Rereading Tommyknockers

"Scoot" said:

> I only read TOMMYKNOCKERS upon its initial release.
> Just the one time time and I completely enjoyed the experience.
> Some parts of that book are so good as to rank among King's
> finest. Imagine to my horror that nearly everyone else who
> talked about the book could only say bad things about it.
> I wondered if they, or I, read a different TOMMYKNOCKERS.

I would have liked that book *much* better if not for Ruth McCausland.
I never saw the point of introducing a character, killing her, and then
spending something like 100 pages telling her story after we already
know she's dead. On the rare couple of occasions that I've reread it,
I've just skipped that entire storyline and not missed it a bit.

The book suffers from other problems, imho. It was during the period
where King really could have probably published his laundry list and
gotten away with it, and the lack of coherent editing *really* shows.
As do the host of addictions that King was dealing with at the time.
It's also mising a lot of the humanism that makes so many of his books
great - the whole plot is one long downward spiral. No hope, no joy.
Almost from the very beginning it's clear that Bobbi is going to die, and
after a while I just got tired of reading about her. And before long it's
clear that Gard's going to die as well - although, of course, not before
saving the day in a manner that should have surprised nobody when it
came. And let's not even get into the fact that one could easily argue
that the entire book is one long rip-off of "Quatermass and the Pit."

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. More power to anyone
who can take pleasure in a book that to me is - by far - King's worst.

Todd
poking his head in
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

I enjoy it as a because it is what you described it as. Because of the lack
of human development and Stephen King's flaws in writing it, it gives me
great pleasure as a quick read. I really enjoy the story itself, the fact
that one little stumble in the woods becomes matters of national security in
the end.

However, I do agree with you that it isnt "Written" very well. I did not
like the jarring, incoherent paragraphs running into each other. It seemed
that he wrote the book as an afterthought, or as a back-project during the 4
years he took to write it. I think some more careful editing and overall
patience with the writing style couldve made it a a really great book.

Regardless, it still stands out as one of my favorites. Not a literature
classic, but a fun read none the less.

Rob

"hot toddy" wrote in message

> "Scoot" said:
>
>> I only read TOMMYKNOCKERS upon its initial release.
>> Just the one time time and I completely enjoyed the experience.
>> Some parts of that book are so good as to rank among King's
>> finest. Imagine to my horror that nearly everyone else who
>> talked about the book could only say bad things about it.
>> I wondered if they, or I, read a different TOMMYKNOCKERS.
>
> I would have liked that book *much* better if not for Ruth McCausland.
> I never saw the point of introducing a character, killing her, and then
> spending something like 100 pages telling her story after we already
> know she's dead. On the rare couple of occasions that I've reread it,
> I've just skipped that entire storyline and not missed it a bit.
>
> The book suffers from other problems, imho. It was during the period
> where King really could have probably published his laundry list and
> gotten away with it, and the lack of coherent editing *really* shows.
> As do the host of addictions that King was dealing with at the time.
> It's also mising a lot of the humanism that makes so many of his books
> great - the whole plot is one long downward spiral. No hope, no joy.
> Almost from the very beginning it's clear that Bobbi is going to die, and
> after a while I just got tired of reading about her. And before long it's
> clear that Gard's going to die as well - although, of course, not before
> saving the day in a manner that should have surprised nobody when it
> came. And let's not even get into the fact that one could easily argue
> that the entire book is one long rip-off of "Quatermass and the Pit."
>
> Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. More power to anyone
> who can take pleasure in a book that to me is - by far - King's worst.
>
> Todd
> poking his head in
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"Scoot" wrote in message

> On Nov 3, 7:39?pm, "Rob" wrote:
>> Damn fine book. Anyone else doing some...rediscovering of the classics?
>
> I only read TOMMYKNOCKERS upon its initial release. Just the one time
> time and I completely enjoyed the experience. Some parts of that book
> are so good as to rank among King's finest. Imagine to my horror that
> nearly everyone else who talked about the book could only say bad
> things about it. I wondered if they, or I, read a different
> TOMMYKNOCKERS. Didn't matter. I read it. I enjoyed it. And have a
> good memory of the experience. Those that didn't like it, well, too
> bad. You missed a great book.
>
> Scott F. Feighner
> Only Time Will Tell...

I re-read it twice a year since it's release in Australia (yes that long)
and I agree with you. I never understood the criticism. Sure it was long
winded and sure he could have said a lot if he edited it tighter, but I
LIKED it.

I find the point that most people seem to make about it 'that SK was doing
so much coke at the time it's a wonder he was able to finish it...' and so
forth stupid.

I liked that it all started by tripping over a tiny lip that had probably
been passed millions of times over the centuries and never discovered. I
liked Gard too.

Tamara
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"hot toddy" wrote in message

> "Scoot" said:
>
SNIPPING LOTS

> Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. More power to anyone
> who can take pleasure in a book that to me is - by far - King's worst.
>
> Todd
> poking his head in

No, for me, that would have to be Cell.

Tamara
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

Tamara CallaLilly wrote:
> "Scoot" wrote in message
>
>> On Nov 3, 7:39?pm, "Rob" wrote:
>>> Damn fine book. Anyone else doing some...rediscovering of the classics?
>> I only read TOMMYKNOCKERS upon its initial release. Just the one time
>> time and I completely enjoyed the experience. Some parts of that book
>> are so good as to rank among King's finest. Imagine to my horror that
>> nearly everyone else who talked about the book could only say bad
>> things about it. I wondered if they, or I, read a different
>> TOMMYKNOCKERS. Didn't matter. I read it. I enjoyed it. And have a
>> good memory of the experience. Those that didn't like it, well, too
>> bad. You missed a great book.
>>
>> Scott F. Feighner
>> Only Time Will Tell...
>
> I re-read it twice a year since it's release in Australia (yes that long)
> and I agree with you. I never understood the criticism. Sure it was long
> winded and sure he could have said a lot if he edited it tighter, but I
> LIKED it.
>
> I find the point that most people seem to make about it 'that SK was doing
> so much coke at the time it's a wonder he was able to finish it...' and so
> forth stupid.
>
> I liked that it all started by tripping over a tiny lip that had probably
> been passed millions of times over the centuries and never discovered. I
> liked Gard too.
>
> Tamara
>
>

D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with
a sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try
reading Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.

Jim Odell
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"Jim Odell" wrote in message


> D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with
> a sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try
> reading Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.

To my mind, King lost the thread on this one. The opening section is
fascinating. I love Bobbi and Gard. But then he abandons them for several
inches of pages and all I wanted was to get back to their story. I didn't
care about all these other characters and their issues. I wanted more Bobbi
and Gard. That meant I read though a chunk of text just to get through it,
hoping to get back to B&G, which ruined the book for me. I've reread it, and
that feeling persists.
--
Bev Vincent
www.BevVincent.com
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

You know, I enjoyed the interaction of Bobby and Gard myself..call me crazy,
but I liked the non-traditional way the whole thing between them ended. I
couldnt think of a worse way to die than how Bobby did, and Gard had to
commit the final, most gruesome act of freindship. I know we all want a
happy ending when we read something, but that is why I like the book so
much. (For that reason also is why I hate the movie...they changed it to a
typical hollywood ending) *sigh*

Right now I'm into the Stand. Its funny what you catch the 2nd time around
that you didnt the first time.

Rob

"Bev Vincent" wrote in message

>
> "Jim Odell" wrote in message
>
>
>> D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with
>> a sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try
>> reading Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.
>
> To my mind, King lost the thread on this one. The opening section is
> fascinating. I love Bobbi and Gard. But then he abandons them for several
> inches of pages and all I wanted was to get back to their story. I didn't
> care about all these other characters and their issues. I wanted more
> Bobbi
> and Gard. That meant I read though a chunk of text just to get through it,
> hoping to get back to B&G, which ruined the book for me. I've reread it,
> and
> that feeling persists.
> --
> Bev Vincent
> www.BevVincent.com
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"Jim Odell" wrote in message

> Tamara CallaLilly wrote:
>> "Scoot" wrote in message
>>
>>> On Nov 3, 7:39?pm, "Rob" wrote:
>>>> Damn fine book. Anyone else doing some...rediscovering of the
>>>> classics?
>>> I only read TOMMYKNOCKERS upon its initial release. Just the one time
>>> time and I completely enjoyed the experience. Some parts of that book
>>> are so good as to rank among King's finest. Imagine to my horror that
>>> nearly everyone else who talked about the book could only say bad
>>> things about it. I wondered if they, or I, read a different
>>> TOMMYKNOCKERS. Didn't matter. I read it. I enjoyed it. And have a
>>> good memory of the experience. Those that didn't like it, well, too
>>> bad. You missed a great book.
>>>
>>> Scott F. Feighner
>>> Only Time Will Tell...
>>
>> I re-read it twice a year since it's release in Australia (yes that long)
>> and I agree with you. I never understood the criticism. Sure it was long
>> winded and sure he could have said a lot if he edited it tighter, but I
>> LIKED it.
>>
>> I find the point that most people seem to make about it 'that SK was
>> doing so much coke at the time it's a wonder he was able to finish it...'
>> and so forth stupid.
>>
>> I liked that it all started by tripping over a tiny lip that had probably
>> been passed millions of times over the centuries and never discovered. I
>> liked Gard too.
>>
>> Tamara
>>
>>
>
> D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with a
> sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try reading
> Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.
>
> Jim Odell

Thanks Jim I'll add him to my list *grin*.

ATM going through all Tami Hoag novels (as well as re-reading SK - currently
up to Needful Things)

Tamara
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

Bev Vincent wrote:
> "Jim Odell" wrote in message
>
>
>> D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with
>> a sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try
>> reading Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.
>
> To my mind, King lost the thread on this one. The opening section is
> fascinating. I love Bobbi and Gard. But then he abandons them for several
> inches of pages and all I wanted was to get back to their story. I didn't
> care about all these other characters and their issues. I wanted more Bobbi
> and Gard. That meant I read though a chunk of text just to get through it,
> hoping to get back to B&G, which ruined the book for me. I've reread it, and
> that feeling persists.

Oh, I agree with that. The book could have used Jenny Craig.

Jim Odell
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"Rob" wrote in message

> You know, I enjoyed the interaction of Bobby and Gard myself..call me
> crazy, but I liked the non-traditional way the whole thing between them
> ended. I couldnt think of a worse way to die than how Bobby did, and
> Gard had to commit the final, most gruesome act of freindship. I know we
> all want a happy ending when we read something, but that is why I like the
> book so much. (For that reason also is why I hate the movie...they
> changed it to a typical hollywood ending) *sigh*
>
> Right now I'm into the Stand. Its funny what you catch the 2nd time
> around that you didnt the first time.
>
> Rob

or the 8th or 28th time *lol* I'm reading the original Stand again and I
have to PUSH OUT OF MY HEAD the movie version and hearing the voices of the
actors (Nick played by that smug Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald as Fran... ) and
it's actually giving me the irrits.

I do like the interplay of the characters in it and the visitation of good
vs bad and the choices and alignments. I also find it interesting to take
note that all the 'techies' went and aligned themselves with Flagg because
of his 'order'.

Tamara
>
> "Bev Vincent" wrote in message
>
>>
>> "Jim Odell" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>> D'accord. I liked the book as well. The general weirdness mixed in with
>>> a sort of a sense of wonder suited me. As for the drug thing, try
>>> reading Billy Burroughs. Now that's one addicted doggie.
>>
>> To my mind, King lost the thread on this one. The opening section is
>> fascinating. I love Bobbi and Gard. But then he abandons them for several
>> inches of pages and all I wanted was to get back to their story. I didn't
>> care about all these other characters and their issues. I wanted more
>> Bobbi
>> and Gard. That meant I read though a chunk of text just to get through
>> it,
>> hoping to get back to B&G, which ruined the book for me. I've reread it,
>> and
>> that feeling persists.
>> --
>> Bev Vincent
>> www.BevVincent.com
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

1st off must pay my props
Hi Ya Bev,wow you sure made it big since we were talking about "the Drawing
of the Three" (gosh that was sooooo lon,,,,oops nevermind)
2nd
every SK book I own be it hardcover 1st edition paperback are almost
threadbare as I re-read and re-read,try "The Stand" and when you do put
yourself in Tom's shoes (M-O-O-N that spells shoes)and read it as if you
were he, reading about what happened with the world as he knew
it,,,,,,,,then You get to the part when he scares the bejesus out of
Nickky,put yourself in "TWD" head and read further I can only tell You(all)
it is like reading a new book every time for me
Irish (used to be DirtyIrish but had to shorten it!!)
p.s.
a little trivia here
What book from "TBT" saga came out 1st?
Thanks for letting me have a little say

> Damn fine book. Anyone else doing some...rediscovering of the classics?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

"John Baker" wrote in message

> 1st off must pay my props
> Hi Ya Bev,wow you sure made it big since we were talking about "the
Drawing
> of the Three" (gosh that was sooooo lon,,,,oops nevermind)

Only a brief moment in the grand scheme of things!

Bev
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers 

I gave up reading his new stuff after From a Buick 8...


"Tamara CallaLilly" wrote in message

>
> "hot toddy" wrote in message
>
>> "Scoot" said:
>>
> SNIPPING LOTS
>
>> Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. More power to anyone
>> who can take pleasure in a book that to me is - by far - King's worst.
>>
>> Todd
>> poking his head in
>
> No, for me, that would have to be Cell.
>
> Tamara
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Rereading Tommyknockers