desert island sk books what 3 would you choose

[frisbee]

The Stand, IT and Insomnia

[Delbert_Grady]

Is it cheating to take "The Bachman Books", as it is 4 novels in 1 book?

I will assume not.

So, "The Bachman Books" is in.

Hmmm. What else. "Skeleton Crew" contains 'Survivor Type', and that has some very helpful hints about desert island survival...but I lack the heroin and medical training to enjoy such a scenario as is described in the tale.

Oh, "The Shining", obviously. I love a story that's good for, you know, the whole family.

Let's see...I guess number three would have to be "The Stand", but not the so-called complete and uncut version...the original novel from 1978. While the extra pages in the 1990 edition would come in handy (I don't imagine there is a Dharma hatch full of toilet paper on this island), I cannot get over the fact that King updated and modernized the book for this release. What is the flippin' point. I would absolutely love to read the unexpurgated version of the original book, but as it was written in 1978. Am I crazy? Is there a worthwhile rationale for the modernizing of the story that I fail to see?

So, there you have it. My three:

THE BACHMAN BOOKS
THE SHINING
THE STAND (1978)

[Moderator]

He didn't rewrite it in 1990 just for the purposes of updating names of candy bars, etc.--most of the changes (approximately 400 pages) had already been written before the 1978 release but were edited out, mostly for cost-cutting measures by Doubleday. Steve explains his reasons in the Preface which might help you understand his rationale for adding back the edited material.

[Delbert_Grady]

I understand that the original manuscript had an extra 400 pages or so...and that I would love to read, but as it was originally written, not as it was re-vamped in 1990. I did read the preface of the newer edition (before I returned it and tracked down an original), and while he does explain about the editing down of the manuscript he does not really address his reasoning for why he updated/modernized the setting when he restored the missing text. I know it is probably a small niggle, it just seems like a silly move. If anyone in contact with the writing' dude could get an answer I would be ecstatic.

[dragland]

The Stand
It
Delores Claiborne
These are the ones I have read over and over and can probably quote from.

[emohohen]

The Stand
It
The Greenmile
I would love the Dark Tower but of course there are too many books. Hopefully I won't starve on this island and have to start eating a finger or two!

[Lina]

The Shining
Duma Key
Just After Sunset

[JellybeanJay]

The Bachman Books (4 in 1)
Under the Dome
The Stand

[Tery]

Needful Things
The Stand
Wolves Of The Calla

[Pucker]

If collections aren't considered cheating I would want both The Bachman Books and Different Seasons.

For a full-length novel I would probably choose The Dead Zone.