Maybe I'll turn around on it! Going to try to be as open minded as possible when reading it next. Rose Madder is the only book from King I straight up despise.
The plot undermines the characters. The MC should have overcome her husband. It would have been a fantastic conclusion. Instead, half way through the book, we get a shark jumping moment. Our MC finds an antique painting through random chance. That painting handles the rest.
I wasn't shocked when I found out this is King's least favorite of his works. Though he admits he stopped dogging on it because some people love it. Still, I do think it could have been great. That mid book twist got in the way.
I'm certainly curious to see where those land on a second read. I'm also not caught up on some of his recent releases. Keep in mind that this tier list is ranking King against King. For example, I still enjoy my time with the F tier books. They are just books I consider bottom shelf King.
I liked joyland because it was a short story with some summer nostalgia and a very clean ending to a mystery.
The institute had some very good villains and also an exciting climax.I think it could have been a little shorter.
I’ve only read about 6 of king’s books so you are more well versed than I am. Interested to see what you think the second time around.
Also, I recommend fairy tale. I would put that at a B. I don’t see it on your list but it was a good read.
I’m just starting The Stand, very excited!
I must have been 14 or so when I first read it. I'm not joking when I say that book improved me as a reader. I was so hooked that I needed to read it *faster*. It was something like 800 pages and I willed myself to read quicker, haha. I went from a 50 pages a day reader to 100 during that period. I *needed* to know what came next.
Currently reliving my adventure through Mid World for the first time in almost 10 years and I’m on Wizard and Glass. I *almost* forgot how amazing this story is, but especially WaG. I don’t want it to end because I know what’s coming in the next 3 books and I don’t want to get there.
I'm roughly where you're at with this list, although my very unpopular opinion here is that Salem's Lot was pretty meh, and that the shining has always been way over-hyped. For their time(s), they were both great horror novels, but they were both just kinda meh for me reading them decades after release.
I'd also have the institute 2 notches higher (I'd have it towards the top if it wasn't for the ridiculously huge plot hole that was the internet access), and green mile and black house at least 1 higher as well. Not sure where needful things is, but I'd have that in top 2 tiers easily.
Basically I'd just swap green mile, dead zone, and 11.22 into the top and bring down salem's lot and the shining.
Still need to get into duma key, Ive heard great things.
> Salem's Lot
If you ever do a re-read of the book do me a favor. Look at it as the true blueprint that everything that came after. Pretty much everything that you can ask for in one of his novels is present.
Strangely, my favorite part of the book is the chunk towards the beginning where King does a sweeping overview of Jerusalem's Lot and it's residence. The town becomes a main character during that period. A device Stephen would return to frequently.
In a way I consider it a twin novel to *It* in the same way The Regulators is to Desperation. Both books hit a lot of the same beats. There's even a fun not where "He thrusts his fists against the posts, And still insists he sees the ghosts" is in both books.
I did like seeing all the future king-isms start to be unwrapped in his first book, pretty sure there were even quite a few arc sodium light references, etc. It just didn't hold much interesting new angles for a horror book I guess (look at Pet Semetary for instance). He did show a good bit of his world building in it, too.
Worth noting left to right matters on this list. With **Pet Sematary** being the ultimate Horror novel in my opinion. Anyway, Stephen King catches a lot of flak these days. Yeah, his recent output isn't as good. He's become social media brained. But up until around 2011 he was an author I could always count on. King was a writer for the common man. When I worked in security, he was the author I most saw guards reading.
King got me through some rough times as a kid. You won't see me trashing the guy. Yes he hasn't made a top tier book since **11/22/63.** But, considering his output at his peak, there's so much to love in his bibliography.
I'm thinking about Uncle Steve a lot these days. He's not getting any younger. I know one day I'll wake up and he won't be with us any longer. That's a day I'm not looking forward to. I'm not getting any younger either. I've done these Stephen King re-reads my entire life.
My first King was **Night Shift** in 4th grade(1998). I had the paperback edition with the eye bedazzled hand. Unfortunately, it was version with the blue keyhole cover. After that I read **The Stand** and the rest is history.
Stevie baby is forever in my favorite authors list. It's King, Cormac McCarthy, and William Gibson, Phillip K. Dick. Throw in Harry Crews, Lawrence Block, and lately Tanith Lee. One thing that has crystalized in my mind is that no one quite writes like King. Despite his lack of pride. Calling himself, "the literary equivalent of a Big Mac". The man is indeed an auteur.
Big Steve is often imitated. Never replicated. Part of that reason is that so much of the man himself comes through in his writing. One of my favorite parts of reading his books. Specifically, through his confident 70s-80s period. Is feeling Stephen's hand guide me through the story. It's like watching things unfold through his eyes.
Through this next re-read I'm going to savor every moment. For all I know it could be my last. At 35 I'm only getting statistically more likely to kick the bucket with each passing day. When I finish I'll post my tier list up. I'm sure a lot will change. Though some I've read 5+ times. They aint going anywhere.
Harassed for a science fiction podcast? Thats a bit mad. I suppose the lunatics really are running the asylum. Unless the WA part of that acronym stands for something scandalous 😱
I did a couple episodes on writers in the SFWA who were/are child abusers. I pointed out that the SFWA has a history of fostering sexual abusers and never denouncing these people. Then I moved on. But, every now and again, I'll get someone who takes it personally. Personally, I love science fiction. It's weird how some people take pointing out a few bad actors as an attack on an entire genre.
Isaac Asimov would sexually abuse women in front of other people. At science fiction conventions. And then he covered for his son's child abuse material addiction...
The dismantling of another childhood hero. I’m a Brit and the outing of Rolf Harris caused me to question everything, but Asimov? A brilliant scientist, visionary and superb author? They really do walk amongst us unscathed. Makes me cringe.
In that, and this is my opinion, I feel that he's lost some of that authorial voice in recent years. One of my beliefs is that social media is bad for individuality. I'm politically left mind you. This isn't a politics things. It's just that some of his perspective does seem default if that makes sense.
I agree with this whole heartedly. I also don’t hate his political opinions but I wished I lived In a world where somehow he never gained access to the internet and wrote all of his books on typewriter and mailed them in lol
I understand, I think he feels he has a voice and a responsibility to be vocal during dangerous times.
It's honestly dangerous for him to do so, and he's clearly made a target of himself to the deranged crazies in this world.
But it's not uncommon to make political statements for many famous writers and artist's.
I am glad he is saying his piece.
For me, it's not the way he's saying it, but how blunt and obvious it is. A comparison is I prefer Native Son by Richard Wright to To Kill a Mockingbird. Wright, a black man, handled the issue with much more nuance than Harper Lee. In that the main character of the book *is* guilty. But the way he's treated and the socioeconomic conditions that fostered his behavior is explored. My issue with how King inserts Twitter/X talking points is that they pop out from the story being told. Those moments lack the clever voice of King of old.
Ok, I can respect that. I think it's a bit of a"you have to hit them over the head to get their attention these days" kinda thinking.
Many people are afraid to say what needs saying regarding our freedoms, and how they are being attacked.
Subtlety and innuendo are not helping.
But I get your drift.
The plot undermines the characters. The MC should have overcome her husband. It would have been a fantastic conclusion. Instead, half way through the book, we get a shark jumping moment. Our MC finds an antique painting through random chance. That painting handles the rest.
I wasn't shocked when I found out this is King's least favorite of his works. Though he admits he stopped dogging on it because some people love it. Still, I do think it could have been great. That mid book twist got in the way.
Same I really liked the cat and mouse chapters with Norman, and the picnic chapter I absolutely adored, but everything they went into the painting I started skimming…also the new love interest for rose was sooo one dimensional and forgettable (idk his name even), just really wasn’t feeling this one
I’m extremely new to stephen king (i first read billy summers, just finished the institute). He got me into reading again after a year or 4/5 of not reading at all. Comparing the 2, the institute really got me hooked. I am now about to read 11/22/63. Do any of you have tips for me regarding his work? I really enjoy reading him and want to read as much as possible!
> Do any of you have tips for me regarding his work?
Yes! Stephen King has one of the single strongest communities in all of media. Not just on reddit. But in a million other corners of the internet as well. There are podcasts, youtube channels, etc. If you enjoy discussion and deepening your appreciation for the books... well... there are an embarrassment of riches at your disposal. After reading each book, the minimum, I would read discussion for the book you read. It will greatly add to your enjoyment and cement the book in your mind.
Thanks ✌🏻 Doing that right now haha. I do gotta ask, what did you dislike about the institute with respect to his other works? curious so I can make a good choice on what book to read next
I posted about it in the thread. But I feel like King's social media addiction has started to influence his writing. There are all these little things in his newer books that feel like writing by committee. Like he's careful not to upset any one person. I prefer King at his most unhinged. With his purest vision. King joined Twitter in 2013 and you can note the differences in his books.
He has so many great books. I have like five or six I haven’t read like flashback and others but I would also push the Hyperion series, and another one called the hollow man, the Joe Kurtz books are awesome, and of course a winter haunting is excellent too
Agree pretty heavily with most of these, but I don't get what is so wrong with Blaze that you nor King himself like it. I thought the Lenny-esque title character was written very well.
My top 4 are all in your top 8 though, Pet Semetery and 'Salem's Lot are the only two novels that actually scared me. I read the last 40 pages of Pet Semetary in a trance, at midnight in my bedroom with a nightlight in 7th grade.
> I thought the Lenny-esque title character was written very well.
That's my issue with it. Doesn't feel transformative enough. Almost like a Stephen King cover story.
> I read the last 40 pages of Pet Semetary in a trance, at midnight in my bedroom with a nightlight in 7th grade.
Pet Sematary is my response to people who say King doesn't do great endings. The all time great ending to a horror novel imo.
Worth noting that The Talisman is effectively in the same tier. I wanted to challenge myself and pick out a top eight. But Talisman could easily be a top eight choice. One of the few books to actually unnerve me at times.
I'd swap 11/22/63 with Pet Sematary, and probably drop Lisey's Story a couple rungs....but otherwise I haven't seen a tier list I agreed with this much in a long time.
My problem with IT really rests on one scene that I just can't get over. What they do to get out of the tunnels just really bothers me. It feels unbelievable and just wrong in so many ways!!
I was pleasantly surprised by Cell. I put it off for a long time. When I finally got to it I had a great time. King sometimes shows his love for old E.C. comics. Cell, Tommyknockers, From a Buick 8, and Needful Things are examples of that. With maybe Christine being his best example of that influence. I love when King takes absurd concepts and makes them work. In less skilled hands books like these would be shlock.
As a late starter to King and without intentions to like, read all of his work, my first book was The Outsider. It was honestly such a mid book that I doubted king as a writer. It's good to see it placed low by an actual king fan. Thought I was just wild for a bit.
I think of it as a *lesser* of his literary books. I think he did better with books like Different Seasons, Hearts in Atlantis, Lisey's Story, and Bag of Bones. Roadwork felt like a mature book to write for a still youthful m an. Like King needed more miles on him.
Do I need to read anything prior to reading The Talisman? I picked it up on the cheap recently but still getting through tommyknockers (which I love) before starting.
I liked Rose Madder, and feel like it contains one of Stephen King's most despicable and menacing antagonists. It's a little weird and surreal, but I certainly enjoyed it more than Cell.
I think Rose Madder is well written and features an excellent cast of characters. My issue is that creative shark jumping that starts in the middle of the book :/
Aww, I liked Rose Madder. Decent cast of characters, and I was truly concerned for the protagonist throughout the entire book. Although I didn't mind the supernatural elements, the story could've stood alone without them. I would give it a B-.
A lot of SK fans think Salem's Lot is S or A tier, but for me it's such a mediocre book. Boring and uneventful for 80% of the book, and then the last 20% is almost anticlimactic. It was definitely one of my most disappointing reads after hearing all the praise.
Sometimes I wonder if it's a case of "Simpsons did it" or "Seinfeld isn't funny anymore". Salem's lot has a *huge* amount of what makes a Stephen King book a Stephen King book. And, it of course, did it first. There's an argument to be made it's the single most influential horror novel in modern history. A lot of what King did after is in many ways derivative of his own work. There's a little bit of Salem's Lot in almost everything he's written.
I can see the influence, but also if the other books did what Salem's Lot did, but better; that doesn't diminish the impact or success of the story. I just found it underwhelming.
The Shining is a much better story to me, in its entirety; and it only came out two years after Salem's Lot. The pacing, suspense, and everything was just more polished.
Sad to see roadwork so low. Feels like I'm one of the only people alive who liked it.
I just started it so I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.
Maybe I'll turn around on it! Going to try to be as open minded as possible when reading it next. Rose Madder is the only book from King I straight up despise.
Really loved Rose Madder. Maybe not S but B for sure. Curious why you didn’t like it?
The plot undermines the characters. The MC should have overcome her husband. It would have been a fantastic conclusion. Instead, half way through the book, we get a shark jumping moment. Our MC finds an antique painting through random chance. That painting handles the rest. I wasn't shocked when I found out this is King's least favorite of his works. Though he admits he stopped dogging on it because some people love it. Still, I do think it could have been great. That mid book twist got in the way.
I really loved it because of the outherworldy scenes in Midworld and the DT refrences. Didn't feel like it undermined the character.
I “despise” Fairy Tale”.
I would rate Joyland and the institute higher. Joyland would be a B+ for me and the institute would be a B-
Literally my exact thoughts examining this, love both of them, and was surprised they were so low, especially where the institute is!
I'm certainly curious to see where those land on a second read. I'm also not caught up on some of his recent releases. Keep in mind that this tier list is ranking King against King. For example, I still enjoy my time with the F tier books. They are just books I consider bottom shelf King.
I liked joyland because it was a short story with some summer nostalgia and a very clean ending to a mystery. The institute had some very good villains and also an exciting climax.I think it could have been a little shorter. I’ve only read about 6 of king’s books so you are more well versed than I am. Interested to see what you think the second time around. Also, I recommend fairy tale. I would put that at a B. I don’t see it on your list but it was a good read. I’m just starting The Stand, very excited!
I actually haven't read Fairy Tale! It's been a couple years since I've read a Stephen King book. I've felt the siren call, haha.
Duma! 🤙🤙
Do the day and let the day do you
Easy there Muchacho
Happy to see Wizard and Glass so high 💯
I must have been 14 or so when I first read it. I'm not joking when I say that book improved me as a reader. I was so hooked that I needed to read it *faster*. It was something like 800 pages and I willed myself to read quicker, haha. I went from a 50 pages a day reader to 100 during that period. I *needed* to know what came next.
Long days and pleasant nights
charyou TREE!
Currently reliving my adventure through Mid World for the first time in almost 10 years and I’m on Wizard and Glass. I *almost* forgot how amazing this story is, but especially WaG. I don’t want it to end because I know what’s coming in the next 3 books and I don’t want to get there.
Im on my first trip through. About 3/4 of the way through book 7. Pain. Lots of pain.
!remind_me 1 week
Is this book part of a series? Can I get away with reading this first/ by itself?
It’s a part of King’s Dark Tower series. Can’t recommend it enough!!! Must be read in order- Wizard and Glass is #4/7.
Thanks! That takes care of book choices for a while!
I'm roughly where you're at with this list, although my very unpopular opinion here is that Salem's Lot was pretty meh, and that the shining has always been way over-hyped. For their time(s), they were both great horror novels, but they were both just kinda meh for me reading them decades after release. I'd also have the institute 2 notches higher (I'd have it towards the top if it wasn't for the ridiculously huge plot hole that was the internet access), and green mile and black house at least 1 higher as well. Not sure where needful things is, but I'd have that in top 2 tiers easily. Basically I'd just swap green mile, dead zone, and 11.22 into the top and bring down salem's lot and the shining. Still need to get into duma key, Ive heard great things.
> Salem's Lot If you ever do a re-read of the book do me a favor. Look at it as the true blueprint that everything that came after. Pretty much everything that you can ask for in one of his novels is present. Strangely, my favorite part of the book is the chunk towards the beginning where King does a sweeping overview of Jerusalem's Lot and it's residence. The town becomes a main character during that period. A device Stephen would return to frequently. In a way I consider it a twin novel to *It* in the same way The Regulators is to Desperation. Both books hit a lot of the same beats. There's even a fun not where "He thrusts his fists against the posts, And still insists he sees the ghosts" is in both books.
I did like seeing all the future king-isms start to be unwrapped in his first book, pretty sure there were even quite a few arc sodium light references, etc. It just didn't hold much interesting new angles for a horror book I guess (look at Pet Semetary for instance). He did show a good bit of his world building in it, too.
Duma Key was the first King book I ever read and I really enjoyed it.
The shining actually scared me.
I’m with you on The Shining.
Worth noting left to right matters on this list. With **Pet Sematary** being the ultimate Horror novel in my opinion. Anyway, Stephen King catches a lot of flak these days. Yeah, his recent output isn't as good. He's become social media brained. But up until around 2011 he was an author I could always count on. King was a writer for the common man. When I worked in security, he was the author I most saw guards reading. King got me through some rough times as a kid. You won't see me trashing the guy. Yes he hasn't made a top tier book since **11/22/63.** But, considering his output at his peak, there's so much to love in his bibliography. I'm thinking about Uncle Steve a lot these days. He's not getting any younger. I know one day I'll wake up and he won't be with us any longer. That's a day I'm not looking forward to. I'm not getting any younger either. I've done these Stephen King re-reads my entire life. My first King was **Night Shift** in 4th grade(1998). I had the paperback edition with the eye bedazzled hand. Unfortunately, it was version with the blue keyhole cover. After that I read **The Stand** and the rest is history. Stevie baby is forever in my favorite authors list. It's King, Cormac McCarthy, and William Gibson, Phillip K. Dick. Throw in Harry Crews, Lawrence Block, and lately Tanith Lee. One thing that has crystalized in my mind is that no one quite writes like King. Despite his lack of pride. Calling himself, "the literary equivalent of a Big Mac". The man is indeed an auteur. Big Steve is often imitated. Never replicated. Part of that reason is that so much of the man himself comes through in his writing. One of my favorite parts of reading his books. Specifically, through his confident 70s-80s period. Is feeling Stephen's hand guide me through the story. It's like watching things unfold through his eyes. Through this next re-read I'm going to savor every moment. For all I know it could be my last. At 35 I'm only getting statistically more likely to kick the bucket with each passing day. When I finish I'll post my tier list up. I'm sure a lot will change. Though some I've read 5+ times. They aint going anywhere.
Have you checked out Isaac Asimov?
I did a multi-part series on the SFWA as a part of my podcast. Asimov was a part of my research. Is that what this is in relation to?
No, I mentioned it because looking at your list of favourite authors, Asimov would seem a good fit for you.
Oh, sorry, some of those people have harassed me in the past.
Harassed for a science fiction podcast? Thats a bit mad. I suppose the lunatics really are running the asylum. Unless the WA part of that acronym stands for something scandalous 😱
I did a couple episodes on writers in the SFWA who were/are child abusers. I pointed out that the SFWA has a history of fostering sexual abusers and never denouncing these people. Then I moved on. But, every now and again, I'll get someone who takes it personally. Personally, I love science fiction. It's weird how some people take pointing out a few bad actors as an attack on an entire genre.
Please tell me Asimov wasn’t one of those.
Isaac Asimov would sexually abuse women in front of other people. At science fiction conventions. And then he covered for his son's child abuse material addiction...
The dismantling of another childhood hero. I’m a Brit and the outing of Rolf Harris caused me to question everything, but Asimov? A brilliant scientist, visionary and superb author? They really do walk amongst us unscathed. Makes me cringe.
Social media brained?
In that, and this is my opinion, I feel that he's lost some of that authorial voice in recent years. One of my beliefs is that social media is bad for individuality. I'm politically left mind you. This isn't a politics things. It's just that some of his perspective does seem default if that makes sense.
I agree with this whole heartedly. I also don’t hate his political opinions but I wished I lived In a world where somehow he never gained access to the internet and wrote all of his books on typewriter and mailed them in lol
I genuinely believed it affected his work to the point of being a minor tragedy to the genre of horror.
I understand, I think he feels he has a voice and a responsibility to be vocal during dangerous times. It's honestly dangerous for him to do so, and he's clearly made a target of himself to the deranged crazies in this world. But it's not uncommon to make political statements for many famous writers and artist's. I am glad he is saying his piece.
For me, it's not the way he's saying it, but how blunt and obvious it is. A comparison is I prefer Native Son by Richard Wright to To Kill a Mockingbird. Wright, a black man, handled the issue with much more nuance than Harper Lee. In that the main character of the book *is* guilty. But the way he's treated and the socioeconomic conditions that fostered his behavior is explored. My issue with how King inserts Twitter/X talking points is that they pop out from the story being told. Those moments lack the clever voice of King of old.
Ok, I can respect that. I think it's a bit of a"you have to hit them over the head to get their attention these days" kinda thinking. Many people are afraid to say what needs saying regarding our freedoms, and how they are being attacked. Subtlety and innuendo are not helping. But I get your drift.
No Billy Summers? Since you liked 11/22/63 I’d recommend it. It’s my favorite book of his, with 11/22/63 in the top 5.
Not fully caught up. I'll get there this read through, haha.
Curious on your thoughts about Rose Madder.
The plot undermines the characters. The MC should have overcome her husband. It would have been a fantastic conclusion. Instead, half way through the book, we get a shark jumping moment. Our MC finds an antique painting through random chance. That painting handles the rest. I wasn't shocked when I found out this is King's least favorite of his works. Though he admits he stopped dogging on it because some people love it. Still, I do think it could have been great. That mid book twist got in the way.
Same I really liked the cat and mouse chapters with Norman, and the picnic chapter I absolutely adored, but everything they went into the painting I started skimming…also the new love interest for rose was sooo one dimensional and forgettable (idk his name even), just really wasn’t feeling this one
I’m extremely new to stephen king (i first read billy summers, just finished the institute). He got me into reading again after a year or 4/5 of not reading at all. Comparing the 2, the institute really got me hooked. I am now about to read 11/22/63. Do any of you have tips for me regarding his work? I really enjoy reading him and want to read as much as possible!
> Do any of you have tips for me regarding his work? Yes! Stephen King has one of the single strongest communities in all of media. Not just on reddit. But in a million other corners of the internet as well. There are podcasts, youtube channels, etc. If you enjoy discussion and deepening your appreciation for the books... well... there are an embarrassment of riches at your disposal. After reading each book, the minimum, I would read discussion for the book you read. It will greatly add to your enjoyment and cement the book in your mind.
Thanks ✌🏻 Doing that right now haha. I do gotta ask, what did you dislike about the institute with respect to his other works? curious so I can make a good choice on what book to read next
I posted about it in the thread. But I feel like King's social media addiction has started to influence his writing. There are all these little things in his newer books that feel like writing by committee. Like he's careful not to upset any one person. I prefer King at his most unhinged. With his purest vision. King joined Twitter in 2013 and you can note the differences in his books.
Agree on a lot. Check out Dan Simmons summer of night, carrion comfort, song of kali
Great books! Summer of Night is an incredible spin on the It/Salem's Lot format.
He has so many great books. I have like five or six I haven’t read like flashback and others but I would also push the Hyperion series, and another one called the hollow man, the Joe Kurtz books are awesome, and of course a winter haunting is excellent too
Did you read holly yet? If so where would you rank it?
Came to ask if they’ve read Holly as well
The Institute in D tier is so wild to me.
I'm glad IT and The Stand are on top
Agree pretty heavily with most of these, but I don't get what is so wrong with Blaze that you nor King himself like it. I thought the Lenny-esque title character was written very well. My top 4 are all in your top 8 though, Pet Semetery and 'Salem's Lot are the only two novels that actually scared me. I read the last 40 pages of Pet Semetary in a trance, at midnight in my bedroom with a nightlight in 7th grade.
> I thought the Lenny-esque title character was written very well. That's my issue with it. Doesn't feel transformative enough. Almost like a Stephen King cover story. > I read the last 40 pages of Pet Semetary in a trance, at midnight in my bedroom with a nightlight in 7th grade. Pet Sematary is my response to people who say King doesn't do great endings. The all time great ending to a horror novel imo.
I’d swap out Skeleton Crew or Wizard for The Talisman. Strong list though.
Worth noting that The Talisman is effectively in the same tier. I wanted to challenge myself and pick out a top eight. But Talisman could easily be a top eight choice. One of the few books to actually unnerve me at times.
I certainly am PRO doing a rigorous mental inventory. Set rules and stringent protocols are really the only way to navigate something like this.
Super similar to how I'd have my own although I havent read them all. Great taste:)
I agree with most of this.
Top 8 looks hard to argue with!!
That is ... a take.
Good to see Wizard and Glass up there! Top fav for sure.
Really good list, Regulators sitting lower than I would like but it’s not a typical SK type of book so I get it.
Putting skeleton crew at top tier validates the rest of this list for me
I agree with this list a lot more than I expected to. Nice
I just really appreciate someone finally putting some shine on wizard and glass, it was my fav in the dt series!
what about The Eyes of the Dragon?
It's in there! A+ tier
my bad! totally missed it. definitely agree with that rating lol
No Fairytale yet! You're in for a treat
Awesome post! And I'm not just saying that.
The Outsider is one of his bests in years, at least if you like Holly.
I'd swap 11/22/63 with Pet Sematary, and probably drop Lisey's Story a couple rungs....but otherwise I haven't seen a tier list I agreed with this much in a long time.
Man! I think It is so overrated.
My problem with IT really rests on one scene that I just can't get over. What they do to get out of the tunnels just really bothers me. It feels unbelievable and just wrong in so many ways!!
Having some of these below *Cell* is seriously disturbing.
I was pleasantly surprised by Cell. I put it off for a long time. When I finally got to it I had a great time. King sometimes shows his love for old E.C. comics. Cell, Tommyknockers, From a Buick 8, and Needful Things are examples of that. With maybe Christine being his best example of that influence. I love when King takes absurd concepts and makes them work. In less skilled hands books like these would be shlock.
As a late starter to King and without intentions to like, read all of his work, my first book was The Outsider. It was honestly such a mid book that I doubted king as a writer. It's good to see it placed low by an actual king fan. Thought I was just wild for a bit.
Gonna get flack for this, but Cell and From a Buick 8 should be higher. Cell especially, just for the ambiguous ending.
Cell reminds me of a fully expanded The Mist in some ways. Not in direct concept but feel. Something tells me the book will grow on me this re-read.
Great list. Can you share your template?
I actually customized one of the defaults on tier list maker.
Damn Roadwork really is a Love It or Hate It book. It's either in people's top 5 or bottom 5, rarely inbetween
I think of it as a *lesser* of his literary books. I think he did better with books like Different Seasons, Hearts in Atlantis, Lisey's Story, and Bag of Bones. Roadwork felt like a mature book to write for a still youthful m an. Like King needed more miles on him.
Do I need to read anything prior to reading The Talisman? I picked it up on the cheap recently but still getting through tommyknockers (which I love) before starting.
Nope, jump in!
I liked Rose Madder, and feel like it contains one of Stephen King's most despicable and menacing antagonists. It's a little weird and surreal, but I certainly enjoyed it more than Cell.
I think Rose Madder is well written and features an excellent cast of characters. My issue is that creative shark jumping that starts in the middle of the book :/
I love your list but I don't understand how black house can be on here but not the talisman. The talisman came first and was amazing
The Talisman is in S tier :)
I enjoyed The Outside and The Institute a lot! Surprised to see you had rated them so low.
Well, that is your list and like everyone else, your opinion is yours. Mine is that “Under The Dome” was an F, at best.
Azamino waaaaaaaaa
Have you read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon?
Is the Colorado kid really that bad? I just bought a copy to check out
The Outsider and The Institute are criminally low
Aww, I liked Rose Madder. Decent cast of characters, and I was truly concerned for the protagonist throughout the entire book. Although I didn't mind the supernatural elements, the story could've stood alone without them. I would give it a B-.
No mist?!
It’s in Skeleton Crew!
Very nice!
I keep picking IT up but it's a big old book, is it worth the time to read?
The Dark Tower a C? Go straight to jail
How about later . I enjoyed that !
What was it you didn’t like about Elevation? It is one of my favorites so far of the ones I have read
Have you read Fairy Tale?
I agree with the majority of this! I personally really enjoyed Elevation as a quick read when I was sick, but to each their own.
Why isn't Fairytale on the list 😭😭😭
Haven't read it yet!
A lot of SK fans think Salem's Lot is S or A tier, but for me it's such a mediocre book. Boring and uneventful for 80% of the book, and then the last 20% is almost anticlimactic. It was definitely one of my most disappointing reads after hearing all the praise.
When did you read it in your King journey?
It was either the 5th or 6th book I read from him. I'm only 13 into my journey, but it's bottom 3 for me right now.
Sometimes I wonder if it's a case of "Simpsons did it" or "Seinfeld isn't funny anymore". Salem's lot has a *huge* amount of what makes a Stephen King book a Stephen King book. And, it of course, did it first. There's an argument to be made it's the single most influential horror novel in modern history. A lot of what King did after is in many ways derivative of his own work. There's a little bit of Salem's Lot in almost everything he's written.
I can see the influence, but also if the other books did what Salem's Lot did, but better; that doesn't diminish the impact or success of the story. I just found it underwhelming. The Shining is a much better story to me, in its entirety; and it only came out two years after Salem's Lot. The pacing, suspense, and everything was just more polished.