What did you think of the romance?

[Sara]

I have enjoyed reading all comments. The thread is probably dead, but I couldn't resist putting in my two cents worth.

As a Constant Reader, I am happy to ride along with King's evolution wherever it goes. Some fans were upset with Bag of Bones because it was "too literary" and lacked the blood and gore they had come to expect. When he first began writing there were few in the genre putting out good stuff but that is no longer the case. And if it's hard core horror you want, with little subtlety or character development, especially along the romantic line, there is a banquet out there. I like King's wit and his attention to detail. I appreciate his respect and deep knowledge of women and kids. And he still terrifies me when he chooses to do so!

I don't much care how his books are marketed. I know I'm going to read each one the minute it hits the stands because it's what I do. I read. A lot. Probably 75 books a year at least. And he is just one author among many I never miss. Robert McCammon is another and there's a fellow who has REALLY done some evolving!! Fabulous author!

I loved 11/22/63 and although there were a few spots I found tedious they were not Sadie and George!

[Jacob]

Sara wrote: "I loved 11/22/63 and although there were a few spots I found tedious they were not Sadie and George! "

I concur. I remember thinking that the novel hit a dead spot in the days leading up to the assassination as he stalked Oswald. Under the Dome had a similar problem around page 500.

[Sara]

Jacob,
Same here. It's interesting...I am introducing a friend to books (almost literally) and am thus re-reading many old favorites in tandem to keep her interest up and answer questions she may have. (This has been far more of a gift for me. This is a smart and quick witted old gal who just never sat still long enough in her youth to read a full length novel. She is like a sponge and I am amazed that books which I read 10-40 years ago have entirely new meaning to me now in my "mature" years. I seriously think that could be a whole thread. :-) ) Anyway, I agree with you also about Under the Dome, which we are going to read also. Fortunately my friend has no issues with books the size of a doorstopper which I love if well written, so we will likely take on The Shining and The Stand too.

Since this is not a hyper active board, I will risk annoying others and ask you for your favorite King books and others as well.

[Jacob]

Sara wrote: "Jacob,
Same here. It's interesting...I am introducing a friend to books (almost literally) and am thus re-reading many old favorites in tandem to keep her interest up and answer questions she may ..."
My favorite King is It, with my second favorite being 'Salem's Lot.

Other favorites of mine are The Road by McCarthy, Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, and The Color Purple by Alice Walker. There are obviously many others but this is a solid list for top 5 non-King!

[Marc]

My favorite King book to date (I am still working through some classics) is probably Misery or The Shining. I just keep imagining myself as a 20 year old sitting in my room and progressively closing the blinds, then the door, then turning on every light, and having to peek over the top of the book every page or so afraid some ghost or something would be standing in the room with me.

On the flip side a non-King book that I really love is The Alchemist or A Song of Ice and Fire series.

[Steven]

Although the original question was asked some time ago I've just read the book and am dying to talk about it!
Personally, I don't think the book would have worked as well without the romance or the Jodie sections. True it wasn't the most gripping love narrative ever written but it worked and I cared about Jake and Sadie by the end. That's why I think the book needed it. The whole premise of changing history by preventing the assassination needed a personal angle for George or I don't think I would have engaged with his quest anywhere near as much as I did.

[Daniel]

I enjoyed the book on the whole, but the romance was the worst part for me. I actually skipped the pages where they're dancing and all that, just felt like filler and boring with no real affect on the plot.

Was the first book I've read by King and enjoyed the thriller side of things but could tell he is not a writer of romance- some of his descriptions of their lovemaking sounded like a dirty old uncle getting his rocks off.