With all the talk about a possible sequel to the Shining, and then all the quick moves to quiet any excitement -- not to mention an addition to the Dark Tower -- got me to thinking about books that deserve a sequel.
Of course, much of King's work has built on itself. There were the Castle Rock stories, Derry stories, and in some cases the Dark Tower actually served as a sequal. In particular Salem's Lot -- Which really serves as redemption for Father Callahan.
Sometimes Hollywood has offered us sequels. Children of the Corn, Salem's Lot, Pet Semetery, Carrie and others I can't think of off hand. None of these were really very good. There was a version of Carrie that had an extended ending (beyond the King book) that I thought was well done.A quick list of books I wish had a sequel. Please offer your own.
1. The Eyes of the Dragon
2. Black House. ? I think there will be one.
3. The Shining. Dr. Sleep, as King has suggested, but not promised. (2012, okay, we now anxiously await the novel)
4. Firestarter. So. . . what did happen to Charlie?
5. Pet Semetary. King style, not Hollywood.
And. . .
6. IT. Did Pennywise really die? Really? Are you sure?
(Originally posted: November 26, 2009)
Hi, I love Steve and I'm glad to have found your blog. I would like to see some of these characters back, but Johnny Smith is my favourite and he can't come back!
ReplyDeleteTina
The Eyes of The Dragon no! I really disliked it. It was my first English version of any SK's books (The first one was The Shining in my natural language Portuguese), I didn't like it at all. I REALLY wanted to read Firestarter, but it's easier to find a diamoand than find one copy of it in Brasil.
ReplyDeleteYes. An IT sequel. Absolutely. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm of the mind that certain book carry the potential for further sequels in the in them while others don't. To give the most obvious example of the first kind, Star Wars does admit of sequels by the fundamental nature of the story it has to tell.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, stories like It and the Shining are one time only events, and when it comes time to write The End, it should be the end, that's all she wrote, or all there is to write in other words.
Even in stories like the Dark Tower has to end somewhere and it should be just that?
However to ask a fair question, don't any or all stories admit of sequels? I answer that it all depends on the nature of character and action within a story. For instance, if characterization is along the lines of, say, Batman, then yes a sequel is possible. however, characters like Danny Torrance and the Losers have a higher quality to their characterizations and settings that I believe inherently limits the possibility of a sequel.
It all has to do with a certain type of "ring of truth" to character and setting, a "Ring of truth characters like Batman don't have in contrast to the Shining or the Pet Sematary. A thrid criterion might be the specific nature of action in a story, whether it is self contained and final or are there loose threads to tie up? In both It and Shining, I argue that both stories leave no loose threads to tie up.
ChrisC
This suggestion is from left field since it's of one of King's least talked about books - From a Buick 8. I believe that this novel not only deserves a sequel but a prequel as well that tells us just where the car came from in the first place!
ReplyDeleteI struggled to read From a Buick 8. . . and did not complete it.
ReplyDeleteI like each of these stories to a varying degree. I fear any sequel will alter my perception of those stories. A good story should be left alone to stand on its own. If it's good, leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Brian. It's like I say, it's not just a matter of perception, rather it's the fundamental nature of any given story that determines whether it even has any sequel built into it ready made so to speak. Certain characters and stories contain sequels as part of the package (The Hobbit) and others don't (It, Shining).
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, James Smythe's latest re-reading King article on The Long Walk is now up to read online over at guardian.uk
Here's a link to cut and paste into the search engine for easy access:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/30/rereading-stephen-king-the-long-walk
Enjoy.
ChrisC
Yes, I read the Long Walk article . . . just haven't had time to post the link. Thanks Chris.
ReplyDeleteYes! Eyes of the Dragon is one of my favorites and I would love to have a sequel to it.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to have a sequel for The Long Walk to find out what really happened to Ray at the end.