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Capers
Man About Town


Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 16,199
Loc: United States
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Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark?
#22047358 - 08/05/15 01:06 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I don't think so. I've read 15-20 of his books and I would say the good guys nearly always win. Yes, some of the good guys typically die, but overall the good force defeats the bad. I've also noticed that there's some lines he won't cross. I can't think of any sexual violence in any of his novels, for instance.
What do you think are some of his darkest novels? Are there any horror authors who are darker?
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Yukon Cornelius
Bumble Wrangler



Registered: 09/01/13
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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: Capers]
#22047403 - 08/05/15 01:16 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I've always thought this, H.P. Lovecraft is way more dark and bleak than King's work.
Except Pet Semetary, I've heard that's one of his really macabre novels.
-------------------- "I didn't know chicken's wore suspenders" - Towelie
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Nun
Piss Spud

Registered: 04/30/15
Posts: 31
Loc: UK
Last seen: 8 years, 8 days
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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: Yukon Cornelius]
#22047538 - 08/05/15 01:56 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Agreed, he tells a good story first and foremost.
Bleak darkness is just an ingredient rather than the aim.
I reckon Tommyknockers is his darkest. His family intervened on his drug abuse after that one. 
I like Clive Barker, some of his stuff is shocking.
-------------------- Real men don't need the toilet
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Capers
Man About Town


Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 16,199
Loc: United States
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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: Yukon Cornelius]
#22052645 - 08/06/15 10:10 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Yukon Cornelius said: Except Pet Semetary, I've heard that's one of his really macabre novels.
I've heard that too, and I look forward to reading it. I'm currently on Salem's Lot, which is one of the darker ones I've read, but it's hard to really say until I finish it.
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Nun said: Agreed, he tells a good story first and foremost.
I agree that he's a good story teller. He reminds me of John Steinbeck in the way he portrays human nature and relationships.
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Nun said: I reckon Tommyknockers is his darkest.
I'll have to check it out.
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Nun said: I like Clive Barker, some of his stuff is shocking.
Quote:
Yukon Cornelius said: H.P. Lovecraft is way more dark and bleak than King's work.
Thanks, I'll have to try those authors out some time.
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EnRoute
Stranger



Registered: 08/06/15
Posts: 2
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: Capers]
#22054646 - 08/06/15 05:31 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I wouldn't necessarily say that Stephen King is "dark" though I can't speak for Pet Sematary or Tommyknockers. I've read his Dark Tower series, and to me it came off more as a weird fantasy but with touches of reality. I don't know if that makes sense lol. Maybe that the characters felt real but were in a very bizarre world. There are definitely dark moments and characters and events that are creepy in that wtf factor. As in every Stephen King story too, there are things that you don't expect to happen that throw you for a loop. But I agree with Capers, that the good guys generally always "win" though it may not be exactly how you expect.
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5150
phantom

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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: EnRoute]
#22398760 - 10/18/15 05:06 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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Avoid duma key his lamest book 7 12 63 is a good one
-------------------- "the way of the warrior is the resolute acceptance of death" Miyamoto Musashi
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Capers
Man About Town


Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 16,199
Loc: United States
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Re: Is Stephen King [i]really[/i] that dark? [Re: 5150]
#22404776 - 10/19/15 06:22 PM (8 years, 3 months ago) |
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I look forward to 11/22/63. Bummer about Duma Key. His worst I've come across is either Lisey's Story or The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. I just finished Revival. It was okay. Before that I read Mr. Mercedes. It was top tier.
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