I just finished The Long Walk on your recommendation and it’s haunting me! I’ve been a Stephen King fan since i learned how to read (ha) and very few of his books have slipped by me. Thinner is one that I now have to pick up.
I couldn’t agree more. A GREAT book. Fortunately, I read it quite some time before the movie (though you’re right about Joe’s performance-so good!), and I remember thinking that I hoped it wouldn’t deter anyone from reading the book.
I guess I’m an outlier because I really enjoy the film (and Ritchie is a great character!). The book is fantastic. That ending!!! And I never noticed the multiverse connections. Thanks! This is probably my favorite Bachman after Running Man. Long Walk a close third.
Read it for the first time last year, and I can agree it is my favorite Bachman book other than Long Walk. Fun read and a great ending. And anyone who says this ending is too dark must have not read Cujo
This book is the definition of a "guilty pleasure" for me. I love this book, reread it every couple of years. Richie is definitely one of my favorite characters written by King.
I read Thinner when it first came out. I loved it then, I love it still, and your review makes me want to re-read it again. Another of my all time Bachman favorites that you have previously mentioned, is The Long Walk.
I've always liked Thinner, even the movie. As you say, Joe Mantegna kills it as Richie. One of my favorite King characters. I watched this video, then went to see what was on Pluto TV and they were showing Thinner. 😂😂 Just perfect.
Been watching Under the Dome with my wife and started my first re read of the Dark Tower (never finished it in high school) so more SK content is very timely lol
I really liked this book. I haven't read all of Stephen King's books but I enjoyed everything so far. Yes, some books are better than others but all are worth a read for me.
I loved both the book AND the movie! Did you notice Michael McDowell wrote the screenplay? I listened to the audiobook in 2022 and Mantegna did crush it. Made me want to listen to him narrate more books, although I haven't found any.
I really liked the Thinner movie. Been interested in this King book along with needful things. Has anyone seen the new Carrie 50th anniversary edition being sold by Blackwells? I saw it on Troy Tradup's channel, and it looks amazing.
Started my Bachman reading with the infamous Rage and wasn’t a big fan. Did The Long Walk last month and loved it. Will give this a try at some point, likely this year. Currently reading Later which is flying by
@@mikesbookreviews not read Roadwork but Rage is possibly my least favourite King book. Just doesn’t feel like one of this books and not in a good way. Wondered if the infamy it has received made you less likely to review it
I've always been pretty "meh" on Stephen King, but that's probably because I haven't read much of his work. Last year, Thinner was the first SK novel I read in about ten years and it triggered a huge interest in the author. Since finishing it, I've been reading a SK novel about once a month (time and TBR list permitting, lol).
Nice timing. I read it in March. I liked it a lot better than expected. And loved the ending. I just regret that I didn't read over ten years ago when I was losing weight do to illness. It would be a weird reading ecperience.😅
I’ll add it to my Stephen King list, I’m currently on page 454 of It and it’s been a joy, not the kind of book I thought it was going to be based off of the movies.. (mostly Tim Curry’s I’m not as big a fan of the remakes), it’s a lot deeper and the characters 🤌 perfect, they feel real.
Excellent video Mike. I am so glad you continue to do your Stephen King content. I can't agree with you about the book, which is fine. I hate this book. It's down there with Dreamcatcher for me. I hated the characters and the writing was too dark for me. Still, I'm glad you covered it. Keep it up.
Literally reading/listening to Thinner right now, perfect timing cheers Mike! P.S When do we get to hear your thoughts on Song of Susannah and the big one - The Dark Tower?😁
@@mikesbookreviews I personally loved the ending but felt some decisions could have been made a lot better. You got me into reading & Stephen King btw - especially The Dark Tower so I can’t wait to hear you go into depths on your thoughts on it all!
Man, it's still a little funny for me that people want/need trigger warnings now days, and to say this book is sooo dark, it's a little dark ending is perfect tho, this and Revival has top tier endings. As a person who from time to time read/listen to splatterhouse horror this is children's book ;-) I read "Toxic Love" by Kristopher Tiana recently and man... talking about though read..I think if I described it here UA-cam would ban me ;-)
I get what you mean about later king pulling punches and going not as dark BUT holy crap Full Dark No Stars is some of the darkest stuff King ever wrote...that set of stories was just brutal and that wass what? 2011. Very dark stuff
Not sure what it says about me, but I did smile at the end of this one. The ending is just soooo dark and disturbing. It was the perfect ending in my opinion 🤣
Hi Mike good review on Thinner, I haven't read this book but I'm going to. What's wrong with the movie? It's a fantastic movie, saw it recently. It's directed by Tom Holland, the guy who made Child's Play and Fright Night two horror 80s classic.
@@nikkivenable73 Its just a stupid “ohh look at me, im one of the good ones” type of attitude i don’t expect from King readers! My wife started reading Christine and NlG8*R is splayed all over the first few pages!
First Stephen King book I ever read. I got hooked. To this day, it's my favorite of all his books - and I've read a lot of them!
It's such a fun read for such a depressing story ha ha
I just finished The Long Walk on your recommendation and it’s haunting me! I’ve been a Stephen King fan since i learned how to read (ha) and very few of his books have slipped by me. Thinner is one that I now have to pick up.
Me too, I read it a couple of weeks ago because of Mike’s review! Thinner is on my list soon so I’m really happy he did this video.
Hope you enjoy!
I picked up Thinner to read in between my reading of Malazan Book of the Fallen. I’m in the fifth book, Midnight Tides.
I will watch the movie after reading Thinner.
SK content yes!
Long Days & Pleasant Nights!
I watched the movie as a kid, and the story always stuck with me. Its one of my favorite SK stories.
It's haunting in that way
I couldn’t agree more. A GREAT book. Fortunately, I read it quite some time before the movie (though you’re right about Joe’s performance-so good!), and I remember thinking that I hoped it wouldn’t deter anyone from reading the book.
I truly believe that's why so many won't even read it
I guess I’m an outlier because I really enjoy the film (and Ritchie is a great character!). The book is fantastic. That ending!!! And I never noticed the multiverse connections. Thanks! This is probably my favorite Bachman after Running Man. Long Walk a close third.
That ending was so cold
All ways Love The Intro checking this out & looking forward for The Coming Collection: You Like It Darker
Should be fun!
Read it for the first time last year, and I can agree it is my favorite Bachman book other than Long Walk. Fun read and a great ending. And anyone who says this ending is too dark must have not read Cujo
Right?! The ending is perfect.
This book is the definition of a "guilty pleasure" for me. I love this book, reread it every couple of years. Richie is definitely one of my favorite characters written by King.
Richie is amazing. Wish he had popped up in Dark Tower.
I read Thinner when it first came out. I loved it then, I love it still, and your review makes me want to re-read it again. Another of my all time Bachman favorites that you have previously mentioned, is The Long Walk.
Definitely enjoyed my re-read.
Spots in the middle are slow for me but first third and last third are top notch.
00:47-I noticed King uses his titles in a lot of books that seem natural but also seem obvious.
I've always liked Thinner, even the movie. As you say, Joe Mantegna kills it as Richie. One of my favorite King characters. I watched this video, then went to see what was on Pluto TV and they were showing Thinner. 😂😂 Just perfect.
Joe was sooooo good in that movie.
Been watching Under the Dome with my wife and started my first re read of the Dark Tower (never finished it in high school) so more SK content is very timely lol
I'm literally reading Dome right now and im loving it. I hope the show is good cuz that's up next right after I'm done
All things serve the Beam.
I really liked this book. I haven't read all of Stephen King's books but I enjoyed everything so far. Yes, some books are better than others but all are worth a read for me.
My favorite Bachman book by a mile
Love it!
Read this as a teen and I've never forgotten the end! Great review!
It'll stick with you, for sure
I loved both the book AND the movie! Did you notice Michael McDowell wrote the screenplay?
I listened to the audiobook in 2022 and Mantegna did crush it. Made me want to listen to him narrate more books, although I haven't found any.
No kidding? No, I did not realize that.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about this book really pulled me in. I really liked it a lot
Thinner was my first Stephen King book, so it'll always have a soft spot in my heart.
Yeah, that's IT for me.
I really liked the Thinner movie. Been interested in this King book along with needful things. Has anyone seen the new Carrie 50th anniversary edition being sold by Blackwells? I saw it on Troy Tradup's channel, and it looks amazing.
I saw! It looked beautiful.
Such a great read. Definitely one of King's underappreciated gems.
💯
Great. And I think the ending, and how dark it is, is the reason it sticks in my mind to this day
Unforgettable
Started my Bachman reading with the infamous Rage and wasn’t a big fan. Did The Long Walk last month and loved it. Will give this a try at some point, likely this year. Currently reading Later which is flying by
Rage and Roadwork are both mediocre to me.
@@mikesbookreviews not read Roadwork but Rage is possibly my least favourite King book. Just doesn’t feel like one of this books and not in a good way. Wondered if the infamy it has received made you less likely to review it
I read it years ago, this video has made me want to reread it.
My re-read was highly enjoyable.
I’ll have to give this a read. Enjoyed the movie. I’m starting Needful Things today. I haven’t seen the movie, so I’m going in spoiler free.
Needful is incredible. Leland Gaunt is terrific.
Mike, you should do a Sopranos special when you’re done! 💪💪💪
I am curious about it. Did not see the movie and did not read it yet. I still have many Kings to read haha. I am reading From a Buick 8 at the moment.
I've always been pretty "meh" on Stephen King, but that's probably because I haven't read much of his work. Last year, Thinner was the first SK novel I read in about ten years and it triggered a huge interest in the author. Since finishing it, I've been reading a SK novel about once a month (time and TBR list permitting, lol).
Heading into Richard Bachman territory
This was my first Stephen King I read as a teenager. Never forgot it.
It sticks with you.
@@mikesbookreviews Like a pulsating cake
Love this book! I'm going to have to read it again soon. Or listen to it with Joe Mantegna.
I’ve always liked Thinner. I remember going to the theatre to see the movie and enjoying that too. I kind of liked the movie ending more.
Both are good. The movie was like "how can we make this hit harder? 😂
Not my fav King but I appreciate what he was going for
- you’re definitely right about Bachman’s more nihilistic style. I kinda dig it
I love when he writes angry.
I don't get the hate that Thinner gets from so many people. And I love the ending. It's probably the darkest ending he's ever come up with.
This, Cujo, and Revival are vicious endings.
I got to be honest i also loved the movie. Yeah its not a top tier theatrical experience but its good and Joe Mantegna is excellent!
Only thing I didn't like about thinner was it felt like it dragged a bit in the middle but I loved the ending!
Nice timing. I read it in March. I liked it a lot better than expected. And loved the ending. I just regret that I didn't read over ten years ago when I was losing weight do to illness. It would be a weird reading ecperience.😅
Yikes. That' reminds me of reading The Stand for the first time when I had strep throat.
I’ll add it to my Stephen King list, I’m currently on page 454 of It and it’s been a joy, not the kind of book I thought it was going to be based off of the movies.. (mostly Tim Curry’s I’m not as big a fan of the remakes), it’s a lot deeper and the characters 🤌 perfect, they feel real.
IT is an incredible journey.
I have heard of thinner but i have only watched the movie adaptation definitely would check out the book if the library has it
It's been almost 35 years since I've read thinner I think it's getting time to do a reread😃
I approve.
Excellent video Mike. I am so glad you continue to do your Stephen King content. I can't agree with you about the book, which is fine. I hate this book. It's down there with Dreamcatcher for me. I hated the characters and the writing was too dark for me. Still, I'm glad you covered it. Keep it up.
😭
Literally reading/listening to Thinner right now, perfect timing cheers Mike!
P.S
When do we get to hear your thoughts on Song of Susannah and the big one - The Dark Tower?😁
Ugh. Probably this summer.
@@mikesbookreviews I personally loved the ending but felt some decisions could have been made a lot better.
You got me into reading & Stephen King btw - especially The Dark Tower so I can’t wait to hear you go into depths on your thoughts on it all!
Sounds great
I just watched the movie! I liked it a lot as a kid; and i still liked it a few days ago.
"He as a mook....but he was MY mook." Joe crushed that role so hard.
Man, it's still a little funny for me that people want/need trigger warnings now days, and to say this book is sooo dark, it's a little dark ending is perfect tho, this and Revival has top tier endings. As a person who from time to time read/listen to splatterhouse horror this is children's book ;-) I read "Toxic Love" by Kristopher Tiana recently and man... talking about though read..I think if I described it here UA-cam would ban me ;-)
I feel like going into a Stephen King story you should expect those things but still like to bring them about.
I get what you mean about later king pulling punches and going not as dark BUT holy crap Full Dark No Stars is some of the darkest stuff King ever wrote...that set of stories was just brutal and that wass what? 2011. Very dark stuff
Yeah, he still goes dark sometimes. The ending for Revival is an all-timer.
I love it too. I’ve no idea why people dis. it so often.
Currently just starting on Holly. 25 pages in and really surprising good, considering the mixed reaction it got.
I did enjoy holly I was nervous reading it but was surprised how good it was
Fine, fine, I'll read it :D
I really enjoyed Thinner as well. Never got the hate, but I have not seen the movie.
Not sure what it says about me, but I did smile at the end of this one. The ending is just soooo dark and disturbing. It was the perfect ending in my opinion 🤣
What are some of the darkest books you read?
White man from town says
Take It Back!!!
YES!
Hi Mike good review on Thinner, I haven't read this book but I'm going to. What's wrong with the movie? It's a fantastic movie, saw it recently. It's directed by Tom Holland, the guy who made Child's Play and Fright Night two horror 80s classic.
It's just pretty over the top and cheesy. Low budget and some poor acting hurt it. But Joe alone makes it worth your time.
@@mikesbookreviews
What about the wonderful acting performance of the master of horror, Stephen king, as the pharmacist?
I know I loved this book, but it's been too long! Definitely need a re-read
Mantegna does the audio book I liked it
I can't stand how act 3 is written... but the story itself is really good.
I saw the film, but haven't read the book.
Is this book the origin of the poison they call Ozempic
I dont think there is ANYTHING wrong with the term gypsy! NO ONE calls a person gypsy in a derogatory fashion.
I agree! Intention behind the word matters!
@@nikkivenable73 Its just a stupid “ohh look at me, im one of the good ones” type of attitude i don’t expect from King readers!
My wife started reading Christine and NlG8*R is splayed all over the first few pages!
It's a slippery slope, for sure. But the way they're talked about in the book by the characters is very derogatory.
@@mikesbookreviewsSo only Stephen King uses gypsy (and nig8er) in a derogatory way!
I'm with you. Thinner was awesome. Loved all the Bachman Books up until his last 2 (Regulators & Blaze). One of his best endings
Regulators was a miss for me, too.
I love this one, but don’t recommend it to most people.
Nah, there’s nothing outdated in Thinner. Wokies are just nuts.
Bullies sure cry a lot when they lose their monopoly powers.