User blog comment:HumboldtLycanthrope/The Shining: King or Kubrick?/@comment-25226524-20150225035404/@comment-26030957-20150225041336

Thank you, Jay, you are an intriguing fellow.

Well, if you liked the film the Shining I can tell you that you will also like the book. There are many scenes and much dialogue that is line for line exactly like the book. "You have always been the caretaker here, sir. I should know.  I have always been here." But, in my opinion, you were probably right to steer clear of King in many ways (I hope I get some hate on this one) he easily falls way to so many clichés and clunky writing and just plain silliness. Many is the time I have put down some 400 page new King novel to ask myself, "Why?  Why did I just spend so much time reading this?"

The problem with King is that when he is on he is so damn on. They guy really has written some utter masterpieces. All of those Bachman books are great. If you are going to get into King have some readers you respect tell you which ones to read and steer clear of the stinkers. His short stories are generally phenomenal. I'd read Different Seasons, Salem's Lot, Skeleton Crew and Pet Semetary. If you can take anymore go on to Firestarter, Cujo, and Christine.

I, too, am a Kubrick freak and utterly agree with you. The only other director I give as much credence to is Ed Wood.