a way to quickly immerse you in the story and characters.
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Well that does not sound too promisingIf. If I am ever done.I just tried to start reading The Paying Guests last week but couldn't really get into it. This one sounds much better, let me know how it is when you're done.
It doesn't feel like it's ever going to end - or to start.
at 49%, it is now approximately where it was at 10 or 5
I love them slow. I adore them slow. I hate it when tons of events are happening and everyone runs, shoots, shouts, burns, leaps from roof to roof and hangs from cliffs. But. Something must be happening. People must - talk, think, feel - whatever. There must be some drama to what I read, even if it is over what people eat for breakfast; some collision - even if it's about the bus being late. But some - tension; intrigue; articulation of perceptions, ideas, characters; whatever. So far The Little Stranger has been miraculously lacking most of the above; an initially pleasant, but increasingly annoying yarn.
Still am not losing hope for something - anything. Maybe the second half will make up for the first. Stranger things have been known to happen.
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
I'll keep you abreast of all developments.
56% today. Still nothing.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Currently reading The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Perfect for a snowed in day
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
Loved it but it is no TerrorCurrently reading The Abominable by Dan Simmons. Perfect for a snowed in day
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Does it get a little creepy at least? I'm not too far in, they're just organizing their trip to Everest now. Can't wait for them to finally get there.
I would love it if he would do a book about Antarctica. He mentioned in the intro that really wanted too, but so far has only written about the Arctic and then Everest. Hopefully it's something he'll do in the future. I'm fascinated by it. I would absolutely love to take a trip down there.
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
All I will say... is not all is as it seems..................................
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Nothing is. An amazing, rare book.but it is no Terror
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greg Bear - Blood Music
Nancy Kress - The Best of Nancy Kress
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