Anyone else have trouble with the length of SK's books?

[Ravenreader]

Let me start out by saying two things: first, I LOVE SK and consider him a literary genius, otherwise I would not read and post on this board. Second, this is my second time attempting to read the uncut edition of The Stand. I made it about 500 pages the first time, and am now about 750 pages in. It's a fantastic story, just---drags, in places.

This isn't the case for me with all of his work: not Carrie or The Shining, Salem's Lot, Dolores Claiborne, or Rose Madder, to name a few. Certainly not for Needful Things! That's the last one I read before giving The Stand another try, and it reminded me of all the things I really love about King. I finished (and enjoyed) Duma Key, but only after cheating a bit, reading some spoilers. I couldn't help thinking, "Where the heck is this going? Good story--I like Edgar, and he's well-developed as a character, but isn't something going to HAPPEN?"

Has anyone else had this problem? And does The Stand start to pick up again? Right now I am getting bogged down in the Boulder community's attempt to make some kind of a government. Yawn.

I enjoy collecting King, even things like Eye of the Dragon, and I do intend to read all of it eventually..(even seriously considering pre-ordering Under the Dome, and rather proud of the idea that that would be my first first edition King).but sometimes I wonder if I can really call myself a fan (much less a Constant Reader) if I get stuck so often.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

No, I haven't. The only complaint I have against The Dark Tower is that it's too short!

And laws yes, M-O-O-N spells picks up like a rocket IMO. Keep going.

Long days and pleasant nights

[senca the lemon]

surprises me that you find the stand hard to read,it was one of my first books to read and found it really easy to read (yes it was the compltete and uncut edition).Only a small part was dragging for me and that was the part about mother abigails life but this was an ow so small part that it didn't really have an effect on how easy the book red.I actually like the bigger books even better then the smaller ones,don't know why:oo:...they contain more characters,is more lively and real or something like that:biggrin2:

[elysian]

Has anyone else had this problem? And does The Stand start to pick up again? Right now I am getting bogged down in the Boulder community's attempt to make some kind of a government. Yawn.

Perhaps The Stand just isn't for you. There's nothing wrong with that (although it is my personal favorite)! Have you ever read the original, "cut" edition? If not, maybe that would work better for you. I happen to love the whole Boulder government thang, but I can assure you that the **** will hit the fan shortly and you might find it more exciting then.

As for the length of the books, I definitely prefer 'em lengthier.

[ifsogirl88]

I'm a pretty new reader, relatively speaking - I've read only 4 books: The Regulators (Bachman), Salem's Lot, Lisey's Story & Duma Key. Loved them all. But no, I haven't found any of them to be too long. I found myself wishing they were all longer because I enjoyed them so. Now, I may have a different opinion once I read a few more of his books, lol! I'm about to start the Cell. Looking forward to enjoying it as much as the others. My friend raves about it. :)

[KatieScarlet]

I was a long time getting through The Stand. It was well worth the effort, but I know what you are saying. Mostly though, I'd have to agree, that I'd prefer the books to go on & on. I hate to part with the folks in these stories.

[Haunted]

I have read both the abridged (first out) and the unabridged (came out later) and did not find a dragging time in either.

Strikes me is that you are in the calm before the storm period and that can lead to ennui because it is quiet. Especially after all the movement in the earlier chapters leading up to your present scenery.

Maybe this is not the time, maybe a break?

But do know there is more story to tell. YAHOOOOO

[mojomofo]

Nope. I enjoy SK like I enjoy few other authors, so usually I get near the end of the book and think "over so soon"?

[Ubasti]

I've started The Stand 3 times now and although each time I seem to get a little further in to it, I still can't finish it. I bought an illustrated edition (un cut) of it and I'm hoping maybe that will be the one.

[Jackson]

The Stand is my favorite of all of SK's books--It was also the first one I read, in 8th grade. For me the longer the book the better! I'm thrilled to hear that Under the Dome will be over 1000 pages! I think I like the lengthier books better because they're like a journey and I always hate to see them come to an end.
Don't give up on The Stand--it definitely picks up (although I thought it was great all throughout).

[brownmouse]

Well, I imagine (Ms. Mod you can set me straight if I am wrong) that someone ( editor? King himself? Tabitha? ...)thought the uncut version too long as it wasn't the original publication so I wouldn't beat yourself up too much for finding it dragging at times. I mean it is one heck of a long book! If it was non stop action I think my head might have blown off!!:wink2: It is worth the effort to finish. You won't regret it!!!!!!!

[mstay]

The only problem I have is when they are too short! I loved the Stand - it is my favorite book ever.

[rjt65]

AW EES ( EE everyone else) I love his long books longer the better IMO --cant wait for Under the Dome! another huge one...

dont skip but i found the stand Duma all the long ones gr8 and easy reading... so no issue here luv em long when they are gr8..

[Moderator]

Well, I imagine (Ms. Mod you can set me straight if I am wrong) that someone ( editor? King himself? Tabitha? ...)thought the uncut version too long as it wasn't the original publication so I wouldn't beat yourself up too much for finding it dragging at times. I mean it is one heck of a long book! If it was non stop action I think my head might have blown off!!:wink2: It is worth the effort to finish. You won't regret it!!!!!!!

Doubleday cut about 400 pages out of the original 1978 edition because they didn't think people would read a book that long.

[JohnDalglish]

Doubleday cut about 400 pages out of the original 1978 edition because they didn't think people would read a book that long.

Hi,

I quote 'A Preface in Two Parts' from the Uncut.

'The cuts were made at the behest of the accounting department. They toted up production costs, laid these next to the hardcover sales of my previous four books, and decided that a cover price of £6.95 (UK edition) was about what the market would bear'.

'I reluctantly agreed to do the surgery myself''.

Sounds to me that The Stand was originally cut by the bean counters at the publishers.

Long days and pleasant nights

[LadyHitchhiker]

Once in a long while I find him a little bit longwinded. But usually I have the opposite problem, as I shake the book in my hand aggressively. "This book is too short!! How dare you make this into a short story! You had all the makings here for a great novel!!!!"

LOL

[deluxe]

I kind of have that problem. I tried to read the stand, but it was'nt that i could'nt enjoy it, it was that i could'nt understand it.
I know the plot from reading the front cover and want to read it.

Also i have a very short attention span so its hard to read a long book like that. I'm gonna give it a stab when i finish Just after sunset.

[Spideyman]

No problem with the length of Sai King's books. If he writes the words, I'll read them. The more words, the more time to savor his talent.

[DeidraDay]

...It's a fantastic story, just---drags, in places.

...but sometimes I wonder if I can really call myself a fan (much less a Constant Reader) if I get stuck so often.

Like many who responded, The Stand was my first SK book, and you're right, it IS a fantastic story, but... yeah, it dragged for me about 3/4 of the way through. I remember thinking that it was kind of coming unraveled or something, but I still couldn't put it down.

Having confessed that, I still consider myself Constant Reader, mostly because when SK writes his preface or the afternotes or whatever, I always feel like he is addressing me personally. That means I'm either grandiose or a Constant Reader; maybe both. Probably both.

Other than that, I feel as most here do: if it's written by SK, the book can't be long enough. I will actually slow my reading pace to a c-r-a-w-l, just to put off coming to the end of the book.

Carry on,

d

[staropeace]

Way too short for my liking.

[senca the lemon]

to add something,I think that the stand could easely be 2000 pages in total (which I once mentioned in my "the stand" topic,there were sow many details that could be added to the book.In my opinion,the length of the stand is only positive and actually necessarry (how do you spell that?:blush:) and now I'm reading needfull things,almost 1000 pages and here I find it also positiv that the book is pretty big.It gives everything more intensity and makes everything more real I think.

[MadamMack]

The longer the better . . .:biggrin2:

[Theregulator]

The stand was one of my first books and I remember being disappointed when I finished it. For me readings about the story not the ending.

[brownmouse]

Doubleday cut about 400 pages out of the original 1978 edition because they didn't think people would read a book that long.

I should have figured :glare:

[Ravenreader]

Some responses to questions that others have posted--no, I have not read The Stand in its original form. Needful Things was fantastic IMO, despite the length, and I am looking forward to reading DT (when I have more than The Gunslinger), despite the fact that it's a 7 book series. I refuse to read the graphic novel version of The Stand before reading the book proper.

I guess some of my disappointment is with the characters themselves--I was prepared to be very sympathetic to the Trashcan Man, since I have read somewhere that he was one of SK's fave villains, but I can only find some pity, not much redeemable there. I really liked Harold Lauder in the beginningand now I can't help thinking he's going to be some kind of Judas figure, if not worse, for what I consider a pretty stupid reason/ And there's just so much more I'd like to know about Flagg, which I don't think I'm going to get unless I read DT.

I own other books---Insomnia, for one--that I dread reading thinking I'll never conquer the length. But I do want to read all of his books occasionally. I even picked up a paperback of The Colorado Kid the other day.

All in all I know more than ever that SK is a great writer--because when I turn off my lights at night, I always seem to see either Flagg or Pennywise over my shoulder...

[Spideyman]

There is a saying amongst many who have read the DT series: "It is the journey, not the ending. Have you thought about reading the longer books thinking only of the journey, not the amount of pages, size, or length?
Just sit back and let Sai King take you into a magical place and time.

[staropeace]

I never consider the length of his books. If I see a book written by Uncle Steve,I have to read it..........right away.

[smooth operator]

I am currently rereading the unabridged version of The Stand in hardback. This is one of my all time favorite books. I am taking my time and reading it slowly, savoring it, if you will. When I am done, I will long for more.
I do have one thing to say about this novel - it is heavy as hell!! If I am going to really hunker down and read for a while, I have to prop it on something. But I can do that - it is nothing when compared to the pleasure SK's words bring me.

[Jax]

No problem with the length of Sai King's books. If he writes the words, I'll read them. The more words, the more time to savor his talent.

I couldn't agree more.:)

[JohnDalglish]

I do have one thing to say about this novel - it is heavy as hell!! If I am going to really hunker down and read for a while, I have to prop it on something. But I can do that - it is nothing when compared to the pleasure SK's words bring me.

Hi,

Well, you could just think of it as getting in training for Under the Dome LOL.

(I swear I've still got the scars from reading IT in hardback in bed!).

And I agree completely about the words - and the more of them the better, say I!

Long days and pleasant nights

[JRLauer]

I've never had that problem. In fact, the longer a book is the better I like it. I get very attached to the characters when its a long book. And a lot of times, I hate to see it end.

[danie]

Too long? TOO LONG?!?!?!
I read The Stand when I was 17, and I wish I werestill reading it! I usually walk around depressed after I finish a King book. The only anti-depressant is another King novel waiting on my bedside table...

[Goodlovin]

I personally am a sucker for a really long book by Mr King. I can only think of one book that I really wouldnt not want any more detail or length.

The Stand is so great that for me personally I could have read a few extra hundred pages about what was going on in Boulder during their rebuilding of society portion of the book.

I for whatever reason rarely find a female character of Mr Kings I can relate to. I find some of those books or stories rather boring so during Frannie's chapters of the Stand I look forward to getting them out of the way and always want to skip them but never do.

[SixPins]

I have never had any trouble with the length of his books. They are always well balanced and not bloated, even the ones with 1,000+ pages.

[kingfanalaska09]

I've tried reading both It and The Stand (Unabridged) versionbut can't seem to finish those. I am looking forward to Under The Dome

[Srbo]

Anyone else have trouble with the length of SK's books?

I do.

Too short.

[LadyHitchhiker]

The Stand could have gone on forever though, imfo.

[MrJinxs]

Never, as others say the longer the better. Perhaps you should try reading his latest short stories. Excellent, I especially loved Ayana.

[lazuraspit232]

It's not always the length that gets me, I had a hard time recently getting into Salem's Lot. The beginning just seemed to drag on. It took me over a week to read the first 60 pages, but then I finished the rest of the book in one sitting. With the stand I just couldn't put it down. If you have already invested the time to read 750 pages it's more than worth it to read the book to it's conclusion. I feel the is the greatest novel of at least the last 100 years (if not the best ever).

[tillyn]

I had no trouble with the Stand, i rather enjoyed the book. Maybe as H. said take a wee break and get back to it. I find the DT series long. I'm enjoying it tremendously but the books go on for ever. I guess i won't feel that way at the end. I'll be wishing for more.

[bopropadop]

I can't say that I've paid attention to how many pages are in the book. With most of SK's stuff, I start at page one and get lost in the story. I always seem to surprise myself when I notice that there are only a few pages left under my right thumb.

I hope you make it through The Stand. Yes, it definitely picks up after the lull in Boulder - if you can call it that... Much yet to happen in Vegas and on the roads in between. Good luck!

[mashead2000]

I loved the stand! i have to say i saw the movie first so that made it easier to read the book! wouldn't read the cut edition because there is so mush more in the uncut edition! i have to admit that when i start reading a book i feel they are huge and i will take forever toread it but once i get into the story it goes quick. the only problem i do have is when i do hit the halfway stage i want to start another!
i also agree the dark tower was way to short! 7books may seem long but once your at the end you just want another book lol

[Poetrychic222]

Yes, they are to short!

[pandora]

I have a huge problem with the length of SK's books.
They should be longer.

[Sundrop]

Nah, I'm never bothered by how long a book is. I get so wrapped up in the story that when it ends, I'm staring off into space thinking "so now what am I supposed do I do?" :)

[blunthead]

So far I've had no problem with the length of sK's books. They always seem to stop at the end.

[CorbinKale]

I never had any issues with ANY books being too long. Once I start reading, I don't even notice that I am turning pages. The story becomes a movie in my mind, and I just float around the action according to how the author depicts the scenes.

Off topic, but when I was trying to encourage my son to read, I told him that was how it would be when he got good at reading. Just two months ago, he came whooping out of his room to tell me that he just got the mind movie! :biggrin2: I have to tell you I teared up a bit. What a gift that my child loves to read, finally! He is ripping through all of Heinlein's young boy's SciFi adventure books now.

[JayneH]

The only problem with the length of his books are - they arent long enough :smile2:

I really hate finishing a good book - I feel totally lost for a few days afterwards as I have to "switch off" The Stand is one of those books - I would love to know what happens next ... lots of questions....

[the_constant_reader]

I always feel so sad after I’m done reading a SK book. I hate the feeling of knowing there are only 3 pages left. It makes me kind of sick and then I actually miss the characters (I know how can you miss a fake person, but I do). I guess the only time I was like “wow this is long” was when reading IT, but it was my first SK book; I kept thinking this book is bigger than the bible. But I soon got sucked in, as I always do, and then felt sad once it was done. Maybe take a break, read some of his shorter works. I once read The Green Mile in one night. It’s a fast beautiful read.

[Jojo87]

It depends what a kind of book it is. With Liseys story I have no problem with the length. But now I read Talisman and it feels like I never gonna finish the book. Because Talisman have so many pages.

[Oogway]

I used to.. I was checkin all the time how many pages I have to read till the end well i still do it but now i enjoy it and i wonder why it was bothering me if I would finish soon enough each book the only thing that matters is to like the reading

[Haunted]

I always feel so sad after I’m done reading a SK book. I hate the feeling of knowing there are only 3 pages left. It makes me kind of sick and then I actually miss the characters (I know how can you miss a fake person, but I do). I guess the only time I was like “wow this is long” was when reading IT, but it was my first SK book; I kept thinking this book is bigger than the bible. But I soon got sucked in, as I always do, and then felt sad once it was done. Maybe take a break, read some of his shorter works. I once read The Green Mile in one night. It’s a fast beautiful read.

The people in the books are fake????!!!!! Not the people Mr. King describes in his books. Those who he so wonderfully fleshes out till their psyches are exposed, and before the reader they stand as the good, the bad, and the ugly? Not fake, nuhuh.:love:

[Lily Sawyer]

I have never had an issue with the length of the book.
I have issues with the topic or storyline.

Mr. King's works have never been too long for me, and only two that I've read have truly dragged.

[Luli]

IMO: the longer the better! :)

[smjohn]

Yes. They are too short and I hate finishing them.

[scratchesass]

Dey dont gots no pichers either.

[Jake Featherston]

does The Stand start to pick up again? Right now I am getting bogged down in the Boulder community's attempt to make some kind of a government. Yawn.

The Stand ends very well.

I don't really understand the idea of a book being too long. If its a good book, why would you ever want it to end?

[Anton177]

It took me longer to read The Eyes of the Dragon than it took me to read The Stand Uncut.

Length is of no issue if it's gripped you in your head.

[atlantis]

Hi.
I usually have to ration myself to reading a certain number of chapters a day when I'm reading SK books, or I gobble them up too fast!

[rjt65]

Always thought his books were to short! :glare:

[LadyPain]

Dey dont gots no pichers either.

Try finding an old copy of 'Cycle of the Werewolf'. There will be some there for ya...


Like in many things, I am a bigger-is-better fan when it comes to the books. I love a good read, even if it really makes my hand ache to hold it. The desire to read and getting caught in the story pretty much erase the physical pain of holding a monster tome.

[plgordon]

Happiness is a FAT Stephen King book. To Me there are few things I look forward to as much as oppening a new SK book for the first time, and the thicker the better. Turning the last page is a bummer. It Seems others share your view of getting bogged down in The Stand though! I suggest read on through........but....Maybe it's not for You!

[doowopgirl]

You just have to be in the right mood for The Stand. It is my all time favorite SK, but as mant times as i have read it, I do have to be in the right frame of mind to read it. The first time I read it I just got into the Zone to the point that I didn't relize time passing until it got to dark to see

[jchanic]

Try finding an old copy of 'Cycle of the Werewolf'. There will be some there for ya...


Like in many things, I am a bigger-is-better fan when it comes to the books. I love a good read, even if it really makes my hand ache to hold it. The desire to read and getting caught in the story pretty much erase the physical pain of holding a monster tome.

Under the Dome will make your whole ARM ache!


But it's worth it!

John

[Dhasek]

I am reading to uncut version of the Stand for the first time currently, and for me personally the first third went by fast and then I got a little weary of it for a while near the middle but now I am pumped up again and flying right through it. I am almost done and I love this book! I will be sad when it is all over. The way its going, it will mos def rank highly on my list of favorite books. I LOVE a long SK novel because it totally engulfs you and you have a chance to really connect with all of the characters and feel like you are a part of what is going on. For anyone who gets worn out during the course of a long book, I say put it down for a day or 2 and then press on through, if it is SK, it will be well worth it in the end!!

[JRM]

I normally have absolutely no problem with book length (in fact, I think they're really worth my money if they're lengthy), but it's when a book slows down when it begins to bother me. Insomnia is the best example I could think of. I had to force myself to read it at times (kept thinking to myself, "I'm too far into it to just quit") -- it's just so long and slow-paced. But I did finish it, so I'm proud of myself, haha. A solid read, but it's one of those books that I wish were shorter.

[IfSoGirl]

Under the Dome will make your whole ARM ache!


But it's worth it!

John

music to my ears. maybe i'll invest in one of those book stand thingys.

[deluca2b]

No way---the longer I am in a book of King's the better...Guess that is why I have reread so many of his countless times....I've probably read The Stand uncut 50 times by now.

[Matthew.Degnan]

I actually think that the longer SK story are the best.

[91rewoT]

The longer the better! I love getting to know the characters!

[Chelle71]

WOW I can't believe The Stand is one of SKs you are having trouble with....I love it, keep going:grinning:

[michal]

I love the longer books of Stephen King, as well as the short stories and usually the only problem I have with a length of any specific book is that it ends too quickly! But seriously, obviously you have to be in a certain mood to overcome The Stand or It or DT 7, but then again - there are always full passages (chapters at times) that I can reread and it's as if I've never read them before. It's like fetting several books in one.

[JimmySOZO]

The longer the better . . .:biggrin2:


Hey, it's not the size that counts, but how you...ah, nevermind. :wink2:

And I prefer them longer myself, by the way. :oo:

[nicklove09]

I have a HUGE problem with Stephen King books! They always end ;)


SK ROCKS!

[Mookie]

The length is one of the things I like about King's books. Great stories, more pages of a great story... what's not to like?:smile2:

[O'Hara]

The only problem I have with the length is that they aren't long enough :biggrin2: I love that he can write such long novels and keep me involved in the story, but I also do love books that have a lot of build-up before the final climax, even if said build-up is long and drawn out. I really enjoyed Insomnia and Duma Key because of that. I'm just always sad when I finish the last page. It feels like part of me has ended and I'm not quite sure where to continue. Like when I finished the Stand both times I've read it, it's so long that I had to wait a day or two to pick up a new book because I felt like I needed to wait for the impact of it to lessen and my brain to recycle, lol.

[KJ Norrbotten]

Good books are never too long. On the other hand, there are books with less than 300 pages, that can make your life (or few hours) an agony. There are only one or two books by Sai King which caused me any trouble.

[Tayholdem]

I think that "The Stand" couldn't have been any shorter. If anything it needed to be longer ever after he put the original material back in. There are to many characters and different scenes going on at once to have the book be any shorter. But in the end I would have liked (call me crazy) a little more out of "The Stand" in parts. especially at the end. That's all I'm going to say don't want to wreck one of the best Books for you. Oh yah, wait until you see "Under the Dome". Talk about epic or what.

[JRM]

My favorites tend to be around the 500pgs mark. I typically fully enjoy those.

[jnote]

I'm also looking forward to the next loooooonnnnngggg book! I buy them and then let them sit for awhile, looking forward to starting the book. I also don't read them fast to make them last longer.:eyebrow:

[guido tkp]

ahem...length (i can't believe i'm saying this) has never been the problem for me...

it's the way he ends them: i've always had more trouble with his endings..

it could be 500, 600 pages of sublime wonderfulness...then...

??

[hapijoyo]

I read the first shorter version, then the uncut version when it came out, & enjoyed the uncut one better, although the hardback did get a little heavy to hold sometimes. Yeah, maybe the re-building of Boulder was a bit slow in places, but it pinpoints the importance of some of the newer characters that play bigger roles later in the book. Hang in there, it's worth it! Just a thought, but maybe the really long stories could be bound into two volumes, packaged together, for more comfortable reading. I'd pay extra for the benefit because it's hard on the spines if the book is too big.

[Lunar Kissed]

I thought that the length of the Dark Tower books were fine until I got to Wolves of the Calla, and then I thought the books were twice as long as they needed to be...

I haven't tried to read The Stand yet so I can't really say anything about that particular book.