5 best and 5 worst King book

[Stillreading]

The guy is frighteningly prolific he's bound to have a dud or two, or five. Granted the amount of good books he's written is unprecedented.

Here's my take:

WORST:

Gerald's Game (which i actually liked for about 275 pages until I abruptly lost interest)

TommyKnockers (another aborted effort)

Lisey's Story (aborted)

Desperation

The Dark Half (great beginning, great ending, meandering middle and forced dialogue)

* I figure I have to place the one's I never finished on this list, however, Lisey's Story was definitely one of those ones I tried to force before it was ready, and Gerald's Game I have every intention of reading again.

BEST:

1.The Shining (forever and always my favorite fiction of all time!!)

2.The Dead Zone (just finished this and it is absolutely brilliant)

3.Misery

4.Insomnia

5.Three-way tie: Hearts in Atlantis, Green Mile, and Needful Things

[TheHardcase]

1. The Stand -- by far and away SK's best ever.

The rest, in no particular order --

2. Bag of Bones
3. 'Salem's Lot
4. Wizard and Glass
5. It

Somehow, I find the term "worst" and Stephen King inherently incompatible. However, here's a list of stories that, for one reason or another, didn't float my boat.

1. Lisey's Story
2. The Tommyknockers
3. Dreamcatcher
4. From a Buick 8

That's it. Only four. That should tell you something.

[DillonNelson]

Im having trouble coming up with a list. But the The first four DT books all hold equal place as not just the best SK but the best books i have ever read, I just started the 5th and i think It will also join the ranks... as well as six and seven.

i do have one question though... why is From a Buick 8 on everybodies worst list?? I havn't read it yet but it was lined up for as soon as i finish DT. Just wondering. If it turns out terrible i guess it wont be a loss. I got it for under one dollar, and who can pass up a good deal on a book? any book.

[Destrachan]

My, my, my...quite a diverse set of opinions here. I must admit that I'm a bit shocked to see so many have Lisey's Story in their top 5, I tried reading it, but it turned into an exercise in futility....same with Gerald's Game and Rose Madder come to think of it. Anyway, here we go:

Worst (no particular order):
Lisey's Story
Gerald's Game
Rose Madder
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Carrie

Best (no particular order):
Cujo
Needful Things
The Shining
The Stand
Eyes of the Dragon

[Mr. Jingles]

i do have one question though... why is From a Buick 8 on everybodies worst list??

People say it has no point....i have read it twice and loved it more the 2nd time, it's an awesome story.

[suzieb]

Favorites:

Misery
Pet Sematary
Dolores Claiborne
Bag of Bones
Salem's Lot

Can't think of anything I would categorize as worse but haven't read all his works yet. I do feel that some of his endings fizzle, just don't feel right or are rushed. Endings are tricky! He gets it right most of the time and when he doesn't it really doesn't ruin the entire story for me. It's why he's the man!

Thanks,
SuzieB

[DillonNelson]

People say it has no point....i have read it twice and loved it more the 2nd time, it's an awesome story.

Well I guess that gives some idea of what people don't like but i will have to see for myself.

And now I'm also noticing how many people don't like Gerald's Game. FOR CHRIST'S SAKE WHY NOT?!?!?! That has got to be the most suspensfull and sweety palmed book I've ever read. Loved it.

[FoolsStuffing]

I have to say Im surprised that the majority of my favorites have not made it onto either list. As far as least favorites go, I see it like this. Between Kings big novels, the ones that seem to have a little extra marketing push, there are hastily written filler novels designed to reach quota and keep fans eyes open for the real deal. Not necessarily Bad, but more like B stock. This is the logic of my list.


Best
1) The Dark Half
2) The Shining
3) The Drawing of the Three
4) The Stand
5) Bag of Bones

Worst
1) Gerald's Game
2) From a Buick 8
3) The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
4) Hearts in Atlantis (Brilliantly done, but just wasn't my thing)
5) Blaze

[dwspell]

Hey-

5 favs

thinner
misery
IT
black house
duma key
really too many to narrow it down to just 5!

least favs

tom gordon
bag of bones

[Marianne]

I too don't think Sai King has ever written anything BAD. I find it quite interesting to see how different our opinions are. What some people dislike, others love and vice versa. I think that's cool.

My top 3:
The Dart Tower (the series as a whole)
The Talisman
Dreamcatcher

My bottom 3:
From a Buick 8
Colorado Kid
Tommyknockers (though I haven't read this in YEARS... so maybe it's time for a re-read and maybe I'll change my mind)