In Praise of Stephen King
Even Super Champ May 1, 2024 Jeopardy had the clue “Castle Rock, Maine.” It seems that in every weekend newspaper I buy, Stephen King is featured in the Books section. His long writing career is a phenomenon since 1974 Carrie fame. Movie versions of his work, too: Carrie in 1976, amazing speed.
I must admit my reading of King kept me far from the frightening movies. Maybe only one on TV where I could snap off the scare.
C-SPAN featured his 2003 National Book Award where King credited his wife Tabitha. Mosley welcomed the many Bangor friends attending and gave a very exceptional speech honoring Stephen King.
Controversial pop lit vs literary books was hit “spot on” by King, praising many bestseller authors like Piccoult and Grisham. He spoke eloquently about bestsellers perhaps having some great writing. I fell in love with his humble acceptance speech, so beautifully delivered.
In that archived speech by C-SPAN, Stephen King alluded to his horrible accident by Kezar Lake along side the road four years prior. Our family often drove those bumpy, pothole roads back then many summers after our stay at Little Sebago. King’s leg was not amputated and he gradually gained strength from this mishap with a van as he walked.
Behind the scenes, both Kings, Tabitha and Stephen, give generously to Maine, even a gift to our new Belgrade Public Library. I drove to Bangor last summer and found tourists gathered at his outside gate of his lovely home with big trees everywhere.
The gardeners next door said the charity offices were closed that day. So many young readers began their reading life with a Stephen King novel. What motivation to read for beginners!
Look for any and all of his novels this summer if you enjoy frightening tales.
My friends and I agree that his very short On Writing is a great non fiction read. I also reviewed in Summertime a very short horror novel of King’s not too long ago. It was short and not too horrible for me.
Maybe you, dear reader, would like to try King’s briefer books for summer reading?
Also the newly published book about his life story and publishing career of fifty years should be entertaining as well as not as scary as his super charged novels. Look for the brand new book ASAP, I will even before jumping into the lake.
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