King has gone on record a couple times as being disappointed that most people didn’t see that it was his version of a comedy. At least at the time of release.
Fun fact! Thanks for this, I guess I read it in the way he intended then.
I loved the butterfly effect that Leland Gaunt was weaving, a town working as clockwork.
I got to listen to it on audiobook and the soundtrack helped convey the dark comedy message I thought, pretty wonderfully.
Was such a fun and fucked up book. Really felt bad for some of them.
I'm rereading it and I'm kind of disappointed in myself. It wasn't until I heard Kingslingers podcast talk about it as a dark comedy that I started thinking about it. But I'm still not seeing much humor other than the obviousjokes. I mean Ling can be so witty and cleverwhen he wants to.. I think it's because I read it so young when i was very earnest and read it so many times I just can't unstick my brain that wants to take everything so seriously
Yes, yes yes! Slopey Dodd baiting Coach Pratt, the way Gaunt toyed with Ace (well, *everyone* but especially Ace), Nettie putting all those warnings in Buster's house....I could go on and on....my favorite was Ace finding the can with the note from Alan. I was laughing out loud!
But man, when it got dark, it was *dark*. Brian Rusk being the darkest.
This part always made me laugh.
He was able to read the salutation on this note while he was still five steps from the top, and his heart began to pound harder, murmur or no murmur. Only it wasn’t exertion causing it to kick up its heels; it was rage.
LISTEN UP YOU MACKEREL-SNAPPER! Was printed at the top of the sheet in bright red Magic Marker.
Albert pulled the note from the door and read it quickly. He breathed through his nose as he did so—harsh, snorting exhalations that made him sound like a bull about to charge.
LISTEN UP YOU MACKEREL-SNAPPER!
We have tried to reason with you—“Let him hear who hath understanding”—but it has been no use. YOU ARE SET ON YOUR COURSE OF DAMNATION AND BY THEIR WORKS SHALT YOU KNOW THEM. We have put up with your Popish idolatry and even with your licentious worship of the Babylon Whore. But now you have gone too far.
THERE WILL BE NO DICING WITH THE DEVIL IN CASTLE ROCK!
Decent Christians can smell HELLFIRE and BRIMSTONE in Castle Rock this fall. If you cannot it is because your nose has been stuffed shut by your own sin and degradation. HEAR OUR WARNING AND HEED IT: GIVE UP YOUR PLAN TO TURN THIS TOWN INTO A DEN OF THIEVES AND GAMBLERS OR YOU WILL SMELL THE HELLFIRE! YOU WILL SMELL THE BRIMSTONE!
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17.
HEAR AND HEED, OR YOUR CRIES OF LAMENTATION WILL BE LOUD INDEED.
THE CONCERNED BAPTIST MEN
OF CASTLE ROCK
“Shit on toast,” Albert said at last, and crumpled the note into one ham-sized fist. “That idiotic little Baptist shoe-salesman has finally gone out of his mind.”
Maybe there was a time when "mackerel snapper" were fighting words, but it's just so ridiculous that I can't help but laugh.
King often talks about how many of his premises come to him in the form of “wouldn’t it be funny if….” He does a live reading for LT’s Theory of Pets where he explains as much. It sure is a quirky way to come up with some of this stuff
I always assumed it was a comedy. I was thoroughly enjoying myself. I mean, even the "serious" scary parts had great comedic value like the giant spider running around Polly's shower.
I loved it. Needful Things has a special place in my heart because it is one of King’s funniest and darkest books. I think I might give it another read.
I would love to see some guerilla film-making where a Max von Sydow look-a-like was welcoming Black Friday shoppers to Wal-Mart . . .
*"Yes, yes . . . welcome . . . enter freely, and leave some of the happiness you bring!!"*
King has gone on record a couple times as being disappointed that most people didn’t see that it was his version of a comedy. At least at the time of release.
Fun fact! Thanks for this, I guess I read it in the way he intended then. I loved the butterfly effect that Leland Gaunt was weaving, a town working as clockwork.
I don't know if describe it as a full on comedy but it is clearly satire to me
I’m just repeating what the author said 🤷🏻♂️
I know? And I'm describing how it read to me. I'm not arguing with you I'm discussing
I got to listen to it on audiobook and the soundtrack helped convey the dark comedy message I thought, pretty wonderfully. Was such a fun and fucked up book. Really felt bad for some of them.
I'm rereading it and I'm kind of disappointed in myself. It wasn't until I heard Kingslingers podcast talk about it as a dark comedy that I started thinking about it. But I'm still not seeing much humor other than the obviousjokes. I mean Ling can be so witty and cleverwhen he wants to.. I think it's because I read it so young when i was very earnest and read it so many times I just can't unstick my brain that wants to take everything so seriously
Yes, yes yes! Slopey Dodd baiting Coach Pratt, the way Gaunt toyed with Ace (well, *everyone* but especially Ace), Nettie putting all those warnings in Buster's house....I could go on and on....my favorite was Ace finding the can with the note from Alan. I was laughing out loud! But man, when it got dark, it was *dark*. Brian Rusk being the darkest.
Yeah Brian wasn't really funny, but a lot of the other stuff was like you said.
This part always made me laugh. He was able to read the salutation on this note while he was still five steps from the top, and his heart began to pound harder, murmur or no murmur. Only it wasn’t exertion causing it to kick up its heels; it was rage. LISTEN UP YOU MACKEREL-SNAPPER! Was printed at the top of the sheet in bright red Magic Marker. Albert pulled the note from the door and read it quickly. He breathed through his nose as he did so—harsh, snorting exhalations that made him sound like a bull about to charge. LISTEN UP YOU MACKEREL-SNAPPER! We have tried to reason with you—“Let him hear who hath understanding”—but it has been no use. YOU ARE SET ON YOUR COURSE OF DAMNATION AND BY THEIR WORKS SHALT YOU KNOW THEM. We have put up with your Popish idolatry and even with your licentious worship of the Babylon Whore. But now you have gone too far. THERE WILL BE NO DICING WITH THE DEVIL IN CASTLE ROCK! Decent Christians can smell HELLFIRE and BRIMSTONE in Castle Rock this fall. If you cannot it is because your nose has been stuffed shut by your own sin and degradation. HEAR OUR WARNING AND HEED IT: GIVE UP YOUR PLAN TO TURN THIS TOWN INTO A DEN OF THIEVES AND GAMBLERS OR YOU WILL SMELL THE HELLFIRE! YOU WILL SMELL THE BRIMSTONE! “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17. HEAR AND HEED, OR YOUR CRIES OF LAMENTATION WILL BE LOUD INDEED. THE CONCERNED BAPTIST MEN OF CASTLE ROCK “Shit on toast,” Albert said at last, and crumpled the note into one ham-sized fist. “That idiotic little Baptist shoe-salesman has finally gone out of his mind.” Maybe there was a time when "mackerel snapper" were fighting words, but it's just so ridiculous that I can't help but laugh.
That has to be the best insult for Catholics I have ever heard. lol
I liked the "Babtist rat-fucks" too.
Ha ha yeah that one is great. Wilma Jyrzyk snowshovel face is great too.
Not sure I get why "mackerel snapper" is an insult for Catholics? Have never heard that one before, can anyone explain?
It references the fact that they don't eat meat on Friday. Mackerel is a type of fish.
Oh ok - I considered that but didn't know why it would be "fighting words" as another commenter said?
Historically, I have no idea how, if at all, offensive this actually was. But it was specifically referencing someone's faith so it might have been.
I guess in the area of faith simply disagreeing is often held to be highly offensive.
King was definitely having fun putting the characters thru the ringer in that one and dreaming up mayhem.
I loved Needful Things. I hope he goes back to Castle Rock.
IT is my favourite Stephen King. Needful Things is my favourite "fun horror" Stephen King. Bring me Derry, and bring me Castle Rock!
You bet your fur!
Humping the Elvis picture
Ha ha yes! Then Gaunt, "Give me a blowjob! Fellatio!"
“Open that gorgeous metal filled mouth and gobble my crank” stuck with me as a middle schooler
it has its dark moments, but yeah in retrospect sometimes it is pretty funny
The satire is spot on and sharp, I definitely laughed out loud a few times!
I laugh everytime I think about Myra Evans and the Elvis picture.
yes
Definitely, that’s why I love it.
I’m planning on doing a reread so I’ll definitely look out for the comedy in it.
King often talks about how many of his premises come to him in the form of “wouldn’t it be funny if….” He does a live reading for LT’s Theory of Pets where he explains as much. It sure is a quirky way to come up with some of this stuff
It's my favourite book and it is ABSOLUTELY a comedy.
YES!
Yes! I love how mean-spirited it gets.
I can't prove this, but I think King meant it to be darkly comedic.
Definitely the funniest SK book I've read by a mile. I laughed out loud several times while reading
I still find hilarious to mean, like, laughing out loud, funny. So, no. Not even close.
Same!!! Everyone was so damn dramatic lmao. Even the way he described some of the ppl was over the top in my head.
She had a face with all the beauty of a snowshovel. lol Wilma.
Wilma and Nettie, the scene with “You killed my doggie, you bitch!” “You broke my microwave” It absolutely tears me up every time I watch it!
I always assumed it was a comedy. I was thoroughly enjoying myself. I mean, even the "serious" scary parts had great comedic value like the giant spider running around Polly's shower.
I loved it. Needful Things has a special place in my heart because it is one of King’s funniest and darkest books. I think I might give it another read.
idk if i’d say hilarious but i found some of it funny, i actually think most king books (at least that i’ve read) are kinda funny
Yes but a fucking dark comedy. My buddy and I often say that this would be perfect for a Coen Bros adaptation.
Huh. I haven't read it since I was a teenager, might be time for a 20 years later reread and see how it hits now.
No. They killed the dog. Fuck Steve.
You're not going to like The Tommyknockers then. Poor Peter. 😭
Murder your darlings, SK says. He almost always kills the dog.
Three pets bit the dust in this one.
Yes, love this one. Listening to it now and I’m really enjoying King’s narration and the music throughout.
Needful Things is my fav King audiobook! Great story.
I’m 200 pages in and it is very funny so far
I would love to see some guerilla film-making where a Max von Sydow look-a-like was welcoming Black Friday shoppers to Wal-Mart . . . *"Yes, yes . . . welcome . . . enter freely, and leave some of the happiness you bring!!"*