50 years after he's dead?

[IrishWriter]

Well I was watching a few of the interviews that King has done over the past couple of years and throughout them all he seems to have a tendency to say "Well, they're either reading you fifty years after you're gone or they're not- nothing you can do about that." So I was wondering whether or not WE think his books will still be being read at that time?

 

[IrishWriter]

And if so....which books will be the best survivors?

 

[Moraven]

I say yes, definitely...at least I will. I think The Stand stands a good chance...haha...ok worst joke ever. But for real, that book is amazing. It could last.

 

[tangaloomababe]

yes I think stephen king will be remembered long after he is gone. I would also have to agree with Moraven (bad joke and all) The Stand is one of thoses novels that will remain on bookshelves for many many years. There are some of Stephen Kings books that might fade from our memories but The Stand is not one of those. I am not a huge fan of King but he has left his mark on the literary world.

 

[that old guy]

I'd be surprised if they were, sorry. Excepting maybe the DT series. Somewhere or other King himself acknowledges that he's writing the literary equivalent of fast food, doesn't he? With the addendum that its good fast food, of course, but is fast food nonetheless. In any event I think his writing is too much of a particular period to work far, or even not that far, into the future. Anybody up for singing Baby, Can You Dig Your Man?? Anybody? That sounded ridiculous even in the 1990 unabridged version, at least fifteen years out of date then.

 

[Briareus Delta]

I'd be surprised if they were, sorry. Excepting maybe the DT series. Somewhere or other King himself acknowledges that he's writing the literary equivalent of fast food, doesn't he? With the addendum that its good fast food, of course, but is fast food nonetheless. In any event I think his writing is too much of a particular period to work far, or even not that far, into the future. Anybody up for singing Baby, Can You Dig Your Man?? Anybody? That sounded ridiculous even in the 1990 unabridged version, at least fifteen years out of date then.

I totally agree with you about the song. However, his books give a flavour of certain aspects of modern America (even if he doesn't always get it right), in the same way that Dickens gave his portrayal of Victorian London. For that reason, I not only think his books will still be read in 50 years time but they will probably make it onto many school reading lists.

 

[Stormpirate]

Heh. I can just imagine on the school list:

The Crucible
My Antonia
The Tommyknockers

 

[IrishWriter]

Well you'd be surprised Storm I mean a lot of his books could be being used in horror classes in college as I'm sure they probably are in places like America anyway.(I wouldn't know, I'm from the as yet to develop it's full potential Ireland;whatever you hear about the place and no matter how much you'd like to go here,it's really a pile of poo.)But just because his register isn't exactly a cup of tea with a chocolate crumpet it doesn't mean tht he hasn't got anything to say. A lot of his books are just pure story where he likes to wade away from the idea of loading a book with huge amounts of symbolism but still that doesn't mean that the books don't hold some value, and it doesn't mean that he hasn't got anything to say.I mean look at Lisey's Story(if you've read it;if you haven't you'll probably still understand), a marriage counsellor could read this and have some constructive idea's for a struggling marriage it's that rich.I mean, a large percentage of his books are almost always dealing with American culture in some shape or form and because that's the culture that is these days the most controversial, then I can't really see how he couldn't be being read after he's gone. You couldn't just erase a guy like that from history in the space of a few years. It'd be just impossible.

 

[Sathai]

Hard to say. Maybe The Shining will still be read because of the movie.

 

[Connavar]

Haha because of the movie



I havent read King except the first DT but i dont see how a guy that might be the best selling writer in the world will be remembered only cause of a movie version of one of his books.



There is a huge chance he will be read in 50 years. I mean he has written alot of famous books and has sold a ton.

No matter what he calls his writing fast food or not he has huge fanbase.

 

[Sathai]

but i dont see how a guy that might be the best selling writer in the world will be remembered only cause of a movie version of one of his books.

Because it is a famous movie and a famous book. I'm keeping in mind that it will be fifty years after his death, and it's more likely that one will be remembered.

 

[Connavar]

What in fifty years no one will be reading books anymore.
Maybe you have read too much dystopian SF lately.

 

[IrishWriter]

The Shining Movie?hahahahahhah.Yeah, that film was just the worst thing ever. King hated it, Kubrick f**ked it up. The film's not going to be the reason that story is remembered. Read the book, it's actually just the best thing ever.And if Jack Nicholson hadn't of played Torrance then nobody would remember that film.If there was any one book he's be remembered for, it'll be The Stand.

 

[Sathai]

The Stand is a good one too, also Salem's Lot. Wow, make one movie comment and everyone's up in arms.

 

[Sathai]

What in fifty years no one will be reading books anymore.
Maybe you have read too much dystopian SF lately.

Sorry Connavar, I don't read much SF so have no idea what you are referring to.

 

[Connavar]

Hehe my bad for geussing that.


But why do you think that movie specially will be remembered?

You think his other books and movies are bad?

 

[Sathai]

I thought it was one his more famous movies, because of Kubrick and Nicholson. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Connavar]

Ah then i understand what you mean.


Myself i thought the movie was nothing special not even Jack N could make it very good.

The only movie of his i really liked was IT. As a kid it scared the hell outta of me. I couldnt watch it without having pillows ready to cover my face

 

[Sathai]

Oh yeah, Tim Curry was great as Pennywise.

 

[Rawled Demha]

and yet when i got the dvd recently, i realised i shud've left it as a childhood memory, cos watchin it again embarassed me. the book was still scary as hell tho. maybe they made the film for the kids (nobody cares about the age ratings these days) and the book for us grownups...