Top 5 - Worst - Most Disappointing - Stephen King - Novels

[@peterconlon8234]

Interesting list...for quick reference: Have read 60+ SK novels since 1976, my #1 is Salems Lot: I often state the space between #1 thru around #25 is extremely small... But my bottom five are so far below all the others...it's crazy. In no particular order: insomnia, dreamcatcher, the wolves of the calla, song for susannah & the dark tower. Unlike your experience, I came out quite loving both Liseys Story and Under The Dome...while neither are in my top 15 they're not far behind: to each his own; sometimes a book hits for one, sometimes it doesn't...but in hearing other voices I always get hope that, maybe, with a reread I might get a different opinion, come out feeling better about it...I sure hope so because no books were more disappointing for than DT5, 6 & 7 and I dearly hope the eventual reread will change that. Very cool thoughts, thanks for sharing that

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you for watching! Dreamcatcher holds a soft place in my heart for personal reasons and I don’t know why Insomnia just captures something in my brain lol. But I definitely understand why those two books are on many bottom lists.

[@robinbarker5407]

Good list, although I remember really liking "Lisey's Story". King's worst, in my opinion, would definitely have to be "From a Buick 8". What a horrendous book.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I am not a fan of From a Buick 8 either. Hopefully HOLLY will be good.

[@kennethweser]

I'm a ultra rabid King fan myself but my list would kinda go like this. 5. Under the Dome 4. The Dark Half 3. The Tommyknockers 2. From A Buick 8 1. Insomnia At least that's my opinion.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

@@kennethweser for some reason I liked Insomnia even though large portions of it I didn’t like at all.

[@silverscreenpsychopathy]

The list of favorites that King fans come up with are really interesting. I disagree with you on Tommyknockers and Liseys Story but I respect the Hell out of you FOR your opinion. As far as Cell, I enjoyed the book, but it did feel like a patchwork of ideas. The characters felt like they were taken from other books, and the story felt like an obligation. Almost as if King wasn't really all that interested but he was contractually obligated to produce a book. Nicely put. Subbed. 👍

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you so much! I love your comment. I am anxiously awaiting HOLLY

[@silverscreenpsychopathy]

@@tadreadsbooksstuff I've been reading King since I was 13, and my biggest disappointment was reading his most current book because there was nothing new to read. Over the years I've developed a subconscious trigger, I 'lose interest' in his books for 7 or 8 years, then, BOOM, I've got 7 or 8 or 10 new King books to read. The last King book I read was 'Revival', and my cycle is finally at it's end. I can't wait to dig in to everything since.

[@markharc7615]

Amen on Sleeping Beauties- that thing was SO bad. Probably the only King book I didn't finish.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

And it is the only book I have that is signed by Stephen King 😡

[@markharc7615]

Painful.@@tadreadsbooksstuff

[@SaskSneeze]

The only 2 of the 5 you listed that I have read were Under the Dome and Sleeping Beauties.... I didn't mind the dome but it could have been shorter. I got bored with Sleeping Beauties and didn't even want to finish it.... I dragged myself across the finish line with the audio book.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Yeah, Dome wasn’t the worst, just very disappointing. But Sleeping and Cell were the absolute worst for me.

[@richsolano7800]

You are so RIGHT ON about DOME. If you are an old-time King reader, you probably didn’t like it because it was Later King trying to write like Early King and it didn’t work. If you are a newer King reader and haven’t sampled the older examples of PET SEMATARY, SHINING, STAND, then this may be your first or second Big King book and it would make a better impression. What do you think? I am currently on vacation and took LISEY’S STORY for a re-read; definitely not compelling, but if you can stick with the theme of how Lisey is affected by the world(s) around her, something good may come out of it. This was King’s “feminine” period with GERALD’S GAME, ROSE MADDER, DELORES CLAIBORNE, among others. He was starting to tone down the terror and emphasize the psychology of his characters more. Okay, this was too long-winded. What do you think?

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Yes, I have been reading King since the 70’s. The really big books tend to be hit or miss with me. And yes, it’s usually because he doesn’t stick the landing at the end. For instance I loved Insomnia but not so much The Stand. Really did not enjoy Lisey’s Story but loved Rose Madder. Hope you enjoy your vacation!

[@peterconlon8234]

Interesting theory...but I'm about as old school a King fan as you can get: 1976 & Salems Lot...and I loved everything about UTD.... except maybe that ending 😀 ...it was more than a bit Outer Limits-ish. I've found, thru the decades, King has alwats had a fairly wide variety of styles and still seems to find a way to wear the vintage clothes that, more often than not, fit the party he's throwing

[@anuparnoacharya5779]

For your kind information 90% of under the dome King wrote in his early days for some reason he didn't complete it and only complete it in 2000s and then released it

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you so much for this information.

[@heartsbane1118]

I never thought i would see a replacement for my worse King novel and I've read them all. From a Buick 8 was finally supplanted with Holly. So my 5 least favorites are: 5. Blaze 4. The Regulators 3. Cell 2. From a Buick 8 1. Holly I enjoyed you list and your thoughts behind them. Totally agree with you on Under the Dome. Honorable mention, although I couldn't find anything honorable about it, to be honest.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I endorse this list! Lol

[@mtwice4586]

I kind of like Regulators; it was definitely the weirdest most bonkers-ass book I have ever read. It ranks #20 out of 34 that I have read so far. I have not read Tommyknockers or Sleeping Beauties yet. I absolutely loved Under the Dome, but I can see why this one is polarizing. It took me two attempts to get through Lisey's Story. The dialogue between Scott and Lisey is so annoying and I got aggravated with the words "bool" and "blood bool". But, like you, I absolutely loved Rose Madder. I didn't despise Cell, but it is at the bottom of my list as well. Thank you for sharing, I am really enjoying your channel. Take care.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you! I really enjoy seeing your comments!

[@tinakole7286]

I loved Delores Claiborne! Also loved the movie...most entertaining tonight, Tad

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it was during a time in my life I just was not entertained.

[@jordanackley6186]

I’ve read 32 King novels and Dreamcatcher has been the only one I had to force myself to finish. Loved everything else so far!

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I understand, I just have a personal connection with this one.

[@JohnnyRondack]

I’m in agreement with all except Lisey’s Story is in my top 5.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I am finding out that Lisey’s Story is pretty divisive among King fans.

[@JohnnyRondack]

@@tadreadsbooksstuff Yeah, it is. I liked the literary aspects of it, and I found that really made the novel for me. But I agree with your complaint about the villain.

[@_george_jorge2067]

Sleeping beauties is on my top 3 favourite Stephen King's novels! It's pretty interesting how controversial a book can become!

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

That is what is so amazing about books!

[@rolandking640]

I'm going to be so sad when they make a horrible movie based on it. Sleeping Beauties done right would be epic

[@angelaholmes8888]

You are so right about the cover of lisey story

[@elizabethrobinson6840]

I haven't read that many King books but out of the ones I have read I'd say the least faves of mine have been Gerald's Game, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and The Dark Half.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Yes, I did not like Gerald’s Game. Tom Gordon and the Dark Half are not high on my list.

[@thepapertraveler1122]

Under the Dome is one I enjoyed reading throughout the book until it got to that horrible ending! It seemed like he just gave up and decided to wrap this long book up quickly without having a mysterious element that was intriguing. I’m still going to torture myself and read Sleeping Beauties sometime, haha, so I can see why it is not a fav of his fans.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

All I can say is, “good luck” with Sleeping Beauties! So often his endings feel rushed. Drives me crazy lol

[@codyh4613]

I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from spending any time on Gwendy’s final task

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

lol, me too except I am a compltionist ☹️

[@AWCMCultMovies]

I'm with you except for Lisey's Story, which is in my top 5. That said, the TV show captured nothing of what I liked about the book, despite having Julianne Moore, who I usually love.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

More Julianne Moore! Im finding out King fans either love it or hate it. I actually love that about his books and his fans

[@dorisvonklock5102]

I have thought long and hard about what an alternate ending could have been to that book that would have made sense and other than it being two alien children playing with a new toy, aliens are just about the only answer it could have been. something better could have been a government conspiracy or maybe a basement science experiment gone wrong for a couple of would be scientists that would have been cool though. Something like, a couple of science fair kids playing with something in the basement and 30 miles away a whole town gets encapsulated by a dome? It can happen, and then they don't tell anybody because what if they get into a lot of trouble? They don't want to get in trouble!

[@GetFramed]

I’m reading Under the Done right now and I think it’s pretty good. I’m a bit over halfway and I like it quite a bit. Unfortunately I’ve known the ending for it for quite a while and it’s so bad that I’ve put off reading it until now, I’m loving the book but I’m not looking forward to the ending. I hate Lisey’s Story. If it wasn’t for Boo Ya Moon which was very atmospheric and creepy, that book might be my least favourite King book of all time. Shitty characters, shitty dialogue that made me want to punch a hole in the wall, and a bunch of shitty backstory that leads to a fucking terrible ending. Cell on the other hand, I love. I found it to be a fun little story which a bunch of memorable scenes and good characters. It hit the ground running and didn’t stop until the end. I liked The Raggedy Man, I thought he was a unique villain as it’s rare to see a straight up ‘main antagonist’ in zombie media. I even liked the ending, but I know I’m alone on that one.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you for the comment! I loved Under The Dome at first but it just was so bloated. The end sent me over the edge lol. But to be honest even a bad Stephen King novel can be fun to read.

[@GetFramed]

@@tadreadsbooksstuff I finished Under the Dome a while back now, forgot to mention what I thought. I still really liked it, but it was definitely a bit long and the ending was worse than I expected. I still think it's a good book but it's not near the top of my list.

[@GetFramed]

Also I have seen the movie and loved it. Don't get me wrong, it is an absolute piece of shit but it is so awfully bad, especially that dumb ending, that I was just cackling for 90 minutes. I sat through the whole credits in sheer disbelief because of the ending!!

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

@@GetFramed Dude the movie was worse than the book! Lol

[@jordil6152]

The worst one I read was Holly. Tossed it across the room. It wasnt the politics it was the flat characters and piss poor sentence structure. Protagonist's mother died? Aw shucks, well you should get vaccinated. Seriously. "If you're not going to try Steve, I'm not gonna read."

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I like this comment. I can absolutely see how people can hate this book. I like the character so I liked the book. I think because I disliked Fairy Tale so much I was just in need of a better SK fix.

[@martyk808]

I couldn't agree more ,throwing covid and Trump in at every opportunity totally ruined this book. Too bad because I loved the bill hodges trilogy and the holly gibne books ( the outsider and if it bleeds) . Makes you wonder who his advisors are, a bunch of yes men I guess. Was so looking forward to this book and so disappointed

[@tannerhachey1525]

Yeah I'm not a fan of his weird obsession with talking about COVID and trump either (maybe he's secretly just trying to push more sales of "the stand" by talking about covid but it's gotten extremely old either way), probably a big reason why I'm a huge fan of his old stuff before he got super political and not the majority* of his newer stuff. Honestly I have to remind myself that the person he is now wasn't who he was when he wrote his best stuff and that's the only way I can get myself to enjoy reading his classics back when it was purely about creativity and expression with him and not politics and stupid silly stuff.

[@painface98]

Elevation is the only book so far I could not finish

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I understand. I didn’t mind Elevation. A short , quick & easy read. Reminded my of Thinner

[@KimmielovesJoeJonas]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you about Under The Dome. It was the first Stephen King book I ever read so it has a special place in my heart. But I agree the ending was pretty disappointing and the show was terrible.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Thank you so much for the comment! My sister texted me yesterday and told me I was crazy to include this novel on my list. I love books even just looking at them but when I look lovingly at my Stephen King bookshelf I find myself glaring at Under The Dome when I pass over it. Lol

[@josebro352]

My two worst King novels are Insomnia and Rose Madder

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

A lot of people dislike these two. For some reason I like them. It may just be the frame of mind I was in when I read them. I have to admit, I have never gone back and reread them.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my list The drawing of three Lisey story Doctor sleep From a Buick 8 The girl who loved tom Gordon Duma key Gerald's game The institute

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

I can get behind most of these as well. However, I really liked Dumas Key. Didn’t think I would but I did lol

[@mikesweeney651]

BEST ENDING EVER - whatcha talking about?????!!!!!!!

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

@@mikesweeney651 lol

[@mrlucasardema]

I wish you hadn't spoiled under the dome. You said spoiler alert then very rapidly spoiled it. Not cool.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

Yeah, I suck! Sorry. 🙁

[@hyacinthh6900]

Thanks much for letting us know about the spoiler. There are still plenty of us new readers out here who haven't read all Kings backlist books.

[@Baystreetboy1947]

Don’t waste time on “Under the Dome”. Just awful!

[@chrisp14]

King is a major "hit-and-miss" author. So us Koontz. McCammon is better than both.

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

@@chrisp14 I am not a Koontz fan at all. Have to admit I have never read McCammon.

[@chrisp14]

@@tadreadsbooksstuff Give him a shot. "Swan song", or "Boys life" to start. Damn good .....

[@Baystreetboy1947]

“Under the Dome” = CRAP

[@ttowntrekker5174]

If you cant resist telling endings and spoiling the novel for someone else, you should reconsider doing reviews.

[@ikillyourvibe4408]

It ain’t his job to make sure you’re not spoiled buddy.

[@mikesweeney651]

Tommyknockers is my favourite novel of all time. Fantastic and the perfect ending🩵

[@tadreadsbooksstuff]

@@mikesweeney651 not one of my favorites but then again I liked Insomnia lol