The Dark Half was published in 1989 and is Steve's 30th book. The book is dedicated to Shirley Sondregger and her husband Pete. Shirley was King's assistant/office manager at that time. There is also an Author's Note, "I'm indebted to the late Richard Bachman for his help and inspiration. This novel could not have been … Continue reading Reread Project: The Dark Half
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Identity
Today is my 45th birthday and I've been thinking about identity. How do we answer the question, who are you? What words do we hang the structure of ourselves on? How do we self identify. Not who we are exactly, but how we think of ourselves, how we want to be seen, what we value … Continue reading Identity
Reread Project: The Tommyknockers
Published in 1987, this blended horror/sci-fi novel is King's 26th book, and is considered by most to be the last book written before Stephen King got sober (with The Dark Half being written during his transition period, and Needful Things being the first novel to come out post sobriety.) The book is dedicated: For Tabitha … Continue reading Reread Project: The Tommyknockers
Reread Project: Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary is King's 14th book, and was published in 1983 (the same year as Christine and Cycle of the Werewolf). The book is dedicated to Kirby McCauley. Kirby was King's literary agent at the time and his fingerprints are all over King's career in this era. He was an active champion and promoter. This … Continue reading Reread Project: Pet Sematary
Reread Project: Christine
Christine was published in 1983 and is King's 13th (lucky) book. The dedication reads: "This is for George Romero and Chris Forrest Romero. And the Burg." George Romero was the legendary film maker (Night of the Living Dead), and his wife Chris (Christine) Romero is an actress and producer. The Burg is Pittsburgh, where the … Continue reading Reread Project: Christine
Reread Project: Firestarter
Firestarter is a science fiction thriller novel published in September of 1980. The book is dedicated to author Shirley Jackson, "In memory of Shirley Jackson, who never needed to raise her voice." This is Steve's ninth book, he is a successful writer (but not yet the legend he will be), with three young children (at … Continue reading Reread Project: Firestarter
Reread Project: The Dead Zone
Found money brings bad luck. The Dead Zone is Steve's 7th novel, and was published in 1979. The dedication, to his son, reads, This is for Owen, I love you, old bear. I have found all of the dedications in these early books incredibly touching. Steve is now (in '79) an extremely successful author, moving … Continue reading Reread Project: The Dead Zone
Reread Project: The Shining
The Shining was published in 1977, King's fourth book (this includes Rage, the first book written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, 1976). While Carrie was dedicated to Tabitha, his wife, and 'Salem's Lot to Naomi, his daughter, The Shining is dedicated to Joseph Hillstrom King, his first son, "This is for Joe Hill, who shines … Continue reading Reread Project: The Shining
Reread Project: Carrie
"This is for Tabby, who got me into it - and then bailed me out of it." Stephen King's first novel, Carrie, was published in April of 1974. At the time Stephen (26 years young), his wife and two children, lived in a trailer in Hermon, Maine. Famously, Stephen says that he wrote the beginning … Continue reading Reread Project: Carrie
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