tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post6339988472771217852..comments2024-01-03T09:11:01.150-05:00Comments on Coffee and a Book Chick: The Tommyknockers, by Stephen KingNatalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-30217460297010567592012-07-13T01:16:56.361-04:002012-07-13T01:16:56.361-04:00Just a small note - Chernobyl is in Ukraine, not R...Just a small note - Chernobyl is in Ukraine, not Russia.<br /><br />Now on-topic, the thing I liked most about this particular King novel is the portrayal of Gard's hypocrisy regarding nuclear power plants highlighted by his afterward involvement in digging up the ship and consciously trying to ignore the changes he sees in the people around him. <br /><br />...I also loved how he mentions Jack Nicholson's iconic scene in Kubrick's "Shining", knowing how he felt about the movie.Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-997321662334978092012-05-24T13:30:47.623-04:002012-05-24T13:30:47.623-04:00I read this one in my twenties, maybe early thirti...I read this one in my twenties, maybe early thirties and remember really liking it and turning those pages at a fast rate to see how it would all end. I've got to kick my whole Stephen King reading project into high gear here. I've loaded The Stand (next in the chronological order) onto my Nook and am hoping to read it on my long flight over to Europe in a few weeks.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01739982274914536036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-41984660992692874002012-05-12T19:39:27.656-04:002012-05-12T19:39:27.656-04:00Thank you for the review :)
I haven't read th...Thank you for the review :)<br /><br />I haven't read this one yet but I have heard people not really liking it...but even so, I will still read it one day.<br /><br />Every good authors have that moment where his works weren't as good as usual.Novrozhttp://bokunosekai.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-2638707903307853302012-05-06T01:22:16.414-04:002012-05-06T01:22:16.414-04:00I have to say I find it kind of surprising that it...I have to say I find it kind of surprising that it ranked so low, but I read it years ago in high school; who knows what I would think of it today? Your review really makes me want to re-read it though.<br />I want to read more of SK, it's been years since I have.Kayhttp://www.infinitecurio.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-91726535935303816682012-05-05T15:32:50.404-04:002012-05-05T15:32:50.404-04:00Didja ever notice how horror writers, like Stephen...Didja ever notice how horror writers, like Stephen King and Shirley Jackson, have faces as scary as their novels? Just sayin' after seeing his photograph here, and not having one intelligent thing to say about his book because basically? I loathe them. Too scary, too evil, too dark for this girl. Or, as with The Dome, just too many poorly constructed sentences.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-22058197845823955992012-05-02T23:10:56.071-04:002012-05-02T23:10:56.071-04:00That has been my same thought, Kathy! But, I am go...That has been my same thought, Kathy! But, I am going to change that this month! Now I've got to figure out which King novel won't give me the heebie jeebies - any suggestions, Natalie?Stacy at The Novel Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11438410877723922583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-2032799306993249812012-05-02T17:57:26.023-04:002012-05-02T17:57:26.023-04:00I was going to ask you the same thing Zibilee just...I was going to ask you the same thing Zibilee just asked! I'd love to know your opinion of how the SK books you read should rank! (And I love how you described 'degrees of good' in your review above) I want to read some of Stephen King's books such as 11/22/63 and The Sand but there's a long list of SK books I'm not familiar with. I don't think they'll give me nightmares like they once did when I was a young teenager and read 3 or 4 in a row!<br />I'm going to try to read one of SK's best in September...by then I hope I'll be finished with review books! (I must learn to say NO!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09866342436745173619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-66935465428354326182012-04-30T11:18:17.445-04:002012-04-30T11:18:17.445-04:00When you finish this King project, I would love it...When you finish this King project, I would love it if you would do your own rating thing, and list them in order of favorites. That way I would know which one to start with. This was a great review, by the way. Very comprehensive and insightful, especially since you spoke a little bit about what King was going through when he wrote the book. Great job today!Zibileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07443338685890187334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-5713499493340763792012-04-29T20:35:45.266-04:002012-04-29T20:35:45.266-04:00I cannot tell you how much I love your comment! Th...I cannot tell you how much I love your comment! Thank you for stopping by. Yes, the love story was wicked interesting, drifting together, apart, together. An enabler and an addict. On and off. But perfectly conveyed and realistic, and I totally got it. There was a wee part of me that was hoping for all things to work out, but sheesh, it's a King novel, it never gets to work out, it's authentically insane.<br /><br />"Maximum Overdrive" is spot on. I couldn't remember which movie it was that the appliances, etc., started to take over the world. Man, that was a silly movie.<br /><br />I love the stats; I totally buy it. And by the way, dig your profile picture, perfect <i>It</i>!Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-5769310377591291342012-04-29T20:31:11.611-04:002012-04-29T20:31:11.611-04:00Ha! I love it. Yes, he is like cold pizza, perfect...Ha! I love it. Yes, he is like cold pizza, perfect after a hangover, perfect as a late night snack. Satisfies every time.Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-69289892345326680632012-04-29T20:30:20.350-04:002012-04-29T20:30:20.350-04:00You know, I met someone at the airport last month ...You know, I met someone at the airport last month who read <i>Cell</i> and actually really enjoyed it. I'm up in the air on ever reading that one, but I might take a gander at some of the other ones that are lower on the list since I didn't think <i>The Tommyknockers</i> was horrible either, yet they listed that so low. I think when it's all said and done, I think I'm going to make my own list! :)Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-36968581503002306892012-04-29T20:24:35.184-04:002012-04-29T20:24:35.184-04:00I agree that 11/22/63 would be much higher on the ...I agree that 11/22/63 would be much higher on the list; I was surprised to see it where they put it. I have my eye on <i>Four Past Midnight</i> for this year as well.Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-16679497274068879952012-04-29T20:23:31.243-04:002012-04-29T20:23:31.243-04:00Ah, The Stand; I cannot wait to read it! I was ini...Ah, The Stand; I cannot wait to read it! I was initially considering the audio version, but I think I'm going to read it instead. I've heard it will blow me away!Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-68015629110595775942012-04-29T20:22:21.947-04:002012-04-29T20:22:21.947-04:00I think I'm going to save The Stand and Under ...I think I'm going to save The Stand and Under the Dome for the fall season. For some reason, they seem like the right sort to wait for the cooler weather. I can't wait to read them.Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-49827900676554641412012-04-29T20:21:34.219-04:002012-04-29T20:21:34.219-04:00I totally know what you mean. I will say that once...I totally know what you mean. I will say that once you take the plunge, it is well worth it!Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369504951819517390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-57603720829384696092012-04-29T19:57:30.243-04:002012-04-29T19:57:30.243-04:00I didn't like "The Tommyknockers" th...I didn't like "The Tommyknockers" the first time I read it, in high school twenty years ago. I reread it last year, though, and loved it. It has problems: the structure is a little strange, and some of the sci-fi elements get silly (in a "Maximum Overdrive" sort of way) toward the end. Overall, though, I think it's kinda great.<br /><br />The love story is interesting. It's a kind of love story I've not encountered very often: a story of a romance that just ... stalled out. The two characters involved were romantically linked at one point, and seem to still love each other, but their individual failings combine to produce a relationship that ought to be deeper and more significant, but just ... isn't.<br /><br />That element is one of the two things that is powering this book. The other is that it's another of King's numerous tales about the dangers of addiction. The poet, Jim, is obviously an alcoholic of "Leaving Las Vegas" proportions, but he's managing -- barely -- to hang on. This is juxtaposed with the more metaphorical -- bot somehow no less real -- addictions that Bobbi has. I don't think this all works 100%, but it works probably 85-90%, and that equals pretty good stuff.<br /><br />And yes, those statistics are pulled straight out of a butt. They sound nice, though, and I stand by them!Bryant Burnettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01189356171455609865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-57568980892308555322012-04-29T11:08:57.998-04:002012-04-29T11:08:57.998-04:00I've seen this one around but have never gotte...I've seen this one around but have never gotten to it. King is kinda like cold pizza -- even when it's not at its best, it's still pretty good.Andihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05220718933942181809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-79398448161241121222012-04-29T07:29:23.430-04:002012-04-29T07:29:23.430-04:00I have read most of his stuff that he wrote, and I...I have read most of his stuff that he wrote, and I did read this, and I don't remember being all that impressed. But like you said, even his worst stuff isn't all that bad. At the very minimum it is entertaining. I remember I started "The Cell" and did not get past page 50. I will have to go look at that list and see if that is the worst! I actually didn't mind his "crimes against women" phase with Gerald's Game and Rose Madder. t think this book had a TV mini-series adaptation, and I think it was pretty lame.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-25264245121964355622012-04-29T02:18:05.985-04:002012-04-29T02:18:05.985-04:00I haven't read this one either so I can't ...I haven't read this one either so I can't say if it's good or bad. I took a look at the worst to best list and I do agree that <em>Rose Madder</em> and <em>Gerald's Game</em> belong at the bottom. As for the rest, ranking can be subjective and <em>11/22/63</em> would be higher on my list, as would <em>Four Past Midnight</em>.Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17822229389189435951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-9089373204938324812012-04-28T23:24:28.990-04:002012-04-28T23:24:28.990-04:00I didn't know about the list rating his work; ...I didn't know about the list rating his work; I have to go check that out. I do want to get back to more SK after 11/22/63 though (and The Stand was last year for me). Maybe I'll pick one from high up on the ranking list! :--)rhapsodyinbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041412748239010264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-3015346599449304202012-04-28T22:54:13.851-04:002012-04-28T22:54:13.851-04:00I never read this one, but do hope to get in more ...I never read this one, but do hope to get in more SK the later half of this year with plans for The Stand and Under the Dome.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324469465904961710.post-62964283948381561142012-04-28T16:48:28.880-04:002012-04-28T16:48:28.880-04:00I loved 11/22/63 but haven't taken the plunge ...I loved 11/22/63 but haven't taken the plunge into more of his work. I feel like I need to work up the nerve, if that makes sense.bermudaonionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10726401178972099557noreply@blogger.com