I am not at all a thriller/horror reader. I am a world class insomniac who tends to avoid anything potentially upsetting for fear that it will disrupt whatever tenuous peace I’ve managed to form with sleep.
That said, it seems to be universally acknowledged that Stephen King is one of the best writers out there right now and that many of his books are absolute must reads. I don’t think I can call myself a reader without getting a taste of Stephen King.
In the hopes that I can start with something not too upsetting and work my way up over time, what Stephen King novel would you recommend to someone that never reads horror ever? I don’t know much about his books as a stalwart horror avoider so I don’t know where I should start.
I don’t mind supernatural stuff and while psychological horror upsets me I can handle it to a certain degree. I tend to struggle with more real life stuff like serial killers/bodily horror/r\*pe etc. Generally I’d say I can do creepy but not graphic.
Also, my sleeping paralysis demon is a clown so I would like to avoid anything that might make him inclined to visit me in an upcoming dream.
What do you think? What might be a good introduction to Stephen King for me?
by Intrepid_Leopard_182
12 Comments
Ironically – Insomnia by Stephen King is a good one
The Dark Tower Series is my favorite of SK
The long walk is great. It’s not gory or nightmare inducing but it definitely reflects his mastery
I would start with 11/22/63 which isn’t horror and is my absolute favorite King book.
11/22/63 is a good one.
The Dark Half might be up your alley.
The Shining is my absolute favorite but it does have some mild body horror, as well as some domestic abuse.
Edit: removed The Stand from my suggestions after remembering a SA scene.
Different Seasons for some good short stories. Great place to start. Misery. Christine. The Shinning. Duma Key is like the Shining except it’s an island that’s alive instead of a hotel. Salems lot. Of all these I say start with the earlier stuff (not Duma key) unless your on a Florida vacation and want a Florida read, which is why I read it. It’s not my favorite but worth a read and fits your criteria. My 2 cents.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Eyes of the Dragon is very good. Pretty quick read. As someone noted above, it’s not typical Stephen King.
I love The Dead Zone. It feels more like a story about regular people, to me.
I have not read much of Stephen King but I have heard a lot of good things said about IT and The Stand.. Have both on my kindle, just have not gotten around to it yet. Please note that I have not read these books myself.. I am only hearing a lot of good things about these 2 books..
The body
Or misery
Joyland