I used to not be able to wait for a King book to come out, but now after having bought Lisey’s Story I am aware of how hard I am having to work just turning the pages and staying interested.
I know they’re different genres, but I recently discovered Greg Iles’ novel Turning Angel , and I believe I have found a new literary “friend”. I find myself hating to put down the book and cannot wait to return to it as soon as I can.
Sorry, Steve, but you have become tedious and are caricaturing your previous works to the point where I am wary of buying anything new.
Your opinions?
Thanks
Quasi
Never heard of Greg Iles, but I liked Lisey’s Story. Strangely for King, I actually felt it could’ve been a little more fleshed out.
I just finished Turning Angel. I like Iles stuff and I have read a couple others things by him. While I like his stuff, it just doesn’t hit me the same way King does when he is on, or Clive Barker or Peter Straub. I read the book, enjoy it and then promptly forget the plot once I am done.
King, Barker and Straub, when they are on, tend to haunt me for a while. The books take up a little life of their own in my mind and I find myself thinking about them for a while after I am done.
I haven’t read Lisey’s Story yet. I stil hope that King will put out books as good as his older stuff (IT, The Talisman, The Stand).
Slee
With Illes, I either really like the book, or else I just can’t finish it. There’s not a lot of middle ground. I liked The Quiet Game, Mortal Fear (Karen Wheat–heh) and Sleep No More. I have some other paperbacks, but haven’t quite gotten through them. (Footprints of God, 24 Hours, and Blood Memory. I’ll probably give them another go eventually.
I’m mixed about Lisey’s Story. “Smucking” is starting to annoy me, and I’m at a particularly unpleasant plot point at the moment, and so have not picked it up again for a few days.
I’ve read most of Iles’ books, and found them some-what interesting. I personally thought the best one was 24. But then with time my intrest in his literary style has waned, and haven’t read them for awhile.
On the other hand I don’t remember a single King book that I’ve been able to torture myself enough to read through. Just doesn’t work for me.
I think get what you’re saying about working on staying interested. When an author knocks your socks off once or twice, your expectations are high for the next one. “I love this writer! Why don’t I like this book?”
The only writer who’s never disappointed me is George R. R. Martin, and I think it’s because his “voice” has stayed the same, even when he messes around with the form. (Whatever “voice” means.)
[QUOTE=Savannah]
“Smucking” is starting to annoy meQUOTE]
And his use of “that was” has annoyed the shit out of me for about ten books!
Q
Apropos of nothing, I read Cell by Stephen King on an airplane recently and found it thoroughly enjoying.
Greg Iles is a good writer but, like sleestak, I don’t remember anything about his books a day later.