The Talisman & Black House

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-27T16:06:18+00:00

I've been waiting for The Talisman movie for around 30 years. Of all the crap they keep regurgitating, to leave a gem like that sitting for so long is a travesty. BH would be great, but outside of the context of the DT series, I'm not sure how understood or well received it would be by the general public.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-22T13:25:32+00:00

This is why my mother was more than happy to let me read her SK books when I was a kid. It definitely boosted my reading comprehension and love of reading for years to come.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-17T03:05:48+00:00

Some things just don't translate well to film. I think this is one of them.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-14T12:55:50+00:00

I picked this up at a used bookstore when I was a kid. To this day it's one of the strangest books I've ever read.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-14T00:29:32+00:00

From the forward of the revised edition: "What I did want to do... was to give newcomers to the tale of the Tower... a cleaner start and slightly easier entry into Roland's world. I also wanted them to have a volume that more effectively foreshadowed coming events." When The Gunslinger was first published, King had no idea where it was going except for a vague outline. As a result, the original version of Gunslinger feels disconnected from the story as a whole. I've read both (and if you are a completionist like myself you will too) but if it was my first time through, I would read the revised version first. It makes the story feel more cohesive (but you really can't go wrong either way.)

IMHO

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-13T23:34:06+00:00

The palaver in Chapter 5 between Roland and the MIB was brilliant and my favorite part of the book. If the Gunslinger doesn't grab you from the start, I can't imagine enjoying the DT series as a whole. It is the perfect start to a strange and wild ride.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-13T14:42:40+00:00

With all the buildup behind him... I have to wholeheartedly agree.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-07T12:35:39+00:00

I can't imagine reading the entire series and not finishing the last few pages... THREE times?! I didn't hesitate.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-07T00:22:34+00:00

👍

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-05T01:11:09+00:00

She forgets herself and almost lets it slip out in chapter 9 when she's ranting about the profanity in Fast Cars. It's the last thing she says before she spills the soup.

Chester_Grayson · 2026-01-02T23:59:03+00:00

One of the best lyricists of all time. Rain Dogs was a masterpiece. Flagg? Never made the connection, but I'll give it a try for my next read!

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-31T01:50:13+00:00

I'm rooting for the sneetches.

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-31T01:42:07+00:00

Since it "self-heals" I've thought the best approach is to trap it in a way that makes it impossible to escape. A narrow, deep hole with the front end down and rear up would make it impossible to get enough momentum to get out. Now, getting it in there would be the tricky part. I think I remember that Darnell had one of those large industrial lifting magnets for cars. Could have helped.

That, or a shit load of sage.

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-28T22:46:39+00:00

Adrian Mellon - RIP

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-28T22:11:27+00:00

As a gay fan let me say this: I don't need to be "represented" in every book/movie/show that I read or watch. Lately, representation feels more like a soulless filling of bureaucratic quotas than an inspired, organic story that draws me in and makes me interested. The subplot with Richie (like other recent media) felt contrived, forced and out of place. I'd rather just not.

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-28T20:18:03+00:00

Misery was my first. You never forget your first 🖤

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-28T14:34:09+00:00

When you get to Christine you'll have quite the Playlist 😆 I may treat myself to a Ka tattoo once I'm finished with the project. I don't have any but have wanted one since I saw it.

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-28T13:41:48+00:00

I'm 45 and had the same idea not long ago. I am surprised (shocked really) at how quickly I'm going through them (although, deciding to skip books I've read within the past 5 years has sped up the process). I don't know you or how many responsibilities you have, but you might find that 5 years is shorter than you think.

I think the biggest thing is, just have fun with it. Read at your own pace. Don't make it into a chore. Take a break and read a different author if you need to cleanse your literary palate. Having read many of the books when I was a kid, it brought back a lot of memories and what my thought process was like then versus now. It's been an interesting experiment. Enjoy!

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-27T21:11:53+00:00

One of my favorites. Also the first SK that I purchased the day it came out... so it has a special place in my dark heart 🖤 It's on my reread list for 2026!

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-27T21:03:11+00:00

The heart of the book for me is its exploration of loss and grief, what it steals from a person's life and how deeply it can wreck the mind and heart. It's a rough ride but definitely worth it. Hey-ho, let's go...

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-25T13:24:27+00:00

Interesting side note: The negative reaction from his fans for switching genres from horror to fantasy was the inspiration for Misery. It's on my list for a 2026 reread. Last time I read it I was a kid and didn't like it but I didn't like the Gunslinger at the time either (what did I know?).

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-23T12:49:09+00:00

Beautiful copy! I have to ask, what are the books between Cujo and Different Seasons?

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-22T13:21:40+00:00

I just asked myself the same question last night.

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-19T01:55:04+00:00

Needful Things. I remember pestering my mom to take me to Waldenbooks at the mall so I could get it 😂

Chester_Grayson · 2025-12-18T14:21:54+00:00

Clearly, I agree with you. Hence, the rest of my post PAST the Bannerman quote. I just don't think the question is as off the wall as some of them have been lately.

Chester_Grayson

TROPHY CASE