Your First SK Book

[Mark]

The Gunslinger, but my first non-DT book was The Stand, which I read after I finished The Gunslinger.

[RainInSpain]

Salem's Lot was the first, in 1993. Bought it on a whim, because I liked how the title sounded (translated to Russian). Since then it has been published under different titles here, but I still think that first translation of the title was the best.
Very soon after it - Thinner (at the time I didn't know that Richard Bachman and SK were the same person).

[Jean]

Salem's Lot was the first, in 1993. Bought it on a whim, because I liked how the title sounded (translated to Russian).

was it "Судьба Иерусалима"?

[ICry4Oy]

My first was Carrie in 1976. I was in the Air Force on a joint military exercise in Germany. I was in a tent just outside of Heidelberg Germany. There was over two feet of snow outside. What else were you gonna do?

[blavigne]

The first SK I ever read was the Dead Zone. I was in my young teens ans borrowed it off my dad's bookshelf. Hooked since.

[RainInSpain]

Salem's Lot was the first, in 1993. Bought it on a whim, because I liked how the title sounded (translated to Russian).

was it "Судьба Иерусалима"?

Nope, "Салемов удел".
I do not know what it is about this title variant, but it has been stuck in my mind for all these years. Perhaps it's the fact that not many people (professional translators included) would remember the word "удел" as a translation for "lot". It sounds much more poetic/literary than "жребий" or "судьба".
And using the form "Салемов" to translate "Salem's" - somewhat unorthodox, too.

[Jean]

also, удел is right because it of the double meaning of "lot"; not as directly as in English, but still passably good

[RainInSpain]

Yes, that, too.
All in all, a memorable title.

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Jean/Rain - is there anyway to explain to us non-Russian speaking people the differences in the titles. I am intrigued.

[Jean]

well - you understand, of course, that most titles can't never be translated. For example, yesterday my students asked me how I would translate the name of that movie, Three to Tango; there's actually no way to do so, because one would need to have the "it takes two to tango" expression in the language the title is being translated into. There are several ways out: just to translate it dumbly word for word; find a similar expression and try to play on it; find an entirely new title, with or without a pun. Since 'Salem's Lot has two meanings, "Destiny of Jerusalem" and "a piece of land named after a farmer's pig", it is not translatable. In Russian, there's a "Destiny of Jerusalem" version, and a few others; the one we liked best contains the word (удел) that is very old, rarely used except in poetry, and, though directly translated as "destiny", has the same root as the word "piece of land" (надел, делянка) and generally conveys the idea of sharing (делить), which makes it most similar possible to the English word "lot".

[lordmerchant]

The first king novel I read was the Gunslinger in June of this year, I swa it on a friends bookshelf, thumbed through it and was awed by the artwork. I read the gunslinger in a few days and was very excited when I discoered there were another 6 books in the series. All of my freetime between June and August was spent reading the entire Dark Tower series, and I loved it from beginning to end. Since then I have read The Stand, (which I rate almost as highly as the tower itself) The Dead Zone, Insomnia and am a good third the way through the Talisman (which i am loving) so basically since June it has been a massive King-fest for me!

[BROWNINGS CHILDE]

Thanks Jean. I love words.

[blavigne]

well - you understand, of course, that most titles can't never be translated. For example, yesterday my students asked me how I would translate the name of that movie, Three to Tango; there's actually no way to do so, because one would need to have the "it takes two to tango" expression in the language the title is being translated into. There are several ways out: just to translate it dumbly word for word; find a similar expression and try to play on it; find an entirely new title, with or without a pun. Since 'Salem's Lot has two meanings, "Destiny of Jerusalem" and "a piece of land named after a farmer's pig", it is not translatable. In Russian, there's a "Destiny of Jerusalem" version, and a few others; the one we liked best contains the word (удел) that is very old, rarely used except in poetry, and, though directly translated as "destiny", has the same root as the word "piece of land" (надел, делянка) and generally conveys the idea of sharing (делить), which makes it most similar possible to the English word "lot".

How interesting. I did not know this. I would have done the "dumb" thing word for word.........this is fascinating. Now I better understand how meaning gets "lost in translation".

[kluker]

First book i read was Gunslinger i'm pretty sure

[Jimimck]

My first one was Cujo, when I was 12 (21 years ago).
My mum actually gave it to me, as she was already a huge fan. I was hooked on King ever since, and usually would read a book after my mum had read it. She would then keep asking me if I had gotten to this section, or that part, which would encourage me to keep reading more and more.
For some reason however she never got in to the Dark Tower series, so I am still trying to convince her it is some of King's best ever material.

[Hammer]

Dead zone for me

[anima13]

Carrie, during highschool.

[keyframe]

I got The Bachman Books from my school library in the 8th grade (1987) and didnt know it was King until much later. I remember telling my friends about Rage because i was surprised it was in the school library, granted this was years before real school shootings were a common occurrence.
It was within a year or so after that i picked up Pet Sematary and havent looked back.

[Yeah Sure Whatever]

My first SK book was Cujo or It and I was around 15. My husbands was Cujo at 12

[blavigne]

My first SK book was Cujo or It and I was around 15. My husbands was Cujo at 12

Cujo was a good one! You are lucky, your husband reads SK. Mine does not believe in sci fi, horror or basically anything that cannot be repaired with duct tape (LOL). He is strictly westerns, wars, and documentaries which is OK but obviously we don't discuss books!!

[Yeah Sure Whatever]

He sounds like my first husband!

[Rice Dancer]

I don't remember actually. It was probably The Stand or Tommyknockers or something from that time period.

[Yeah Sure Whatever]

The Stand was one of my favorite books!

[blavigne]

The Stand was one of my favorite books!

Mine too. Still is. The miniseries was on TV again the other day. I think it is getting to be time for a re-read!!

[Yeah Sure Whatever]

Its hilarious that the actor who played Randall Flagg is in Law and Order Criminal Intent as the captian for the first 5 season. We call him RF or Patch everytime hahahaha