One characteristic is that they often deal with ordinary people in extraordinary and terrifying situations. For example, in 'The Shining', the Torrance family is just an average family until they get stuck in the haunted Overlook Hotel. Another is the exploration of the dark side of human nature. In 'Misery', Annie Wilkes' obsession and cruelty show how far a person can go when their mind is unhinged.
Many of the top 20 novels have a strong sense of place. In 'Salem's Lot', the small town setting becomes a character in itself, full of secrets and darkness. Also, King is great at creating memorable villains. Think of Pennywise in 'It', a clown that can take on different forms to terrify children. And his stories usually have a build - up of suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The top 20 Stephen King novels are often full of psychological horror. In 'Carrie', Carrie's internal turmoil as well as the external bullying she faces adds to the overall horror. King also likes to play with the concept of the supernatural interacting with the real world. In 'Pet Sematary', the idea of the ancient burial ground that defies the laws of nature is both fascinating and terrifying. His novels also tend to have complex characters that readers can either relate to or be horrified by.
Often, his short stories have a sense of the ordinary turned extraordinary. Take 'The Jaunt'. It starts with a seemingly normal family trip through a teleportation device, but then things go horribly wrong. His use of setting also adds to the atmosphere. In 'Strawberry Spring', the college campus setting during a foggy time enhances the feeling of unease.
Well, 'The Stand' is a great one. It's a post - apocalyptic epic that explores themes of good vs evil. 'Pet Sematary' is very well - known for its dark and macabre story. 'Carrie' was King's first published novel, and it's a powerful tale of a bullied girl with telekinetic powers. These are among the top Stephen King novels.
Some of the top Stephen King novels include 'The Shining'. It's a classic horror novel that takes place in the isolated Overlook Hotel. The story of Jack Torrance slowly losing his sanity while his family is in danger is truly terrifying.
Well, in my opinion, the top 5 Stephen King novels are 'The Shining'. The psychological horror in it is just amazing. Then there's 'It', that clown still gives me nightmares. 'Misery' is so intense, the relationship between the writer and the deranged fan is really something. 'Carrie' is a must - read as it was one of his first big hits and introduced his unique style. And 'Pet Sematary' should be in there too. It's dark and makes you think about life and death in a very different way.
'Misery' is also among the top. It tells the story of a famous writer who is held captive by his 'number one fan', Annie Wilkes. Annie forces him to write a new novel according to her wishes. It's a psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. And 'The Stand' is a post - apocalyptic epic that shows the battle between good and evil after a deadly virus wipes out most of the population.
Stephen King's top short stories usually have strong hooks at the beginning. Take 'Children of the Corn', the very idea of a town full of strange children is immediately captivating. His stories also often deal with moral and psychological issues. In 'Survivor Type', the main character's moral degradation as he tries to survive is a key aspect. Moreover, his use of vivid descriptions, like in '1408' where he describes the strange happenings in the hotel room in great detail, makes the stories very engaging.
Some of the highly ranked Stephen King novels include 'The Shining'. It's a classic with its terrifying story of a family in an isolated hotel. The psychological horror and the build - up of tension are masterfully done. Another top - ranked one is 'It'. The story of a group of kids facing an ancient evil in the form of a clown has captured the imagination of many readers. And 'Misery' is also very popular. The idea of an obsessed fan holding a writer captive is both disturbing and engaging.
One of the top ones is 'Carrie'. It was Stephen King's first published novel. It's about a girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied at school and then takes revenge in a very violent way.
One of the top selling Stephen King novels is 'The Shining'. It's a horror classic that has terrified readers for decades with its story of a family trapped in an isolated, haunted hotel during the off - season.
Some of the top new Stephen King novels include 'Billy Summers'. It's a great read with a unique story about a hitman with a code. Another one could be 'If It Bleeds', which has that classic King horror and engaging characters.