Is TOMMYKNOCKERS any good? is it worth reading?

[Arnie Cunningham]

ok i am new to this so.. i was readin some of the threads and people say that this isn't that good of a book? so is it any good? is it worth reading?

thanks..

[Esther]

I find this a really difficult question, good or not good is often just a matter of taste. For example, I only dislike 2 of Kings books, both of which are very popular in general.
Same goes for "being worth it". I think it's worth to give it a go and form your own opinion.
Tommyknockers I think is one of the more "sf" and unlikely-to-happen-stories that King ever wrote. But I did enjoy it.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Welcome to the MB, and keep posting!

Personally, I think it's much under-rated as a novel and I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading it recently.

Give it a try, and let us know your own opinions.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Bryan James]

I liked it muchly even though I'm not a big sci-fi fan. I watched half of the movie last night (couldn't finish it, but I taped the rest) and it wasn't bad either.

Obviously, the old rule applies. Read the book first. Do the library thing. Donate some unwanted books/videos when you go.

~BJS

[Doc Wilson]

I remember being mildly disappointed in it for some reason when it first came out; on the other hand, I intend to re-read it soon so it must not have been so bad.

[Jareth Goderis]

it was great it was the first SK book i ever read
That was in seventh grade
i've been hooked on SK since then

[sam peebles]

I love the book. Thought it was awesome, though a lot of people don't care for it much. Like John said it's very under-rated.

[ginapenn]

Tommyknockers was on (I think) SyFy last night, they dedicated a whole day to SK's work, and I watched most of it. I told my husband last night I'd read the book and when I really thought about it, I realized I read it a really LONG time ago (maybe late 80's? can't remember when the book was published). Jeez! I need to re-read it.

[randallFlaggfan1]

John, I completely agree. IMO, Tommyknockers is vastly underrated.

[jackson992]

I agree also that it is vastly underrated. Like Under the Dome there are a lot of characters so that might be part of the reason some people don't like it as well.

[Snaggletooth]

Another SK classic that became a so-so made for TV movie. I thought the book was quite good, remember it coming out around the same time that the Bachman thing was revealed. Sort of an E.T.-on-steriods meets Philip K. Dick. And hilarious in some places, as well. I would heartily recommend it if you like sci-fi with a twist.

[Sigmund]

Tommyknockers is good and worth reading IMO. It's not my favorite SK book but if you re-read a book a few times it can't be too bad, huh?

[Scott C]

it was the first SK book i read as well and I LOVED it...and as with Jareth...ive been hooked ever since!!!

[randallFlaggfan1]

I also think that Haven's history played a significant role. However, Tommyknockers simply wouldn't be the same if King had omitted it. I think it gave the story a lot more depth. Without the town history, Haven would read like a plain, one-dimensional character.

[ItFan]

Not to repeat what's already been said here a few times, but I read The Tommyknockers recently and thought it was a really good book; definitely more sci-fi than some other SK books but thoroughly enjoyable and very gripping in the last 250 pages or so - I raced through it towards the end! I'd would definitely recommend you give it a go.

[vivazebool]

Personally, I enjoyed the Tommyknockers. It's not King's greatest, but it's still a pretty good example of what he's capable of.

Stephen King can't write a bad novel. They're all good, it's just that not all of them shine.

[Midten]

I'm thinking about getting this book since it's one of the few SF Stephen King books.

[randallFlaggfan1]

I find this a really difficult question, good or not good is often just a matter of taste. For example, I only dislike 2 of Kings books, both of which are very popular in general.
Same goes for "being worth it". I think it's worth to give it a go and form your own opinion.
Tommyknockers I think is one of the more "sf" and unlikely-to-happen-stories that King ever wrote. But I did enjoy it.

You're right, Ester. This question is somewhat difficult, simply because it's subjective.

[randallFlaggfan1]

ok i am new to this so.. i was readin some of the threads and people say that this isn't that good of a book? so is it any good? is it worth reading?

thanks..

I'd say just try the book. If you don't like it, I don't think that's a big deal. And if you do, be sure to let us know. I enjoyed it, though...both times.

[Lily Sawyer]

I've been re-reading it, and it's not nearly as tedious as the first time around. There've been some bits that have dragged, but in general, it's a good read. I'm just past Gard's discovery of the home improvements done at warp speed, and Bobbi's confession about the spacecraft on her property...and Bobbi realizing Gard is going to be a tougher nut to crack (persuade) than she previously thought. She's a crafty one, that Bobbi.

I'm not remembering how Peter died, but I know it was terrible...and I'm dreading coming up on that passage.

[blunthead]

I loved Tommyknockers. It is sublime in it's strangeness. The enormity of the flying saucer is as scary as an inanimate object has ever been described. "Innocent" citizens' evil natures overtake them. There's a flying evil Coke machine. The conclusion is perfect.

[Pucker]

The Tommyknockers is simply fantastic.

I wouldn't say it's "underrated" in any way. Who is it that is doing all this "rating," anyway? It's just a lot of fun -- and quite funny in places -- as well as something of a departure from what you may be used to from Mr. King.

I highly recommend this story to all and sundry.

:wow:

[DwayneHoover]

Go for it, I am reading it now and I love it. It's got spaceships and disapearing brothers, what more could you ask for?

[JayneH]

If I had time and not 100 books there to read the first time ... I would totally re-read this book ! I loved it the first time but havent read it again in years !!

Now this is in my head my unread books may stay unread ..... for a while longer anyway.

[bobledrew]

I'm surprised that people refer to this as one of the more "SF"-y of King's books. To me the SF elements of the story are very much secondary to the social commentary in the book. To me it's a book about conformity and social pressures, themes that King has explored over and over again. The flying saucer is just a device for King to set the plot in motion.

[Lily Sawyer]

I'm surprised that people refer to this as one of the more "SF"-y of King's books. To me the SF elements of the story are very much secondary to the social commentary in the book. To me it's a book about conformity and social pressures, themes that King has explored over and over again. The flying saucer is just a device for King to set the plot in motion.

I agree. It's far more of a book that really comments on the times as they were in the late 80's. There IS some sci-fi, but it never becomes now-you've-lost-me sci-fi, like Dune or The Ring trilogy (*zzzzzzz*). The premises are believable. But I've always thought that it's the height of arrogance to assume Earth is the only planet with living species in this solar system.

[BenBubb]

Its been a while since ive been on this forum, ive missed it! Well ive just started reading king again so i thought i might aswell come back! I just bought a HB copy of The Tommyknockers on ebay and am really excited to read it! Ive heard loads of bad stuff about it but i wouldnt let that put me off reading it. Ive started his new one full dark, no stars and i love it!

[SamanthaS]

Tommyknockers is one of the first SK books I read and, as a teenager at the time, I thought it was scary as hell! I don't think it was very sci-fi at all, just because it has aliens and spaceships. I've read it two more times since the first and loved it more each time. I love all the characters that you get to know and love or hate. And the towns history is so intresting and rich. IMO a must read SK book.

[Jack Roman]

I'm sorry to say it was one of the worst SK books I've read so far. I liked the character of Gard though.

[Ben.]

I bought a uk first edition of The Tommyknockers from my local used book store for $10 yesterday- can't wait to get reading... Just gotta get through the rest of the DT series first.

[krs72]

I really liked this book, I'm a sci-fi fan and it was done well.
Once again, it's not one of his best works but it's an enjoyable read.
And another thing, if you've seen the mini-series and didn't like it
that doesn't mean you won't like the book (they're always better)

[ChickenStu]

Once I've recovered from It, The Tommyknockers is next on my list. Gonna proably do a couple of stories from Skeleton Crew inbetween.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I can't help but think that many of the words that Sai King put in Gard's mouth about nuclear power have come home to roost currently in Japan.

I think it's a much under-rated novel myself.

Long days and pleasant nights

[omm poppa mow mow]

I don't underrate Tommyknockers, at all. I've read this one three or four times. When not in use, it helps support the sagging shelf above where I place it.

[Sanguise]

Once I've recovered from It, The Tommyknockers is next on my list. Gonna proably do a couple of stories from Skeleton Crew inbetween.
Did you not like it or it was so good you must think on it
sorry off topic

[bluvylet]

Tommyknockers isn't one of my favorites, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. All of SK's novels are memorable.

[RGKID144]

Just finished. Definitely worth a read, but not one of my favorite King novels. Its fun, and cool, but thats about it. Someone nailed it earlier, its a good read, but it doesnt SHINE.

[popsqueak]

I am so pleased I picked this book up! Fantastic read which has me hooked from the start. Would be so cool to discover something in the forrest, I am off to do the weeding to see what I find!! This book is a gem!

[DebA913]

I really liked this story when I read it. It has been a long time but it is one I will re-read at some point. How cool would it be to have some of that knowledge or those "powers"?! Well, without "becoming" of course!:oops:

[Jula]

This one is a favorite. :)

[Tonybaloney36]

When I started the book I thought it wasn't up to Stephen's usual standard, but the more I got into the book the better it got. By the end I was totally into it and I agree with the comments that the book is certainly underrated. Mind you, I was reading it on holiday, mostly at the side of a swimming pool under the Florida sunshine, so perhaps that helped!