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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
A useful overview of the horror genre from the master himself. It can be a bit dry but then King will roll back in with an interesting little anecdote or autobiographical comment. I read the 2010 edition and questioned some of the titles that King chose to include from the genre during the the 80s-2010.
Here’s hoping for an edition for the 2020s!
Here’s hoping for an edition for the 2020s!
“We fall from womb to tomb, from one blackness and toward another, remembering little of the one and knowing nothing of the other ... except through faith.”
Always fun to dip into the nonfiction side of King. I think his memoir [b:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft|10569|On Writing A Memoir of the Craft|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436735207s/10569.jpg|150292] is one of the best texts for writers you'll find. This is basically King's non-academic dissection of the horror genre, its origins, how and why it works, and what he believes is the pull for both writers and readers to seek out the macabre. For film, he focuses on horror movies released between 1950 and 1980 and if you like your scares more recent, this might read a little dated. Overall I enjoyed it; the folksy tangents make me feel like I know what it must have been like to get high with Stephen King back in the day and just listen to him ramble. Definitely a book for people who care passionately about the horror genre--or even just fantasy--or who are dedicated to the author.
Long live the King.
Always fun to dip into the nonfiction side of King. I think his memoir [b:On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft|10569|On Writing A Memoir of the Craft|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1436735207s/10569.jpg|150292] is one of the best texts for writers you'll find. This is basically King's non-academic dissection of the horror genre, its origins, how and why it works, and what he believes is the pull for both writers and readers to seek out the macabre. For film, he focuses on horror movies released between 1950 and 1980 and if you like your scares more recent, this might read a little dated. Overall I enjoyed it; the folksy tangents make me feel like I know what it must have been like to get high with Stephen King back in the day and just listen to him ramble. Definitely a book for people who care passionately about the horror genre--or even just fantasy--or who are dedicated to the author.
Long live the King.
I feel like this book is almost like a precursory look into his Twitter account.
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Damn. I started this book in May. What a journey Mr. King and I have been on — and I’ve learned so much. Really clarifies the ridiculous opinions people have on some kind of King vs Kubrick stance regarding The Shining
I initially bought this book as an accompaniment for my thesis project, as he discusses Hill House for around 30 pages or so. I didn’t get around to citing it, but don’t worry, Stevie made it in via a discussion on his almost-adaptation of Hill House (technically a remake of The Haunting, and of course we know what remake we got of The Haunting in the 90s) with Spielberg (can you even imagine?). Didn’t pan out, but DID lead to another mini series from King in the 2000s. Can you see why I was so fascinated by Hill House and adaptation?
Anyway, back to the book - you’d think that a summation of the horror genre mostly based in the mid 20th century would be either dated or boring. I found it to be neither, although it was fascinating to learn about films and movies that King considered to be significant that have almost been lost to history these days. The Hill House section is interlinked with a contemporary gothic horror novel titled “The House Next Door.” In all my research, I had never even encountered a mention of the author, but now I have the book coming in from ThriftBooks soon.
Just patient, fascinating, and, best of all, honest and sincere. That last chapter packs a massive punch. I dog-eared many a page with quotes that made me laugh or reflect (bro really dogs on English MAs in this book, but I could happily be in on the joke), and I’d really like to attach a few here for my own version of posterity’s sake. If I remember tomorrow (and I PRAY that I will), I’ll do it
I initially bought this book as an accompaniment for my thesis project, as he discusses Hill House for around 30 pages or so. I didn’t get around to citing it, but don’t worry, Stevie made it in via a discussion on his almost-adaptation of Hill House (technically a remake of The Haunting, and of course we know what remake we got of The Haunting in the 90s) with Spielberg (can you even imagine?). Didn’t pan out, but DID lead to another mini series from King in the 2000s. Can you see why I was so fascinated by Hill House and adaptation?
Anyway, back to the book - you’d think that a summation of the horror genre mostly based in the mid 20th century would be either dated or boring. I found it to be neither, although it was fascinating to learn about films and movies that King considered to be significant that have almost been lost to history these days. The Hill House section is interlinked with a contemporary gothic horror novel titled “The House Next Door.” In all my research, I had never even encountered a mention of the author, but now I have the book coming in from ThriftBooks soon.
Just patient, fascinating, and, best of all, honest and sincere. That last chapter packs a massive punch. I dog-eared many a page with quotes that made me laugh or reflect (bro really dogs on English MAs in this book, but I could happily be in on the joke), and I’d really like to attach a few here for my own version of posterity’s sake. If I remember tomorrow (and I PRAY that I will), I’ll do it
medium-paced
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
DNF this at 17%. This book did NOT age well. Was gonna power through for my Stephen King chronological read through that I’m currently endeavoring in, but woof the whole section that discusses “fatness” is gross and lacking in taste all together so I’m gonna leave this go. On top of the fact I feel like he spoils some books and movies in discussing them thoroughly.