New King readers: don't start with these books

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Originally Posted by kylallie

Being a longtime SK reader, who still hasn't managed to get right through the first DT book :down:,

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Ah, do it - you won't regret the journey. I still can't believe I waited so long. Or you can do as some say, start at the Drawing of the Three. :smile2:

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Originally Posted by fushingfeef

...lacking any other reader-specific information, here's my list of books that I recommend you should NOT read as your first King book.

The Dark Tower books
The Eyes of the Dragon
The Talisman (and Black House)
Gerald's Game
Insomnia

I'd like to hear what people think of these choices, and feel free to add any books you think aren't good first SK books to read.

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I'm with you on this, even though The Talisman is my favorite King book. To understand his evolution as a writer, you need to read the old-school stuff first and graduate to the books with elements of sci-fi and fantasy. (I'm not looking to pick a fight about vampires being fantastical elements or not in a book; they're classic horror subjects and as such, the fantastical element is implied.) The additional elements of fantasy and sci-fi in The Talisman readied King fans for books more deeply committed to the fantasy genre and less of the horror, like the Dark Tower series.

I'd stay away from all the ones you mentioned, Feefster, for a King first read.

I agree with DT, GG, and Insomnia. I think The Eyes of the Dragon is a good starting book. The Talisman can be great as well.

My first was "Misery", which I enjoyed, but, in that same Easter basket, as "It", which is where I knew I'd have to read everything he wrote :).

I love "Rage". I know why King pulled it from publication, that is probably the right thing to do, but not all people who can relate to that are going to do horrible things.

Obviously.

But that is SK's right, and I respect that.

I just started a thread asking what the most difficult book to get through was, and my answer was "Christine". Maybe it's because I don't care about cars at all, but I had to try three times to get through that.

You probably have enough under your belt that it is now time to power through "The Gunslinger" and get to "The Drawing of the Three", which gets much, much, easier.

If you do that, start at TDoTT, maybe go with a few more books, then go back to "The Gunslinger". It is so much easier to read when you have more backstory.

Recently, I read Carrie for the first time. Although I did like the book, I'm glad that it wasn't my first SK book.

I would suggest those:

Insomnia
The Talisman
Roadwork
Silver Bullet

Or maybe don't start with a story of more than 1000 pages. The best is to read books that were best sellers first. After that you get addicted. :laugh:

For new readers, I'd say avoid starting with any of the following:
-Lisey's Story
-Dreamcatcher
-It
-Insomnia
-The Talisman / Black House
-The Stand
-The Dark Tower series
-From A Buick 8
-The Tommyknockers
-Rose Madder
-Duma Key

You'd be better off starting with Salem's Lot or Cujo

I wouldn't start with Under the Dome, The Regulators or Hearts in Atlantis. The best book to start with is The Shining, Salem's Lot or Carrie.