King's worst novel?

[MonteGss]

Obviously, he has written too many to do a poll but what do you all think?

Which novel was his worst? Which one drives you crazy? Is there any that you could not finish reading? What are your reasons?

I'm not completely caught up on all of his books but I've read most of his books more than once. There are only a couple I've read only one time. That, for me, speaks volumes. They are:

Tommyknockers
Thinner
Insomnia

[Daghain]

I'm assuming, based on our conversation in chat, that you mean FICTION novel.

I vote for Cell.

[MonteGss]

A novel is fiction.

[Jean]

Tommyknockers
Thinner
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis (except the Low Men in Yellow Coats part, which I like)
The Eyes of the Dragon

Also, I voted Tommyknockers by force of habit, I always thought it was the worst, but it was before I read Bag of Bones and Hearts. And, of course, TEofD, thanks Nikolett for reminding me!

EDITED after a Tommyknockers reread: I am so deeply sorry I ever named this novel among the worst! I found it great this time.

The worst on the day of last editing: Lisey's Story.

[Letti]

Tommyknockers
Thinner
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis (except the Low Men in Yellow Coats part, which I like)

I am afraid Cell will be on top of that list, though, when/if I finally get around to finishing it.
Also, I voter Tommyknockers by force of habit, I always thought it was the worst, but it was before I read Bag of Bones and Hearts.

I am surprised to see that you didn't write the Eyes of the Dragon in your list.

[BeDaN]

Gotta agree on your view of Hearts, I started reading Low Men and really loved it but after that one, the stories just kinda died.

Tommyknockers
Thinner
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis (except the Low Men in Yellow Coats part, which I like)
The Eyes of the Dragon

I am afraid Cell will be on top of that list, though, when/if I finally get around to finishing it.
Also, I voter Tommyknockers by force of habit, I always thought it was the worst, but it was before I read Bag of Bones and Hearts. And, of course, TEofD, thanks Nikolett for reminding me!

[Jean]

I have amended my list, - a couple of months ago I reread The Tommyknockers, and found it absolutely great. On the other hand, I read Lisey's Story and found it absolutely pathetic. Here's the list as of today (contrary to my expectations, Cell didn't make it):

Thinner
Lisey's Story
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis (except the Low Men in Yellow Coats part, which I like)
The Eyes of the Dragon

[The Lady of Shadows]

JEAN! my bear. my sweet bear. . . .

bag of bones? say it ain't so!















sorry. just had to add a little drama.

[Ruthful]

I think a commonality shared by most of these works is that they were written under the influence of a severe narcotic/alcohol addiction.

[Ruthful]

BTW, you should still be able to delete any double-posts. Just click on "edit," then choose "delete" and the comment will disappear.

[Merlin1958]

I have amended my list, - a couple of months ago I reread The Tommyknockers, an found it absolutely great. On the other hand, I read Lisey's Story and found it absolutely pathetic. Here's the list as of today (contrary to my expectations, Cell didn't make it):

Thinner
Lisey's Story
Bag of Bones
Hearts in Atlantis (except the Low Men in Yellow Coats part, which I like)
The Eyes of the Dragon

I with you on Lisey's Story. It was the only King novel I just couldn't bring myself to finish and I have read ALL his stuff since the 70's.

But "Bag of Bones"? You're on your own there my friend!! lol lol

Pardon my asking but, What's up with the "Bears" dude?

[Ruthful]

I still don't see why so many people here dislike Gerald's Game. Is it because so much of the plot unfolds through flashbacks?

[MonteGss]

I still don't see why so many people here dislike Gerald's Game. Is it because so much of the plot unfolds through flashbacks?

I've wondered the same.
I enjoyed Gerald's Game because it was a different sort of scary book...about the demons and thoughts in your head terrifying you. I thought it was an interesting novel.

[MonteGss]

I love Hearts so far (first time reading). Bag of Bones I enjoyed also but otherwise I agree totally Jean.

[Jean]

Oops, I forgot. Post edited accordingly.

[Letti]

It can't be so bad if you forgot to mention it.

[Jean]

something like that, yes. I keep forgetting it exists.

[Letti]

something like that, yes. I keep forgetting it exists.

Good for you dear. I can't forget a thing (it can be a book or a movie) that bugs me.

[Jean]

I can hardly forget anything at all - that's the worst memory in the world - but I kinda forget to attribute it to King. I wouldn't have remembered Thinner, either, if Monte hadn't already mentioned it, and not because I can ever forget it, or not because it's Bachman, but, I think, because I don't want it to be King, so it slips my mind; the same with TEotD; while the others I listed are too, I don't know, bulky to slip one's mind.

[Matt]

I wasn't real high on Insomnia but loved most of the rest of the books mentioned here.

Thought Cell was a great little disaster book.

[Jean]

I loved Insomnia, except the last hundred or so pages, which bored me (when the action started, you see).

[Erin]

I Cell. But then again I love any type of zombie/disaster story.

I'd say my least favorite King novel is Gerald's Game. Although I did read it years and years ago. I just remember not liking it at the time. I think a re-read is in order to see if I still feel that way.

Also, while in the end I enjoyed Lisey's Story, it took me so long (more than halfway through the book) to really "get into it", that that automatically ranks it low on my list. I've never experienced that before with one of King's books.

[Mike Beck]

damn, i loved Insomnia. Ralph Roberts? he's the effing man.

hmm. now i'm going to post the ones i liked the least. because I've been intrigued even with the ones that weren't as great.

Eyes of the Dragon - It's my least favorite, but I still enjoyed it.

I can't think of anything else worth putting here. I've never read Thinner or Tommyknockers, but I heard they were bunk.

[Fishonabike]

damn, i loved Insomnia. Ralph Roberts? he's the effing man.

I fully concur with this statement.

The only King novel I've read that was nearly painful was Tommyknockers.

Maybe I'm easy to please, but some of the books that people here hated are ones I really enjoyed.

A wonderful thing, opinions.

[Erin]

I was crazy about Insomnia, and really liked Thinner and Tommyknockers.