Is it worth it?

[King fan from trinidad]

I've seen this book in my bookstore recently but I didn't pick it up cause of all the bad reviews. Later I looked up the basic plot and it really intrigued me. Do you guys think I should try it out?

[~Ally~]

Hmm, it's a King book...why wouldn't you be willing to read it? :dunno: The only way to know if you like something is to try it for yourself, don't let other people's opinions dissuade you. Personally I love Lisey's Story, so I would say yes, but it's your decision in the end.

[Spideyman]

Yes, yes and again yes. That is my personal opinion. The elements of the story take to you places and times that will spark your imagination, tug are your heart strings, bring laughter and tears. It is one of my favorites. Spot on!

[GNTLGNT]

...most definitely!...took me a couple of readings to "get it"...but what a wonderful story...

[Doc Wilson]

My wife and I both loved it, only a non-king fan would single out Lisey as bad.

[tower-obsession]

It's a great story. Go read it already! :)

[scout66]

I'll second what everyone else said. I don't own ALL of Sai King's books, but I liked this one enough that I'll read it again, for sure. (There aren't a lot of books on my list of books I'd read more than once.)

[blunthead]

If you've read bad reviews of Lisey's Story here, at the SKMB, I think somehow you've missed the greater number of good ones. Even here one finds Stephen King-haters. I'm sick and tired of prejudging, rude, obnoxious, scalawag, rapscallion, elitist, boring, know-it-all, long-haired, moronic, non-critical thinking, hyper-critical Stephen King critics.

Lisey's Story is a wonder, a gift and a blessing, especially, as (good) word has it, for Constant Readers and anyone else who's ever suffered the loss of a beloved spouse.

[GreenEyes]

It is a great book but I must admit I had a couple of false starts with it. Beautifully written and well worth the read...but as most of the other guys & girls have said, what SK book isn't :umm:

[blunthead]

It is a great book but I must admit I had a couple of false starts with it. Beautifully written and well worth the read...but as most of the other guys & girls have said, what SK book isn't :umm:
IMHO, this is part of the beauty of reading Stephen King: "You never know what yer gonna get". (Anyone unfamiliar with the quote needs to get out more often). I believe sK's talent refuses certain bounds, so readers should expect the unexpected, not the typecast.

[not_nadine]

I had trouble too. But JD said so and thats good enough for me.

[King fan from trinidad]

I had trouble too. But JD said so and thats good enough for me.

Thanks guys I'll be sure to pick it up soon! I remember reading that JD cried while reading this book in public. If it really is that emotional I think I'm gonna love it!

[SharonC]

It's not one of my favourites. BUT just because it's not one of mine doesn't mean it's not worth reading. You may love it. Only you can judge that. So don't let anyone elses opinion sway you - if you think it sounds interesting, go ahead and read it.

[AchtungBaby]

IMO, yes. Some parts in the middle are kind of hard to get through, but the ending was just...great. It almost had me in tears.

[pcorroon]

I am deep in the story and it is an audio CD set from the library. I am moved and sincerly horrified at the real monsters SK brings into focus between Scott's dad and Dooley. I hesitate to listen at times as Scott's past is so desperate. Lisey is "a strong women" stronger than I. I would say love storey above all else.

[ghost19]

AWESOME book. Very, very creepy, and such a good plot. Booya Moon, strange place.....

[Learah Greene]

Okay this has encouraged me to go back to Lisey and Manda now after I pit the book down a few weeks ago. I agree it's a little trying, but while reading I was thinking to myself that the heaviness and sense of confusion seemed very fitting considering the grief she feels over losing Scott. Takes a little longer to get the action, but I've rarely dumped a book, and never a King, so I'm glad I saw this thread. Thanks!

[Chuggs]

I am reading it now, and so far, I REALLY LIKE IT! It is creepy for me in a way, though (which isn't a bad thing, I don't think) because it reminds me a lot of my wife and I. But I must say, I'm hooked. Just started part 2!

[doowopgirl]

Do stick with it, well worth it. I cried at the end and the reread was even more satisfying.

[gniknehpets]

One of the best love stories I've read.:love:

[WesleyGman]

Don't buy everything you hear about this book, one of his best works imo. It is really great, but if you are young and not married - - I am young, but married - - you may not be as captured by the story. I loved it.

[mrblonde]

I've tried to read this 3 times. Can't get out of the first 100 pages. will 4 times be the charm?

[not_nadine]

Sorry to say 5th time, and I still can't finish. First time for SK. book. I know I am missing something. I know. After reading Sai JD's thoughts on it only makes it worse. And I bow my head to you folks who knew him. This book makes me think of him.

[Sundrop]

Sorry to say 5th time, and I still can't finish. First time for SK. book. I know I am missing something. I know. After reading Sai JD's thoughts on it only makes it worse. And I bow my head to you folks who knew him. This book makes me think of him.

It was one of his favorites......maybe even his favorite. He told me it made him cry.
I still haven't read this one.

[guido tkp]

it is a tough one to crack...the threads seems so far and distant as they flutter out there in the breeze...

but slowly, evocatively, the do weave and it is quite a magical tale, indeed

not every book is a rocket ship...sometimes, i think our too, too fast society does not let us sit back and enjoy the ride

for the record...it took me several tries, too...each time i put it down...it got to the point where i had read everything but this...i finally got back to it, i believe, after UTD

but it was the impassioned pleas of many around here that made me think i was, indeed, missing something special and try again...and i loved it

[Samantha_]

Don't buy everything you hear about this book, one of his best works imo. It is really great, but if you are young and not married - - I am young, but married - - you may not be as captured by the story. I loved it.

I agree, in a way. I don't think you have to be married.

However, being in a long term relationship might help to view some of the sayings and phrases the couple used, in a different light.

[RuxiC]

When I first read it (two years ago) I found it a bit hard to understand (probably because of my age). When I read it again a couple of months ago I loved everything about it. I was intrigued by the way of describing the athmosphere and mostly the smells (if you read it you'll know what I mean). I could really feel the scent of those exotic flowers from BuLuna filling my nose. Really good book!

[may466krm]

I never read reviews on books at all, due to my natural contrariness. I read this book recently, and loved it so much that I couldn't start another one right away. I had to mourn the end of this one first.

[Samantha_]

If you've read bad reviews of Lisey's Story here, at the SKMB, I think somehow you've missed the greater number of good ones. Even here one finds Stephen King-haters. I'm sick and tired of prejudging, rude, obnoxious, scalawag, rapscallion, elitist, boring, know-it-all, long-haired, moronic, non-critical thinking, hyper-critical Stephen King critics.

Lisey's Story is a wonder, a gift and a blessing, especially, as (good) word has it, for Constant Readers and anyone else who's ever suffered the loss of a beloved spouse.


Aside from the the above statements ... wow ... I agree it's a good book.

I've never suffered the loss of a spouse and my heart goes out to those who have gone through such a separation of self. But loss of loved ones, yes. The book speaks to the "veil of grief" in more than one way.

Some of the scenes are just dead on, in pinpointing the moments of a small town, rural life.

One more, it's an awesome book for writers ... . If you write, I bet you can relate on some level. All, imo, of course.