Stephen King completes epic novel after 25 years

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr...

Under the Dome, which King began writing in the 1980s, runs to more than 1,000 pages and will be published in November...

This was of interest, as we've just read it:

King, the author of more than 50 books, has said that the new novel "deals with some of the same issues that The Stand does, but in a more allegorical way".

Thanks for the link, Moomin Mama!

The funny thing is, as I'm taking part in the reading challenge of one-SK-per-month, and because he's written so many books, I'll be reading it in a few years!

Nice. Maybe I'll take the plunge. I just looked it my LT library and I seem to own 31 of his books, but I've only read 19 of them. (I was buying them for my husband long after I had stopped reading him myself.) But if it's Stand-like then I might want to dive right in.

I heard about this a while back. I'll read it, but I don't think it will be of the highest standard. The length and the time involved aren't good indicators. He's become a VERY self-indulgent writer and the things he feels are wonderful just aren't sometimes and mowing the same field over and over is pretty boring. 1000 pages to get your point across? Ig.

Thank goodness! I caught him on cspan (total fluke!) on a "book events" thing where he, Tabby and his son Joe did readings. He read the beginning of it and I was intrigued. I was afraid I would never get to read it.

I loved The Stand, especially how well drawn the characters were. I still find myself wondering what's up with Fanny and Stu these days.

BUT

Wasn't this the plot for the Simpson's Movie?

Wasn't this the plot for the Simpson's Movie?

Ha! I hadn't even thought of that! It's a good thing I won't be reading this book for a few years. I wouldn't be able to take it seriously.

Also the plot in a few issues of DC's Shadowpact comic a few years back and a couple issues in Fantastic Four from the mid-late '80s. Probably a bunch more. Small towns mysteriously encapsulated in a mysterious dome are old hat, I'm afraid.

I trust king to do something interesting with the concept. look at what he did with haunted houses and vampires.

I just hope I don't read the entire book picturing Homer riding a motorcycle up the inside of the dome!

Yeah, I agree, King will undoubtedly put a unique spin on the idea. It's a fun enough idea that I think there's still plenty of room to maneuver for any author.

Oh and I just read that a reality TV show is being filmed around the same concept. They have enclosed eight houses in suburban Atlanta with a 20' high wall and are forcing the residents to interact. (Sounds about as interesting as any other reality show....)

With King you can always DEPEND on a great novel, even if the idea has been around the mill several times over. Just like jseger said haunted houses, vampires, it's been done............but King is able to put a new spin on it.
With him it's basically about two elements- the characters (think Randall Flagg, the creepy kid from The Stand, etc.) and what he can do to take something that seems ordinary and transfer it into something extraordinary.
Fear not, I guarntee this will be another great King novel, especially with him being as excited as he sounds about it.

Well I suppose that DEPENDS on what you consider a great novel. Cell and From a Buick 8 do not fall into that category.

Of course, Cell and From a Buick 8 are more unique in concept. King does actually seem to do better with fields that have been mowed a few times. There's nothing at all unique about the plots of The Shining or Pet Semetery. That seems to suit him better.

On the other hand, he has become very self-indulgent. It sort of remains to be seen.

I myself did not enjoy From a Buick 8, but the writing itself was still on King's level especially the character development, maybe just not the plot.

I do have to say that even middling Stephen King is worth a read for his writing. I didn't love Cell myself, but it is still better than most of the stuff Leisure horror puts out every month. (Not a knock! Check out how many books I've tagged as 'Leisure' some time.)

I got a copy of "Under The Dome" today and felt like the luckiest kids on the block. The publisher sent a free copy of it to the store and we got it today. I'm 50 pages in and it is really good. I'll keep you posted.

I got one too! I'm very excited, but won't be starting it until I finish what I'm reading (the 1st Repairman Jack).

And oh, it's also kind of similarly themed (in a more local way) to Robert Charles Wilson's Axis. Uncle Stevie always makes it his own, though (but I bet he loves the Simpsons connection, huh?)

Edited for a correction: Oops--for whatever it's worth, I meant Spin by Wilson...Axis is the second book in the series. In Spin humanity wakes up to discover a dome, as it were, around the entire world. Spooky.

Message edited by its author, Sep 12, 2009, 8:57pm.

I'm very jealous. I'm looking forward to reading it. I liked Cell, but loved Duma Key and Just After Sunset. It seems the longer the book the better it is. So my question is it pre-ordering now, or should I wait till Christmas when someone will most likely buy it for me. :)

Just finished Under the Dome this afternoon. Truly epic. Can't wait till more people have read it to hear what everyone else thinks. I posted a review, but don't actually know how to link it (in case anyone's interested : )

For those in the States, I don't know if you've heard, but WalMart has decided to compete with Amazon on pre-orders.

This benefits Stephen King fans for a bit - because Amazon is warring right back. Basically, WalMart is offering their Top 10 Pre-Selling Books for 9 Dollars.

And Under the Dome is included. Amazon has answered back and is matching the price - if you pre-ordered already, it's already adjusted.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439148...

Wow. That's a serious deal. Usually I buy best seller type stuff at Sam's Club, but even with shipping it is less this way. Thanks for the head's up.

#21-As one of many I-wait-for-the-paperback'ers, I have no argument to make.

When you preorder from Amazon do they usually ship it the day it is published? Thanks!

anne
sebago, me

>24 It depends. Generally, it's shipped the day it's published. However, if the hype gets big enough and they're worried they'll lose business to the brick n' mortars, they'll time the shipping so that you'll get it the day of release (as they did with the last few Harry Potters).

If you DON'T see Amazon add a notice that says "arrives day of release!," on the product page you'll have it shipped the day of release.

I did not see that message "arrives day of release!" So I will have to be patient (right! lol)
Thanks for the response stephmo :)