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View Full Version : SK didn't like this book he says


Abbie
September 25th, 2009, 01:15 PM
Interestin. In King's semi autobio "On Writing" (which is excellent!) - he comments on not having liked his first big seller, "Carrie". He was surprised it took off so well. I think though he realized along the way : millionos of "losers" identified with it. High School is their worst nightmre and King brought it all around and out. Too bad it's not possible to retaliate in kind in real life. Oh wait.. they do... these days: with bullets. :(

--Abbie
JohnDalglish
September 25th, 2009, 01:42 PM
Hi,

Yes indeed, if it had been left to his own devices we would never have had Carrie ( and etc), and he'd probably be just about retiring as an English professor now.

Thank goodness for Tabby (and a man listening to his wife LOL)

Long days and pleasant nights
jules17330
September 25th, 2009, 01:57 PM
Really? I took it as he didn't like his main character and he doesn't trust Sue Snell and her intentions behind making her bf take Carrie White to the prom. I think Carrie is a pitiable character; like a pathetic stray dog or something.
jules17330
September 25th, 2009, 01:59 PM
HA! Precisely, John! He would be a pot-bellied English professor who takes out his novels and "tinkers" with them after having a few beers. Thanks to Tabby for pulling that one out of the trash!!!
It'sNineInTheAfternoon
September 25th, 2009, 03:20 PM
Haha it's hard to imagine Stephen King as a lowly English professor. It would have been such a waste.

On writing is a rather good book; however, i only have the book on tape and i can never get around to listening to all of it. Portable tape players are a rarity these days.
StarDragon77
October 6th, 2009, 07:23 AM
From what I understand he thought of Carrie as an "attempt to bake a cookie: Hard and burnt at the bottom".

Which a writer or an artist can feel about their own work. They can look back at it and think, "man I was terrible!"

Still as far as the whole bit about losers identifying with Carrie... *shrug*

When in High School there is that need to connect with someone who seems to be suffering in the same way that you are. I think that's why the idea of an outcast becoming a hero (of sorts) is such a wonderful idea. Because in high school we all are outsiders to an extent.

Even popular individuals who say that they never felt like an outsider may be lying to themselves.