Any Good?

[casstess146]

I'm getting ready to start this book. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Doc Wilson]

Have you already read The Talisman?

[doowopgirl]

Some may say you need to read the Talisman first, but I did not find this to be so. I read Black house so long after Talisman that it wouldn't have made any difference. So I went and re read Takisman after Black House and it STILL didn't make any difference. But the Black House was really good and dark, and full of good characters.ENJOY !

[brandon]

This book rules! A warning though... it starts out real slow, so stick with it and you wont be disappointed. This book contains, IMO some of the scariest stuff King has done. And no, you dont hafta read talisman first. Happy reading!

[BigJimVt]

This book rules! A warning though... it starts out real slow, so stick with it and you wont be disappointed. This book contains, IMO some of the scariest stuff King has done. And no, you dont hafta read talisman first. Happy reading!

Agreed, I have just started reading it again for the second time. The first time was when it first came out in hardcover. I remember from my first time reading it that I REALLY liked it. When I started it again about a week ago I couldn't believe how slow it started. I am about 175 pages in and it's finally starting to get REAL good and REAL intriguing.

[Natjen26]

The first time I read it, was indeed way behind The Talisman and at first I couldn't put my finger on the fact that the main character seemed so familiar.. Then a few chapters later, it hit me.. :D

I have read it again, directly after The Talisman, but IMO you don't have to read it subsequently.

But it's a good book. I liked it.. but beware or the fisherman will make another catch. :cool2:

[pawnman]

Agreed, I have just started reading it again for the second time. The first time was when it first came out in hardcover. I remember from my first time reading it that I REALLY liked it. When I started it again about a week ago I couldn't believe how slow it started. I am about 175 pages in and it's finally starting to get REAL good and REAL intriguing.Just got done with this book a day before Thanksgiving. I was simply amazed to see how right you and brandon are--the book does start out really slow; it doesn't start picking up for me until somewhere in the middle of "The taking of Tyler Marshall." I'm not used to such a slow start in anything King gets involved with.

Towards the end of the book is where I found it was hard to put down.

Started reading "From A Buick 8" and I feel right back at home in some comfortable house slippers. I'll talk about that one in it's thread when I'm done with it. :smile2:

[michal]

I think you should - it's an excellent story with some interesting twists and turns. But to be frank, I'd probabely say that about almost any Stephen King book you'd mention...:laugh:

[Nixx_66]

Loved it. I never really became a fan of The Talisman (have´nt finished it yet), but I really enjoyed Black House.

[91rewoT]

The Talisman is one of my favorite King books, so I was really happy when Black House came out. Of the two, The Talsiman is my favorite. You don't have to read it first...it had been years in between them when I first read Black House, and I still enjoyed it. That said, I later read them one after the other, and that was pretty cool!

[Scott C]

IMO you dont need to read the Talisman first...BUT...i think reading the Talisman first will keep the suspence, if you read the Black House you will allready know the happenings in the talisman...But either way there two of the best!!......WOLF!!

[randallFlaggfan1]

Scott C., Black House is definitely good, and highly recommended, IMO....just ask Bluey!

[SharonC]

You don't have to read The Talisman first, but I think you should. It will just add to your enjoyment. I loved both of them.

[randallFlaggfan1]

As did I, Sharon. And I do think The Talisman should be read first, though not essentially.

[Snaggletooth]

DO NOT flip to the back of the book and read the last page.

This used to be a really twisted habit of mine and I've finally cured myself of it.

Uh oh.....I think I just threw a subliminal suggestion your way......never mind.

[roundtuit]

Thats the great thing about this one you really can read Black House without having had to read Talisman, but it kind of adds a bit to the depth of the novel if you have. Still can't put it down now that I've gotten started with it. I can almost distinguish what parts are Straubs words and what are Kings I get a kick out of that.

[roundtuit]

I agree it kind of takes a few pages to kick in but it sucks you in shortly, also don't have to read Talisman first but I kind of think it adds a bit of depth to it if you have.

[frogger]

I really loved the Talisman, and I enjoyed this book as well. I really love some of the characters. However, the narration vehicle he uses, with that bird's eye point of view (let's move away from this scene and head up the street to where little jimmy just fell off his bike), was THE most distracting and annoying thing I have ever found in a King book. Hated that. Found it sound distracting.

[Aim4 the hed 2 kill zomBs]

I actually read "Black House" before I read the Talisman. You can definitely read them out of order, and doing so actually intrigued me to read "The Talisman." Black House is a great read, I couldn't put it down.

[Carb-Orator]

I had a whole new way of looking at bikers after I read Black House! hahaha To this day, Talisman remains one of my fav's, and I was really happy when Black House came out. It didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I'm just waiting for the movie...

[JohnDalglish]

I Now I'm just waiting for the movie...

Hi,

From your lips .....

Good to know that Sais King and Straub plan to finish the trilogy in about two years, isn't it?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Jojo87]

I started to read this book few years ago but never finished it because for me it was to boring. But after I read Talisman I will try to read it again.

[JohnDalglish]

I started to read this book few years ago but never finished it because for me it was to boring. But after I read Talisman I will try to read it again.

Hi,

Yes, it's a slow start, all right, but stick with it and it'll soon pick up IMO

Long days and pleasant nights

[Bryan James]

1 >>>>> 2

3?

[GNTLGNT]

I found that reading Talisman just enriched the Black House "experience" for me-but there is enough in "House" to keep you "on target" without a Talisman appetizer. Enjoy, coz any book by Uncle Steve is better than 80% of anything else!:laugh:

[JellybeanJay]

I have tried really hard to get into this one but just can't do it. Is it pretty slow in the beginning or is it just me? Also I was confused because I can't exactly tell who the main characters are in the first few chapters. It seems to skip from first person to third person and then at times its like there is a narrator that is telling the reader what is going on. So confused!

[randallFlaggfan1]

Jelly - Black House can be a little confusing, and slow in the beginning. But if you persevere, I think it's more than worth it. And plus there's the third installment to think about. One wouldn't want to start the third without reading the second, now would they?

[Martsa]

I disagree about this one being slow and boring in the beginning! It is one of my all-time favourites of King's books, though it's a co-work with Straub. I've read it three times so far and I absolutely love to read it each time! It has actually become sort of a tradition to read it during summers.. ;) It's a very intense and vibrant book if I may say so! And no, I haven't read The Talisman yet, not even a single page, so you don't have to read it to be able to read Black House.

[Elemeno P]

I haven't read The Talisman yet, not even a single page, so you don't have to read it to be able to read Black House.

I would say you don't have to read TT first, but like I've seen someone else post....."when you read TT you'll wish you had".

They both stand alone, it's just you get a more complete picture of Jack if you do, and the story is just good.

IMO, Black House is a sub-chapter of the DT.

[MoniqueSA]

Any SK book is worth reading, slow start or not. It ALWAYS gets going, and you soon find yourself so lost in the story and involved with the characters that you still think about them after you've put the book down!! Black House is one of my favourites and I highly recommend it and The Talisman. They certainly compliment each other, and DT, too! :grinning:

[Manxkitti]

You'll want to read the Talisman first. That one is a great one also. I'm currently reading the Black House and I like how it's told. The story brings the reader into it. It is a good book.

[BeowulfTX]

Thoroughly enjoyed both of these books! I would also recommend reading The Talisman first but it is not absolutely necessary. Wolf remains one of my favorite all time characters from the mind of SK.
"God pounds His nails. Oh yes He does!"