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Bag of Bones
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Bag of Bones
This was the second King novel I read, and have read another two times since... I remember it fondly and might give it another go :) also watched the two part movie and thought it didn't do the book justice, though I did somewhat enjoy it.
Cody wrote: "This was the second King novel I read, and have read another two times since... I remember it fondly and might give it another go :) also watched the two part movie and thought it didn't do the boo..."Unusual choice as a second King novel to read. It's not one of his better known books.
I have not seen the mini-series, though it's been on my Netflix queue since it came out. I just didn't want to ruin the re-read I knew I'd eventually get to by watching it. LOL
It was actually my Dad's copy, and I didn't have any money to explore his other works lol I was only 12 at the time. But it got me hooked on King. My first was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordan (my Mom's copy).
@BeckyI was afraid of that myself, and actually turned out to be the case... Which is why I haven't read it in a couple years :(
Thanks for the validation of my decision to avoid it for now.
Cody wrote: "It was actually my Dad's copy, and I didn't have any money to explore his other works lol I was only 12 at the time. But it got me hooked on King. My first was The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordan (my Mom..."You have had a unique SK reading experience. Most people start with the obvious choices: like Carrie or The Shining.
Almost 200 pages, and already loving the book.
Aymen wrote: "Almost 200 pages, and already loving the book."It's one of my favorite King works.
I see why you like it Nick, It s really intriguing and psychological, it reminds me of the Shining, a visit inside the head of Mike Noonan, like Jack Torrance.
Aymen wrote: "I see why you like it Nick, It s really intriguing and psychological, it reminds me of the Shining, a visit inside the head of Mike Noonan, like Jack Torrance."Yep, except in this case Mike is not the biggest part of the problem.
Nowhere near as good as The Shining though.
Kinksrock wrote: "Nowhere near as good as The Shining though."Nope, I still have the Shining as #1... but it's been a long time since I've read it.
For me Bag of Bones got better on the second read. I went back and forth between sight reading and listening to the audiobook (which is narrated by SK, which I loved but I know some dislike his reading voice). I liked it the first time through but wow, the second time I was floored by how personal and emotional it was. One of my top ten SK books now.
It took me a while to get through. Not sure why. I just didn't find myself becoming as attached to the characters as I do in most Stephen King books
I absolutely love King's reading voice. If it wasn't King I know I would find it too nasal and constantly be thinking "Blow your nose man!" but because it is him, I just feel like it's listening to a beloved uncle.
Kandice wrote: "I absolutely love King's reading voice. If it wasn't King I know I would find it too nasal and constantly be thinking "Blow your nose man!" but because it is him, I just feel like it's listening to..."I didn't think I'd like King as a reader, but since the narrator is an author talking about books and writing (among other things) it fit perfectly... especially after hearing his great read of On Writing.
This book is an amazing , disturbing, terrifying psychological experience. It reminds me of "the Shining" because many chapters are about the feelings , the thoughts and the nighmares of Mike Noonan (like Jack Torrance on the shining) , also about writing,haunted places and old secrets... I liked the Shining more, but Bag of Bones is more mysterious ,complicated and scary.
I've read many King novels, but Bag of Bones is now among my favorites. Thought I'd share my review/thoughts with you guys: Bag of Bones is one of King’s bigger books (just over 700 pages). As with another of his larger novels that I read and loved recently (The Tommyknockers), this one veers off maybe a tick too long here and there, but here, the off-trail jaunts accomplish what they should-they draw you deeper into the story. And what a deep tale it is.
“Then I got back to the house, and all I worried about was my story and the people in it–bags of bones which were putting on flesh daily.”
As a writer, I fell into this novel more so than some of the others I’ve read (even King’s). We have Mike Noonan, a writer who is facing an entire Walmart of problems. Besides ghosts, small town mysteries, what his since-deceased wife was doing in the months before she died, how he could help a young girl defeat and evil, rich, scaly old SOB and keep her daughter safe, author, Mike Noonan, was struggling with a severe case of writer’s block. I felt like King was giving us a look behind the curtain. He noted in the afterward that he was also writing or set to write On Writing at the time, as well. I’m sure those thoughts were floating in his brain at the time and seeped into this larger piece. I found the writer’s side of Mike Noonan’s adventure (or misadventure) just as captivating as the rest of the amazing story (until I hit the last couple hundred pages…then it was full-on holy hell-what’s going to happen!) But prior to the last quarter or so of the book, I was pulling for Mike to write again, I was excited for him when he did, I wanted so bad to see him get to write THE END with his new story. Once he does start writing again, King talks a lot about getting “in the zone”, and for us writers, that’s where we dive in and swim until we’ve got no choice but to come up for air. And when we do break the surface, it’s the sweetest air.
Which brings us to a fine piece of horror in this book that has Mike coming up for air….
The scariest scene in the entire book for me was definitely when Mike gets cornered by Max Devore and his aid, Rogette, on The Street. If you’ve read it, you know exactly what I mean, if you haven’t-you will (picture that being said in Yoda’s voice when he’s telling Luke he will be afraid! I think Yoda actually says “you will be”, but whatever, you get the point). We hadn’t seen Max up until that point and man, King delivers a horror home run. Rogette turns out to be just as scary (with her softball rock throwing skills on full display!).
“Her lips were painted so brightly red she seemed to be bleeding from the mouth.”
The heartbreak and magic of the book centers around young widow, Mattie Devore, her 3-year-old daughter, Kyra, and Mike. When I tell you there’s some hard hitting stuff in this novel, I’m not kidding. I usually see things from a mile away, but what goes on in this novel caught me by surprise and flipped me on my head. I thought I knew what was around the bend….and each time I got that line of thinking King walloped me, leveling me and leaving me needing to come up for air. Only problem was, the story burns like gasoline in the last two hundred-plus pages….finally finished, I am exhausted.
“It was as if the heart had been burned out of her and the sadness that remained was just another ghost , the memory of love haunting the bones of hate.”
King packs punch after punch of pure heart and soul in these pages. It is a thing of beauty and awe. He has that intangible that all of us are striving for- the honesty and emotion- and does it so effortlessly. He’s mastered that chi of writing that makes characters completely real and these worlds of fiction take form around us making everything else fade into the background. Pure magic.
Bag of Bones is definitely one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever read. A brilliant and completely engaging work by my favorite writer.
I give Bag of Bones 5 stars!
Glenn wrote: "I've read many King novels, but Bag of Bones is now among my favorites. Thought I'd share my review/thoughts with you guys: Bag of Bones is one of King’s bigger books (just over 700 pages). As w..."
Great review Glenn. I agree completely. There were things that I could just not see coming, and couldn't believe when they happened. Also, King reads the audiobook. So if you are ever up for a re-read try that. King becomes Mike Noonan.
Here's the local of my (long) review. You might want to check it out since we agree so completely.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nick wrote: "Glenn wrote: "I've read many King novels, but Bag of Bones is now among my favorites. Thought I'd share my review/thoughts with you guys: Bag of Bones is one of King’s bigger books (just over 70..."
You nailed it, Nick. Every end neatly tied. And the end is perfect.
I haven't done many audio books, but I'll have to try this one since the man reads it himself.
Love this book. Read it 6 times and plan to read it again.
Holy shit, Charles! I definitely plan on re-reading it down the road. 'Salem's Lot is the only book I've read more than twice (4 times here). There was also a piece by King in the back of the book about Hearts in Atlantis. I think he convinced me to read that one next.
It surprised me that more people don't love this book! It's my favorite King that I've read so far. Definitely a favorite among every book I've ever read!!
Taylor wrote: "It surprised me that more people don't love this book! It's my favorite King that I've read so far. Definitely a favorite among every book I've ever read!!"It just didn't do much for me. King is capable of much better.
Kinksrock wrote: "Taylor wrote: "It surprised me that more people don't love this book! It's my favorite King that I've read so far. Definitely a favorite among every book I've ever read!!"It just didn't do much f..."
Maybe, but some parts of this book just struck me in a way that most of his books don't do. I liked it.
Taylor wrote: "Kinksrock wrote: "Taylor wrote: "It surprised me that more people don't love this book! It's my favorite King that I've read so far. Definitely a favorite among every book I've ever read!!"It jus..."
I loved Bag of Bones. it's way up on my best of King list. #6 to be exact.
Nick wrote: "Taylor wrote: "Kinksrock wrote: "Taylor wrote: "It surprised me that more people don't love this book! It's my favorite King that I've read so far. Definitely a favorite among every book I've ever ..."It just has a completely different feel than most of his other books. So good!
Finished this book yesterday. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I read Duma Key prior to this and it felt like there were a lot of similarities in the way that it was written, especially the climatic scenes in both books. I don't know, I liked Mike Noonan, but there was something about him that got on my nerves. I mean, who would live in a house like that for that long, and his "Shining" that he seemed to have towards the middle of the book bugged me a little. Then also, the flashback, but not really flashbacks he was experiencing didn't make a whole lot of sense either. Lastly, I kind of wanted him to end up with Mattie, and I kind of didn't. The book just felt kind of Dues ex Machinaed, especially the epilogue.I gave the book 4 stars, and would recommend it, but Duma Key seemed to flow much better for me.
Messier110 wrote: "Finished this book yesterday. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I read Duma Key prior to this and it felt like there were a lot of similarities in the way that it was written, especially the climat..."I loved Duman Key too though when I made my list of favorite King Bag of Bones came out in the to 10 and Duma was # 15. Loosing Mattie in the middle of Bag of Bones was a heartbreaker for me. The only part of B of B that bothered me was the early sections where Mike gives up on life. He's bored. Doesn't want to do anything. How do you portray that without driving the reader away. Fortunately the book made an amazing turnaround. At least I thought so.
Okay guys, maybe I am missing something here, but I have a question..or three....We know there are several ghosts at Sara Laughs, but do we ever know exactly which ghosts are doing what actions?
For example, towards the beginning of Mike's stay at the cabin, he goes in the cellar and communicates with a ghost (once for yes, twice for no)...which ghost do you all believe this to be? Jo?
And who is leaving the messages on the fridge? Who is crying at night? So on and so forth..you get the point? Just curious and would love to hear some opinions!
Taylor wrote: "Okay guys, maybe I am missing something here, but I have a question..or three....We know there are several ghosts at Sara Laughs, but do we ever know exactly which ghosts are doing what actions?
..."
Damn, It's been so long since I re-read it I can't remember... isn't it the kids who were murdered... buried with Sara or do I have all that wrong. Makes me want to re-re-read it.
Nick wrote: "Taylor wrote: "Okay guys, maybe I am missing something here, but I have a question..or three....We know there are several ghosts at Sara Laughs, but do we ever know exactly which ghosts are doing ..."
Yes, Nick, I think several children were murdered, but I have only read it once. I am in the middle of it a second time, but I haven't made it that far yet.
I think I'm the only one who got disturbed by the (view spoiler) to such extent that I ended up disliking the book.
Ceki wrote: "I think I'm the only one who got disturbed by the [spoilers removed] to such extent that I ended up disliking the book."I feel the same way about the scene in It, and although neither made me dislike either book as a whole, those scenes have definitely curtailed my rereads.
Ceki wrote: "I think I'm the only one who got disturbed by the [spoilers removed] to such extent that I ended up disliking the book."Damn, I don't remember that scene. (what chapter was it?) I definitely have to re-read the whole book. Problem is I have a huge stack of first reads in front of me. So many books... not enough time. Maybe a spot check will refresh my memory.
Nick wrote: "Ceki wrote: "I think I'm the only one who got disturbed by the [spoilers removed] to such extent that I ended up disliking the book."Damn, I don't remember that scene. (what chapter was it?) I de..."
It's the "historical" event that takes place at the lake.
oh yes, I couldn't remember either but that was very bothersome. I listened to the audiobook for this one and i liked it very much.
HiHow do I see the comment about the scene you are talking about using the app? I do remember that I enjoyed the book...
It was the flashback scenes with the black lady and her son.
Right, I do remember it, and it really did bother me at the time. The problem is when you're trying to portray evil you have to decide if you're going to present it realistically enough to convey just how bad it was or are you going to try and soften it. I'm thinking it's better to lay it out there so people really understand. King seems to be able to do it either way. (view spoiler) But that's damn hard to do.
Yes I remember feeling angry not how it was written but anger at the character, which I do believe is the intent of the scene....
Definitely a favourite for me - I loved the build up and his writing style. There were parts in it that were truly disturbing and I hated it at times but this kind of reinforced the skill in his writing. I do wish a few loose ends had been tied up as others had mentioned: what happened to Bill Dean? George and Romeo? And I fully expected Lance Devore to feature later in the book but he didn’t - was he also one of Sara’s victims? He had the bloodline but not the “K” name.Apart from that, exceptional entertainment.
DMK wrote: "Definitely a favourite for me - I loved the build up and his writing style. There were parts in it that were truly disturbing and I hated it at times but this kind of reinforced the skill in his wr..."(view spoiler)
Spoilers ************************I loved the story! Listened to the audio in 1.3 speed, and it gave the right place and atmosphere for me.
One thing I feel uncertain about...why do Max Devore kill himself (or did Rogette kill him?)? And what was his plan with Kyra at all if getting custody ... ? We're he and Rogette under the influence of Sara? That's how I read it, as they seem to know much about Mike's relations to the place back in time, and other episodes indicate it. On the other hand I'm just not that sure of my interpretation of it 😅
I'll be starting this one today hopefully! I've not read it before. Really looking forward to it!
I'm on chapter 5 now and I'm loving all the references to other King books! So far I've caught references to IT, The Dark Half, and Insomnia. So much fun to pick up on these little extras!
My favorite book of his next to Needful Things.I love all the references too, Derrick. Especially when I’ve read them and can nod my head as I read along…
Actually-I’m going to grab it off the shelf and re-read it! It’s been a few years. 😉😅
Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Bag of Bones (other topics)The Two Towers (other topics)
Now, I'm already loving it.