Category: book Nook
Ok, so my son wants to start reading some Stephen King. As a huge SK fan and a mother, I'm a bit hesitant. However, he does read far above his age level and after reading one of the series he asked me to read with him, he's definitely ready to handle more intense reading material. I don't really care about the strong language aspect because he already hears that. He does go to a public middle school after all. lol
The main thing I'm trying to avoid is sexual content.
I'm thinking about Needful Things, or The Dark Tower Series.
It's been so long since I've read either of those that I thought I'd ask here to see if any of my fellow booklovers and SK fans might be able to tell me if there's sexual stuff in either of those.
Wow, tall order.
King doesn't really get to
explicit
mostly.
An easy way to solve this would be to read the description of the book. They are all rated.
Well, I haven't read either of those, but how about Skeleton Crew? Some of the stories have sexual content, but not all of them do. You could pick and choose.
Was there a sex scene in Christine? I can't remember.
Becky
I'd recommend a child called it, but there is sex in it... It doesn't go super into detail, but there is some.
Kings a naughty boy it seems.
Honestly, I would highly recommend the book the Balisman. it's written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It's one of my favorite books he's worked on - and I've read nearly all of them). Read the description, but it's the story of a 12 year old boy who lives with his mother. She's dying of cancer, and, after learning from an old caretaker about a possible cure in a parallel world, journeys across the United states and an alternate land - similar to the world of the Dark Tower - to find a magical object to save her. The writing and story are both spectacular. No sex, though at one point Jack, the protagonist - gets picked up by a potential pedofile. It's only touched on briefly though and is not explicit in any way. Nothing even happens to him. If he's into such ideas, it's a great read.
There's also IT. it's a VERY long book, and it does deal with some sex at certain parts, one of which involves a very abusive relationship. Maybe when he's older it would be a good one for him.
Oops, sorry, that was the Talisman.
How about 11/22/63. Sure, it's a fictional account of the Kennedy assassination, but there is a lot of history in the book that is true and might give the kid somegood insight into the past.
Ah yes Becky, that is a really good story.
Still some sex, but nothing major.
The story carries it well, and I'd think the story's interesting.
I loved 11/22/63 and he likes the JFK stuff so that might be something.
I haven't read The Tallisman but I've heard it's good. Maybe we'll start by listening to it together as our audio book for the night.
I have a few observations and suggestions, having read almost everything King has written.
Dark Tower: No, not yet. The first book has Roland in a speaking-ring with a succubus at one point, basically screwing it for info. It's not really explicit, but it's there. And in book 3, there's a scene similar to that, but with an incubus; a character is having sex with it in order to distract it while two others in the group are opening a rift between worlds. Stay away from Dark Tower just yet, I think, if you're touchy about the sex angle.
Needful Things: This isn't bad, but it's not King's Best, and there are defeinitely a couple of kinda-gross scenes involving pseudo-sexual content. A wooman wears spectacles supposedly once the property of Elvis, and they, uh, make her kinda wild. That's not the main thrust of the novel of course, but it's in there. So this is another iffy one.
Skeleton Crew: Some of these stories are safe, some are ugly and nasty and brutal (Survivor Type involves a man stuck on an island basically forced to cut himself up piece by piece and devour himself). Take this, and all other King short-story collections, with a grain of salt.
11/22/63: Very, very long and heavy. If he can handle it, it's pretty safe. There's a bit of sexual content, but again, it's not the focus. There one honest-to-god sex scene, but I don't recall it being really really nasty or anything. it's actually sorta sweet. This one is going to depend on just how anti-sex-scene you are.
The Talisman: It's brutal in places, but would generally be safe as long as you and your son can handle people dying, people being shot/electrocuted/fried by otherworldly fire/whipped to death. Some of this is seen, most of it is implied. This book is fairly safe if you ask me. If you read the version read by Frank Muller, he does some pretty nuts voices. Also also, the sequel, Black House, is not safe; there's cannibalism and a whole lot more gore, so fair warning.
Suggestions
The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon: This has a little strong language, but it's not too brutal, and has no sexual content to speak of. The closest it comes is that at one point, there's a police report about a girl lost in the woods and it is implied that the man they believe has kidnapped her wants her for sexual reasons. But that's literally it; that's as far as it goes, and a twelve-year-old can probably handle that.
The Shining: This book is creepy, and there's a naked woman in a bathtub with some mildly suggestive (if creepy) imagery going on, but it's not what I'd call sexual content. There's a lot of anger, a lot of sheer fear going on, plus of course a five-year-old in a spooky old hotel while his dad goes quietly insane. This one is probably pretty safe.
Misery: Again, no sexual content to speak of, but it's got a lot of strong language in places, and it's brutal. Guy gets his foot chopped off, thnn his thumb. Your son might (key word) be disturbed by what actually happens to this guy, because the book is 100% non-supernatural.
Duma Key: This one's creepy, and has a bit of a slow build, but has very little in the way of sexual content. Basically none, if memory serves. Some pretty poignant stuff in here, mind you.
Thinner: This is actually Richard Baukman, but it might be okay. The only issue with this one is that the whole premise of the story is a man who hit and killed a gypsy woman. The reason he hit her is because his wife is giving him a hand-job at the time. This is mentioned in passing, but it's not actually seen when it happens. Most of the story has to do with the main character getting more and more upset as he loses weight and sees those invoolved in the crime afflicted with all kinds of horror for their hand in what happened.
Hope this has helped some. I'd generally stay away from most of what's not on this list, because you or your son (or both) are apt to find things objectionable at his age. Stay especially far away from It, as there's a scene where twelve-year-olds are having sex as part of a ritual; it's extremely controversial.
Suggestion.
How about having a talk with him about King?
After that talk let him read whatever.
He's 12, so if he's interested in King I'll bet money he's got a good reason.
Maybe others have been reading and telling him how good the writer is?
My view is open I know, but he plays video games, does he not?
I considered suggesting The Shining, but I thought I remembered a sex scene between Jack and Wendy being in it. Honestly, you'd probably be hard-pressed to find a King book that isn't just a little bit suggestive in places. Like Greg said, it just depends on where exactly you draw the line with regard to sexual content.
Becky
You really can't go wrong with Frank Muller's stellar narrations of The Talisman and Black House. I agree that the Black house is a little too much for his age, though when he's a bit older, it's fantastic novel, and a great sequel to the Talisman. I'm still waiting for King and Straub to finish that trilo9gy. Hmm, also Dreamcatcher might be alright. It's about an alien invasion. It deals with a person's mind being taken over by an alien entity. There's also also a strong theme of friendship among children turned adults, including the friendship of a "mentally challenged" young man. There are a couple sexual inuendos about lipsticky blowjobs, but not too much else if I recall.
The Regulators is also pretty good. It too was written by King's pen name, Richard Bockman. It's about a quiet little neighborhood getting taken over by, what appears to be characters from science fiction and western cartoon thanks to a little boy with ... some rather disturbing secrets. Tiny descriptions of sex. A quick sentense about masturbation, and one about a really disturbed creature fonding the breasts and licking the cotch of an action figure. Also, one of the characters dies without any panties after having a sexual encounter with a man not her husband. Despite the premmace, it's a fun little novel. it's also narrated by Frank Muller, though there's also a heavily abridged version I don't recommend nararted by another good narrator
I fully agree with Sheperd Wolf's assessments. Dark Tower is pretty sexual, and the sex is pretty tasteless sometimes. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon's a survival story involving a lost girl. No sex at all, not even self exploration out of boredom.
Thanks, yall.
I appreciate the info on Dark Tower because it's been so long since I've read them. I forgot about all of that.
I definitely wouldn't have done It. I've read that one recently enough to know better. lol Hell, that book still has the power to scare the crap out of me. lol
I think I might put King off just a bit longer. It's not that he couldn't handle some of the milder stuff but why put extra ideas in his head.
Hi there,
Stephen King is my favorite author, and I was about 12 when I read my first book by him, which was "It."
It is, and will always be my favorite book, ever. Favorite book he's ever written, and just my favorite book overall. I definitely don't recommend It as his first book to read though, cause of others have said there is a lot to do with sex in that book.
I also don't recommend it because when I was 12, it scared the living shit out of me. lol I had to sleep with my door open for nearly a year. I've read it two more times since then, and I just love it. Definitely recommend it for him when he's a little older, and you think you can handle it.
The girl who loved Tom Gordon is definitely a good book to start with, no sex talk at all, but it isn't really scarey. I'm assuming that's why he wants to read the books by King, is to get scared.
A couple of books that don't really have sexual talk in them are Pet Cemetary, well, don't quote me on it. I haven't read that book in a long time. Nightshift is another good one, it's a collection of short stories.
Stephen King has quite a few collections of short stories, which may be your best bet to start with. His short stories are awesome.
I can go on and on about King, cause I love his writing so much. If you need any more help/recommendations, you can contact me on here if you want.
Take care.
King still makes me sleep with my bedroom door open. hahaha.
I have to get my teddy bear out. Smile.
Great writer.
I do think Wayne's got a point. Maybe have a chat with your son, and see what comes of it. After all, you're mostly okay with the strong language because he's exposed to it already. You very likely aren't going to disgust him if there's a quick mention about masturbation or a glossed-over sex scene...because he's probably been exposed to that in media. It's not as if you'll be giving him ideas he doesn't have a little of already, if he's twelve. I suspect he's a good kid and probably knows very well the line between "ooh, that's an interesting thought" and "oh hey, let's go have sex!".
What about authors other than King, if he wants to read horror? I'm sure there are many whose work is more geared to your son's age group.
It's not what I read, so I hope others can toss out some author suggestions.
Pet semetary does have a bit of sex also if I recall.
I love king also. I like how he writes in many different styles, and how he even gives his most minor character a tiny bit of story. I'm not sure which is my favorite, though the Talisman and Black House are high up there as books I'd read many times. IT is also a masterpiece, and I've read it twice. Rose Matter is a lessser known one which I really enjoyed. I haven't found he's losing his touch, even as he gets older.
If it's horror "he's into, Dean Koontz might be a worthwhile alternative. he's got some great novelssas well, and some are a little less objectionable.
Dean Koontz isn't bad. Fear Nothing/Seize the Night are decent, Strangers is actively good in my opinion.
If you want a slightly more predictable author of horror, John Saul might do it. The Presence might be a neat place to start. Absolutely no sexual content in that book as I remember it. Another, Nightshade, is perhaps better overall, and much creepier, but there's some mildly squeamish-making stuff involving a boy who keeps dreaming there's a woman in his bed. It's not horribly detailed, but it's there and it's fairly obvious.
Believe it or not I actually don't read a ton of horror, because I find it difficult to get what I'm after in a horror novel. I like good characters and serious creepiness, and you just don't see that everywhere. You usually either get one at the expense of the other.
John Saul is awesome. Not as good as King, but definitely awesome. The Right hand of Evil I think it's called, that was a great book from him.
yes, I forgot about John Saul. I've not red as many of his books, but can definetly recommend some of those I've red. The Presence is a great place to start. Definetly the unabridged version though.
I can't remember, was there sex in Salem's Lot?
Also I liked Needful Things. You're right about the sexual imagery there though.
The 2006 book Cell is actually pretty good, it's sort of a Zombie Apocalypse
book, and while there is one gay guy in the book, nobody has sex. The gay guy
just refers to himself being gay as being safe for a girl they're taking with them,
directly referring to no sexual temptation.
I really liked that book, in part because he really gets into the comic strip
author's head. I know not all think so, but I found Cell to be a really good one.
I'm not one for the zombie apokalypse stories usually, but I found this to be an interesting story. Perhaps not one of King's best, but a good representation of the genre. I too liked the perspective. I also likewd how we got to see the point where it all went wrong. Most of the time you enter the story long after whatever made the earth go sour has happened.
Dean Koontz is an excellent suggestion! His characters are usually more clearly defined good or bad.
Ah, John Saul. I couldn't remember his name, but that's a good choice. I know I've read two or three, and they were sufficiently creepy, and probably more so, for a younger reader.
I was just put off by one book in which someone very deliberately kills a labrador. I can tolerate all sorts of violence and questionable doings in a book, but not killing or harm to dogs.
Ah, but he wants to read King people? Smile.
He's not going to settle for other writers.
He might read them, and even like them, but King is who he wants to read.
If you allow one King, he's going to ask why not the next King, so I'd have a discussion about King, how creepy the writing might be, and the fact he has much sex sometimes in his books.
If I say no to King, I need a reason, and probably a time limit he can read King.
If I say yes to King, then I'd better talk about King so he understands why I have doubts about how King may or may not affect him.
To him, it's just a book.
We, that have read King know it isn't.
What about the book "Thinner" from the 1980s? I can't remember much about
it, but I think it was one of King's tamer ones.
Yeah, reading King isn't just reading; it's an experience. lol
I think allot of it has to do with the fact that I have several SK books in print in our library. Several shelves have his nonfiction books, 2 shelves have my braille Bible, 1 shelf has cookbooks, and another has all my hardcover print SK books. I think The Stand must have an interesting cover. I've also got Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Insomnia, and a few others.
I like the other suggestions yall have given as I've read most of them as well. I read so much, in fact, that I probably don't remember enough details about what I've read. You who have such recall impress me.
He's getting at least $50 in Halfprice Books giftcards for Christmas so I suspect this will be an interesting trip.
Ah, yes. Smile.
How about the Green Mile?
Wasn't there some male male sex in that one?
There is in Shawshank but didn't think there was in Green Mile, could be wrong
though - it's been a while since I read it.
No male on male action in the green mile. It's alluded to a little, and one man does get "felt up" by another male, but that's about it. In fact what sex scenes there are are pretty tame all around. I red that novel when I was 13 and loved it then as I do now. Just red it a few months ago in fact. It does a bit about child rape however, though again, more implicitly.
the values found in this discussion interest me greatly. as a 58 year old adult, I can't read steven king. yes, I have tried several but I just can't do it. he scares the pants off me. the thing I find fascinating from what you all have said is the concern about sex. these books are filled with all kinds of violence but you are worried about a sexual content. as the originator of this thread noted, your son goes to a middle school. you don't know what he is exposed too when he's out of your sight. in this day and age, with video games and all kkinds of other violent things I'd be much more worried about those aspects which king describes and how your son's development is effected by that kind of exposure. please remember I raised a 26 year old. I'm not talking off my head. it's the same with movies. let the little darling watch pg 13 ones where adults are idiots and disrespect for them is integral to so called plot development or let him watch an r rated movie like back draft or air force one. bad language but good values and an opportunity to discuss.
you're not wrong. I've always found it interesting that it's okay for violence to be front and center, but if you dare, even dare, show a boob, you're shunted into taboo territory. It's not quite as bad as all that, and indeed I do find our culture a little too over-sexualized, but the standards are strange indeed. Even Youtube will allow tons of bloody violence, but is very strict about nudity. For me, it's all about the context, intent and message presented. I don't mind either sex or violent content as long as it fits with the story, though I find, especially with sex, that when it is gretuitous, it is often that way for the sake of of being gratuitous.
I guess I should update this post. Thanks for bringing it back to the top.
I bought a print copy of 11/22/63 for his birthday. He was absolutely thrilled! He read the book and loved it. I reread it as well so we could discuss it together.
Yes, the book did have some sexual content but I appreciated the way it was done. It was more of a love story and the sexual parts were actually very sweet as opposed to some guy just banging every chick he could or visaversa in the crudest manner possible. As a single mom, who's son would probably rather dive face first into the cats' litter box than talk to me about sexual questions, I appreciated how Jake handled himself in the book. Hell, they even used condums, lol.
And, before anyone starts preaching about how we should have an open relationship and he should feel comfortable talking to me, we do and he does. But still. I
My son's GT pre-ap English teacher saw him reading it and asked if his mom knew what he was reading. He told her that it was a birthday present from me and she then told him that it was one of her favorite books. He did one of his grading period projects over the book. I can't wait to see the grade.
He says he's reading The Stand next. lol I told him that I don't think he's ready for it but I would let him discover that for himself. I asked him to wait until summer though as he needs to focus on getting his required reading completed first and The Stand is quite an undertaking. As long as he's reading, and understand what he's reading at his level of understanding, I'm happy. I know he won't grasp everything in the book; I certainly understood it on a deeper level when I reread it as an adult. Hmm, maybe I'll take this as an opportunity to read it for the 4th time. lol
I would rather there be no violence in video games, movies, etc but sadly that just isn't realistic unless you're planning on keeping your kid completely bubble wrapped and sheltered. Ig you are, then good luck with that.
All that to say, I'm very glad I went with 11/22/63. I enjoyed rereading it and I think my son really valued it as well. Awww, we had a bonding experience over SK. lmao
good job mom. anyone who expects their teenage son to willingly and openly discuss sex with her has never been or never raised an adolescent male. you handled the situation great. actually, for the sake of transparency, I did read 11/22/63. I just forgot king wrote it. truly an excellent book.
no, kids should not be bubble wrapped in cotton wool, but it's important to set ground rules and limits for violence viewing. obviously you are doing that in a non confrontational manner.
on another subject, I belong to a book club. during the past year, these people read the darkest most depressing books. when I suggested a title for Christmas reading, an irish country Christmas by Patrick taylor, over half the club refused to finish it because it had a couple of f bombs in it. excuse me? you read a tale of two cities which has heads being lopped off right and leff. sorry it's a classic I know but it does, unbroken which has horrible stuff in it, but the f bomb offends? good grief. I'm bemused and confused.
It's like making something a classic gives it immunity. People are strange.
I think your book choice was great! I love 11/22/63! SK did wonders with making the past real. Every time Jake goes to the fruit store for a root beer, I always want one. Usually, I have one ready. LOL
I also loved how King changed the timeline. He had great details in the alternate future that Jake had created.
Finally, hearing of a kid "reading," is like hearing about a miracle! Seriously, kids don't read like they should. A lot of parents prefer putting the kids in front of a TV screne.
God Bless,
Sarah
Of course, there's the double standard: when kid's read "too much".
Oh boy, I've done it now. He informed me today that he wants to read The Shining. I'm like, seriously? Are you kidding me right now? lol I guess my boy is growing up. I see a trip to Halfprice books in our near future.
Well hey, at least he's reading. That's a plus for this day and age.
I taught him to read at age 3 and he hasn't stopped since. Sure, we fight the battle of the screens but I'm very pleased that he also enjoys reading. The cool thing is that while he does have the Kendle and iBooks apps, he seems to prefer paper books. That makes me smile.
When I was ten or 11 I read Night Shift and Four past Midnight.
What about "The Body" a.k.a. the book from which the film "Stand By Me" was based
on?
It's more of a novella and is grouped together with "The Shawshank Redemption,"
"Apt Pupil," and "The Breathing Method" in the collection called "Different Seasons."
It's also available as a stand alone book and Penguin (the book publishing company)
also has a teacher's guide that goes with their edition of the book... the guide (in
.pdf) can be found here:
http://www.penguinreaders.com/pdf/downloads/pr/teachers-
notes/9781405882378.pdf
The Dead Zone might be topical. That's the one where the baddy is this brash
populist politician who no-one thinks will get anywhere but ends up getting
elected, and has massive rallies with occasional violence. The main character
who acquires what you might call second sight through an accident tries to
assassinate him before he can become president. Interestingly (well not that
interestingly now I think about it) the politician shares the same name as the
Blindness Product Manager at Humanware who has been on various podcasts
trailing the Braille Note Touch.
Ah hah! I was having a discussion with my wife the other night about children reading before kindergarden. She believe me that kids could start reading before age 4. So there!:)
It's about recognizing different shapes. The older the toddler, the more complex the shapes. I'd bet all my points, my Nephew can read before five. He already knows something's different about those of us that can't see. Smart as a whip, he is! Gah! I sound like Yoda, do I! LOL!
God Bless,
Sarah
Am I the only one here who wasn't ovverly amazed by 11/22/63?
So okay, I think the going-into-the-past thing was really cool. I think it was the strongest point of the book, watching how Jake navigated that world, and watching how different it was.
But there were many parts of the book where I caught myself saying "No no no! Don't go off to Dallas to spy on Oswald. Just leave it. I don't care about the whole JFK thing".
Maybe this is one of those things where you have to be American to really have that grab you.
And no, I'm not saying I'm glad he died. I'm not. It was tragic as hell. But 1. I wasn't alive when it happened, 2. I am not American, and 3. a ton of deaths are tragic. I dunno. I think maybe you have to be more invested in that particular plot angle to have that book really slam you.
Even without that, though, it was not at all a bad book, just not a great one.
He wants to read The Shining now? Oh dear, that will be interesting. There's some extremely creepy imagery in that book. Not inappropriate creepy, but it might scare him.
Oh, also also:
Every time I see or hear about Donald Trump, I think of Greg Stilson. The way most people didn't take him seriously at first, and how he's got the kind of following that can actually go somewhere.
I wasn't incredibly impressed by 11.22.63 either, but I did enjoy it. I didn't mind the time travel angle, and for me who hates time travel more often than not, that says something. I liked the unmderlying idea that things happen for a reason, and that what might seem like a good idea at the time, might have some truly terrible consequences. It brings me back to the old idea of, if you could change something about your life, what would you change? Sometimes, it's better not to change anything.
the dead zone sounds like it could be interesting. actually it sounds like the Donald and his ilk.
The dead zone did have an interesting idea behind it, and if I recall, the story was a good one. It's been a while since I've red it mind you. What I saw of the TV series wasn't too shabby either.