Stephen King truly ranks as one of the most important horror writers of the 20th century in terms of nortoriety and popularity, enjoying an extraordinary meteoric rise, raising respectability and mainstream profitability. Horror lit up til than had be relegated dime-store trash, hokum and schlock with infrequent exceptions to the rule. Before King it was short story prose where the horror genre excelled. Unfortunately with popularity comes exploitation, the 80s witnessed a deluge of King wannabes. Sure, Laymon's rippers can be loads of fun but a general lack of substance for readers to roll their tongues on afterwards. No closing curtains just slasher mayhem and panache. Though the best imitators could serve up atmospheric and tension-filled late night nailbiters but usually the story and characters suffered from thoughtless cliches. I even count the enormously popular Koontz amongst the guilty with his tiresome redundant "strangers in peril adventure" tales. However, King never stood alone, certainly isn't the be all, end all of horror lit by any means.
Having read over 40 of King's books including two of his outstanding nonfictions, Danse Macabre and On Writing, has convinced me his greatest output was published between 1974 through 1986 (IT). This period includes 3 of his finest short story collections and his best Bachman books. In fact, only 3 titles published in this period qualify as personal disappointments ... Roadwork, Firestarter, and Christine.
But the last two decades witnessed a shift in King's writing, specifically his storytelling, from straight horror with well drawn realistic characters and thoughtful heartwrenching even core themes ... to ... manipulative and absurd dark fantasies featuring regurgitated characters and cinematic virtuoso. Where "realities" has joined the cast of characters in of itself. Where the whole universal fabric are unraveled and rewound. With reality so far removed from these stories, the reader becomes too removed from the story's reality. Now, I don't require fiction neatly packaged and tied down but not under the presumption or expectation of a healthy dose of realism or reality which is a common characteristic in a vintage King novel.
My favorite King novel is The Shining, which I religiously revisit sometimes as frequently as once a year.
Here is a curt summary I wrote:
"Terror and tragedy weigh-in on this character driven horror story possessing ambience and shades of ambivalence with mesmerizing quality. A young gifted boy learns his parents, father sober fleeing demons of alcoholism and faithful mother victims of a rocky past, seeking fresh beginnings have sealed the family's fate to a sinister cycle winter caretaking at the Overlook Hotel."
My Stephen King likes: ambience, character investment, overall story construction.
My Stephen King dislikes: verbose, overuse of stock characters, weak climaxes.
Top 10 Favorite King Novels (non-Dark Tower)
1. The Shining
2. The Green Mile
3. IT
4. Salem's Lot
5. Cujo
6. Pet Sematary
7. The Stand (DT tie-in)
8. The Long Walk
9. Misery
10. Gerald's Game
Favorite collections
1. Skeleton Crew
2. Nightmares & Dreamscapes
3. Night Shift
4. Different Seasons
Thank you!