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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by paulb on January 18, 2016, at 2:21:23
I don't think I've ever posted at the social section of Dr bobs but I wanted to today because I wanted to ask peoples views on a subject that I've Been pondering on. In Different Seasons By SK a collection of short stories some of which were turned into highly successful motion pictures there is a story called 'APT PUPIL'. I read somewhere in a review it wasn't exactly taken to the hearts of the usual SK fans and that maybe because it cut too close to the bone in that I mean it dealt with straight up evil and was a masterful suspense story. Now to Misery. There is no question there is a lot of Misery fans out there but I was wondering if for the same reason as with Apt Pupil, Misery hasn't gathered the following of some of his other novels. Feel free to disagree with me. Or does it cut too cut too close to the bone? PB
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 18, 2016, at 21:45:13
In reply to Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by paulb on January 18, 2016, at 2:21:23
i've seen both movies, misery is more of a "cult" film, its been well known by alot of people who say it when it was released in 1990, but im not a book reader, but both films are intresting in their own way
"he didnt get of of the cocka duddie car!!"
-annie
Posted by baseball55 on January 19, 2016, at 19:13:50
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by rjlockhart37 on January 18, 2016, at 21:45:13
> i've seen both movies, misery is more of a "cult" film, its been well known by alot of people who say it when it was released in 1990, but im not a book reader, but both films are intresting in their own way
>
> "he didnt get of of the cocka duddie car!!"
> -annie
>
> I recall Apt Pupil. The theme of nazism was a definite turn off. Misery, I recall, was hugely popular and the movie did well, I think. Nobody turns away from Stephen King because of violent or grotesque themes. That's his stock-in-trade. But I'm sure you could find numbers on sales of his books, including Misery.
Posted by herpills on January 19, 2016, at 21:17:21
In reply to Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by paulb on January 18, 2016, at 2:21:23
I don't know a whole lot of Steven King but my understanding was that Misery is one of his more popular books. Kathy Bates was great in the movie (Academy Award for best actress)
I always loved "The Eyes of the Dragon" it's a different kind of book from him, classic fantasy type plot, not horror/thriller
Posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 19:57:50
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng » paulb, posted by herpills on January 19, 2016, at 21:17:21
Thinking about it MIsery may not come as close to the heart of evil(for want of a better phrase) as Apt Pupil. Apt Pupil deals with very serious issues that reside in the 20th century. Still KIng says RE Misery he had such fun writing that one and I think in most peoples opinion The Shining will always be his masterpiece.
Posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 0:21:29
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by paulb on January 20, 2016, at 19:57:50
> Thinking about it MIsery may not come as close to the heart of evil(for want of a better phrase) as Apt Pupil. Apt Pupil deals with very serious issues that reside in the 20th century. Still KIng says RE Misery he had such fun writing that one and I think in most peoples opinion The Shining will always be his masterpiece.
The Shining cut close to the bone for me...I think it is a perfect novel and one of the very best ghost stories along with The Haunting by Shirley Jackson.I've tried a few other King novels and could never get through them.
Posted by paulb on January 21, 2016, at 4:06:40
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 0:21:29
I think many of SK's novels cut reasonably close to the bone (I apologise for using this phrase all the time but it sums up nicely what Im getting at) If SK cuts the bone his fans would win because its too much. I ll use Clive Barker as an example. Some of his early stuff like the Books of Blood may cut the bone and im not saying their are folks out there who like that. But for me a good storyteller and SK fans need something left behind, if you like that last shread of meat on the bone because within that that is a shred of mystery and danger inherent in the novel when you have put it down.
Its like 'On Writing' by SK , he writes
"We see her(Annie)go through dangerous mood swings , but I(SK) tried never to come right out and say 'Annie was depressed and possibily suicidal that day' or 'Annie seemed paerticularly happy that day. If I(SK) have to tell you I lose. IF on the other hand I(SK) can show you a silent , dirty-haired woman whoc compulsively gobbles cakes and candyb , then you have to draw the conclusion that Annie is in the depressive part of a manic depressive cycle, I(SK) win"
If SK didnt cut close to the bone , then there would be no answers left remaining for us to question , linger and continue to haunt us. IMO we would win but KIng is too smart for that. PB
Posted by paulb on February 3, 2016, at 22:23:05
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by paulb on January 21, 2016, at 4:06:40
Having thought about it for some time I agree with horse if any of Kings novels cut close to the bone(sorry for that old phrase again) then it has to be the Shining in my opinion.PB
Posted by paulb on May 4, 2016, at 13:19:58
In reply to Re: Misery-by Stephen KIng, posted by Horse on January 21, 2016, at 0:21:29
Yes i definetely agree the shining is the one that cuts close to the bone. Thinking about it i feel it is about a flawed guy who is remembering his father, a drunken brute who abused his son pysically, mentally and emotionally....all the ways it can be done in other ways. i tink stephen king wanted to describe the fathers brutality and leave it there but i thought the people who had read the book like me would make the connection between Jacks relationship with his father and jacks relationship with his own son Danny who is te Shinings psychic force. I think Jacks love of his fater was because in spite of (peraps even because of his fathers unpredictable and brutal nature . (Just a bit more babblers). Instead of changing froma quite nice guy into a two dimensional villan pushed by supernatural forces to murder his wife and son Jack Torrance became a more realistic and frightening figure. A murderer who was motivated to his crimes by ghostly forces as well as childhood abuse as well thats what makes te shining so disturbing.PB
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