No one's seen Firestarter?

[Guin]

Come on! It's great! Evil government mind-control drug experiments gone haywire! Psychokinesis that puts Carrie to shame! Rolling Stone magazine as the only trustworthy media outlet in the USA!

Am I really the only one who has an opinion?

[Moderator]

When Jordan reorganized the Forum so that there were sub-forums for each title, many of the old posts were purged so it looks like we are starting without any comments. No reason not to start a new discussion, though. :smile2:

[michal]

I just finished re-reading Firestarter, and there was even a nice thread discussing it. But since you asked :biggrin2:, it is a fantastic book. I read it for the first time when I was no more than 13 or 14, and reading it now over a decade later (my GOD I feel old), I enjoy it much more. I like the idea of a gift being a curse and of how Charlie gets older and smarter as the book moves on.

[Jake Featherston]

I read it back around 1986, I believe it was.

I don't recall it being one of his better works (while I like his older stuff too, I tend to one who thinks Mr. King has become a better writer since the early 1990s), but in all honesty, I don't recall it that well at all. A lot of my memories of it seem to derive more from the film (which I actually saw before I ever read my first Stephen King novel), rather than from the book itself. 1986 was a long time ago, after all.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

No indeed not, Ms. Mod.

We had some discussion about it last year and the general consensus was that everyone should read it in an election year in the US, as it's perhaps one of Sai King's most 'political' novels (along with The Dead Zone) IMO. Guatanamo Bay anyone?

REALLY marvellous book (who doesn't love Charlie?) and I think I'm in a minority of one in that I really enjoyed the movie too, despite it's failings I think George C. Scott was chilling as Rainbird.

Long days and pleasant nights

[aptpupil]

John

Totally agree with your assessment of both Firestarter and The Dead Zone. For me, however, The Dead Zone was the better novel. Firestarter, may though, have had an edge as a movie.

One of my personal claims to fame is that, in the early 1980's, when I was a young man, I spent a full three hours in the departure lounge at Prestwick Airport sharing a table with George C Scott and his wife Trish Van de Vere, while our flight to New York was undergoing repairs. I think he took pity on me because I was young and travelling alone, and probably looked lost. It actually took a third party to whisper in my ear and inform me who the couple actually were. George was a real gentleman, and very friendly. His wife, unfortunately, wasn't having a great day, and left the table every five minutes to give a mouthful to the poor British Airways representative who was standing in the corner.

I guess some of us can handle life's little inconveniences better than others. I'm sure she's really nice, though! :smile2:

[Bostonbaby_21]

I just recently got it with a number of other books, and hope to be reading it soon :smile2:

[Patricia A]

One of the best. I read that when it first came out, then again a few years back.
I agree with John about it being socially significant even still.
I may read it again soon. :smile2:

[aneaglesangel]

I just re-read this again not so long ago. I lucked out and got a nice hardcover edition in the Unitarian church for 50 cents! It's not in as bad shape as The Shining that I got the same way, but still a little beat up. Either way, it's still a good story. But I think there was only one Stephen King story that I didn't like as much as the rest of the ones I've read and I can't even remember what it was. So I guess I'm a little biased!

[Atlana]

I have not read the book yet. But I have watched the movie. I want to read the book but it's hard to fine where I live because no one else like Stephen King :(

[Patricia A]

I have not read the book yet. But I have watched the movie. I want to read the book but it's hard to fine where I live because no one else like Stephen King :(
There are a lot of places online where you can get any book you like.
I can't imagine being in a place where no one else likes Stephen King... it gives me shivers! :eek2:

[Drawn to Ka-tet]

I have read Firestarter more than once and I am always finding relevance with the political and scientific communities.
I do believe that if 'they' could find talent like Charlie's, 'they' would try to harness it for their own rotten purposes.

Long days and pleasant nights.

[ginapenn]

I read Firestarter at least once a year. It was one of the first books I picked up by SK and to this day, I regard it as one of the best. I love the complexity of Rainbird and the relationship between Charlie and Andy. This book also shows how effortless SK manages to put large amounts of backstory into his novels without boring the pants off of people. Also, the amount of research he must have done is astonishing. Just my little opinion, anyway.

[dawnde]

Yes I really enjoyed Firestarter ,very intriquing, makes me want to read again!

[dawnde]

Yes that is unacceptable, no one liking Mr. King!, you should start something! Like, I don't know maybe a protest, something like that!:wink2::biggrin2:

[adrianmarley]

God, it's so long since I read this novel. I read it a few times as a teenager and thought it was great. Thinking back on it, I agree with John in that it is one of SK's most political novels. He handles the whole evil government plot very well and the relationship between the father and daughter is beautifully handled. Just thinking about it makes me want to read it again. I suspect I'd get much more out of it this time around.

[Denise Marsden]

I read 'Firestarter' some time ago, and I agree about the Political angle which seemed to me quite radical at the time. The inclusion of the damaged native american psyche was also interesting from a spiritual point of view.I drew a few comparisons to 'Carrie' in the development of the plot, a personal journey from self defense to total annihilation of self and others.

[atlantis]

The thing I remember most about Firestarter is that it was so compelling, I actually read it in one sitting. (Okay I may have gotten up to go the restroom.):oops:

[Dylan Roberts]

I finished reading an autographed copy of it the other night..I hadn't read it since I was a young 'un, and I got a LOT more out of it this time around...

Governments testing experimental hallucinogens on poor college kids...With the professors being agents involved.

Hmmm...maybe Tim Leary WASN'T really just in it for freeing the minds of my parents generation lol..

(Not that I think that goal was actually ever really achieved. They're just baby boomer slaves to the dwindling economy now, really. Guess they learnt their lesson, eh ? )

[ponygirl01]

Nope, i read it. But it was sooooo long ago i'd have to read it again to remeber everything. i also enjoyed the movie. Drew Barrymoore was a good little actress.

[Becks19]

I am reading Firestarter right now! Completely fantastic! I am about halfway through it. And as is usual for me the book is sooo much better than the movie. Can't wait to finish and sink my teeth into something else. My last three books by Mr. King are Duma Key, Just after Sunset and Four past midnight. One, I haven't read is Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Guess I just picked my next one!:biggrin2: Can't wait!

[Bryan James]

I've read 'Firestarter' a few times. I'll be reading it again soon as I stumbled on a first edition this morning. I don't collect, but I can think of worse ways to spend three bucks.

~BJS

[plgordon]

Firestarter is among the SK titles that I also have not yet read, I had a copy in my hand the other day at the book store, but I opted for Talisman and Black house. I love that there are still a few I have not read yet. I promise when I do I'll find this thread and tell you what I thought!!

[Becks19]

I just finished Firestarter yesterday it's fantastic! I am off to the library to pick up Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I cannot wait! I have always been more of a fan of S.K. novels...until I picked up Just After Sunset! I now know, what I was missing by neglecting those fabulous short stories! Happy reading everyone!

[Er0tic NeUr0t1c]

loved the book, more sci-fi than horror. Stephen's conspiracy theorist comes out. Pretty wicked. Rainbird was an intense character.

[Becks19]

loved the book, more sci-fi than horror. Stephen's conspiracy theorist comes out. Pretty wicked. Rainbird was an intense character.

I wanted Rainbird to be the first to get scorched. He was an intense character. Intensely manipulative as well.

[Smikes]

I enjoyed both the book and the movie. The movie actually stands out more in my mind, which is unusual as I usually will have a larger store of sections of the book floating around in there. The most striking thing I recall was being excited about Charlie taking her story to Rolling Stone - it was fun to imagine the chaos that would cause IRL. I think the villain in the movie was George C. Scott's best role - yes, better than Patton.

[judythegeek]

I just read firestarter, and I loved it! I love the evil government, man against the establishment plot!!

[jcadams]

I just finished rereading this last night. I LOVE this book, and the movie, but I always try to read the book then watch the movie right after. Does anyone else think there should be a second Firestarter? I always wanted to know what happened to Charlie after the magazine came out, assuming that her story was published.

[djbeilstein]

Have never read FIRESTARTER – but I need to!

[Rabid Assassin]

I just finished the book and loved it I felt so attached to charlie and her father.

[AncientLady]

'Fire Starter' was my very first Stephen King. I read the excerpt in Omni (now defunct magazine). I have the full novel from my very first Book Club membership about 29 years ago. (I just checked and then double-checked, I have a first edition Stephen King! way, way cool. Ok, so a lot of people do, but I still have my very first one.)

I so enjoyed the Omni excerpt that I waited and went looking for the full novel. And loved it.

The book read so quick and I really wanted more. It sorta hooked me on Stephen King and I haven't been disappointed since.:love:

I'm a newbie to this board and I can't remember why I went looking for Stephen King stuff this afternoon (I've been working on a 'crash' client site all day).

But, yes, there are those of us who have read Fire Starter (and almost every other Stephen King book ever published, just like my sister).

Cheers to all!

[teejay17]

I haven't read it since high school, and even then it was one of my early forays into the King Universe. So I'd like to revisit it now, in retrospect, after reading The Dark Tower series, and a few others; it will also be cool to read it after Discordia comes out next week.

[stone, rose, unfound door]

It's one of his best books in my opinion :)

[sissy]

Good book, and the movie is the first S.K. movie I ever saw ( so its my FAVORITE King movie)

[SunshineLady]

I've read all the books and liked this one but haven't re-read it in years. I did see the movie recently as a re-run and agree that George C. Scott was great. I also liked David Keith as the dad--I've always thought he is over-looked because he generally has a co-starring role rather than being a lead.

[Trueivy]

I read the book amd saw the movie. I agree it's a good book and if people really read into it is controversial, especially around the time it came out. What I loved about it is it had the same message that the stand had, but in a subtler way. Keeping Charlie safe, secure, and alive was more important to the common people, people who didn't even know her well, the average Joe and Jane.

[Susanne]

I loved Firestarter! But I didnt like the movie. It really disappointed me. The book is so much better.

[Snaggletooth]

This was the 2nd SK book that i ever read, after The Shining, many years ago. The movie was yet to come. It's one of my favorites, probably because the government gets toasted and scorched, and we all know that the gov is evil (I'm an arrogant, extreme liberal, you see.....wait, don't the TeaParty people believe this as well?? I'm so confused......).

[smunchkin]

I have indeed read this as well. I enjoyed it but maybe i need to reread it. Also cant remember a king novel that ive stopped reading because i dont like it so maybe im not the best judge. maybe not my favorite of his but a wonderful read as so much of his work is!

[Hardlooker]

I only saw the movie.

[shipoffools]

I read Firestarter last year. I've never seen the movie, but the book was excellent; I really enjoyed it.

I especially liked the way that the story unfolded, from the beginning where the little girl was running from the police, to where they were caught, and then at the end when she escaped from the police after being held for months. I found the whole plot very believable, and could really connect with the main characters. I also thought that the scene at the end was absolutely brilliant.

It's classic Stephen King, and probably one of his best books ever written.

[Arrna]

Another one that I started and never finished. Didn't do it for me. That being said, I do own a copy and will give it another read (hopefully from start to finish banishing images of a very young Drew Barrymore from my mind).

[ginapenn]

Wow-this is one of SK's books that I couldn't put down! Every word in it has meaning. I love Andy-he's such a cool guy.

[StatesideVilla]

Most definitely agree with PonyGirl. A very good read and a very good movie with my girl Drew Barrymore. My niece was a dead ringer for her until her late twenties., so she was always a favourite of mine.

[teejay17]

The more Fringe develops as a show, the more it reminds me of a cross between The Dark Tower & Firestarter.

[Ebony]

I was surprised of Drew Barrymore in the movie...she was really good.
The book was much more impressive.
I don´t know if I could relate to Charly. She has this special ability and if I had it, I don´t know if I would use it...because violence should not be the solution of any problem. Anyway, when John Rainbird died, I was really satisfied :P
I also like the comparison between Charly´s and Rainbird´s characters...Charly is a cute girl who could get everything she desires, but she isn´t aware of that...Rainbird is ugly (in the book), but has a bad character. Normally it "should" be the other way round, but that´s just a prejudice.

[GNTLGNT]

You mean the book about the little girl who had pyrokinetic powers? Nope! Never heard of it...

[squirrelmistress]

i have read it quite a few times. has anyone notice sk always has a few mistakes in his books, or is it just me?

[Susanne]

I read it years ago and really liked it. Then I saw the movie and was disappointed. The books is so much better.

[king family fan]

I have read the book a couple of times and can not say how many times I have seen the movie.Love them both.Also seem rekindle Carrie 2.I believe I enjoyed the orginal Carrie best.

[MelissaConstantReader]

I still haven't read this book, but I've seen the movie. I'm sure the book is 100 times better, so I'll have to get to it someday.

[diem_seven]

Just started reading this. I think I may have read it before, when I was younger. My favorite line so far:

"People with no money disappeared in New York; they dropped into the sidewalks, never to be seen again."

[Gaiaraven]

Ah Firestarter, another one from my youth....
This was one of the only Stephen King novels that I read AFTER seeing the movie. I fell in love with Charley (sp?)....her torment, the fight against her power (not wanting to be bad)...but then succumbing to the power (enjoying being bad)...I related to her (only without the pyrokinesis of course)

A great story, with both the movie and the novel having different pros and cons. Having been so long since I've read it however, I have no specific examples or arguments....perhaps it's time to whip it out again! :)

[JohnDalglish]

....perhaps it's time to whip it out again! :)

Hi,

Aye, perhaps.

I liked the film too, anything with George C. Scott in it is fine with me, but the book is almost certainly better than you remember it - they invariably are IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[fljoe0]

We (on the board) don't seem to mention this one much. I enjoyed the book and thought the movie was decent. I thought young Drew Barrymore was excellent.

[teejay17]

I just re-read it this year and it stands up well to the test of time except for any and all mentions of people interfacing with computers. Of course this book was written when personal computers were in their infancy--and you can definitely tell when you read Firestarter.

[Gerald]

People read it, but they don't talk about it for some reason. It introduces The Shop and all and there is a lot to like about it, yet it hardly ever gets discussed.

One of those mysteries. Like there is an energy that comes with something that is created, some things skyrocket and people talk about it forever. And other things just go unnoticed mostly and there seems not much to say about it.

It's a retread of Carrie, but only to a degree - they're both girls with special powers. But they're completely different kinds of books.
It's a very good book, everyone agrees, but there the discussion stops. :D

[J.T. Adams]

Just finished another re-read of this a month or so ago . . .

Loved it but . . .IMO maybe it's not one of his best?

[Gerald]

I thought it was among his best, the very best even. Just quite overlooked. Maybe also because it (and the film) didn't come with quite such an iconic central image like most of his early work has. The character of Charlie also seems to resonate less with people than a lot of other King characters.

[gniknehpets]

I think this is one of the best he's ever written but the writing itself was a little, inexperienced sounding? He has polished his art to a fine degree now and I think it's time he revisited Charlie. Like he's going to listen to me...

[ghost19]

Heather Locklear was hot in the movie....I guess that really wasn't the point of the thread....but it's true, it really is...:tongue:

[Gerald]

To me his writing never felt inexperienced after Carrie. The leap from Carrie to Salem's Lot always felt astonishing. I don't know if he ever explained how that was possible.

I don't know if his later work is really all that polished, it seems to have shifted from more action oriented to far more inward and more about individuals - or at least told from within the individuals - than about groups of people. His later works often seem messier to me than his early classics (the stretch from Salem's Lot to Misery broadly). His later works are far more meandering and pondersome .

Is pondersome a word? Okay, I'm in a hurry, can't check. :D
And everything you post here you can NEVER change again. NEVER! Think about that, it will stay on this board til the Great Old Ones come back and decide it is time to pull the plug on Internet! Terrifying.

[gniknehpets]

To me his writing never felt inexperienced after Carrie. The leap from Carrie to Salem's Lot always felt astonishing. I don't know if he ever explained how that was possible.

I don't know if his later work is really all that polished, it seems to have shifted from more action oriented to far more inward and more about individuals - or at least told from within the individuals - than about groups of people. His later works often seem messier to me than his early classics (the stretch from Salem's Lot to Misery broadly). His later works are far more meandering and pondersome .


Is pondersome a word? Okay, I'm in a hurry, can't check. :D
And everything you post here you can NEVER change again. NEVER! Think about that, it will stay on this board til the Great Old Ones come back and decide it is time to pull the plug on Internet! Terrifying.

You're right about the difference in writing between Carrie and Salem's Lot. I guess the word I was looking for wasn't polished so much as detailed? And it's more a personal preference thing also. I prefer more detail and depth to stories, more back story, a more "pondersome" story! Some people enjoy the 1,2 punch story.

[leftrightwriterman3613]

I'm afraid this is another of those stories Stephen has written which just doesn't seem to hit the mark. The mark being the high expectations his fans had of him at the time. His allusion to Gene Simmons should have been omitted. It simply takes away from that "otherworld" atmosphere he tries to build in his stories.

I like a lot of Stephen's work, and truly love some of it; but it's stories such as this that I find disappointing. Just not my "cup 'o tea, I s'ppose":)

[Shoesalesman]

Haven't read it yet. Once I'm done The Shining, which I just started yesterday, I may go on to this one.

[Dana Jean]

I really liked Firestarter. Not in my top favorites, no, but still a good read. I want stephen to step out of his box and often! He doesn't always have to have "otherworld" ideas in his writings. I want him to stay fresh and I want to read more than just otherworld connections. They are fun, for sure, but I want him to stretch himself.

[gardengirl]

Been awhile since I reread Firestarter, but I remember loving the book. Mr. King has an special talent for fleshing out his child characters that really makes them stand out. Maybe time to for me to revisit Charlie...

[Dana Jean]

This is the movie thread about Firestarter. We sort of took it off track earlier. What did everyone think of the MOVIE? I have only seen bits and pieces of the actual movie, in fact, saw those bits before I read the book and the movie looked so stupid, I never picked the book up. Until the last year or so. THe book is definitely superior to that movie crap.

[AchtungBaby]

I hate the movie. But I dislike the book, so...

[not_nadine]

The SKMB is really about Sai King's books. Movies do come in. :smile2: no offence.

It has been quite awhile since I have read this. I really have to start a re-read of everything from the beginning. That would be fun - and a trip through times. :tongue:

[sarge73]

Tried reading once before, lost intrest in it. Just picked up again, finished it. I liked it, not my favorite. Watched movie last night, funny just finished book about a week ago, hoping movie would be on. So first on both. Enjoyed both.