# Best S. King Novel To Inspire Non-reader Teen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 9, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932 "2009-11-09T19:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/41 "2009-11-10T18:31:36Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I’m not sure why you all are recommending Pratchett, though. I can’t imagine that someone without a good base of having read certain types of novels and/or a certain sense of humor would like them very much. I agree. And I’m a reader; no matter how many times I try to like Pratchett, I just can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/42 "2009-11-10T19:01:13Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I’d give him Bentley Little, not King. _The Ignored,_ _The Store_ and - especially _The Collection_ (short stories) - this is amazing stuff. King himself is a fan of Little’s work. > > Bentley Little has a more accessible writing style that’s more efficient and moves along faster than King’s style. I was always bored to death by King’s writing and still am. I think he has some of the most amazing _ideas_ of any writer ever - incredible creativity - but I think he’s not the best at putting those ideas on paper and making them a story. His narrative can really drag on and get tedious. Just my opinion. Huh - excellent example of different strokes for different folks. I think King is one of the most accessible writers of all time - reading (or re-reading) one of his books is like flopping down into a cushy, comfy chair for me. I wouldn’t argue that King’s style doesn’t move along at breakneck speed, but I would argue that he uses that time to develop scenery and characters so I am **right in** the novels (which, for novels like _The Shining_ and _'Salem’s Lot_ meant that the book got taken out of my bedroom when I was done reading for the night!). ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/43 "2009-11-10T19:26:45Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I don’t know about anyone else here, but I couldn’t really bring myself to feel any love for _Roadwork_. I admit, that one had to grow on me after a few readings, but the other novellas in that book are so strong that the kid’s bound to get hooked by at least one of them. He can find his own King after that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/44 "2009-11-10T19:31:40Z")
Eyes of the Dragon worked for me, though I was a reader. It specifically follows a plucky young teenage boy who fights a ‘wormtongue’ type villain who is poisoning his family’s court. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/45 "2009-11-10T19:41:14Z")
True story: there was a guy I was barely friends with in high school. I ran into him 25 years later at a friend’s wedding. His first words to me were “hey, when we get a chance, I really want to talk with you.” I had no idea what he wanted - knowing me, I had said something profoundly embarrassing or wrong-headed back in the day and he was going to call me on it. So, fortified with drink, I approached him at the rehearsal dinner. He says to me: you remember that time I called you from work? He was a star football player and got a cushy job as a janitor at night - for a high school sports star, it paid much better vs. minimum wage, the hours didn’t conflict with practice - heck, you could write up your own hours! Anyway, he was actually working one night but exhausted, so he called me (after trying many others, I’m sure), desperate for a way to stay awake. So I read him a chapter of the book I was reading at the time: The Shining. At the rehearsal dinner, he proceeds to tell me that after I read him the chapter, he had to buy the book to find out what happened. That led to him buying all of King’s books and reading for pleasure for the first time in his life - he was 16 at the time. He says to me “I just want to thank you for the gift of reading.” Needless to say, I was floored. So, yeah - I’d go with the Shining 😉 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/46 "2009-11-10T19:46:46Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I admit, that one had to grow on me after a few readings, but the other novellas in that book are so strong that the kid’s bound to get hooked by at least one of them. He can find his own King after that. 🙂 Hmmm. I’ve got The Bachman Books hanging around the apartment; maybe I’ll give _Roadwork_ another go. I have to find _something_ to read tonight; I set off for town this morning fully intending to come home with a copy of _Under the Dome_ and couldn’t find one. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/47 "2009-11-10T20:04:05Z")
That…that’s a beautiful story, **WordMan**! **norinew** , I was going to tell you that Under the Dome wasn’t available till the 17th, but that’s just the date it’s supposed to arrive at _my_ house. I have _got_ to learn to pay extra for shipping! Anyway, I think I’ll be calling in sick next Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/48 "2009-11-10T20:20:48Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > Why not give him a book of King’s short stories? Skeleton Crew has _The Mist, The Jaunt, The Raft, Survivor Type_, and \*Word Processor of the Gods \*- some of my favorites. They might hold his attention longer than a whole novel. Ditto. I came in here to add this very suggestion. It’s what got me hooked on Stephen King many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/49 "2009-11-10T20:27:05Z")
Wasn’t roadwork turned into a film? I want to say that the film came out during the early 90s or so, and had the main character dressed in a white collared shirt, and the only scene I remember is him walking into a mcdonald’s with a machine gun… Am I correct in assuming that such a film exists? And that it’s related to the short story? (And Apt Pupil :shudders: Man… that was the first book that taught me about the Nazi experimentation and stuff. Finding out that alot of that stuff was REALLY REAL was just horrifying in itself. There were descriptions from that book that I just can’t forget now.) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/50 "2009-11-10T20:28:33Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > Wasn’t roadwork turned into a film? > > I want to say that the film came out during the early 90s or so, and had the main character dressed in a white collared shirt, and the only scene I remember is him walking into a mcdonald’s with a machine gun… > > Am I correct in assuming that such a film exists? And that it’s related to the short story? That’s [Falling Down](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106856/). ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/51 "2009-11-10T20:30:30Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I think you’re kind of underestimating kids. I mean, are they so narrow minded that their reaction to something written a few decades ago is, “Dude! A history lesson?!” And suggesting that a kid would like Carrie because of “Boobs and showers!” is…kinda missing the point. Unless hurling tampons and sanitary napkins at a girl who thinks she’s hemorrhaging gets you off… > I mean, it was only ten years ago that I read this stuff as a teenager. Are kids today really all that different? I hear you. He’s described as a reluctant reader, though, so yes, I’m aiming for the biggest targets. ---
**Author:** ![CutterJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@CutterJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CutterJohn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/52 "2009-11-10T22:27:53Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Ditto. > I came in here to add this very suggestion. It’s what got me hooked on Stephen King many years ago. Hooked, and very, very disturbed. The Jaunt royally fucked me up when i first read it, just the simple concept of an eternity like that was absolutely horrific.. Of course i was 12. 😃 Rita Hayworth and the shawshank redemption would also be a superb choice, as it is quite simply one of the best stories I’ve ever read, and alone is proof enough of Kings mastery. If the kids tastes swing more to fantasy, The eye of the dragon would be a pretty good one as well. PS.. I know you asked for King novels, but get him some Heinlein juveniles if he’s more into sci fi. Have spacesuit, will travel, The moon is a Harsh Mistress, etc.. Good stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/53 "2009-11-10T22:30:18Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I hear you. He’s described as a reluctant reader, though, so yes, I’m aiming for the biggest targets. True…it’s just that kids can surprise you and all that, and I hate to think with that mindset of we have to appeal to the lowest common denominator to market to kids–iPods and texting and boobies and bright lights! Though anything to get kids hooked on King…😃 For those saying the Jaunt fucked you up–I hear you. I still get a few chills recalling it. I’m not a huge fan of King’s short fiction but that one really got to me. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/54 "2009-11-10T22:37:33Z")
> [@CutterJohn](#): > > Hooked, and very, very disturbed. The Jaunt royally fucked me up when i first read it, just the simple concept of an eternity like that was absolutely horrific.. Of course i was 12. 😃 Ahhh, _The Jaunt_. It has one of those famous “Stephen King Last Lines” that I love in his short stories! (“Longer than you think, Dad! Longer than you think!”) Along with _Survivor Type_ (“Lady fingers; they taste just like lady fingers”) and _Trucks_ (“I wish I could believe there were people in them”) ::Shudder:: ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/55 "2009-11-11T05:13:38Z")
It was Under the Dome on the front page of Amazon that got me started on this. A day later, I sure wish I’d known the $9 price was going to end. Here are my purchases: The Bachman Books The Shining Skeleton Crew The Eyes of the Dragon Night Shift The Green Mile Christine Salem’s Lot Pet Sematary All are for me too, of course, since Duma Key is all I’ve read since Firestarter days. We’re cat-lovers and he has a tender heart. Will Pet Sematary be too much? Unfortunately I was once again victim to multiple-window-openitis, and accidentally ordered 3 copies of Skeleton Crew. XD ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/56 "2009-11-11T05:16:52Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Though anything to get kids hooked on King…😃 I’m sure you see the irony in that some would shudder at King and say “anything to get kids hooked on reading.” ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/57 "2009-11-11T05:34:21Z")
> [@wonderlust](#): > > I’m sure you see the irony in that some would shudder at King and say “anything to get kids hooked on reading.” But I’m an evil libertine. My hobbies are getting kids to primarily read things that their intellectual parents would shudder at, like Stephen King and Stephenie Meyer. Also, getting multiple abortions. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/58 "2009-11-11T05:47:51Z")
I’ll add my suggestion for _The Bachman Books_- I particularly enjoyed _The Long Walk_ and _The Running Man_, FWIW. I know it’s not a King book, but the novella _Logan’s Run_ is quite short and full of the sort of things likely to appeal to a 16yo- danger, suspense, defiance of authority, adventure, etc. Also, _The Great Train Robbery_ by Michael Crichton is a great, approachable read, too. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/59 "2009-11-11T06:00:27Z")
**Wordman,** I love your story! I even read it to my son! For 16.5 years I’ve been dreaming of that kind of moment! It’s kind of funny that I’m about to start The Hunger Games, a YA book that some here compared to The Long Walk. So simultaneously, we’ll be reading opposite age-inappropriate versions of each others’ books. ---
**Author:** ![Surbey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932/60 "2009-11-11T06:11:36Z")
I was never that much of a reader growing up but my freshman year of highschool I read The Stand and was absolutely blown away. It was the greatest thing I’d ever seen in print. My father is a big King fan and has many of the books on his shelf. I remember seeing The Stand and thinking it was way too long (approximately 1100 pages if I’m correct for the version I read) but I read a little bit of the start and was sunk. Every break I had in class, at lunch, before and after school, I took that book with me. Was one hell of a month. Thank you **The Surb** ; what a good father you are :D. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-s-king-novel-to-inspire-non-reader-teen/516932.md?page=4)