This may sound dumb, but I’ve never read for this man. I’ve always just heard about him on social media but never ventured to read his work. Opinions, please. Should I invest? Feeling like fiction lately. I’ve read so much non-fiction through throughout my life that I think I deserve a couple of fiction books to get busy with for a little while. Thanks in advance

EDIT: Thank you so much to all who answered. I have read and appreciated every single comment. I have decided to start with fairy tale since I ran into the book at Walmart. So giving that a shot to see. Thank you so much

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    21 hours ago

    He wrote under a pen name to prove to himself that his work was valuable and not just selling due to branding. He wrote Running Man under the name Richard Bachman. It was turned into a Schwarzenegger film in the 80s. It’s cheesy (the film), but fun.

    Christine and Carrie should also be good for getting a feel for King. I read Running Man, but not the other two. I just know them from film adaptations. The Stand and It are also worth checking out, I’d think.

    • DokPsy@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      18 hours ago

      Honestly, there are very few adaptations that aren’t cheesy or completely removed from the source material in somewhat major ways.

      Take the Shining. Great film. Great book. The two should not be compared as if they were the same story.

      Dreamcatcher on the other hand, no notes. Perfect in both versions. Especially the fact that the movie kept the shit weasels in.

    • penquin@lemm.eeOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      20 hours ago

      I’ve actually seen the movie and I loved it. And I did NOT know that Stephen king did sci fi?