Trouble with Bag of Bones

[Ravenreader]

I read several posts about this book in various places, and the general consensus seemed to be that it was fantastic. So, when I picked it up secondhand, I considered it a great find--but it just isn't grabbing me like other SK books. (The Stand, Carrie, and Salem's Lot come to mind.)

I've tried to read Bag of Bones twice, and have never gotten further than the end of Chapter Nine when Mike first captures his wife's voice on tape. Maybe it's a little too autobiographical, maybe the plot concerning custody of a child is a little too close to home for me as I have a small child of comprable age.

I'd like to know people's opinions. When did this book grab you, if it did? Would I be pulled in by now if I was going to like it? Not every SK book is for every Constant Reader, after all...

[Mr Nobody]

Honestly, I can't say when. It just sort of happened. I remember enjoying it (even if I was disturbed by one or two things, too), but I think it only really became such a hot favourite after I'd finished. Not sure. It's been 9/10 years since the very first time now.

And no, not every book is going to grab every reader - I've not read The Stand yet because I'm not convinced I'd like it (or at least, that I wouldn't remember the mini-series and know the end before I was done with the beginning).
Some would say I was wrong for that and maybe you'd be one of them. Could be that BoB is not for you just yet. All I'd say is, be open to reading it later (i.e. a few years' time). It's my position as far as The Stand goes, and when I do read it (when I'm ready to), I'm pretty sure I'll appreciate it more.

[the_last_gunslinger]

It grabbed me almost from the beginning, starting with the scene when Mike rummages through his dead wife's purse and eats the piece of chocolate he finds there. It was a pretty sad, albeit powerful part.

Plus, I consider it one of the scariest books King has written, especially later when Mike ventures into the cellar of his house, and experiences strange noises and ghostly messages.

I consider it one of my favorite five, and one of the few books I've read multiple times.

[sam peebles]

I tried reading this when it first came out and couldn't do it.

Recently I picked it up again and managed to get through it quite quickly, but I didn't enjoy it half as much as some of his older works. It's not even close to being in my top five. Is it just me, or does this book hold many similarities to Lisey's Story? Both are about a widower or widow, one a famous writer, the other a famous writer's spouse, both now coping with the loss of their significant other and realizing past secrets.

I did enjoy Bag of Bones more than Lisey's Story though...

[wally wonder]

guess it grabbed me in the first sentence or two, but then, i'm weird so what do you expect? i've enjoyed all of his stories and have a hard time understanding why anyone dislikes any of them. the man knows how to tell a good story. or maybe it grabbed me at the crossmock. a little girl, putting her foot down, letting the world know where she stands has my attention every time.

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

I notice that the books by King that you DID really like are all from earlier in his career. Maybe you just like that style better. Try reading the books in chronological order.

We all float down here.

[michal]

Would I be pulled in by now if I was going to like it? Not every SK book is for every Constant Reader, after all...

Couldn't agree more, and not every SK book is for every Constant Reader in a given time. I discovered though that when I returned to books I liked less (The Talisman is a good example), I enjoyed it much more.

Maybe you can try it again in a few months or years, and if not...

Well, Mr. King has been generous with his writing, and you certainly have plenty of options.

[JohnDalglish]

It grabbed me almost from the beginning, .

HHi,

Yes, me too, I think it's a great book.

And Lencho's suggestion about reading in chronological order is a very good idea IMO.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Dhasek]

I must say, this is one of my favorite King novels. It sucked me in right from chapter 1 when Mike had the dream about Jo being under the bed..

[Sarahlou]

Until I noticed this thread, I'd totally forgotten about this book, despite it being one of my favourites, which i've read about five times, guess that comes from Mr King providing us with such a fabulous strata of work. It's one that i find really gets the emotions going. Would also agree that reading in chronological order is a great idea and one I've been trying for about the last five years, although i always get side tracked when i spot one of my favourites and the order goes out the window, lol

[Ravenreader]

I notice that the books by King that you DID really like are all from earlier in his career. Maybe you just like that style better. Try reading the books in chronological order.

We all float down here.

This seems like a good suggestion. I did start reading SK chronologically--at least in one sense. (My first read was Carrie.) I try not to make it widely known as all of Sai King's work is wonderful stuff--but I do believe that his more recent work is--just not quite as good. Would someone please post me a link to a chronology of his work; I know it's on the site somewhere but just can't seem to find it.

Thanks!

[Moderator]

If you go to this link (http://www.stephenking.com/library/written.html) on the main portion of the site, and then click on the First Published heading, it will sort them chronologically.

[Magoo2]

Yikes. I've not tried to read it, but I've got it on CD. I've had the same problem getting into it -- unusual for me because I love to listen to people read, pretty much anything.

I thought I'd try the book -- because so many people rave about it. I'm glad to have these threads.

[the_constant_reader]

I must say this was by far the scariest read of my life. I am a huge fan of SK and have read most of his work, and am not easily scared, but this book really terrified me. I felt like as I was reading it, my own home became haunted. Everything made me think of the book, even the magnets on the refrigerator made me feel uneasy, as I at the time had a small child that loved playing with ours. Too many things freaked me out with this book and I guess that is why I loved it so much. I think you will find it will pick up after a while if you stick with it. Enjoy it, and don’t be a scared-y cat like me.

[Cowboy]

I would say keep reading, because it picks up speed and turns out to be a very good story.

[fredo]

It is a scary book. One of his best, I think. But of course, I LOVE a ghost story.

[Angel182308]

Im reading it now and its much better than I thought it would be.

[JRM]

Personally, this book grabbed me from the get-go. Oh, but just so you know, it got a lot better as it went along.

[rachpach1984]

I fell in love with this book after reading about the first of the Manderly dreams. I think the use of dreams that feel like reality and reality that feels like a dream makes this a powerful book, but maybe that is because I often have such powerful, realistic dreams that it just heightened my enjoyment and understanding. I would recommend finishing it because it all comes together in the end and then you want to read it again, but I know how hard it can be to make yourself read something you just aren't into.

[doowopgirl]

Not every SK book is for every constant reader, but bag of bones grabbed me pretty quick. i looked at it as a straight forward ghost story. i have never liked any of the dark tower stories, so there you are

[thebarbster24]

I've read Bag of Bones right after Straub's Ghost Story (I'll never make the mistake of reading any of Straub's works again) and I was hooked on King's ghost story from the very beginning. Mike Noonan was another one of SK's great characters and his dreams/nightmares were among the best parts of the book.
But I agree it might not be a book for every one.

[pawnman]

I'm reading this now. I like it. Have to say that King has a way of describing the main character's thoughts.

When you really get in to the main character's thoughts, I found that I forget about my troubles; my troubles are nothing compared to a King creation. :D

[Nero]

Bag of Bones is one of my favorite books, period.

I used to be in the camp that SK's recent works were not as good as his older ones, however over the last year or so I've come to believe the exact opposite. I think his writing has evolved (a perfect reason to take a previous poster's advice and read his books in chronologically written order).

I think a difficulty to overcome as an SK reader, is getting past the mindset you had when you first started reading King's earliest books. I think we began to expect something (OMG!) shocking, brutal, blasphemous in his writing. We liked the shock value that we kept receiving. I think this aspect of King's style has grown much more subtle in nature, and if you can open up the doors to the Expected Style Cage that readers tend to put SK in, approaching each book with a fresh, "first time I've ever read this author" mindset; I think you'd enjoy his latest publications much more.

[Eyeball Paul]

Morning all!

This is my first post, and I do not want to create any panic amongst us Constant Readers'. I have a query about the Bag of Bones storyline and I do not want to spoil any enjoyment you guys currently (or proposing to) read this very good novel. [Look away now, if you so wish!]

Can anyone tell me the exact cause of death of Mike Noonan's wife?

[graywritingdog]

For me there is a strong simuarity in Bag of Bones and Duma Key, the depth of the story, the depth and realism of the main characters. Bag of Bones and Duma Key are my top two Sk novels.

Mike (in BOB) is so enchanting, the complexity of the story is amazing. I'm finishing up the last of the DT series now, but it doesn't compare to these two novels, for me.

I buy copies in used books stores and give them to random people. Most of the non-king readers as very suprised how well they like his work and wonder why they didn't give hima try before. There's a reason why he's a #1 seller, he's just great.

I do alot of reading, king is still on top, aging like fine wine. Duma Key is amazing but it takes second place to Bag of Bones.