The Tommyknockers

I've heard from many sources that it's not any good. Even the King himself has spoken ill of it. But what do I think of it?

[@rubintuesday]

In my opinion the Tommyknockers is a 5 star book I don’t know why everyone hates it because I think it’s good

[@ghostfacedude93]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they hate it. Its just one of kings lessor works. Because it is. I mean, its still a good book. Better and more interesting than alot of thrillers. But in the context of King's bibliography, its one of his worser books

[@danwilliams1920]

They think if they parrot the author they can't go wrong. What they don't realize is that King has ulterior motives with his negative criticism; to praise the book would be a slap in the face to his family, because he was never worse to them as when he was steeped in writing it, and Tabitha has that tattooed on her brain.

[@DaveShaves44]

just finished tommyknockers and i had such a good time with it. haven's slow decent into madness was executed perfectly imo and i loved the creepy vibe of the woods mixed with people slowly turning into aliens. loved it

[@ethanganes9266]

Me too! Honestly I love this book

[@alexandredion2151]

I just read Dreamcatcher and The Tommyknockers back to back. Felt like a fever trip. I loved it :)

[@DaveShaves44]

wish i wouldve done that!

[@danwilliams1920]

Jim Gardner is King's most 3-dimensional, fleshed out, realistic character, and King damn well knows it. He disses this novel because when he wrote it, he was the worst husband and parent he had ever been, and to praise it would be a slap in the face to his wife and kids. The Tommyknockers isn't just not a bad book, it's one of King's best, right up there with It, Pet Semetary, and Misery. And, again, Gard is the most fully realized character of ANY fiction he ever wrote. Full stop.

[@littlewashu88]

I've read 27 King books so far and somehow this is my favorite book of his. Yes, I said: The Tommyknockers is my favorite Stephen King book. I recognize the sheer level of unpopularity in that opinion. I also recognize the criticism for this book is totally founded. For me personally I'm in total agreement with all your scoring accept Journey (and final obviously). For me, the middle (where it sidetracks and dives into the townspeople's stories) actually held my interest and I found their side plots funny, sad, amusing, scary, etc. I was (for whatever reason) invested enough in them to go along for the ride with King's fever dream. And as a result, I rode the whole wave until it reconnected to the main thread on the other side and loved it all the more for it! I found the stories of the townspeople especially fun because they had this campy and ridiculous undertone to them....think..Murder, She Wrote level town drama if written by Tim Burton. And it made me laugh, a lot! I dunno. I accept that my attachment to this book is very subjective and I'm totally ok with that and I also respect other people's dislike of it. If you're one of the other weirdos out there that also loves this book though, rock on! And let me tell ya, no scene in a SK book will stick with me more then that soda machine.......

[@danwilliams1920]

It's a great book, and Jim Gardner is King's most fully realized character. He says he hates it because when he wrote it, he'd never been a worse husband or father, and to praise it would be a slap in their faces. In other words, Steve-O paid a price for The Tommyknockers, and the price was a measure of respect removed from his marriage. It's a guilt thing. If you put a gun to his head and asked for the truth, he might actually take the bullet for Tabitha instead. But he knows how good it is.

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

I read it many years ago and liked it. I need to reread it. In the last 1.5 years I started my goal of reading all his books (even the ones I read years ago). I read and liked: Carrie, The Shining, Christine, Misery, Mr Mercedes, The Dead Zone, The Long Walk, Joyland, Rage, Pet Semetery, Cujo. Just OK were Salem’s Lot, Duma Key, Elevation. New and good: Billy Summer, Later, The Institute. Eager to read: 11/22/63, The Stand, Tommyknockers, etc. I got about half way through IT but bogged down in all the lead up. Will try again.

[@iliana.m]

I'm currently reading it, I'm half way through and I absolutely enjoy everything about it so far!! I'm also so invested in every character for whatever reason... 😂 And I find it hilarious and creepy at the same time... 👀 I can imagine it being my favorite King book easily because it has clicked with me so much but there are too many Stephen King books that I haven't read yet so...we'll see!

[@gabix7488]

I agree with the review. Tommyknockers was funny as hell. I don't know if he went for that, maybe was the coke, but i was laughing most of the time. Yes, those pages with different characters killed me as well. I still think the book deserves more than 2 stars.

[@ObscuredByTime]

I really feel sorry for everyone who doesn't see that King's cocaine days were the best. This, Christine, even Cujo...

[@brettthebest3978]

Wow Never thought I would see someone saying that cocaine was good for an author.....

[@danwilliams1920]

@@brettthebest3978 You disagree?

[@jamesmarbury8272]

I just finished reading the book and I agree with almost everything you said. That journey was a tough on for me to finish and because of that I would go weeks without even thinking to pick up the novel. But I was curious as to what the ending would be. And it was just okay. Hopefully my novel gets a book review from you when it's finished. And hopefully a good one. Also, I loved James Gardner's character, he's a legend.

[@danwilliams1920]

When it comes to the parentheticals, I'd suggest checking out the official audiobook, as the narrator perfectly demonstrates how, with a proper reading performed by a skilled reader, they are a powerful character-building device, particularly in the development of Jim Gardner. Also, I have a feeling your negative opinions are mostly borrowed from the author, who, by the way, has ulterior motives in providing negative feedback. I find your review lazy and amateurish, filled with likely borrowed opinions. Sorry, but it does upset me.

[@Rodrigoeoslivros]

Here in Brazil, this book is out of publishing since 1991, and I'm struggling a lot in every page, I can't conect with the plot and the characters. I kinda agree with you, there's a good entertaining book here, but surely he should've edit it to the half of it. Great review!!!

[@BobbyMack]

put back your review of the casual vacancy. love your reviews man

[@danwilliams1920]

Can you even identify the central theme of The Tommyknockers? Spoiler: it's addiction. Hell, even the flying saucer is just one giant (literally giant) metaphor for how addiction starts like an itch, becomes an obsession, and just grows and grows until it makes you it's biotch. I think there's a few hints along to way to clue you in (Jim Gardner **cough cough*, Bobbi looking/behaving like a meth head *cough cough*). Hey thanks for mentioning it in your... review? (*laugh laugh*). "Literary Criticism* - it can be learned! Start with Norton's.

[@josephmiller325]

I liked Tommyknockers. I read it many years ago enjoyed it, many many years ago ... actually back in the day. Basically, I read it and enjoyed it for the "entertainment" ride. I didn't read it from the viewpoint of reviewing from categories. That said, did I say I liked the book?

[@AllenFreemanMediaGuru]

I just reread Christine at 526 pages. It kept my interest with only a few brief areas where things were repeated. 5 stars.

[@britneyk602]

the coke machine part was my favourite

[@danblack5402]

I loved this book. I just finished it. This is absolutely one of Stephen King’s most underrated books. I can’t say it enough, I loved this book.

[@robinbarker5407]

Yeah, pretty much agree with what King said about this book, and your overall review. That being said, it's nowhere near being his worst. In my opinion, that's gotta be "From a Buick 8."

[@Travismcbee]

I'd forgotten about that one. Yeah, it was pretty shitty.

[@viktorwolfe8333]

Yes, From a Buick 8. I didn't like that one much, either. Check out my review on it, then check out my other King reviews. :)

[@neplusultra8830]

That, and "Dreamcatcher." Yeesh. I read, Ironically enough, King said he got halfway through writing "Buick 8" when he got hit by a car. It wasn't until he started/completed Dreamcatcher (which he wrote in cursive as a way to recuperate), that he went back to finish Buick 8. I don't know how much painkillers he was on, if he was on any. But if he was, that would explain A LOT.

[@netabolt6546]

havent read all of his books but i've read two of them that i did'nt like. Dreamcather and Cell. Cell was a library book so when seeing in stores i know that thats a bad book and i probably dont want to buy it. horrible book in my opinion. From a buik 8, havent read. i know not everybody hates Cell but there are some (including me) that does.

[@tomi210210210]

The only thing I don't like about King's writing is these parenthetical expressions. I didn't know they were called that BTW.

[@billkeon880]

The wandering is not much different than the Stand. It’s about the journey. Ruth’s story was great but had not much to do with the plot for example. I did dislike the rhyming of the Tommyknockers, knocking at your door after a while. The book was good. I liked it as much because of the metaphor of what drugs can do for you - give you creative, magical powers, but they can destroy you. Four stars for me

[@hunterhewa7623]

I agree. I loved the first half, wasn’t able to finish it. And I love king... love King.

[@calvinthebold99]

I read this decades ago, and felt the same way as you about the slog. 2/3 of the way through, did NOT want to finish it. Only did because of the time I had already invested. I rank it as probably the worst King novel I ever read.

[@king_pillowpet9745]

"Cleaned up your act" on the side I am laughing while listening to that Btw my favorite books are the goosebumps books. I am 13 dont judge

[@chrisatcgh]

I read lots of goosebumps when i was a kid and remember allot of scenes to this day. Some of the most fun ive ever had reading. Never forgot the guy slowly turning into a chicken or the guy getting younger due to the clock.

[@justjuanreader]

Awesome review, man! I agree, most of the times I am hesitant to pick up a King novel it’s because of the length and the bloated, meandering, wondering potential. I know that a lot of people disagree with me on this but the child orgy in IT was probably my favorite part of that book, I found it was the perfect ending to that story and it elevated my 3 star rating to a 4. Thanks for the review!

[@ceeece]

I agree with you about King’s endings and bloated story lines.

[@borismugosa1274]

I feel like King tends to write the sane scene in almost every book. In that scene, the characters meet up after the climax and basically all of their flaws are fixed. Bonus points if the sne takes places outside during a sunny summer day. (It, Mr Mercedes...)

[@Ed-lz4jv]

2 stars, pffft...ill give you a 1/2 star

[@williamwinn948]

Have you checked out The Talisman or the black house?

[@JP-fg2vo]

I agree exactly what you said except overall I give it a 3 star rating

[@stevencochran5301]

The assent to germ warfare.

[@dominicwyartt3598]

This book could have been done In 360 pages

[@doandroidzdream]

new book review when?

[@harrihaffi2713]

So 3,14 star in average!? (26/7) Ps: Tony’s chocolonely är den rätta chokladen!

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

this is such a crazy book!!

[@HopelessHermit]

Thesis report C- nuclear power is bad thesis report A booze and can't coke is bad

[@WorkingManReads]

Anchor bar tee shirt?

[@Travismcbee]

Gotta get them wings!

[@martinkundih9782]

I love tjis book🥰

[@treysmith1551]

Can you review atlas shrugged thank you

[@netabolt6546]

Dreamcather is horrible and i DNF'd that book. also barely finished Cell wich was another disapointing book in my opinion.

[@viktorwolfe8333]

At least tape the small tear on the cover. LOL

[@canadiancrusaders1665]

Notice me Travis McBee

[@zippykushal2946]

Bro don’t spoil it man

[@subsnovideo-oc3yj]

11

[@nailyncaldera4645]

First?

[@Travismcbee]

Is the worst?

[@elichaitman3294]

Second is the best