Stephen King

In one of my posts I’ve complaint that I feel too old for reading King. But now I’ve changed my mind. Stephen King is getting old and he is nothing like wine. I’ve recently read The Long Walk (BTW first book I’ve read on my Kindle:)) and now I’m reading Salem’s Lot, and must say that I’m amazed. These books are really good, so I’m still in mood for good horror book, but my favorite author is not writing them anymore. I can see that he switched to mode known as “good enough”. His newest novels are not bad, still better than books of many other writers, but for King they’re average. In his old books he put this depth when describing characters and reader could really feel the spirit of small towns where usually action is based. However it’s hard to tell for somebody like me who never lived in typical American town. I don’t feel this in his new novels. But maybe it’s temporary and it’ll be better, everyone has ups and downs. I hope so as he’s still my favorite writer. And if not I still have a lot of his old books to read in my queue:)

I’m now reading Everything’s Eventual by Stephen King and before starting it I’ve read Duma Key (this title was translated into Polish as “Master’s Hand” BTW., sic!). And I must say I wasn’t impressed. Sure Duma is OK, very good story, nice characters and it’s keeping you thrilled, but ending is disappointing. Everything’s Eventual is a pack of short stories, so it’s hard to rate it as a whole, but it’s rather average. There are great stories like The Little Sisters of Eluria and Everything’s Eventual, but rest is at best OK. Nice to read, but I don’t feel this “fuck, this guy is brilliant” feeling anymore. I steel have four stories to go, so maybe it will be better, hope so. But anyway I’m worried is it me (getting old and not able to enjoy such sort of literature anymore) or just these two pieces of King’s work are not too good. I wonder, and I really hope I’ll, if I’ll ever be so impressed by his novels (stories) as when reading Dreamcatcher (warning, movie is one big crap), The Tommyknockers or Pet Sematary. I’ve bought Under the Dome and it’s still untouched on my shelf as I’m worried that if it will not have the old magic I would stop reading the master. But maybe I just need a rest while reading something else, maybe…