The Length of SK's Books

[AngelZ]

I am a constant reader like many of you. I read fiction, poetry, travel books, political books, education books, music books, philosophy, biographies, how-to books.... I think you get the picture. I have a stack of books on my nightstand and I'm constantly seeing new books I'd like to sink my teeth into.

The other night I enjoyed the short story of "Willa" in Just After Sunset. It made a statement and I loved it. I'd say the same thing about "Premium Harmony." The ending was a bit brutal, but I came away thinking that that was a great story.

The last novel of SK that I read was Duma Key and while I liked the basic story, IMO Duma Key could have been 300 pages and done it's job as well or even better. To be honest, some of the chapters were a bit grueling to get through because the pace wasn't there for me.

I was just talking to one of the librarians at one of the public libraries near me. We like talking about new books and which new book might be good for our book discussion club. I brought up Stephen King and his new book, Under the Dome, and she said she loved Cujo and Christine but did not want to attempt one of his more recent novels because of the length. I had not seen the book yet, so I went to Amazon. I was floored when I saw that it was 1088 pages long.

Stephen King does not have to justify the length of the book, but I was wondering why this book is so long?

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I think he can handle any length, from the 'vignette' of Graduation Afternoon' to the scope of Dark Tower and all points in between.

My only complaint about UtD (currently at page 320) is that, in common with DT, The Stand and IT, is that it's too damn short!

Long days and pleasant nights

[Bryan James]

He let the dog run.

A lot of fans don't want the leash.

[Ozarkdahlin]

I think "Under the Dome" must weigh about 40 pounds! It's hard for a bedtime read, but I have a hard time putting it down. I'm about 3/4 the way through and I really believe I'm building my biceps at the same time.

[dejolane]

I don't like really big thick books but this is Stephen King. You have to finish the whole book.

[Doc Wilson]

I like the long ones, The Stand, It, UTD. Short books by SK go too quickly, I devour them in one or two sessions. The long ones are good for at least a marathon weekend.

[bhill]

I agree w/John; any S.K. novel and/or any other King I can put up w/any length of book!!!!

[Bluedog]

SK's stories are very intense. You have to build intensity...it doesn't just happen. Just about everything leads into another. To provide a comparison.....I don't know if you have ever read F. Scott Fitzherald but when I read him I am always thinking that there has to be a shorter way to say this. Fitzgerald goes like this... the golden pattern of the floor glittered from the sunlight, making every tile seem as if it came from the very mines of gold themselves, and on and on and on. About a floor! The man was a genius but come on. To me SK's build up is always relevant. That is not easy to do.

[strange]

The thing is the books are long but they hook you in from the start so you don't even care how long they are. The pages offer so much that it doesn't matter if you got twenty or a thosand pages to go.

[davemelnick]

quite so...that's just what I will be doing this weekend. Reading at least 100 pages of UTD.

I like the long ones, The Stand, It, UTD. Short books by SK go too quickly, I devour them in one or two sessions. The long ones are good for at least a marathon weekend.