UTD not SK's best work

[ScimitarMMM]

I am a big fan of Stephen King and have many of his works in my personal library. Some I have read over and again eg Dark Tower.
UTD was an exception and after finishing it I took the book to a charity shop and gave it away. The basic theme was interesting but the ending was so weak. When Barbie dons his lead suit I couldn't see why his companions fell into paroxysms of laughter. The behaviour of some of the characters was infantile. If this was typical of SK's work he would never have achieved the acclaim that he justly deserves.

[J.T. Adams]

I thought it was a great novel, a lot of people have got lost on why the novel was so good in the first place just because they didn't like the ending. The joy is in the journey.

[JohnDalglish]

I thought it was a great novel, a lot of people have got lost on why the novel was so good in the first place just because they didn't like the ending. The joy is in the journey.

Hi,

Aye, me too!

Welcome to the MB, and keep, posting!

Long days and pleasant nights

[J.T. Adams]

Hi,

Aye, me too!

Welcome to the MB, and keep, posting!



Long days and pleasant nights

You've already welcomed me John, but thankee much again.

[J.T. Adams]

Hi,

Aye, me too!

Welcome to the MB, and keep, posting!

Long days and pleasant nights

Say sorry, I see you were welcoming Scimitar.

[Robert Gray]

I am a big fan of Stephen King and have many of his works in my personal library. Some I have read over and again eg Dark Tower.
UTD was an exception and after finishing it I took the book to a charity shop and gave it away. The basic theme was interesting but the ending was so weak. When Barbie dons his lead suit I couldn't see why his companions fell into paroxysms of laughter. The behaviour of some of the characters was infantile. If this was typical of SK's work he would never have achieved the acclaim that he justly deserves.

Aside from their laughter at his silly looking, improvised anti-radiation suit, what other behaviors are you talking about. I'm assuming that one point in the novel didn't ruin the book for you.

[fljoe0]

I thought it was a great novel, a lot of people have got lost on why the novel was so good in the first place just because they didn't like the ending. The joy is in the journey.

Many had problems with the ending but personally, I loved the ending. Even if I had not liked the ending, the journey was a joy and I still would have given it a big thumbs up.

[GNTLGNT]

It for me, was not his best effort-but I still enjoyed the hell out of it...despite the "weak" ending...

[bluesology]

I get people who might be let down by the ending but I loved the book. King's strong suit is building characters with depth and color - real people that you can hear in your head when you read. I thought this book was a shining example of that strength.

[Bix]

I don't let the ending of a book determine if it is good book or not. If a book keeps my attention enough for me to finish it then it has been a good book. A good ending just makes it great. The Dome is an awesome story no matter the ending.

[Doc Wilson]

Not his best, still an entertaining read.

[bryantburnette]

One of my best friends recently read the novel, and he was hugely disappointed by the nature of the dome. I get that reaction, but I don't share it; I had a few problems with things here and there, but largely thought it was an instant classic. Maybe not King's best, but pretty damn great.

[wilson_usaf]

No offense but I think that if you were put in the same situation you might find yourself laughing at almost anything, when times get desperate a lot of people often act oddly despite the bigger picture surrounding them. Everyone becomes a little crazy when there is no hope to be found anywhere.

[Tonybaloney36]

Sorry, I totally disagree. I thought UTD was Stephen at his very best, the book just zoomed along and when it finished I put it down and said wow. Why wouldn't Rusty's companions laugh when he put his lead suit on (Rusty note, NOT Barbie, pay attention now!)? And which of these characters who were laughing did you find infantile-Joe? Norrie? Ben? Their behaviour may well have been infantile, but then again they are children!

[bryantburnette]

The only think I genuinely disliked about Under the Dome was the fact that I kept to having to read the name "Barbie" over and over. I get that that is a nickname a guy named Barber MIGHT actually be given, but there's nothing appealing about spending time with a male protagonist named Barbie. That's a silly distraction in the midst of a very non-silly story.

Otherwise, great novel.

[bobledrew]

I have to fall into the camp of UtD dislikers. I found it far too long, and I found the characterization to lack the subtlety I see in the best of King's work. Big Jim and he other "pillars" of the town came off as shallow attacks on the American right-wing establishment, and the kids (Joe, Norrie, and Benny) pale in comparison to the young people that have populated other SK works.

However, given that it was preceded by Duma Key and followed by Full Dark, I have decided not to hate SK forever. Cause I LOVED those two books.

[prufrock21]

I am a big fan of Stephen King and have many of his works in my personal library. Some I have read over and again eg Dark Tower.
UTD was an exception and after finishing it I took the book to a charity shop and gave it away. The basic theme was interesting but the ending was so weak. When Barbie dons his lead suit I couldn't see why his companions fell into paroxysms of laughter. The behaviour of some of the characters was infantile. If this was typical of SK's work he would never have achieved the acclaim that he justly deserves.

I once gave away a SK book and was later visited in my dreams by a spade-claw hand fiend. Since then I have not given away a SK book.
http://www.stephenking.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13301&thumb=1&d=1313676786 (http://www.stephenking.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1438)

[hossenpepper]

UTD was not abut the dome or the ending. It was about how people react when in a microcosm. It was about the concentrated emotional states of the characters in a completely impossible/improbable situation. I think it was fitting.

I think that great literature is always a reflection of the society from which it is spawned. The polarization of wisdom over desperation is all too apt in the current climate of the US.

How good is this book IMO? I joined the SKMB after reading it. That is how good. Steve's best work since Wizard and Glass (with DT VII in there too) IMO. Like the DT series, the end is what Steve says it is. Because of that, I like it. It's his story. Though I do think Big Jim's demise was just a little too nice; he deserved oh so much worse....

[bluesology]

The only think I genuinely disliked about Under the Dome was the fact that I kept to having to read the name "Barbie" over and over.


While I liked the book - I actually agree with you on this sticking point. And I listened to this on audio-book so it was even more annoying to hear the reader drawing it out a hundred times - baaaaaaaarbie.

[ConstantReader1973]

I really enjoyed this book. I was upset when it ended, but not upset about the ending. TBH, I didn't really notice the "Barbie" thing much after the first or second time I read the name. I tend to skim when I read, so maybe that helped. I loved the story, the characters, the rich descriptions, and the suspense. I have a new respect for ants, now. :biggrin2:

[blunthead]

Not his best, still an entertaining read....A matter of opinion, of course, but sK's "not his best" is, imo, better than most. And, what the heck is so wrong with the ending?!

[bryantburnette]

And, what the heck is so wrong with the ending?! Nothing.

[Ezridrkat]

I'm up to the part where Jackie gives Barbie the note. This book, for me, is like visiting the Derry/Castle Rock area again. Been a long time since I've been there, LOL, and it felt good to go "home". I'm only able to read at night after work, but I read for a couple of hours a night and I can't hit the forward button on my Kindle fast enough. Thank you, Mr. King, for this book. I'm living in a small town now and I could see a couple of our previous aldermen/Selectmen in this book. I think that's what makes this book so great--the fact that anyone could turn into the characters of this book so quickly. Can't wait to find out how they get out from "Under the Dome."

[melindaville]

I liked this book a lot. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every book of King's--but some speak to me more than others. This is not my favorite SK book--The Stand is, without a doubt. Although 11 22 63 is now right up there too.

Honestly, I think it is pretty amazing how many times he's hit it out of the park. No other writer has done as well--not by a long shot.

[evil ed]

For me, this is his best that I've read so far. It really spoke to me. I could not put Under the Dome down, total home run.

[rhomnud]

Despite King's political skew, I did very much enjoy this thinly veiled, "Never Let a Crisis Go To Waste" book. As far as what some are calling a "weak" ending, did they want some sort of "truther" conspiracy to be responsible for putting a dome over an entire town? Not even the most hard-core idealogues whould buy that one. Thoughtless aliens were just fine with me and the comparison to an ant hill was satisfying and thought provoking. Thanks, Mr. King. I learn a lot from you.

[JellybeanJay]

UTD is a great read but just got bumped out of my top 3 by 11/22/63

[Jojo87]

UTD is my favorite at this moment. I just loved to read that big a** book!!

[Sigmund]

UTD is my favorite at this moment. I just loved to read that big a** book!!

Hi!

:rofl:

Mercy!
I have never heard our sweet, sweet Jojo speak so colorfully! :laugh: And yes, '...read that big a** book' is colorful from what I have heard from her!

God Bless.

Hugs.

Peace.

[Connie Reader]

I loved it. From the bird being sliced in half to the leatherheads I didn't want it to end. I don't think there is an SK book I don't like, only ones I haven't read yet. (I realized yesterday that I never read Firestarter. Gotta get on that.)

[Smooth]

Can't wait to find out how they get out from "Under the Dome."

I just recently finished this book and the ending was great! When you get to the ending, keep Horace in mind. I loved his reaction at the end!

[Banjo Kazooie]

I really enjoyed it. I think it was one of the only ones he's written that can hold up to the "epic" journey of The Stand. To each his own.:biggrin2:

[Chris1974100]

wow your cool man you just gave your copy of UTD

[vickilynn]

It for me, was not his best effort-but I still enjoyed the hell out of it...despite the "weak" ending...

I'd be interested in what kind of ending some of you envisioned. I was thinking a simple ramdom thing like a large part falling off of and alien craft passing by and just falling and settling down over the town and eventually the aliens come back to retrieve it because they need it as some kind of covering for a part of the ship. Lame, I know but it was all I could think of. The ending did involved aliens, though.

[moonbeam66]

I am in the middle of it and I'm having a bit of trouble. I enjoy it, but sometimes I think it just MIGHT be a tad too long. And I'm at the stage where I just want Big Jim Rennie to die a slow and agonizing death. I hope the last few hundred pages will pick up a bit of speed, but then his books usually do.