Holly By Stephen King

[andy-hughes]

I read my first Stephen King novel decades ago, and I have read around thirty of them since.

Like any prolific author, not everything is as good as everything else, but I have to say, having received 'Holly' for Christmas, it is right up there as one of his best ever.

The construction of it, the way characters are so deeply drawn, the plotting, with little mini-sections involving Barbara and her poet mentor, are just works of art.

And the horror is as visceral as ever, but applied with such a light touch that, and this is always King's master stroke, the banality of evil exists in homely towns in New England.

I reccomend it to anyone, either a fan, or someone new to the work of the master.

I read an interview with Mr King about twenty years ago when he said that he writes every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving, and his birthday.

Then last year, I read that he had fibbed, he actually writes every day.

And long may he continue.

[Mozz71]

New England? Has he forsaken Maine nowadays?

[andy-hughes]

No, Maine is in New England.

[Ken4155]

My favourite author, Andy Have you read the 'Finders Keepers' novels prior to 'Holly' - all good reads. The only novel by SK that i just cannot get into is 'From A Buick 8'. Tried half a dozen times but if anything does 'happen' within it's pages, it must take an awful long time to do so😞.

[andy-hughes]

Ken - I have realised that at least two previous novels feature Holly, the one you mentioned,  and 'If It Bleeds', so I will catch up with those next.

Mr King's books are to be savoured and sipped, like fine wine.

I constantly marvel at his talent.

I have since I finished 'Salem's Lot' on holiday, on my own, in bed in my hotel room.

It was after midnight, but I slept with the light on!

Now that's powerful writing!!

[Ken4155]

You might want to read 'Mr Mercedes' first, Andy, as Bill Hodges (Holly's mentor) is introduced in that one.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks, I have read it, but my appalling memory doesn't recall any detail, so a re-read is in order.

[Canary42]

I was going to report this as spam but since (I presume) Mr Hughes gains nothing of monetary value then I guess it's not.

 

Anyway, my interest is roused so on my next library visit I will look out for some of Mr King's works.

 

Should I start with Holly

 

P.S. I've just checked online, the library seem to have lots, but Holly already has a long reserve waiting list so that's out - they now charge £1.50 for reservations which I think is scandalous so I refuse to use it any more unless really necessary. I will try one or more of the others. 

[andy-hughes]

Canary - Not sure why you would think this is Spam - ?

I suggest you start at the beginning - Carrie, Salem's Lot, or Christine are wonderful.

The first and last are good films, the middle is a TV drama starring the late David Soul  - all on DVD.

[Ken4155]

Canary, aside from the ones recommended by Andy, two of King's best novels (imho, of course) are 'The Shining' (1977) and it's sequel 'Doctor Sleep' (2013).

[Mozz71]

//No, Maine is in New England.//

 

Well, blow me down. I always thought New England was a state in it's own right, not a collective of half a dozen. I expect I'll be subject of one of Tora's "They walk among us" posts for that.

[Canary42]

LOL at Mozz

[Canary42]

I had to pop into town this morning, so took the opportunity to visit the library, but once I got in there, blow me, I couldn't remember the sought author's name (Senior moment - just stupid isn't it).

Fortunately they have a separate section for Crime Fiction so I was able to browse along the shelves, knowing that if I saw the name it would click. I actually encountered another Stephen first and that did the trick, back came the name out of memory.

I knew from online that Polly was unavailable, but I've ended up with Outsider and Elevation.  

[Canary42]

*Holly, not Polly