The ones that got away - which order to read them?

[Riffrafter]

Just found this message board today although have been an SK fan for many, many years.

Here are the books that I haven't yet read....any suggestions as to which order to read them? BTW - Have loved almost all of his work but am particularly fond of the DT series....ok - here goes:

The Talisman - tried it when it first came out but couldn't get into the writing style for some reason so I put it down. I did read Black House and enjoyed it very much probably because of the "links" to the DT universe(s)

Insomnia - didn't even know this existed until today, but after reading the board here and seeing the links between it and the DT series, I may start here.

Rose Madder - got it as a gift from my wife but it was instantly misplaced somehow and only surfaced recently.

The Stand - I have no idea why I never read this...I know so many say it's his best or one of his best...

Eyes of the Dragon - vaguely remember this coming out but I think I passed on it as I was in a "not so high on SK" phase as it seemed he lost his Mojo a little for a while after IT...(and I had discovered Dan Simmons around that time too - he's written some great stuff, especially the Hyperion series and Carrion Comfort).

The Regulators - Got it at the same time I bought Desperation. Read Desperation but for some reason never started this one...

Well - that's the list. Any suggestions welcome and thanks in advance.

-Riff

[Ubasti]

Welcome! :smile2:

I'm reading Insomnia now so I recommend that one and Eyes of the Dragon.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

I'd suggest Insomnia, Rose Madder and Eyes of the Dragon for their DT connections, plus The Stand.

And reading The Talisman will give you the back story on young Jack Sawyer, and a great book it is too.

Having read Desperation, The Regulators is a relatively quick, fast paced, read IMO

Long days and pleasant nights

[JRLauer]

From that list, I don't think it would make a great deal of difference which order you read them. If it were me, I'd read them from oldest to newest.

[phidgt]

The Stand is my all time favorite, so I would have to recommend that one.

[tillyn]

Read them all, no matter what order. All good.

[pampam]

well i would say if you read desperation, you should read the regulators next just bc they are so closely tied, but the stand is probably the BEST read in that list!! welcome to the mb!!!!:biggrin2:

[Riffrafter]

Thanks to all for the replies, suggestions and welcome.

I have a question regarding The Stand - is there a big difference between the standard version and the uncut version? Went to my local public library yesterday and they had a very old hardcover copy of The Stand which I'm sure is the orginal published version. Should I read that or go to my local B&N or Borders and try to find the uncut version? Also - was publishing the uncut version Mr. King's idea or his publisher?

BTW - have started Insomnia (about 200 pages in since yesterday) and so far I like it very much. Noticed that references to the Crimson King make an early appearance and love the fact that the early antagonist/whacko seems to be justifying himself in service against said red one. Can't wait to see where this goes...

Thanks again.

[JohnDalglish]

Thanks to all for the replies, suggestions and welcome.

I have a question regarding The Stand - is there a big difference between the standard version and the uncut version? Went to my local public library yesterday and they had a very old hardcover copy of The Stand which I'm sure is the orginal published version. Should I read that or go to my local B&N or Borders and try to find the uncut version? Also - was publishing the uncut version Mr. King's idea or his publisher?

BTW - have started Insomnia (about 200 pages in since yesterday) and so far I like it very much. Noticed that references to the Crimson King make an early appearance and love the fact that the early antagonist/whacko seems to be justifying himself in service against said red one. Can't wait to see where this goes...

Thanks again.

Hi,

I'd definitely advise getting the Uncut Stand, the decision to edit it was made on purely financial reasons by the publisher, as you'll read in the foreword to the Uncut.

And Insomnia's got quite a few twists ahead of you - enjoy!

Long days and pleasant nights

PS But you might want to buy the old copy from your library.

[All Hail The Crimson King]

Any order you choose of course, but I would read Insomnia, Rose Madder and The Stand before those others because those are three of my favorite non-DT books.

[karend3]

Eyes of the Dragon should be before the Stand as it is the first novel you meet Roland in,set back in the Medieval days, yes he is that old. Than read the stand, than the Dark Tower series as he mentions trashcan man from the Stand so the stand pre-dated the Dark tower. IT before Insomnia, as the earthquake of 1985 is mentioned and that happend in IT. Rose Madder is good to read if you have read Dolores Claiborne as what happend to the woman as a little girl, happend the exact time Dolores Claiborne was killing her husband during the Eclipse. Definitely read the Talisman, trust me it gets gooooddd.

[glyde69]

THE STAND THE STAND THE STAND!

Also please read the unabridged version. So much more EVERYTHING in the uncut one.

[liya]

My two favorites from that list are The Stand and Eyes of the Dragon.
They all have connections to the Dark Tower books, but Rose Madder and Insomnia were my least favorite.

[lostinla]

I would probably read them by their published dates. But out of all of them, I enjoyed Eyes of the Dragon the most. Enjoy!