My Stephen King Collection - Ranking the 80’s (18 books ranked)
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- In this video I rank 18 books Stephen King released (either under his own name or as Richard Bachman) between 1980-1989.
Do you agree with my rankings? Let me know in the comments!
0:00 Intro
2:00 18-16
5:44 15-11
14:40 10-6
27:30 The Top 5
44:22 Final Thoughts - Ігри
Thinner was my first Stephen King. I was 13 years old and loved it. I’m due for a re-read. I will say the end is classic King.
It's a good one! That ending is a classic twist, for sure. SK has been known for some weak endings, and I really liked how wrapped up Thinner felt at the end.
Nice list, great thoughts...thanks for sharing.
As a CR since 1976, I got to be on the ground floor for all this...fun times !
I absolutely agree with a lot you had to say...especially that bit were you allude to the fact that there are so many King works that are just so very good, excellent...that discerning fans could literally pick any number of books as their favorites: I often point out in such discussions something that, for me, is an absolute truism - the difference between my #1 all time favorite King and maybe around 20...possibly 25 is infinitesimal and could change with a reread or the wind direction.
That said...I flat out LOVE both The Gunslinger and, especially, The Talisman...so, there at least, we'll have to camaraderially agree to disagree...but boy are you missing out on two of his very best !
Keep reading, sir
Thanks for the comment! One of the nice things about the SK Universe is that it is so broad and can accommodate so many tastes! I’ve gotta give both Talisman and ‘Slinger another go someday!
Go then there are other worlds than these. One of my favorite lines of all times and saddest. I agree with your comment. Long days and pleasant nights fellow CR.
i really enjoyed your ranking. would love to see you do more of these with the other era's of king's work and others horror writers.
i agree about the running man i love the movie and the book but for different reasons
Thank you so much! More ranking videos in the works. I appreciate the support.
@@SKFirstEditions You got me with lists, I do that also. Agree with you list, except for the Pet Sematary. Everybody likes it, I dont. Got any books for rec? My rec is "Night in Zagreb" by Adam Medvidović, with notice that it is beggining of the series.
@@Kevinakletva Thanks for the comment! And that's totally cool about Pet Sematary - to each their own! And he's done so many books there seems to be something for everyone. Well, maybe not EVERYone, but something for most ha ha! Thanks for the recommendation. I just finished Swan Song by Robert McCammon and I loved it. Definitely has "The Stand" vibes, but I liked it even more than The Stand. I also recently finished Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin and Koko by Peter Straub and really enjoyed both of them! Thanks again for the comment.
@@SKFirstEditions mmmmm this is excellent info that Swan song has Stand vibe, because I never actually read the Stand - the reason for that is that I watched the movie first, and then the book after that was simply too long to read for something that I know how it will end, and that was one of my biggest regrets - that reading of Stand is ruined for me, and it has the reputation of one of Kings greatest works. I forgot to mention one interesting info on "Night in Zagreb" - by Adam M. That book is important to Catholics cause info is circulating that there they are slowly releasing pieces of information from third secret of Fatima, which makes it ultra interesting to read in the course of current world events. That's how I find out about it, and there should be three more sequles to first part (Đavolja noć is the name of series). After reading the first part I have vibe like im reading LOTR for grown-ups. Thats the feeling, and cant wait for the damn sequel to come out. I didnt have such hype for a long time, and the number of people who knows about this is so small, which makes it even sweater. So that is my great info, and if you do go for that book PLEASE tell me honestly how did it feel , to see if I am the only one who is going nut for this...
@@Kevinakletva Thanks! I will! And Swan Song is also very long - my paperback was around 960 pages, but it has 95 chapters all from 6-15 pages or so. It has more action and plot than The Stand, and I found it much more gripping and engaging!
In regard to Misery I read somewhere that it was written in part due to hate mail he received after a lot of hate mail from people angry about Eye's of the Dragon. Fans were angry that he had changed his writing style and had ruined what they thought of him.
I could see that! I haven't heard that specific story, but I know there's a real thread in it of the idea that the author "owes" people something. It shows how far expectations of his work have come. It's far more nuanced in the last 20 years or so, and people accept it much more easily. When he was starting out, the typecasting was much stronger. He was even worried that Different Seasons would be unpopular, as the content was different than what people expected from him. It has gone on to be one of his most beloved books!
Totally agree with your take on Cujo. Although because of this, I would put it at the bottom of any list. I first read this later in life, after I too had a son the same age as the character. As a parent, I totally identified with the adult characters. I will never read this one again. The ending made me truly sad and angry.
I hear you, and totally respect that take. I doubt I'll read it again, myself.
Great vid! I'm trying to figure out where to start with SK. A beginner vid would be helpful if you have one showing where to start?
That's a great idea! Thanks! I'll add it to the list.
Cujo is the best King work of the 80s. Taut, emotionally devasting thriller.
Taut, emotionally devastating - great way to describe it! It's a brutal read!
Good video
Thanks!
The Breathing Method is my favorite in Different Seasons as well. It felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. Absolutely heartbreaking.
And with such an ending! Man, it lingers in the mind so much. Thanks for the comment!
@@SKFirstEditions Yeah, it's that ending that was the gut punch. There's been quite a few of his stories where the ending left me feeling quite sad. Are you familiar with the short story "Last Rung on the Ladder" from Night Shift?
@@MajesticalHonkyit has been ages since I've read it - I'll have to go back and check it out! Thanks for the suggestion!
@@SKFirstEditions Please let me know what you think if you do. I'm always interested in the opinion of a fellow King fan.
@@MajesticalHonkyWill do!
I've seen Talisman on the very bottom of a lot of people's lists so I wouldn't feel bad about not loving it. I haven't gotten to it yet because I've been nervous about that one lol
Thanks! I have to say it has been several months since I finished it and I like it more now that I have had time to think about it. And no joke that Black House is a masterpiece! Really lives up to the potential of the King/Straub partnership. The two books together are a nice pair.
I heard Gunslinger is way better on a reread if you've read the whole series. Hope it goes better for you a 2nd time.
Thanks! I’m looking forward to that. I bet it’ll make a lot more sense the second time around!