why doesn't Dreamcatcher rank in the top tier?

[Doc Wilson]

Just finished it, second read, first time was shortly after it was published.

Loved it. In terms of ranking, I'd have to move it up to the second tier, not quite as good as The Stand or It, but still damn good, even for SK who never fails to entertain even on a bad day.

But generally I've noticed that by and large its considered one of his lesser works, and it never comes up when someone posts a "favorite king novel" thread.

Why doesn't it rank? Its got the lovable childhood friends who are now adult heroes like It. And IMO, a more satisfactory ending than either It or UTD. And Kurtz is a great villian, an obvious prototype in some ways for Big Jim.

Why the lack of Dreamcatcher love? Is it the grossness of the ****-weasels?

[GreenEyes]

I'm with you Doc - I loved this book! :love: In typical King style the characters are so well written and just about walk off the page. He writes childhood friendships so well and I missed them when I finished the book.

I'm not sure why it doesn't come up in "favourite King novel" threads...to be honest I never say Dreamcatcher either when asked this question. It's been years since I've read this novel and I think it might be time for a re-run to catch up with Jonesy & friends...just as soon as I finish UTD!

[wally wonder]

dunno, doc. i luved it. read it, like you, when it first came out, reread it, probably four or five times now since then...maybe the lack, as you see it, has to do w/the premise of the story, how much control the characters are granted...lots of death?...and yeah, those weasels. was sitting quietly in a tree and my stomach started gurgling. surprising how noisy that can be, if you ignore the crotch rockets roaring miles away. i should reread this one. just finished cabinet of curiosities, nothing new in the house...

[Doc Wilson]

Yep Greeneyes I heartily recommend that you do so. I've found that some of his books seem better at a second reading and this was certainly one of those. I think it might be that the ending and the whole issue of understanding the jonesy/mr gray entity is complex enough that it really takes a second reading to really understand and enjoy it to the fullest.

[Raoul Duke]

The only thing I didn't like was when Owen died at the end. Other than that I thought it was great.

[Flayer]

Kurtz was a damn good villain in the story and after seeing the movie version first, I was pleased there was so much plot difference because I could be surprised when the book differed from the (horrible) movie. The ending was one of King's best. I think that he managed to combine the best aspects of both his old and new writing styles here in a way he didn't end up matching again till Under the Dome.

[Doc Wilson]

Good point about the movie being different. I read the book first and only saw the movie recently. When it got to the end, that scene with dudditz, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Uber]

I distinctly remember not liking this book AT ALL, but now that I've gone through all these favorable posts, perhaps I'll try again. The "intestinal aliens" is what turned me off, if my memory serves correct.

[Mobe1969]

Yeah, even by today;s standards the XXXXweasels are a major gross out. They are every bit as gross in the movie too.

I love the book and the movie. I'm going to read the book again shortly.

And it has the Derry connection too.

And what's more, the structure with the "looser kids" and flashbacks was reminiscent of IT too!

[jackson992]

I like the book but the movie was horrendous and failed on almost every level

[Mobe1969]

I like the book but the movie was horrendous and failed on almost every level

Why do you say that about the movie? In what way did it fail, at any level? Let alone every level. A pretty sweeping statement with no info.

[captaincloth]

Not only that but what happened to it on the shelf... here today gone... the hard back was here and gone. I have a copy on a 20 CD set read byJeffrey De Munn and found out number 8 has a one and a half inch crack. I cant listen to the rest now... of course Simon and Schuster says they are out... last made in 2003... sorry but no have... now what do I do... it was sold at Schulers in Michigan and they say... to bad because it was a xmas gift. I have to find disc 8... please anyone! help me:down:

[jcasey]

Not only was this book hysterically funny (the s***weasels!?!) but it was so incredibly good! Im with you! This is one of the great SK books in my humble opinion! The whole raw bacon eating scene had me laughing out loud! Loved the book!

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I'm always in awe of the fact that he wrote it longhand with a fountain pen and our own Ms Mod transcribed it.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Trueivy]

I love this book. It called back to what I love most about SK, the way he writes about childhood and of the bonds we make in it. I made it a point to not research the book or even read the book jacket, and started reading it. And when the alien invasion hit I was taken completely off guard in a good way.

[jcasey]

wow! did not know that! fountain pen?

[Lobstrocities Looming]

Dreamcatcher is in my top 5 list. Anything that deals with aliens I love, so I thoroughly enjoyed the Gray/Jonesy story. And I still use the phrase all the time with my husband when he asks how my day went: Same xxxx, different day. SSDD. Classic King - always introducing these phrases that I can't get out of my head. After reading all 7 Dark Tower books in a 3 month period, I was literally speaking the Stephen King language. Still am, albeit no one else arounds me really gets it. I don't think Dreamcatcher gets the love it deserves, but I'm not sure why except that there are some gross parts to it, and it's complex.

[Dull Dull Boy]

I guess it just depends on the person. I couldn't even make it through Lisey's Story and I really didn't like from a buick 8. But people on this site seem to love both. Where as I think Dreamcatcher and Insomina are great books and people on here list them as his worst.

[GNTLGNT]

"Dreamcatcher", like a fine moss or fungi-grew on me...I've read it several times now-and finally truly enjoy it-but it wasn't reader lust at first glance though...

[JRM]

I think I tried way too hard to like Dreamcatcher. When I finished it I kept thinking I liked it (I think I even mentioned I liked it on this site), but once I set it down and let it sink in, I realized I was just fooling myself. It has its moments, but it was so unbelievably silly.

[Maoster]

Like others on here it didn't really hit me first time but really enjoyed it when I re-read recently. Love the Kurtz character and reference to Heart of Darkness and the whole mossy/telepathic thing going on. S***t weasels really were gross! I always find it hard to rank KS books as depends on the mood when reading but this would be up there.

[hustle111]

sci-fi... not too many ppl crazy about sci-fi

that, plus the whole army aspect

i loved it though, definitely one of my fav SKs

[Banjo Kazooie]

Well, it's in my top tier along with It, The Stand, Pet Sematary, The Long Walk and Under the Dome. I love a cold setting, and the flashbacks of Duddits were great moments.

[duf70]

I have owned this book for several years and somehow gotten past it when deciding what to read next from SK. I think partly it had to do with the fact that I inadvertently watched the movie (I prefer to read the books first).
Anyway, I think it is time to get down to it. It seems from the posts that the book is far better than the movie, which does not surprise me in the least. I liked the movie so I hope that the book will be in my top tier.

[Doc Wilson]

Oh you'll definitely enjoy the book more than the movie. The whole "two minds warring for one body" thing is so much richer and more comprehensible in the book. And the movies ending kinda blows, has nothing to do with the book's ending.

[Sundrop]

I've attempted to read Dreamcatcher several times, and have never been able to finish it......It's not that I don't like the story, because I do.
Whenever I start reading this book, something happens either at work, or in my life that requires all my energy, and the book gets shelved.
I've got it back in the tbr stack......maybe soon

[Learah Greene]

I know for a fact that I soak up anything SK writes and at first, 99.9% of the time, adore it. But time is a tool and I find that a natural order takes control and ranks his work and measures his best, and ultimately there just isn't enough substance in this one to properly withstand the endurance test when compared to the more intricately-detailed books, the clever plotlines, the great ideas, originality, ultimately Dreamcatcher turns out an enjoyable romp but not really something on par with his finer moments. And that's absolutely fine, it means I appreciate his best all the more. It's nice to know his talent is not viewed (by me) from a wildly subjective viewpoint of 'everything is amazing so shut up!' ;)

[guido tkp]

why does it not appear on my list of best books by king...because it simply is not a good as those great, highly original reads !!

dreamcatcher is a bit too derivitive on just about every level...it is well told, for the most part...but so is Needful things...which i rank in the same sort of area: not all books can be in the really big big leagues: this one is triple a ball all the way

king, for me, often has a bit of trouble ending his stories..all for a variety of reason...and this one just didn't fall together, for me, as some others have: i remeber it a being kinda confusing and lost...kinda like the snowstorm

all what came before, he'd done elsewhere, better...if It is a class-a spectacular...then this is its b-movie kid sister wannabe...really nice, kinda enjoyable...but that's about it

but i'm glad as heck that there are so many who did find it fantastic: means that whenever i get around to the obligatory reread...i just might find an absolute gem and change my mind