A Reflection on "Needful Things"

[VanishingSpy]

When I was 11 or 12, my dad subscribed to a book club and was sent a hardback edition of Needful Things. He was never a Stephen King fan, so he was about to send it back, but I persuaded him not to and started reading it myself.

I couldn't put the book down. I would read it on the bus on the way to school and back, at home, pretty much every chance I got. Being the age I was, I immediately identified with Brian Rusk, the young boy in the book. When Brian killed himself later in the story, I literally was crushed. I have never had a book affect me that way since then. I remember feeling really disturbed, and sad, even though logically I knew it was a story and of course was not real. I think looking back on it now that I was a little too young to be reading subject matter like that, and that my mind at the time was still working out how to separate fantasy from reality. But, whatever the reason, that book stands out to me as this dark, scary thing that none of his other works have been able to come close to. I have not read it since then; I doubt I would have the same experience. I recently read a blurb online somewhere Stephen King was talking about how his Under the Dome was going to be played straight, not a "social comedy" like Needful Things.

I can kind of see his mode of thinking in referring to it as that, now that I'm an adult, remembering what I do about NT, but at the time I read it, "comedy" would not be a word I would use to describe it.

I would just like to commend Mr. King on providing me with such a deliciously dark, disturbing part of my childhood. Saw, Hostel, and the like, despite their blood and gore, will never be able to approach the level of scariness that Needful Things elicited.

[jalexbrown]

Indeed, Needful Things was a great, well-polished, and well-focused book. And, where Under the Dome always kept the tension knob at a solid 10, Needful Things always kept the emotional knob at a solid 10. I can't remember too many distinct points in Needful Things where I felt like it wasn't playing on my emotions. Different things work for different people, so I'm sure that not everyone felt as emotionally invested in Needful Things as I did, but for what it's worth...I totally agree: Needful Things was an emotionally strong tale that elicited a heavy emotional response to the events within.

Oh, and if you haven't done so, I'd strongly suggest that you give Under the Dome a try for yourself. It's like Needful Things after a few doses of crack or meth.

[michal]

Yea, I liked Needful things A LOT more on a second reading (with a 10 years gap....). I think it's thrilling book that deals with the need to purchase, the need to own and the object by which we define our lives and their importance.

I fail to see the connection with Under the Dome though jalexbrown. If anything, it's connected to The Dark Half and - if you're referring to the structure of a small corrupted town, then 'Salem's Lot fits the description much more.

[GNTLGNT]

Needful Things-ripping good read, and talk about a store with a "no return" policy!!!!

[JohnDalglish]

Needful Things-ripping good read, and talk about a store with a "no return" policy!!!!

Hi,

Aye, 'Caveat Emptor' indeed!.

Long days and pleasant nights

[cyborgdreamst8]

I think Needful Things was probably my favorite book of all time. I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. The tension and the angst apparent in that book were palpable. I remember thinking how horrible it would be to have to stand in the place of the people in that story.