I know the title doesn’t really make sense because normal and Stephen King don’t really go hand in hand but I read a few of his books as a teen (rural library, not a lot of options) and really liked some of them (Thinner, Pet Semetary and The Shining come to mind) but some of them (Dark Tower for example) were too unhinged for me, I found him really hit or miss as an author in that regard and haven’t read many of his books as an adult because of this.
I know that a lot of his books were written under the influence and it isn’t that I’m opposed to a little weirdness but honestly, sometimes he goes too far and not in a “that was too gross” kind of way but more of a “this is bananas and its taken me completely out of the story” kind of way.
I’m wondering, which of his books do you think manage to stay away from anything *too* off the walls? Alternatively, which are the most bonkers?
by PaintedDoom
13 Comments
Down to earth: Mr. Mercedes and the one that follows that (finders keepers I think)
Out there: the institute.
I’m new to him and that’s my exposure so far.
11/22/63 is a fantastic book that has a bit of time travel and history incorporated into it. It’s not really off the wall except for that fact that the main character travels back in time. I come back to this book often because the story telling is unmatched.
The Girl who loved Tom Gordon is a great book. It’s quite short, not really ‘horror’ but I loved it.
I enjoyed Bag of Bones. If memory serves, it’s definitely one of the more mellow ones in his overall work.
Needful Things is really really good
The novella collection *Different Seasons*.
I really enjoyed Dr Sleep, which you might too if you liked The Shining. There were some magical/mystical/supernatural elements to it, but the heart of it was like a regular dude trying to deal with alcoholism. The Stand might be your cup of tea too.
This might be off base, but if you want sort of pop novels that aren’t as wacky, but still have that slight element of horror, Michael Crichton might be up your alley. Some of his stuff is just really good. I enjoyed, in particular, The Andromeda Strain, Sphere, and, of course, Jurassic Park
Hearts in Atlantis.
Really sweet story. Underrated in his ouvre.
‘Salems Lot
His short story collections are pretty swell and what I would consider “normal” for him. Everything is Eventual is my fave.
Some of his newer short stories are much more “normal” for him, that’d be my suggestion 🙂 Bazaar of Bad Dreams is a decent suggestion, though even that has some bonkers stories.
Lisey’s Story and Duma Key.
Lisey’s Story. It’s a love story of a writer and his wife, told from the POV of the wife after her husband’s death. Horror/fantasy elements, of course, but King did a lovely job of portraying the small moments, choices, and compromises that make a marriage.