Stephen King Fans discussion
Talk about the Novels
>
Under the Dome
message 751:
by
Timothy
(new)
Nov 11, 2013 07:42AM
I have been watching it got two episodes left :)
reply
|
flag
Posted a review of this awhile back and thought I'd share it...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I love the book but dislike the series
I'll keep watching any seasons they put up, but it just pales in comparison with a great book.
Leslie wrote: "I'll keep watching any seasons they put up, but it just pales in comparison with a great book."
You took the words right out of my mouth!
You took the words right out of my mouth!
This is my favourite King's book, on a par with It. I re-read it the day after having finished it, and although I am a bit upset by what the TV show has done to the characters and the story, I have to agree with what King says - the book wasn't changed by the show, they exist separately. Oh, well, I guess I can pretend the show never existed and live in peace :)
As for the one-dimensional characters, I'm perfectly fine with them. No one has said that a "flat" character must be less interesting (or frightening) than a "round" character; there is plenty of great literary characters like that.
As for the one-dimensional characters, I'm perfectly fine with them. No one has said that a "flat" character must be less interesting (or frightening) than a "round" character; there is plenty of great literary characters like that.
Of course it goes without saying the book is always better than the movie! IMHO. I just love it when I go to see a movie and love it, because I KNOW I Will L o v e. The book.. Maybe it's just me. I learned this at a very young age
I grew up in rural Ontario, half way between two small towns. The larger of the two towns had two movie theatres. One was The Centre Theatre at the edge of the Main Street the other called "The Odeon" and sat smack in the middle of town between the Jewellers and the Furriers. It had a dazzling Marquee. It had red carpeting down the walkway to the ticket booth and it was very glamorous. In the main lobby (which was deep blue and hung with deep plush blue Velvet drapes which the usher would draw aside so you could ascend to the balconies.also there adorned matching chandeliers lighting the way on either side. I'm getting ahead of myself.
The occasion that landed me at this wonder of wonders was my eighth birthday and my Maternal Aunt, a Lady of grand physical deportment, had discussed it with my mother and they decided that I was old enough to go to see the "GREATEST MOVIE EVER FILMED!" "GONE ITH THE WIND"!
It was 1960.
Every year The Odeon Theatre staged the grand movie and for a week the town was taken over by the movies lovers. Shops dressed their windows and the Themes were of course Gone with the Wind! I was beyond dazzled and sleep? Forget about it. For two days before our "Date" I couldn't sleep. This was my first outing with the Ladies in the family, not a baby anymore! My cousin Heather was going, she was sixteen, and had a boyfriend with a car. I loved Heather, she was always very nice to me. My cousin Elizabeth couldn't go see was only six,
I felt like I should downplay my good luck, her time would come. This was my time, Heather had been out with the ladies in the family many times. Things were very different in 1960. For instance when you went out you got you hair done, wore you best dress and best shoes and gloves and a hat. Of course I had worn these items when our family attended my Father being on parade. He was the R.S.M. And as his family we had to look really good. The R.S.M Is the absolute God on the parade square. (My Dad was in the army)
My hair was done, I was dressed, my Mother let me wear her gold heart necklace. I wore my turquoise suit with the matching hat and purse. I was on cloud nine, I even put my diary under my pillow so I could write everything down so I wouldn't forget!
Finally my Aunt and Cousin Arrived to pick me up and as we drove to town we talked about the movie. Both they had seen it a few times, my Aunt, Ethylene, had seen it every year sine it first came out and she loved it. When we finally got there my Aunt surprised us by taking us to the Chinese food restaurant for dinner. I felt so grown up, my girlfriends at school were going to be so jealous, but I'd have to play this down.
Finally we we approaching the Theatre and then we were in, then we decided to pick our seats and the take turns getting popcorn and treats! Up through the drawn back curtains up the stairs and oh, I just couldn't believe I was on the balcony! Of course Dad and Mother had taken us to the show before but never up the balcony, we took our seats my Aunt sat next to the aisle then me then
Heather. The curtain were drawn and there was soft music playing that I learned later as the years went by was Civil War Music. As I sat there little did I know that these two people and I would do this same ritual year after year after year until 1973, when my beloved Aunt passed. And the year after she died the theatre was sol, torn down and Shoppers drug Mart went up!
After that first night I changed. When we got to the car my Aunt gave me a wrapped gift. It was her copy of Gone with the Wind, not to KEEP, MIND YOU! Just to borrow until I'd read it. As I read that book I learned that it was different from the movie, wnot better but equal in its enjoy ments. I read it every few years now, Heather has Aunt Ethylene's copy in her library as it should be..
So that is how I learned how to love a movie and love a book even though there are many changes. I have ove the years watched movies and given books to young people to help them learn how to expand their understanding go great literature and Screeplay.
Debra
I wrote that whole diatribe just to say the book " Under the Dome" and the Screen Play "Under the Dome". Both have their Merit, both are achievements. Both are good. IMHODEBRA
Debra wrote: "Of course it goes without saying the book is always better than the movie! IMHO. I just love it when I go to see a movie and love it, because I KNOW I Will L o v e. The book.. Maybe it's jus..."
Debra:
Hell of a diatribe. Put a few unique twists in there and you'd have quite a short story. Put a few strange twists in there and you'd have quite a horror story. I mean, what if the movie was good but when you opened the book, it was... you know... frighteningly different. Anyway, There's an old saying in Hollywood, the best movies come from really bad books. Maybe they were thinking of gone with the wind, or maybe Ben Hur or who knows what. But I do agree with you, the book is usually better than the movie... but sometimes they're equal... Shawshank, The Body. As for Under the Dome... no contest. The book is way better. But let's see what the new season brings and the first episode written by Mr. King.
That was a lovely story Debra. What great memories!
There was a short interview with Stephen King on my local CBS station out of Bangor talking about the upcoming premiere of season 2. I have the link here if anybody would like to watch it.
http://wabi.tv/2014/06/27/stephen-kin...
http://wabi.tv/2014/06/27/stephen-kin...
Kathryn wrote: "There was a short interview with Stephen King on my local CBS station out of Bangor talking about the upcoming premiere of season 2. I have the link here if anybody would like to watch it.http:/..."
Thanks Kathryn! Good interview. I'll definitely be tuning in tomorrow. I wasn't impressed with season 1, but I had just read the book and the show was too different. I'll watch it now and try to appreciate it for what it is.
Should I catch up to the TV show without reading the book? Just finished Dr Sleep, and am taking a King break right now, as I reading White Noise by DeLillo and 100 Years of Solitude by Marquez. But I was going to read Under the Dome next....I watched a few episodes last season and was a bit underwhelmed.
TheLongWait wrote: "Should I catch up to the TV show without reading the book? Just finished Dr Sleep, and am taking a King break right now, as I reading White Noise by DeLillo and 100 Years of Solitude by Marquez. Bu..."I'd skip the TV series... it's a mess. Under the Dome is NOT really a horror novel... BTW.
Right...I was referring to IT. And that's what some other people have said about the TV show
I am currently reading and so far so good, it is interesting and odd and well, niffty haha, as most of his books are I would think (from the ones I have read of his they normally are) lots of characters which sometimes confuses me butthat is okay and lots of gory details which I adore.
I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue reading. I sort of know the ending but I feel like I'm missing out on all of those pages of King genius. Is it good enough to carry on?
Oh yes, definitely continue reading. The ending is somewhat bizarre, but the meat of the story is all the rest that goes on, I think. My favorite!
Reenie wrote: "I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue reading. I sort of know the ending but I feel..."Absolutely read it. The greatness is in the details. The ending is one of King's best (I think). But it doesn't take anything away from the subplots that he weaves into the book as it goes along.
For those who have watched the tv series and read the book. How much of the book is covered in Season 1?
Todd wrote: "For those who have watched the tv series and read the book. How much of the book is covered in Season 1?"It veers away from the story pretty quick and introduces some whole new elements that I didn't like.
Nick wrote: "Reenie wrote: "I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue reading. I sort of know the en..."Nick wrote: "Reenie wrote: "I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue reading. I sort of know the en..."
BTW - I can't believe that I said that the ending was one of King's best. I must have left out the word NOT as in NOT one of his best.
Nick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Reenie wrote: "I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue reading. I sort o..."Yes, I would agree that the ending is pretty lame, but worth reading, all the same.
Teresa wrote: "Nick wrote: "Nick wrote: "Reenie wrote: "I started to read Under The Dome a few months ago, but I somehow read a spoiler (unintentionally) on Twitter, and now I'm not sure if I should continue read..."Great book, weak ending... where have I heard that before about King books? Oh yeah, very often, from me and others. Let me say maybe that the events of the ending are appropriate, but he glosses over so much, leaves so much unresolved, some of the best characters almost abandoned that you just don't feel satisfied.
just finished, very good!
I'm really digging the Raul Esparza narration on the Under the Dome audio version. There are 30 discs, or 18.5 hours, on both books. He does a great job on the voices. I'm just finishing up with Disc 10 now, so am about 3/4 of the way through Book 1, I figure.
Many equate this book with The Stand, and I can see why. It's got that big cast, gruff talk, and human element. Good listen!
Greg wrote: "I'm really digging the Raul Esparza narration on the Under the Dome audio version. There are 30 discs, or 18.5 hours, on both books. He does a great job on the voices. I'm just finishing up with ..."
I read the book and then got the audio and listened to it on a long trip. I really did enjoy it.
Did anyone watch the season 3 premiere on Thursday night?My favorite quote from the book: “She can't help it,' he said. 'She's got the soul of a poet and the emotional makeup of a junkyard dog.”
― Stephen King, Under the Dome
Not sure, but if I remember correctly, this is the owner of the hardware store referring to his wife.
Nick wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm really digging the Raul Esparza narration on the Under the Dome audio version. There are 30 discs, or 18.5 hours, on both books. He does a great job on the voices. I'm just finis..."
Yes, and the audio for "11/22/63" was very good too.
Michelle wrote: "Nick wrote: "Greg wrote: "I'm really digging the Raul Esparza narration on the Under the Dome audio version. There are 30 discs, or 18.5 hours, on both books. He does a great job on the voices. I..."
The audio for 11/22/63 was even better. One of the best.
I'm reading this now, but I'm afraid to read posts in case they contain spoilers. I'm not far enough in to risk that.
I just finished this behemoth yesterday as my first non-Dark Tower SK book, and absolutely adored it. Long review here (strong/specific spoilers are hidden under spoiler tags)!
Julie wrote: "I just finished this behemoth yesterday as my first non-Dark Tower SK book, and absolutely adored it. Long review here (strong/specific spoilers are hidden under spoiler tags)!"I finished it recently, too. I didn't like it as much as you did, not placing it among King's best or worst, but it was readable, which, in my view, the first "Dark Tower" and "Rose Madder" were not.
Nick wrote: ""Unreadable?""Yes. I found the first "Dark Tower" painful to read, but made myself do it because it was Stephen King. I couldn't finish "Rose Madder" Two of King's worst, in my view.
The Gunslinger is admittedly very different from the later books in the series, to the extent that King outright apologises for it in later author-introductions, and basically implores the reader to suffer through the first book in order to get to the second. (Even structure-wise, I think it was originally a bunch of short stories that got compiled into a novel, which might hurt it too.) So I've been saying this to everyone I know trying to read TDT and struggling with the first book: I know it's painful, but if you have the time, you should make it to book two to see if the rest jives with you any better!
... unless you said "first" because you've already read the rest, in which case, ignore me!
Kinksrock wrote: "Nick wrote: ""Unreadable?""Yes. I found the first "Dark Tower" painful to read, but made myself do it because it was Stephen King. I couldn't finish "Rose Madder" Two of King's worst, in my view."
I haven't read TDT in about 10 years, and wasn't crazy about it at the time. But I did think Rose Madder was good, at least the first part, where a battered woman is desperately and courageously escaping a nutcase of a husband. But, you're right, the stuff inside the painting is weak and a little confusing.
Nick wrote: "Kinksrock wrote: "Nick wrote: ""Unreadable?""Yes. I found the first "Dark Tower" painful to read, but made myself do it because it was Stephen King. I couldn't finish "Rose Madder" Two of King..."
I agree with you. "Rose Madder" started out well, and then when it started to focus on the painting I thought it was goofy.
Julie wrote: "... unless you said "first" because you've already read the rest, in which case, ignore me!"You sound nice, so maybe I'll take your advice. I'm not going to rush to more Dark Tower books, but maybe I'll give the second one a chance when there are not other Stephen King books attracting my attention.
Kinksrock wrote: "Julie wrote: "... unless you said "first" because you've already read the rest, in which case, ignore me!"You sound nice, so maybe I'll take your advice. I'm not going to rush to more Dark Tower..."
I'm reading "Game of Thrones" now, and, although I know it's not a Stephen King book, it's reminding me how I'm just not into the fantasy genre. So I'm going to continue to plan NOT to read any more of the "Dark Tower" books. Sorry.
Oooh, that's relevant. I'm a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire so I see the parallels -- and yes, if epic fantasy is definitely not your cuppa, then I agree that this really isn't the book/series for you then. :( Sorry it didn't jive!
Julie wrote: "Oooh, that's relevant. I'm a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire so I see the parallels -- and yes, if epic fantasy is definitely not your cuppa, then I agree that this really isn't the book/series ..."I made a deal with a friend that I would read "Game of Thrones" if he would read "The Three Musketeers". I may take a break and read more of the series just so I know what everyone's talking about, but, at the very least, I will finish the first one.
Under the Dome was the first book I read from Stephen King. I read it after watching Season 1 of the series Under the Dome. After the first 20 pages I knew the series was nothing like the book. I don't want to spoil but in the first 20 pages a character dies that is one of the most important ones in the series. I mean, come on?I loved the book. I read it in less than a week in English (English isn't my native language). After two seasons of the series I was getting really pissed off. Come on, one thing is to alter some parts of the book to fit the timeline they create for the series. But the thing they made? In the beginning of the third season I was almost giving up and I did give up, in the third or fourth episode of the series. If any of you is watching the series, DON'T WATCH THE THIRD SEASON. It ruined my mind and I'm still trying to get over the fact that *SPOILER ALERT* that bitch tongue-kissed Junior. It was disgusting and it didn't made any sense considering the book. Come on, Junior is the bad guy in the book! In the series is ends up being good??? *SPOILER FINISHED*
Anyways, Under the Dome was the book that made me get to know Stephen King. Afterwards I read The girl who loved Tom Gordon and I'm reading some mini histories.
I'm seriously pissed because of the series. It's Harry Potter and the bad movies all over again. (WHERE'S PEEVES??)
I gave up three episodes into the second season. I had high hopes. The book was so damn good. Somehow I did record them all but after reading our input, I'm blowing away the whole series.
That's the problem when a book is made into a movie or TV show. Things get changed. It is always so hard to watch when the whole time you're making those comparisons. This one though, so many changes from the first episode. My favorite episode was the first episode of season two. King directed that one. Now that the show has gone in a completely different direction from the book, it is actually easier to watch.I've have been watching The Strain and they waited until season 2 before making big changes.
I don't know how these producers and directors decide how much they are going to keep the same and how much they are going to change and why but they feel the need to do it.
I'm currently reading this. Enjoying it so far.
I love the opening of this. The woodchuck, or whatever it is, is just such a clever way to paint the scene. I think King has a special talent for writing through animal's eyes.
Kandice wrote: "I love the opening of this. The woodchuck, or whatever it is, is just such a clever way to paint the scene. I think King has a special talent for writing through animal's eyes."The opening was great! from all aspects, Normal day life gone in a split second without any warning. Kinda scary and thought provoking at the same time.
Emma wrote: "Kandice wrote: "I love the opening of this. The woodchuck, or whatever it is, is just such a clever way to paint the scene. I think King has a special talent for writing through animal's eyes."Th..."
Of course in the TV show, just to be more dramatic, they cut a cow in half... should have known then we were in trouble.
Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
The Fourth Monkey (other topics)Cell (other topics)
Because It Is Bitter, and Because It Is My Heart (other topics)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (other topics)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (other topics)
More...
