Post your questions about the group here.

[Becky]

The one to the far left is Charlie, I think, from Firestarter.

[Courtney]

^I thought Charlie as well.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Great cartoon!!

[Cynthia]

Is there going to be a october book group selection?

[Tim]

Cynthia wrote: "Is there going to be a october book group selection?"

Yes Cynthia there is! For October we're reading a book recommended by King. The polls just closed today and the winner was Something Wicked This Way Comes. I don't know if it's official yet as the group moderators haven't announced it on the discussion board. Here's the link to the poll for October.

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/20...

Ray Bradbury

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Tim wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Is there going to be a october book group selection?"

Yes Cynthia there is! For October we're reading a book recommended by King. The polls just closed today and the winner was Som..."

Yes.. this is correct!! Thanks Tim! We will start a thread for it on October 1st. And tomorrow the poll for the November book will be up.

[Fran]

Maryann wrote: "This book by Stephen King, UR. I am having a terrible time finding it anywhere. Has anyone else had the same problem or come across who sells it? I am intrigued now and have to add it to my collect..."

UR was written exclusively for the Amazon Kindle - so it's only available in E-book form.

[Tony]

I think the blonde guy might be from the TV series of The Stand. About halfway down on the right hand side: (http://archives.progressiveboink.com/...)

Who is standing underneath Jack Torrance, behind the corner of the fireplace (Which is blazing away like a good Firestarter...)

[Patrice]

I'm not sure if there's any other info on this but is there an order to reading Desperation and The Regulators. I plan on getting rid of my hardcovers this week and they are the two that I have. But some people say read Desperation first and others say the order doesn't matter... Help please!

[Angie, Constant Reader]

I haven't read either one of those so I am not sure!!!

[Angelique]

I have a question. I love Stephen King. I have read literally every book he has ever written, even the short stories. However, I have a question. Does his use of the n- word bother anyone else but me?!?

[Becky]

Angelique wrote: "I have a question. I love Stephen King. I have read literally every book he has ever written, even the short stories. However, I have a question. Does his use of the n- word bother anyone else..."

It doesn't bother me because I don't see it as him using the word, but rather as his characters using it. *shrug*

[Patrice]

Angelique wrote: "I have a question. I love Stephen King. I have read literally every book he has ever written, even the short stories. However, I have a question. Does his use of the n- word bother anyone else..."

I completely agree you regarding his use of word was what turned me off to his writing for some time. It's hard deciphering what he writes his characters to believe and what underlying prejudices he may have. I especially found that his use of racial stereotypical archetypes was pretty annoying as well. And that is not his characters' doing. That is all author there. But in an answer to your question Angelique, it did bother me. But I guess not enough to stop reading his books.

[Chris , The Hardcase]

King having racist characters does not make King a racist. It's a good thing too, though I'd be more concerned about him dressing up as a clown and hanging around storm drains in order to kill children.

[Chris , The Hardcase]

Though to answer the question itself, I'm more in line with Becky's answer.

The word itself does bother me, but I think it should. It's meant to bother us, as in a "this is terrible - don't do this" kind of way. Kind of like the other horrors he shows us but hopes we won't do because we find them horrible.

[Patrice]

Chris wrote: "King having racist characters does not make King a racist. It's a good thing too, though I'd be more concerned about him dressing up as a clown and hanging around storm drains in order to kill chil..."

I don't think he's racist either. I don't mean to imply that I do. It's just hard to decipher the difference when reading his book. For someone who doesn't know much about King, they may find it hard deciphering the difference. And I hope he isn't hanging around storm drains either. That would be awful...lol

[Angelique]

I don't think he's racist either. If I did, I definitely would not be reading his works. But it does kind of both me.. in an irksome way. I think I am more in line with Patrice. I always have to skip the word or try to put something else in there (like "guy") so that I don't get irritated. That word is like poison.

And I really hope he's not hanging around storm drains.. or walking super long distances... or getting touched by gypsies who wish him harm. LOL

[Linda]

Maryann wrote: "Well jeez! I have been putting off getting a reader but now I might have to give in and get one...damn you Stephen King!!!
ma"

LOL Maryann! I was in your position earlier, I have an ereader now, I have downloaded Mile 81, but still need to download UR, I need to go do that!

[Ethan]

Nope. Its's just a story. I mean lots of his characters do a lot of offensive things. But sometimes those things are important to help define the character. As far as him being racist no i dont think so. He has used the term "cracker" a lot as well and that does not bother me either.

[Becky]

Ethan wrote: "Nope. Its's just a story. I mean lots of his characters do a lot of offensive things. But sometimes those things are important to help define the character."

Exactly.

[[deleted user]]

So my aunt is reading a Stephen King book, she says it's called "1964" but I don't remember any King book by this title. Can anyone tell me if there is one. We live 4 hours away so I cannot see her book. Thanks.

[Tony]

Lindsey wrote: "So my aunt is reading a Stephen King book, she says it's called "1964" but I don't remember any King book by this title. Can anyone tell me if there is one. We live 4 hours away so I cannot see her..."

The closest I can think of is 11/22/63. What's the plot?

[Tom]

Angelique wrote: "I have a question. I love Stephen King. I have read literally every book he has ever written, even the short stories. However, I have a question. Does his use of the n- word bother anyone else..."

While a lot of terms in Literature are offensive, in the case of King and perhaps most fiction authors, it is the Character saying the n word and not necessarily a term the author has in his normal vocabulary. Example: a KKK member being portrayed as using a less offensive term would not seem as real to me. Just my opinion of course.

[Tom]

Tony wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "So my aunt is reading a Stephen King book, she says it's called "1964" but I don't remember any King book by this title. Can anyone tell me if there is one. We live 4 hours away so ..."

Not King of course, but could she be thinking of '1984'?

[Tony]

Mary wrote: "@ Lindsey I would have to guess she means 11/22/63 like Tony said.

On another topic, I just finished reading the Talisman and The Black House and I find myself wanting a third book...Jack Sawyer a..."

I believe there was a third book planned, but I don't think it ever got off the ground.

[[deleted user]]

Mary wrote: "@ Lindsey I would have to guess she means 11/22/63 like Tony said.

On another topic, I just finished reading the Talisman and The Black House and I find myself wanting a third book...Jack Sawyer a..."

Yes, she was in fact talking about 11/22/63. she was reading it on her nook when it died. The only thing she could remember when telling me about it that it was 1964. Now that her Nook is working she has corrected her self.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Mary wrote: "@ Lindsey I would have to guess she means 11/22/63 like Tony said.

On another topic, I just finished reading the Talisman and The Black House and I find myself wanting a third book...Jack Sawyer a..."

Hope there is a third book!!

[Grayson]

has anybody read The Stand cause it looks like a good book but I wanted somebodies opinion?

[Rachel]

I'm reading it right now, I think it's my fifth reread. The characters are great and, even though it's very long, the pacing is pretty fast.

[Grayson]

Rachel wrote: "I'm reading it right now, I think it's my fifth reread. The characters are great and, even though it's very long, the pacing is pretty fast."

thanks I've only read one Stephen King book which was 11/22/63 which was awesome being that I love time travel novels

[Shell]

I just finished reading The Stand. I found it a bit hard to get into but once I did I really enjoyed it. I'm still not sure what I thought of the ending...would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.

[Tony]

Michelle wrote: "I just finished reading The Stand. I found it a bit hard to get into but once I did I really enjoyed it. I'm still not sure what I thought of the ending...would be interested to hear other people's..."

Did you read the uncut version or the original, Michelle?

[Anthony]

Is Steven king racist? He uses the "nigger" word in his books a lot?

[Shell]

I read the uncut version Tony... it's a lot longer but definitely worth it. I can't imagine what it would be like with bits missing. Have you read it?

[Anthony]

Yeah that's what I was saying I rather read the uncut version first.

[Anthony]

Nope I'm actually like 30 pages in

[Shell]

Haha Anthony and Tony... Confusing!!! I hope you enjoy it Anthony - keep us posted would love to hear what you think of it as you progress :)

[Tony]

Michelle wrote: "Haha Anthony and Tony... Confusing!!! I hope you enjoy it Anthony - keep us posted would love to hear what you think of it as you progress :)"

I've read it a few times. I read in "On Writing" that he struggled with the ending for a time, and in the end decided that sometimes there was no better conclusion than the one he penned.

[Shell]

Ahhh I haven't read 'On Writing' yet! Might have to move it higher up the 'must read' list :)

[Shell]

What do you think if the ending Tony?

[Shell]

*of

[Tony]

I like the ending, I thought it was a solid conclusion to the story, leaving it open to our imagination if society survives or crumbles with or without the intervention of Flagg. (view spoiler)[ Did it need Flagg being reborn on the island? I'm not sure if it did or not. In a way, Flagg is an eternal force, and it doesn't need shouting out that he's out there. (hide spoiler)]

[Anthony]

Stephen King uses the word "nigger" a few times in his novels seen the word mentioned a few times. Like nigger kids or nigger this nigger that. Is Stephen King a racist?

[Jaye]

Anthony wrote: "Stephen King uses the word "nigger" a few times in his novels seen the word mentioned a few times. Like nigger kids or nigger this nigger that. Is Stephen King a racist?"

I have to say that I don't know the answer to that because I don't know enough about the man to form an opinion.

I do, however, know that authors sometimes use words that make me extremely uncomfortable. And think that, with a little thought, they may have chosen a different word that would not have changed the book.

I suspect this discussion can go many places (freedom of speech, etc).

My main thought is that words that make people uncomfortable can be put away and better words can be used, or the sentence expressed differently (or something, I don't know, all I know is it can't be a bad thing to be less volatile).

I'm reading Duma Key. The "c" word has shown up, unfortunately.

Completely unnecessary to the story.

Completely unnecessary.

[Kathryn]

Anthony wrote: "Stephen King uses the word "nigger" a few times in his novels seen the word mentioned a few times. Like nigger kids or nigger this nigger that. Is Stephen King a racist?"

I think it makes King's characters more realistic. There are racist people in the world, and I think the realism he adds to them makes them more believable and great. I think if it bothers you, that is probably an emotion King is trying to get you to feel.

As far as the "c" word is concerned....Honestly, when I read Duma Key, it didn't bother me. It's a book. I don't think King means it. I just feel again, he's trying to make his character's realistic.

[Chris , The Hardcase]

Well said, Kathryn.

[Grayson]

which version of The Stand should I read?

[Chris , The Hardcase]

Grayson wrote: "which version of The Stand should I read?"

Probably the revised one. I don't think you'll even find the original unless you get it used from ebay or something.

[Grayson]

ok that's the 2009 version man that's going to be a long read

[Rachel]

Kathryn wrote: "Anthony wrote: "Stephen King uses the word "nigger" a few times in his novels seen the word mentioned a few times. Like nigger kids or nigger this nigger that. Is Stephen King a racist?"

I think i..."

I have to agree with Kathryn. I think he uses it purely to show there is (and was, depending on the context of the novel) racism in the world. Specifically with The Stand: (view spoiler)[ I think Mother Abigail uses it sometimes to show how being immersed in racism or any other prejudicial environment) can make someone's esteem go down where they start using the word against themselves. That was just my outlook after reading her dream sequences last night though (hide spoiler)]. I also agree that I think the use of the word is to make the reader feel outrage and sympathy for the character it is used against.