Desperation (Good or Bad?)

[The Outsider]

So I just got Desperation at the bookstore, along with the Regulators, and I just wanted to know how good it is before I start. What are some of your opinions without spoilers? I just wanted some idea of what others thought about it so I wouldn't be disappointed if it didn't turn out what I thought it was.

By the way, I've kind of heard mixed reviews, but mostly that it was a really good work, and a very dark one, too. In a way, I'm kinda hoping its very scary and dark.

[Gillie]

I loved Desperation more than The Regulators. One or two bits made me go "ewwwww" but other than that I thought it was great. 'Course I also liked the TommyKnockers :laugh:

[Natjen24]

They're awesome. Do you know the feeling that sometimes you wish you could erase your mind after you read something, just so you can indulge yourself again in that unknown but yet so remarkable world.

I had that with Desperation/The Regulators. Of these two, my favourite is the Regulators.
I'm feeling jealous that you get to explore those novels, not knowing what to expect, but I sincerely mean it when I say: 'Have a blast, they're GREAT!!'

[nicklove09]

Desperation was great, but i really think you should just read the book. King is Awesome. Don't read reviews!!! Just read it! :) haha

[Doc Wilson]

I liked Desperation quite a bit, better than regulators. I too have been surprised at the rather mixed reviews it gets, I thought it was awesome.

[Bluey Lunger]

desperation is one of the greatest books written. no kidding. the storyline is nice and tight. b follows a and c is shortly behind. a great story. i've read it several times now and it's one of sk's best, i think, his latest notwithstanding. or something. who says "notwithstanding"? he-he-he (insert elmer fudd chuckle here) i guess i just did.

[The Outsider]

Thanks all. And to Nicklove, I'm definitely going to read it, I'm going to read every one of King's books, but for desperation I just wanted to get some input from real fans whether it was going to be good or not. I like to go into a book with high expectations that get accomplished. Otherwise I can't read it as easily.

But once again, thanks for you're input, I started reading earlier, it's looking good so far!

[michal]

Don't think that "Good" or "Bad" is objective, as far as a book is concerned (just ask a bunch of constant readers what they though of any SK book and you'll get enough different answers to spin your head around).

Bur, if you want to know, I enjoyed it. Just my personal humble opinion. A bit too spiritual to fit into my top 5 list, but many good scenes and a strong story.

[The Outsider]

I just finished. Definitely my favorite King so far. I'm pretty spiritual myself, and I do believe in God, so I really liked this story. Especially the biblical references, like the ritz crackers and the sardines. I actually had just read that story in church so it was cool.

All in all it was a wonderful story, and even though there were some dark parts, to me it was a great story.

Thanks to Mr. King for another masterpiece!

[kevinrodgers90]

"Desperation" scared me so much! I don't like snakes and spiders, so imagine my surprise as the novel progressed LOL! The novel is fast-paced and full of cliff-hangers. I love it when King writes with such urgency...as if he can't wait to get to the next nightmare...and there are plenty of nightmares to enjoy in this one. I read "The Regulators" immediately after I finished "Desperation". What an awesome tandem...maybe King will do something like this again in the future!

[knarf]

Yes. Desperation was for sure an amazing novel there are some parts that are just extremely morbid and that mixed with the story line..its one of my favorites. The Regulators is an amazing story to if i was you i would read that ASAP let us know how it goes it definitely is a morbid one as well. parts of The Regulators made me grit my teeth in disgust.I Love It.

[jack12k8]

I just completed Desperation last night. I thought it was excellent...classic good vs. evil theme. I will wait to read The Regulators for a while as I like to spread out the remaining unread King books to savor them. I would like to check out the movie on Desperation even though the prevailing view seems to be that it was lousy.

[doowopgirl]

I really enjoyed both Desperation and The Regulators. Not sure if I have a favorite, though.I loved the cartoon characters that take over the landscape. I love the scene in the jail when the kid squishes him self through the bars. Just read, don,t try to intellectualize. Some times I think it takes away from the pure pleasure.

[rosetat49]

You asked who we believe the good guy was, the little boy who was trying to be close to God though he had not been raised to be a believer. my opinion anyway. but I am a romantic...........sorry. the book is defineately a tough one to read...

[smerdyakov]

I loved desperation. One of my favorite 'beginnings' to a stephen king book. In my opinion, it's far superior to the regulators because there's more of a sense of the characters. This might be because I read desperation before the regulators, though, and already had the former's character development fresh in my mind. I also thought the premise of the regulators got a bit silly (but that's just me). The movie desperation is pretty bad, though not as bad as other king adapted movies.

Yeah. Desperation: Good.

[Roou*]

i read the regulators first, and mmm like 6 months later i found desperation :P i prefer desperation :)
both are great :D

[wilhelmreems]

just read desperation and really liked it. Saw the movie when it was on TV years ago and waited long enough to get the bad taste out of my mouth before i read the book, glad i did.

Started the regulators today, so far, i like it a lot since I just finished Desperation two days ago. It's fresh and I can already tell had I read Regulators first I wouldn't like it, I think I'd be lost. But, let's see how it progresses.

[punkmonkey]

it was great, but i dunno which one i like better: desp. or regulators

[davemelnick]

Neither Desperation nor The Regulators are bad. They are great stories. In fact , they are sequels of 1 another (just like Dark House & The Talisman). Let alone, read which ever 1 you want 1st. At least, that's my opinion. :smile2:

[JRM]

Desperation is one of my all-time favs! :D Haven't read Regulators yet.

[M2H]

I really enjoyed Desperation a lot (I haven't seen all of the TV-movie version yet though). I liked the original book jacket art, and how it was linked to the Regulators artwook. But if I have to say one negative thing about the novel, I felt it could have been a little shorter.

[steve-w]

Absolutely loved this book!
Gonna look out for The Regulators.
I did fancy watching the DVD but after reading posts on here I'm not too sure now. Maybe.....

[SequenceInitiated]

I didn't actually read the book but I read chapter 1 at a library and it's what made me love Stephen King books.

[xP3AC3MAK3Rx]

Well, it's been like 10 years since I've read it, got myself the 'stand alone' paperback and the '2 in 1' back then.

I read them both, first "Desperation", then "Regulator".
Just recently watched the "Desperation" movie for the first time (good actors, not so well directed), otherwise I wouldn't have remembered the story after such a long time.

Only thing I remember is that reading the books was fun, esp. "Desperation".
"Regulator" is (if I remember it right) like a 'twilight zone' story, where the names of the characters of "Desperation" are now owned by totally different characters. The stories are somewhat connected, but I'm afraid it's just too long ago for me to make a qualified review of the books anymore.

They were entertaining, that's what I remember.

Have fun reading!


Tommy

[Mobe1969]

I loved the book. I got that Recorded Books audiobook copy of it Stephen King narrated. Cost me a fortune. But worth it.

And seriously, the movie adaptation was just so spot on.

I kind of wish they'd done a back to bak Regulators adaptation with the same cast playing the same characters (by name) they were in there. That would have been ultra sweet.

[mrblonde]

Just finished this. I liked it alot. Johnny had some great one liners.
The excused pass was weird, but I'm not going to ask questions.
"Cell" is next.

[no bounce no play]

I read Desperation immediately after reading Regulators. It was fun to compare them :) I liked Regulators best but it might be because I read it first. The storyline is a little bit Lovecraftian... which is a good thing :)