SK didn't like this book he says

[Abbie]

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]

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

[ginapenn]

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.

[ginapenn]

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]

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]

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.

[Pucker]

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.

Two things: I've always suspected that the number of writers who never realize their potential because they can't get past their own criticism might surprise a lot of people besides me . . .

and speaking of people besides me . . . does anyone else see the humor in On Writing on tape?

[GNTLGNT]

Yeah KC, it's ironic fer sure, fer sure...Uncle Stevie would look like a lout in a tweed jacket with patches on the sleeves, thank God Mrs. Stevie rescued the manuscript from the waste can-I say thankee...

[cwalrus]

Oddly enough I like Carrie even if it's not SK at his best. I think that for it's time it was a unique and original story. Although I think some of themes of misfit High School angst were explored better elsewhere like in Christine even though it's completely unrelated and less melodramatic than Carrie.

[mekong]

the cell was good - Duma Key was great!