The long walk 1979 generally the most highly regarded of the five novels king published under the pen name richard bachman, the long walk is. I will go book by book and give you all the information you need to identify stephen king first editions. Figured nowd be the time to start reading his books, since i liked horror stories. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, many of which have been adapted into feature films, miniseries, television series, and comic books. In the more recent published books of his, it is a little easier, but for his older works, it can be a bit difficult. The first stephen king book i read was salems lot in 1975. Kings first published work is the story of a shy, goodnatured teenager who wants what all high school kids want. Ghost brothers of darkland county, an original musical with book by stephen king and music and lyrics by john mellencamp. A suitable boy by vikram seth lata and her mother, mrs. Salems lot is a terrifying, thoughtful retelling of the dracula mythos, moving the famous count from transylvania to jerusalems lot, maine. So forget what youve seen in the movieswhether youre new to stephen king s oeuvre, or youre working on indoctrinating a friend, reading the following 10 books is nonnegotiable. At 71, stephen king is still at the top of his game and is showing no signs of slowing down. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Dec 18, 2016 stephen king was very longwinded with the characterizations and sidestories in it. In this way, king s books transcend genre and appeal to all lovers of the written word. Moreover, his supernatural take on teenage cruelty is as relevant today as it ever was, echoing modern instances of cyberbullying and adolescent pressures to. Stephen king is one of the most prolific writers in the horror genre hes sold more than 350 million copies worldwide his books are very similar to the style of h. Heres some background on the mainebased writer and a bibliography, featuring details about some of his most notable works. Feb 18, 2016 theres never been a better time to be a stephen king fan.
Figured nowd be the time to start reading his books, since i. The sheer number of film and television adaptations of stephen king s stories alone 50plus, and countingfrom stanley kubricks thriller, the shining 1980 to rob reiners stand by me 1986 and hbos 2020 miniseries, the outsiderwould have made king the undisputed master of horror. The 10 best horror novels written by stephen king mydomaine. Stephen kings first true novel was also one of his best known works, carrie, which was published in 1974.
Without a moments hesitation he went with liseys story, a 2006 novel about a woman coping with. The sheer number of film and television adaptations of stephen kings stories alone 50plus, and countingfrom stanley kubricks thriller, the shining 1980 to rob reiners stand by me 1986 and hbos 2020 miniseries, the outsiderwould have made king the undisputed master of horror. Reader, if you werent afraid of clowns before, you certainly will be nowget ready to never be able to even look at an image of a clown, much less attend a childs birthday party for the rest of your life. He is the only author who has truly scared me from his books.
For a beginner, which novel of stephen king should i read first. The following is a complete list of books published by stephen king, an american author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. His recent work includes the institute, elevation, the outsider, sleeping beauties cowritten with his son owen king, and the bill hodges trilogy. In a new interview with the atlantic, master author stephen king discussed what makes the allimportant first. More stephen king books have been adapted into films than any other living author. And, by all means, if theres a king book that somehow scared you even more than these did, tell us about it in the comments. Curious about where to start with horror master stephen king. What was a thin, simple premise in kings novella widely considered the worlds first ebook, by the way, in 2000 is extended to little effect in this. Jan 22, 2019 with more than 60 books under his belt, stephen king is one of the most famous, successful, and prolific authors of our time. Readers who enjoy straightup classic psychological horror, without the fluff.
You dont have to have read the shining first this book stands on its own but you will probably get more from it if you have. What makes stephen king horror books and movies so scary. Just stared at them at the shelves at the bookstore. Stephen king is a prolific american author who is known for his suspense and fantasy novels. With more than 60 books under his belt, stephen king is one of the most famous, successful, and prolific authors of our time. Sep 30, 2016 in the first book of this brilliant series, stephen king introduces readers to one of his most enigmatic heroes, roland of gilead, the last gunslinger. In the 40 years since his first novel, carrie, he has published more than 50 books. I know before i even hit the publish button on this post that most people are going to raise their eyebrows. Since 1974, king has published over sixty novels, a handful of nonfiction books, and countless short stories, as well as penned graphic novels, a screenplay, a musical libretto, and a childrens book straight out of his own dark tower universe. Jun 25, 2019 at 71, stephen king is still at the top of his game and is showing no signs of slowing down. The mainer has a career spanning more than 40 years and dozens of titles, but there are a few. Stephen king is one of the most prolific authors in the world, with more than 50 books in print, and more coming out every year. Paul sheldon has just killed her with relief, with joy. Stephen king shares his favorite novel opening sentences.
This novel was kings first, and was later published under the bachman pseudonym. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle. Rupa mehra, are both trying to findthrough love or through exacting maternal appraisala suitable boy for lata to marry. His books are guaranteed to have you turning the pages all night longbut be careful, because theyre also bound to. Every single stephen king book, ranked from worst to best.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 1090 pages and is available in paperback format. I find this list interesting because you get to see just how consistent he is as an author. After reading some stories over at rnosleep i saw that stephen king was mentioned. The main characters of this horror, fiction story are dick halloran, pennywise the dancing clown. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novel s introductory sentence. Aug 10, 2018 which stephen king book should you read first. Sep 06, 2019 released under the pseudonym richard bachman, the long walk is actually the first novel stephen king wrotehe just didnt finish and sell it until after carrie and a few of his alltime.
Below is a list of stephen kings books in order of when they were originally published. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novels introductory sentence. When a patient escapes from a biological testing facility, carrying with him a strain of superflu that destroys a majority of. Only stephen king is the best author to write horror and thrilling book. Every stephen king reader has a favorite tale or series, from christine to cujo. With nearly 100 books to his name, the task of choosing one to read can be daunting, so im here to take the guesswork out for you. The book tells the tale, makes you care about them, and is undoubtedly another great stephen king novel. What was the first stephen king novel that you read and what impression did it. Not that carrie has any idea what normal really is, since she has spent the whole of her young life being harangued by her abusive religious zealot of a mother, and tormented by the cruel kids at school. King himself has admitted to being so horrified by pet sematary that, at first, even he hesitated to get it published. As the author of more than 60 globally bestselling books, the mind behind 50 of the scariest scary movies, and both a national medal of honor and national book foundation medal recipient, its an undisputed fact that stephen king is a master of horror fiction. A definitive ranking of every stephen king novel ever.
Jan 14, 2020 stephen king is one of the most prolific authors alive, known for writing horror, fantasy, and psychological thrillers. Discover our edit of the best new science fiction books 2020. Mar 20, 2019 as the author of more than 60 globally bestselling books, the mind behind 50 of the scariest scary movies, and both a national medal of honor and national book foundation medal recipient, its an undisputed fact that stephen king is a master of horror fiction. It won an edgar award and, as the first in a trilogy, was followed by finders and keepers and end of watch. The only thing more common in stephen king novels than haunted objects is. More so than carrie, this is the first king novel that really feels like a king novel. He is a haunting figure, a loner on a spellbinding journey into good and evil. As i sat in the house it the evening reading the book i was scared out of my wits as i could picture all those me sights. Nov 05, 2014 in our recent interview with stephen king, we asked the author to name the best book he ever wrote. Believe it or not, though i am a pretty big fan of his writing, i didnt even read any of stephen king s novels until about 10 plus years after carrie was published.
Stephen king is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, and many of them have been adapted into feature films, television movies and comic books. Had there not been such content, the book may well have been less than half its len. A very tight place uncollected elevation uncollected gwendys button box uncollected n uncollected entire list of stephen king books by publishing date. Stephen king says, the first great thriller of 2017 is almost here. Carrie, it, the stand, the shining, the gunslinger, 112263. Kings first novel released after the 1999 car accident that nearly killed him, dreamcatcher is so bodyobsessed as to be offputting. The best stephen king movies, ranked from worst to best. Stephen king s 1986 novel is the stuff of nightmares. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said. See where misery, the shining, pet sematary, and the dark tower land and which horror gem takes the top spot. Stephen kings 10 scariest books, because sleeping is.
Oct 30, 2019 so, how do you tell if that book you have is a first edition. Stephen edwin king born september 21, 1947 is an american author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels. This book was kings first hardcover bestseller that is, it was the book that signaled his jump into the. From his first novel, carrie, to 2019s the institute, king conjures tales. Known best for his horror and suspense books, classics like carrie and the shining, the 70yearold author has been dubbed the king of horror. King has published 61 novels including seven under the pen name richard bachman and six nonfiction books. Stephen king rare books and first editions at bauman rare. Here are 50 mustread books recommended by stephen king over the years. Why stephen kings it still terrifies 30 years on books. Apr 02, 2019 stephen king has written over 70 books. Read on for a list of stephen king books in order or find out how his writing has inspired other writers here. Stephen king was very longwinded with the characterizations and sidestories in it. Stephen king has 1638 books on goodreads with 23544055 ratings. Jul 22, 2016 his name might be synonymous with horror, but its not easy to pick out stephen king s scariest books.
The first edition of the novel was published in september 1986, and was written by stephen king. Aug 28, 2015 in this way, kings books transcend genre and appeal to all lovers of the written word. First trade edition of perhaps the cruelest and most disturbing stephen king novel, boldly inscribed by him in the year of publication, for bettywith good wishes, stephen king 81681. Pdf it book by stephen king free download 1090 pages. Ive heard good things about his dark tower series and the stand. Stephen king, one of the masters of american horror fiction, has an. Posted on 1 december 2015 by sheldon nesdale if you are a new stephen king addict i suggest the following 3 phases to provide you with a reading order. Released under the pseudonym richard bachman, the long walk is actually the first novel stephen king wrotehe just didnt finish and sell it until after carrie and a. I really want to get into the stephen king s books but the list is quite daunting, ive only read cujo so far and have the dead zone on loan. Mar 11, 2019 stephen king says, the first great thriller of 2017 is almost here.
Carrie was originally planned as a short story but king threw out the first draft. Stephen kings 10 scariest books, because sleeping is overrated. This is the first stephen king book ive read and i cant wait to read more. In celebration of sleepless nights, here are some of the freakiest, scariest stephen king books. He pumps out at least 1 book year after year after year. Thank goodness he did though, since the book remains among the best stephen king books for beginners available. The 10 best stephen king books for those who love horror. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading guns kindle single. King has written several novels since his first short story sale in 1967 that have become pop cultural signposts. An apocalyptic classic, stephen king s novel is a vision of a world ravaged by plague and caught in a bitter struggle between good and evil. So forget what youve seen in the movieswhether youre new to stephen kings oeuvre, or youre working on indoctrinating a friend, reading the following 10 books is nonnegotiable.
Stephen king is one of the most prolific authors alive, known for writing horror, fantasy, and psychological thrillers. For a beginner, which novel of stephen king should i read. Jul 24, 20 you cant judge a book by its cover, but you can judge it by its opening line. Sep 15, 1986 only stephen king could write an eleven hundred page book about the innocence and wonder of childhood, and then kick it off with a sixyearold boy getting his arm ripped off by a clown. Stephen king, one of the masters of american horror fiction, has an oeuvre of close to 100 books, which includes some of the most genredefining, bestselling titles in all of literature. The night journey the green mile, part 5 by stephen king and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Im not saying that is a bad thing, but it might not appeal to some people. Its actually the first stephen king book i ever read. Mercedes trilogy is a pretty good procedural yarn that ties into the first novel in interesting ways, but then sets up the third book in a clunky, heavyhanded fashion. Derry, maine, in 1958 is a bad place to be if youre a kid.
Best of stephen king 142 books goodreads share book. List of adaptations of works by stephen king wikipedia. He is married to fellow author tabitha king and father of joe hill. From an oeuvre of almost 100 books, here are the best stephen king books, ranked. Stephen king has had an uncanny ability to hit the commercial bullseye from the beginning of his career. Te reason its not a few ticks higher on this list is mostly because king engages in some rare lazy plot work, making a few things happen. The best stephen king novels 12 mustread stephen king books. A list of stephen king s novels, organized oldest to newest.
Putting aside the dark tower series, what are the best stephen king novels to. Prolific author stephen king is widely regarded as the master of horror. King has published 63 novels, including seven under the pen name richard bachman, and five nonfiction. Jul 18, 2019 whatever it is, theres no denying that stephen king knows what scares usand hes not afraid to deliver. This book was kings first hardcover bestseller that is, it was the book that signaled his jump into.
On monday, hulu premiered 112263, its jj abrams produced, james francostarring miniseries adapted from the writers bestselling jfk. Stephen king books, ranked from worst to best vulture. Stephen king books in chronological order stephen king. With nearly 100 books to his name, the task of choosing one to read can be daunting. For those looking to immerse themselves within the literary world of stephen king, we present the essential reading list a guide to the biggest and best books from the multimillion copy selling author of carrie, it and the dark tower. From his first novel, carrie, way back in 1974, hes consistently found. In april 1974, stephen king published his first novel, carrie, the story of a young. In our recent interview with stephen king, we asked the author to name the best book he ever wrote. Theres a reason it tops this list of stephen king s scariest books. Stephen king is a big fan of good stories, so naturally i had to wonder a little about what constitutes a good story, for him, and what types of stories most frequently end up on.
As kings first published novel, youll find carrie to be a perfect showcase of the authors immense potential at an early stage. I love you always stephen king and i will always support you. Stephen king s 10 scariest books, because sleeping is overrated. Dolores claiborne is an american opera composed by tobias picker.