Alan Pangborn -- Any Thoughts?

[Stillreading]

I'm currently reading this novel, and although, by and large, I am enjoying (not SK's best, but it's got it's moments) it I'm a little miffed at points where the dialogue bwt. Pangborn and Thad is concerned - there's something goofie about it; goofie and maudlin. It's got the depth of a beer commercial attempting a theme of imagined locker room comraderie...I don't know, weird.

Also, having read Needful Things just a few weeks ago, I was motivated to read the Dark Half in part because of the Alan Pangborn character whom I liked quite a bit. I understand that he was in a much different emotional place in Needful Things, and I understand that King was probably in a slightly different emotional/psychological place when he wrote Needful Things, but really, Pangborn seems like a different character who just happens to share the same name and live in the same geographic region in this one. One quick example is how he conducts himself when he arrives at Thad's house to inform him that he is a suspect in the murder of Homer Gamache. He`didn't seem like the wise and wily veteran who controls his emotions and is nonplussed in the face of adversity like he appears In Needful Things, no, instead he comes across like an emotional volcano set to explode. Obviously, Pangborn existed in The Dark Half first, and I'm reading the two books out of chronology, but I prefer the Pangborn from Needful Things.

[wally wonder]

let us know if you edit your take on alan once you've finished the story!

[Terry B]

I'm glad I read this. I'm thinking I need to read The Dark Half again. Thanks.

[Stillreading]

Well, I've finished The Dark Half and I have two things to say: 1) If this was a novel by any other offer I'd say that I was impressed by the imagination and creativity; however, given the fact that I've read so many SK books, I think this effort gets a 'C' grade. It was great in parts, but a little long given the finish, which I pretty much had figured by page 300. Again, as alluded to from my previous post i think Needful Things is a superior novel. Ther eis something more focused and taught about the writing and the narrative. I ffelt at times as though this book was more of an exercise for SK. In fact, I think someone vocalized that very idea on this message board. It was something to the effect that sometimes writers just write to purge themselves of an idea, no matter how good or bad. To some degree i feel like that is what was going on here. Moreover, I believe that one of Sk's major tenets for writing, which he talks about in On Writing is that the only way to become a writer is to write; and the only way to become a good writer is to write more. SK is obviously an awesome writer so I excuse this novel in principle. 2) The Alan Pangborn from Needful Things is currently my favorite SK character, and thusly, I was very disappointed with him in this book. He was better from page 300 or so on, but then he dies a little for me when he starts crying at the end. NOT my Pangborn.

Lastly, I'll just say that Thad Beaumont was one of those charcters that I never really cared anything about, and I think that that has a lot to do with my feelings about the book.

[Bob Ross]

Wow, I had almost the exact opposite reaction when reading THE DARK HALF and NEEDFUL THINGS. One thing to keep in mind as far as Pangborn is concerned is that you're dealing with a character who dealt with some really devastating things between the two books. Life altering events that are enough to change any person's view of life (and I'm not even taking into account the events of THE DARK HALF which was enough to change any logically minded person's view of things). The man literally went through hell and back between DARK HALF and NEEDFUL THINGS, which would go a long way towards explaining why he seems so different.

To me, THE DARK HALF was a much more streamlined novel. I should really get around to re-reading NEEDFUL THINGS soon (it's been over 10 years) but from what I recall I had a much easier time getting through THE DARK HALF.

[Tery]

Alan Pangborn is a gunslinger. The way he calls on the White is quite telling.

[Ranger_Strider]

[QUOTE=Stillreading;307287]It's got the depth of a beer commercial attempting a theme of imagined locker room comraderie...I don't know, weird.
QUOTE]

Yeah, you have to wade through some unseemly moments like these as a Sai King fan. It always makes me squirm a bit too. It's hard to be an outsider trying to think like an insider.

[The Outsider]

It's hard to be an outsider trying to think like an insider.

You're telling ME!! Sorry about that. But I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes its tough to think like the crowd when you're such an individual. That's part of the reason its my name, other part is from a certain King novel.....

[Ranger_Strider]

For me the toughest part of the crowd-think to deal with is this idea that we need to use so many devices for unnecessary things. I think it's all way too much. Waste and pollution, and hallelujah-gawd-bomb!
I guess they got a name for me: Luddite. I have hypocrisy-and-the-resident-self-loathing of the Blogging Luddite Self-Flagellant. It sounds like this: Blog...slap...OW!.....Blog....slap..OW! Etc.

[Ranger_Strider]

I cannot accept or believe that nobody got that. I guess its just me in my Azul Siento.