New King readers: don't start with these books

[Doc Wilson]

I'd OP hit the nail on the head.

[AchtungBaby]

As much as I love IT, I wouldn't recommend it to any first-time reader. I was lost almost immediately with having to keep track of all the characters, the two different time periods, etc. I hadn't read many other King novels besides Misery (which would make for a GREAT starter book, IMO), Christine, and maybe one or two others... I still wasn't completely used to King's style yet...

[Banjo Kazooie]

I'd say to stay away from things like On Writing or Danse Macabre, which are generally only more interesting once you've read a few Stephen King books and know his writing style. Anything else (any fictional book, essentially) is fine to start with. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to start with the Dark Tower series considering how long it is and how much time you have to invest in it (since it really is one long story).

[Sigmund]

Hi!

I would agree with FF. I would also add Full Dark, No Stars, Under The Dome and Desperation.

JMO.

Peace.

[The Nameless]

Of those listed (original post) I have only read half the dark towers, and I would agree that they shouldn't be a first read, or even an early read. As it is also not a normal King style book, I would not reccomend 11/22/63 if you are looking to get a taste of his overall work - even though it was amazing, and my 2nd favourite to date.

I totally understand when people say don't start too heavy, like IT, but I did because I loved the mini series before I had read the book. For me, IT was the perfect first book, because it felt like a new shiny touched up edition of the mini series with a bunch of prequels thrown in.

[Daniel Lee Severn]

I actually disagree with you about From a Buick 8, it is a great piece of storytelling and one of his strangest and trippiest. I would definitely recommend From a Buick 8 to a first timer.

[Chuggs]

I understand where you all are comming from about the Dark Tower books, but they were my first Sai King reads. I loved them from the start, and they got me hooked on King's works. My main reason's for starting at the Dark Tower were: 1-my dad read them and raved abot them, so I had to see what all the fuss was about, and 2-I at one time was a fantasy lover (still am, to an extent). My mom and dad also read other King books when I was younger, and they always talked about them being scary--and to me, as a child, they felt and looked scary--and it led me to reading to want to read King, all of King, when I was ready to.

[Shasta]

I understand where you all are comming from about the Dark Tower books, but they were my first Sai King reads. I loved them from the start, and they got me hooked on King's works. My main reason's for starting at the Dark Tower were: 1-my dad read them and raved abot them, so I had to see what all the fuss was about, and 2-I at one time was a fantasy lover (still am, to an extent). My mom and dad also read other King books when I was younger, and they always talked about them being scary--and to me, as a child, they felt and looked scary--and it led me to reading to want to read King, all of King, when I was ready to.

My parents got me started as well. I remember when I was about 5 my mom read Pet Sematary to my step-dad on a long car trip. When we got home, the book was almost finished so we all sat in the car waiting for my mom to read the end. It was scary!!

My mom also took me to see Christine in the theatre when I was 3 and I hid my head in the seat the whole time and cried.

I also raided her library and that's how I got the Gunslinger - the first one I read on my own - at 8.

So now I have a Dark Tower themed sleeve tattoo and my mom says she shouldn't have gotten me started! She doesn't mean it, though. As soon as The Wind Through the Keyhole came out she was the first in line to get it for me!

I truly think younger people are more open to books like the Gunslinger so if it's a younger reader give it to them!

[fushingfeef]

I truly think younger people are more open to books like the Gunslinger so if it's a younger reader give it to them!

You are probably right about that, Shasta. Younger readers probably don't have as many preconceived notions of what a "Stephen King" story has to be.

[Manxkitti]

I usually recommend his earlier works, like The Stand, Pet Semetary, Salems Lot, and The Shining.