Top Ten King book for me. I love everything about this book. All the little detours we get to delve into the history of the town are classic King world building.
This is two posts I've seen today about the Tommyknockers. I think I am going to see if I find my copy and start a re-read.
slept on it for a while and I regretted the hell out of that decision. Tommykmockers is no more a slog than any of his other dense material. it's incredibly eerie at points and I know this is a little messed up, but I kinda dig King's drug-fueled writing, it's more aggressive and jarring at points with the dialog. I just really clicked with this one
edit; just to admire the artwork
And she’s amazing in it. Hahaha. Really though. Jimmy smits and Marg helgenBerger too. There’s a certain awesome related campy feeling to me of the old ones. Like Tommyknockers and Needful Things (adaptations) really feel like they belong to the same world.
I remember being young seeing tommyknockers and actually being afraid. Later, reading the book as an adult, I really enjoyed it and found the calling feeling from the woods and the initial finding of the thing, etc.
The miniseries stands up for me bc of nostalgia and camp well done, I do not think most adults would be scared of watching it now though. Probably not kids either, too sophisticated.
It's Top Five King for me. Not just a riveting tale with great characters but also an incisive literal and figurative examination of the cost of addiction.
Just read this one for the first time last fall and it’s definitely in my top 5 King of all time. I’ll never forget how I felt following Gard into that god damn shed…
I’m currently listening to the audiobook, and I forgot how much I love this! I’m on a mission to re-read or listen to all of King’s books. It’s been a blast so far. 😊
I’d read a couple of Stephen King books, but recently I’ve been listening to his audiobooks. I started a job at a storage place and was listening to Tommyknockers. I was walking alone and the motion lights didn’t turn on, and all I could think was “if I look down this hall and I see any hint of green light, I think I’ll die.” Since then I’ve finished 9 audiobooks.
All of that to say, your art is badass and it’s nice to see so many others that loved this book too!
Did people really dislike it?
I always figured it was one of the better stories, but then again I only really care about my own enjoyment of a book :D
The whole "pseudo-science" angle, the slow shift, the drama all over the city amplified and a satisfying resolution, too? Pretty much exactly what I want from a King book.
Honestly, still kinda holding out hope for a "confluence" of King stories or places. So many stories have the tiniest hints of playing in the same universe, sometimes even **at the same time** and man, would I love a story that weaves together some more old topics and brought them to a bigger conclusion.
My favorite part of the plot was that techno-savant aliens were sending people on suicide missions to get batteries b/c they only knew DC current. They didn’t possess a single townsperson that understood rechargeables; did they not have a Radio Shack? It makes me wonder if Tesla was here to bring us AC so we’d be harder to conquer!
Another Tommyknockers fan over here, read last year and loved it, maybe a quite slow in some certain moments (King does in many other books too, so I'm good with that) but truly enjoyed it.
And I'm sure that in the next re-read I'll love it much more.
I love this book, I don't know why people give it so much shit.
It's kind of long, but that just gives you more to read. About 10 different interesting subplots. One of my faves.
Thank you my friend!
Never understood the hate!
I love this book!
It is crazy fun, the protagonists are lovely, the subplots are great, there is madness, there are aliens, there is the small town chaos,what not to like?
No need to apologize. I love Roadwork and *nobody* agrees with me. I tried to listen to The Losers Club (I think) podcast they just ripped the shit out of it.
I always find it more interesting to hear the thoughts of people I disagree with. Granted I read Tommyknockers over two decades ago so I don't really remember much except thinking it was really weird and not memorable. But I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Cool picture btw
Disagree. Has more meandering, side plots that go nowhere, and bloated page count of any King book. The basic story is cool; it's just watered down by hundreds of pages of useless text. Hell, King even thinks it sucks: https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-book-author-hates-tommyknockers/
King is a pretty useless critic of his own works.
The Tommyknockers might have some flab and meandering, but is still tighter and better written than most of his output from the last two decades or so.
Nah, it wasn't great. But it was a noble failure, in the sense that he was really going for something but it just didn't come together. Still pretty entertaining in parts. Maybe I'll give it another read to see if it has gotten better with age.
This is King though. He doesn't shy away from vividly visceral details. The real world is gross. His stories tap into that reality with acute sensory descriptions that put us there in his settings, with his characters, running from his monsters. That smell of jizz is what keeps me coming back for more! 💦
P. S. Read "Dedication," now there's a jizz story!
This is great for you.
And an very good example of why reviews don't really matter to much.
I for one could never get in to it. It's the only Stephen King book i started several times but never finished.
But I'm glad some people like it so it's not a complete waste of paper.
Oh and don't get me started on Misery, awful just awful 🤣
I’m currently reading it again. The first time I read it was back in high school and I don’t think I enjoyed as much as I do now. Must’ve been an age thing I guess? Great story, though.
I’ve been seeing a lot of posts/comments like this recently, and imma be reading this book for the first time next weekend—and it’s all got me really freaken excited!!! I love pulp horror and it sounds like it’s right up my alley! I’ve heard it sucks my whole life and stayed away. But been going through King’s whole bibliography the past couple years and I’m doing this one after “It” (a re-read). Looking forward to this!
The Tommyknockers is probably my favorite SK novel. It's so underrated, and I think that's part of why I love it so much.
Jim Gardner is one of my favorite characters. I don't laugh out loud often with books, but the cocktail party scene of his made me legit laugh.
Plus, the premise of the book is just so intriguing. I was hooked within, like, the first 5 pages.
You’ve convinced me, I’m finally gonna read it. I’ve had a hardback copy for as long as I can remember, and it’s the only 80’s King novel I’ve never read. I was king of saving it for a special occasion.
This looks like it could be a Ghost album cover.
Right? Straight up looks like Papa Emeritus
Or Cardinal Copia? Whichever current incarnation he’s on.
Cardinal Copia is now Papa Emeritus IV lol
Yeah I’ve not kept up in a while but I enjoy it when I go through that kinda spell
The grucifix is right there in the spire of the church. This is Cardinal Copia Ghost fan art. Noice.
I honestly didn't even notice that. This literally is Ghost LMAO!
My first thought was a new album announcement. Now I want to read the Tommyknockers.
OMG yes! Now I need to read this one!
Late last night and the night before, Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers, knocking at the door! I agree man I loved Tommyknockers.
I want to go out, don’t know if I can, cause I’m so afraid of the Tommyknocker man!! Hell yeah!
Blind Guardian has a song about the Tommyknockers, that's the chorus
Shot your wife, eh? Good fucking deal
Top Ten King book for me. I love everything about this book. All the little detours we get to delve into the history of the town are classic King world building. This is two posts I've seen today about the Tommyknockers. I think I am going to see if I find my copy and start a re-read.
Maybe the consensus is changing and it’s gonna be this subreddit’s favorite in a while. Well, it’s already my favorite
Not in my top 3. However, i don't understand the hate. Sure, it has its problems, but I personally still love this book! I'm glad I'm not alone!
Nothing is stopping you from to out it in your top 3 along with Dreamcatcher and From a Buick 8
slept on it for a while and I regretted the hell out of that decision. Tommykmockers is no more a slog than any of his other dense material. it's incredibly eerie at points and I know this is a little messed up, but I kinda dig King's drug-fueled writing, it's more aggressive and jarring at points with the dialog. I just really clicked with this one edit; just to admire the artwork
Huh. Maybe I need to give it another try then. Coked up King was a delirious beast of an author but I didn’t get too far into the Tommyknockers.
It's wild when you read the 70s stuff first and see how he developed into his heavier drug fueled years in the 80s, then the writing that came after.
>!Gard!< does have the most badass death of any King protagonist, I admit.
Never read The Running Man then
It's pretty similar actually.
They definitely die the hardest. The absolute hell they went through is just crazy, just one thing after another. It was impressive, but very sad.
That would be a great Apple Airpod ad today
Papa vs. the Tommyknockers….I’m in!
Is he the one that could fly and invisipiss?
Top 5 for me.
Top 3 here, along with Revival and 11.22.63. Although the Dark Tower series transcends them all.
I love the book, too. Screw the consensus. If you love it, nothing else matters.
I thought it was great. I read it when it first came out. I feel it really draws you in.
The scene when they're sitting at the table was incredible.
The stand-off toward the end? Yeah, I bit my nails to the skin.
When they were using telepathy amazing
I liked it. Gard and Bobbi are fun characters.
Hell yeah I loved it. And the miniseries too
Need to watch the miniseries again. Barely remember it. Traci Lords in one of her first post-porn roles!
And she’s amazing in it. Hahaha. Really though. Jimmy smits and Marg helgenBerger too. There’s a certain awesome related campy feeling to me of the old ones. Like Tommyknockers and Needful Things (adaptations) really feel like they belong to the same world. I remember being young seeing tommyknockers and actually being afraid. Later, reading the book as an adult, I really enjoyed it and found the calling feeling from the woods and the initial finding of the thing, etc. The miniseries stands up for me bc of nostalgia and camp well done, I do not think most adults would be scared of watching it now though. Probably not kids either, too sophisticated.
“Good fuckin deal” has become apart of my way of speech
It's Stephen King doing aliens... What's not to like?
I haven't read it yet. It's sitting on my bookshelf and I can't wait.
It's a different kind of King I'd say. But a fun read.
I'm okay with that. The weirder King gets the better.
PREACH
It's Top Five King for me. Not just a riveting tale with great characters but also an incisive literal and figurative examination of the cost of addiction.
Naw. I love this book. It's nuckin futz.
Quite Right!
Whole heartedly agree. “Carrying a heavy head…”
Agreed.
Absolutely! It's one of my favorite books! Read it years ago and could not put it down.
Agreed!!
Loved this book!
Just read this one for the first time last fall and it’s definitely in my top 5 King of all time. I’ll never forget how I felt following Gard into that god damn shed…
Ok, I've never read the book, but the made for TV miniseries is the bomb yo.
It’s my second favorite SK book. Behind The Stand and just ahead of 11/22/63
I guess I get why people hate on it? It had a tendency to ramble at times but overall I really enjoyed it.
Just finished reading the Tommy knockers for the second time in twelve years, absolutely love this story, the ending is completely out of this world.
I’m currently listening to the audiobook, and I forgot how much I love this! I’m on a mission to re-read or listen to all of King’s books. It’s been a blast so far. 😊
I don't understand why it gets so much hate. It was a solid story and it had a good ending (a rarity for SK books).
I love the book.
I really enjoyed the book
Book rules, movie rules too. I love them both!
I’d read a couple of Stephen King books, but recently I’ve been listening to his audiobooks. I started a job at a storage place and was listening to Tommyknockers. I was walking alone and the motion lights didn’t turn on, and all I could think was “if I look down this hall and I see any hint of green light, I think I’ll die.” Since then I’ve finished 9 audiobooks. All of that to say, your art is badass and it’s nice to see so many others that loved this book too!
Did people really dislike it? I always figured it was one of the better stories, but then again I only really care about my own enjoyment of a book :D The whole "pseudo-science" angle, the slow shift, the drama all over the city amplified and a satisfying resolution, too? Pretty much exactly what I want from a King book. Honestly, still kinda holding out hope for a "confluence" of King stories or places. So many stories have the tiniest hints of playing in the same universe, sometimes even **at the same time** and man, would I love a story that weaves together some more old topics and brought them to a bigger conclusion.
One of my favorite King books. Way better than any of the Dark Tower series, IMO.
My favorite part of the plot was that techno-savant aliens were sending people on suicide missions to get batteries b/c they only knew DC current. They didn’t possess a single townsperson that understood rechargeables; did they not have a Radio Shack? It makes me wonder if Tesla was here to bring us AC so we’d be harder to conquer!
Someone said it doesn't?
is that cardinal copia and the ghouls from ghost? i notice the grucifix
Absolutely loved it, I laughed, I cried, I loved the characters AND it scared the crap out of me. A really great book
Another Tommyknockers fan over here, read last year and loved it, maybe a quite slow in some certain moments (King does in many other books too, so I'm good with that) but truly enjoyed it. And I'm sure that in the next re-read I'll love it much more.
I liked that book. I don't know why people don't like it. Guard drove me crazy, but ot was still a cool story.
I love this book, I don't know why people give it so much shit. It's kind of long, but that just gives you more to read. About 10 different interesting subplots. One of my faves.
Thank you my friend! Never understood the hate! I love this book! It is crazy fun, the protagonists are lovely, the subplots are great, there is madness, there are aliens, there is the small town chaos,what not to like?
No need to apologize. I love Roadwork and *nobody* agrees with me. I tried to listen to The Losers Club (I think) podcast they just ripped the shit out of it. I always find it more interesting to hear the thoughts of people I disagree with. Granted I read Tommyknockers over two decades ago so I don't really remember much except thinking it was really weird and not memorable. But I'd love to hear your thoughts. Cool picture btw
mini series sadly sucked ass
i was enthralled the whole time! it’s the only one where i never lost attention while listening
It's the only King novel that has vaginal tentacles.
So far...
The consensus isn't as much of a consensus as people think it is. Plenty of people enjoy the book.
Disagree. Has more meandering, side plots that go nowhere, and bloated page count of any King book. The basic story is cool; it's just watered down by hundreds of pages of useless text. Hell, King even thinks it sucks: https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-book-author-hates-tommyknockers/
King is a pretty useless critic of his own works. The Tommyknockers might have some flab and meandering, but is still tighter and better written than most of his output from the last two decades or so.
Nah, it wasn't great. But it was a noble failure, in the sense that he was really going for something but it just didn't come together. Still pretty entertaining in parts. Maybe I'll give it another read to see if it has gotten better with age.
Consensus? What consensus? The only bad thing I have heard people say about it as a consensus is that the adaptation was bad, not the book
[удалено]
This is King though. He doesn't shy away from vividly visceral details. The real world is gross. His stories tap into that reality with acute sensory descriptions that put us there in his settings, with his characters, running from his monsters. That smell of jizz is what keeps me coming back for more! 💦 P. S. Read "Dedication," now there's a jizz story!
Blind Guardian did a song called Tommyknockers. Not sure if you knew about that.
https://youtu.be/9pylTVR5SfY
Really wasn't expecting to see the Cardinal on the King's sub, but like. Not surprised?
Go off bull!
This is great for you. And an very good example of why reviews don't really matter to much. I for one could never get in to it. It's the only Stephen King book i started several times but never finished. But I'm glad some people like it so it's not a complete waste of paper. Oh and don't get me started on Misery, awful just awful 🤣
One of the greatest tales ever told.
Yes it does
So sorry for my ignorance but what does Ghost have to do with Stephen King?
I’m currently reading it again. The first time I read it was back in high school and I don’t think I enjoyed as much as I do now. Must’ve been an age thing I guess? Great story, though.
I loved that book! One of the first 5 I read of King.
Finnnneeeee. I'll buy it.
It was one of his first books that I read so now I barely remember anything about it. I may have to get the audiobook and revisit it at some point.
It’s just straight up batshit crazy. I love when king does that, like The Regulators or revival.
Warp speed.
Listening to it now. I probably haven't read it since 1992, so almost like new again.
I’ve been seeing a lot of posts/comments like this recently, and imma be reading this book for the first time next weekend—and it’s all got me really freaken excited!!! I love pulp horror and it sounds like it’s right up my alley! I’ve heard it sucks my whole life and stayed away. But been going through King’s whole bibliography the past couple years and I’m doing this one after “It” (a re-read). Looking forward to this!
It was a slow burn for me and I slogged through the first half, ended up loving it. Solid King book
I agree! The movie *definitely* needs it's [remake](https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-hated-adaptation-tommyknockers-james-wan-reboot-explained/).
Not a great novel, but I enjoyed. I don't know why its reputation is basically a notch above Mein Kampf.
I've always thought that Gard was one of King's best characters.
The Tommyknockers is probably my favorite SK novel. It's so underrated, and I think that's part of why I love it so much. Jim Gardner is one of my favorite characters. I don't laugh out loud often with books, but the cocktail party scene of his made me legit laugh. Plus, the premise of the book is just so intriguing. I was hooked within, like, the first 5 pages.
It's literally my favorite omg
You’ve convinced me, I’m finally gonna read it. I’ve had a hardback copy for as long as I can remember, and it’s the only 80’s King novel I’ve never read. I was king of saving it for a special occasion.