My Top Five Stephen King Good Guys

I first wrote this list as part of my Friday Top Five series a few years ago, And I thought it was worth revisiting!!!

So it's not new information that I am a Stephen King fan. Look to your right.. over there... yep, check out The Illustrated Stephen King Universe Flow Chart if you haven't already... it's kinda like my 4th child....

Anyhoo, I know I have spoken about my favorite SK books before, but today, I thought I would look at my favourite:

Stephen King GOOD GUYS 

1) Jack Sawyer (The Talisman/ Black House) 

In the Talisman, Jack is the eternal little boy lost on a big adventure (a character that is seen in many books/ films- parentless kids out trying to save the world eg: Harry Potter) Jack is just so likeable and charismatic and essentially GOOD. Everyone roots for him. Everyone wants him to win. And then to give him a big hug. Then we get to see him as a grown man in Black House. And we still wanna hug him, but now it's because he's a big, handsome cop.

2) Eddie Dean (The Dark Tower series) 

Yes, Yes, I am finally reading the DT series! I have just finished The Wolves of Calla (my favourite so far). For me, the star of the series is junkie-turned-gunlinger Eddie Dean. Eddie's character is reminiscent of some other fast talking, wise-cracking jokers in SK literature- think Richie Tozier in It or Teddy Duchamp in The Body. Eddie's smart-assery is awesome, but I am intrigued by his transformation and redemption. I will be very sad if he dies. Don't tell me. I don't wanna know.

3) Frannie Goldsmith (The Stand) 

Frannie is awesome. She doesn't take any bullshit from anyone. She shoulda know better than to let creepy Harold Lauder tag along with her when she left Oganquit, but whatevs. SK writes strong women expertly. Frannie, Polly Chalmers (Needful Things) Sussanah Dean (The Dark Tower Series) are all kick ass chicks who aren't perfect and handle all the crazy shit going on around them with style and grace.

4) WOLF! (The Talisman) 

As I read Talisman's sequel Black House, all I wanted was for Jack to go to the Territories and find another Wolf. Man, I loved Wolf. In the same way I love Tom Cullen (The Stand). Stephen King manages to write these mentally challenged characters with dignity, warmth and extreme love. Characters like Wolf and Tom (and Dudders in Dreamcatcher and Sheemie Ruiz in The Tower) often have the answers that the protagonists can't see. They are often more than they seem. I like to think that these characters remind us that people who are often marginalised in our society are so valuable and important. 

5) Ray Garraty (The Long Walk) 

I remember the first time I read the long walk, I developed a bit of a crush on Ray Garraty. I visualised him as about my age (I was probably 14/15 at the time), sensitive and handsome, willing to do anything for his family. That story is harsh, dude. The Long Walk is a story ahead of it's time. Ray's world, where teenagers are disposable pawns used for the entertainment of the masses came way before The Hunger Games. King builds the desperation, injustice and violence of this world. It is shocking and so very sad. But Stephen King still manages to create these compelling, developed, intriguing characters. Ray was my hero. Go Go Garraty!


OK, there it is. I would love to think that someone who isn't a big King fan may think, 'Oh, OK, I might give one of his books a read, I didn't realise there was more to the Stephen King Universe than rabid dogs and creepy clowns.' 

There is, people. Heaps more. There is time traveling and love stories and humour and gunslinging and a fair amount of bad swears. All the bestest stuff.

Cheers,
Gillian

The Stephen King Alphabet

I had so much fun making this chart! I love a good rhyme- although, finding a connection that starts with 'X' that rhymes and relates is TOUGH! 

I don't know that ill ever get tired of playing with Stephen King as a subject. There is so much!

Cheers!

Gillian

The Stephen King Universe Flowchart Update (including the Dark Tower Series)

click here 

As I have mentioned before, when I was in Grade Five, I borrowed a battered paperback copy of 'Carrie' from my friend Tarnya Smyth (who stole it from her mum). I was totally hooked and under the spell of Stephen King and his characters from that moment.

I dedicate this chart to Tarnya Smyth's mum. The same woman who took me to the cinema to see both Desperately Seeking Susan and Risky Business. When I was 12. That is very young to be comprehending cheeky Tom Cruise becoming a pimp while his mum and dad were on holidays, isn't it? I am realising that Mrs Smyth was probably my primary source of sexual education. That's kinda weird.

Anyway. Here it is. 

The updated Stephen King Universe Flowchart including the Dark Tower Series.

I have said this about stuff before, but this time I mean it:

This chart is like my fourth child. Be kind to it. It means a lot to me.

I hope you like it.

AND I hope you aren't screaming at your monitor saying, "Ermagerd! I can't believe she left out '.................'!!! What a dick!!!". 

Trust me guys, I took all of your suggestions, connections and corrections on board and tried to confirm as many as I could. If you suggested something and it's not here, it's because I could not back it up through research. Or, because I disproved it through research. I am still totally keen to hear any further connections that you have to offer! I couldn't have made this chart so comprehensive without the help of all the readers. You Sai King geeks are awesome. 

And you were totally right. As I have said before, The Stephen King Universe Flowchart without the Dark Tower is like Happy Days without Fonzie... Still good, but not nearly as cool.

And if this is your first encounter with The Stephen King Universe Flowchart (now with added Ka Tet!!) then get comfy. Put your reading eyes on. Immerse yourself. You may need an aspirin. 

And guess what? You can totally buy the chart.

click here 

Now, we are doing a small print run to gauge the response. When the charts sell out, we will reprint and resupply. Once they are sold out, we will not be taking any more orders, until the next print run is complete.

AND, don't forget I live in Australia. Thats, like, really far away. From everything. Except New Zealand. So, when I ship your chart, it will take as long as it takes things to be delivered from the bottom of the planet :-) 


Thanks for all the support and the opportunity to share my particular brand of crazy. Enjoy.

Book vs Device

I recently reread three Stephen King Classics: Carrie, The Shining and 'Salems Lot. I spied this omnibus edition on my sisters bookshelf a few weeks ago, so I snuck it into my bag.

I love the dog eared, yellow paged history of this book. As it is obviously a rerelease of the three titles, it doesn't feature the original cover artwork, but you gotta love Jack, don't you? (If I was Jennifer Lawrence, I would consider being his new girlfriend too...) This book even smells funny. Maybe because it was in my sister's office, which was flooded in the Australia Day floods.. but I like to think it smells like awesomeness.

And I TOTALLY love that this book was obviously stolen from our high school about twenty five years ago JODI. I always thought you were the good sister.
I was surprised by the fact that it is a school library book, though- I don't know that Sai King's works would be in high school libraries today, would they? I don't know.

I used to always have a book in my bag. Always. Any down moment in life- read a book. Socially challenging situation? Read a book. Waiting for movie to start in cinema? Read a book. 

And since I converted to a Kindle, and then when that died, reading books via the Kindle app on my phone, I am never without a book. I do however, dislike that when people see me reading on my phone they probably think I am texting, or reading Twitter, or something equally trivial. I want to say, "I'm reading a BOOK, you guys. I am like, totally intellectual. You should see my tweets. I'm heaps smart"

But, I wanted to revisit these SK gems, so I carted this mammoth brick of a book around with me for two weeks. That thing is heavy! I think I put my old lady back out! And have you tried reading a book that big in bed lately? It's hard. And annoying. And when you fall asleep mid sentence, this old stinky book DOES NOT automatically save where you were up to! What is this the 1800's?!?

SO, I love books, I love their history, their smell, their physicality. But man, I love that no matter how many pages a book is, it is always the same size as my lovely little phone. Sorry, hipsters, I fail the class. I like reading on my phone. Oh and I don't listen to 'records' and I totally don't need those glasses I am wearing in my profile pics. I just like them. 

What do you like? Book or Device?

Long Days and Pleasant Nights.......

UPDATE: The Stephen King Universe Flowchart (including The Dark Tower Series) has been updated and can be found here

GO! GO! GO!

So, Stephen King people. I have a confession to make. You were right. I was wrong. 

HOW COULD I MAKE A STEPHEN KING CONNECTIONS FLOWCHART WITHOUT THE DARK TOWER!!!!

Roland's Ka Tet by Glockgirl

What was I thinking? Such a rookie move. 

I am moments away from completing the 7th and final Dark Tower book (I know, I know, there is still Wind Through the Keyhole, but that's really kind of book 4.5 isn't it? I'm sure someone will correct me :-) I am in the planning stage of the mammoth task of updating the Stephen King Universe Flowchart to include the Dark Tower series. Look at me, giving the people what they want! I have about 10 books/ short stories to add and about 30 new characters. Yeah man.

I can't wait to share the finished chart- it will be huge and crazy and I'm sure it will make some people think I need to go back on my meds (Too late! I already did!) 

It may also make some people say, "OMG, that is sooo, like lame. I went to college. I can read books without a stupid chart." "I know right?" (This is almost and actual transcript of some comments over on another site that featured the flow chart. Hee Hee. I like to think the two commenters were Valley Girls from the Eighties. I wish one of them had said, "No Dark Tower? Like, gag me with a spoon!")

Reading the DT series has reinforced my respect and love for Stephen King's fabulous universe. Dudes, there are totally other worlds than these.....

Stay Tuned. 

Friday Top FIve: Stephen King Good Guys

So it's not new information that I am a Stephen King fan. Look to your right.. over there... yep, check out the Stephen King Universe Flow Chart if you haven't already... it's kinda like my 4th child....

Anyhoo, I know I have spoken about my favorite SK books before, but today, for Friday Top Five, I thought I would look at my favourite:

Stephen King GOOD GUYS 

1) Jack Sawyer (The Talisman/ Black House) 

In the Talisman, Jack is the eternal little boy lost on a big adventure (a character that is seen in many books/ films- parentless kids out trying to save the world eg: Harry Potter) Jack is just so likeable and charismatic and essentially GOOD. Everyone roots for him. Everyone wants him to win. And then to give him a big hug. Then we get to see him as a grown man in Black House. And we still wanna hug him, but now it's because he's a big, handsome cop.

2) Eddie Dean (The Dark Tower series) 

Yes, Yes, I am finally reading the DT series! I have just finished The Wolves of Calla (my favourite so far). For me, the star of the series is junkie-turned-gunlinger Eddie Dean. Eddie's character is reminiscent of some other fast talking, wise-cracking jokers in SK literature- think Richie Tozier in It or Teddy Duchamp in The Body. Eddie's smart-assery is awesome, but I am intrigued by his transformation and redemption. I will be very sad if he dies. Don't tell me. I don't wanna know.

3) Frannie Goldsmith (The Stand) 

Frannie is awesome. She doesn't take any bullshit from anyone. She shoulda know better than to let creepy Harold Lauder tag along with her when she left Oganquit, but whatevs. SK writes strong women expertly. Frannie, Polly Chalmers (Needful Things) Sussanah Dean (The Dark Tower Series) are all kick ass chicks who aren't perfect and handle all the crazy shit going on around them with style and grace.

4) WOLF! (The Talisman) 

As I read Talisman's sequel Black House, all I wanted was for Jack to go to the Territories and find another Wolf. Man, I loved Wolf. In the same way I love Tom Cullen (The Stand). Stephen King manages to write these mentally challenged characters with dignity, warmth and extreme love. Characters like Wolf and Tom (and Dudders in Dreamcatcher and Sheemie Ruiz in The Tower) often have the answers that the protagonists can't see. They are often more than they seem. I like to think that these characters remind us that people who are often marginalised in our society are so valuable and important. 

5) Ray Garraty (The Long Walk) 

I remember the first time I read the long walk, I developed a bit of a crush on Ray Garraty. I visualised him as about my age (I was probably 14/15 at the time), sensitive and handsome, willing to do anything for his family. That story is harsh, dude. The Long Walk is a story ahead of it's time. Ray's world, where teenagers are disposable pawns used for the entertainment of the masses came way before The Hunger Games. King builds the desperation, injustice and violence of this world. It is shocking and so very sad. But Stephen King still manages to create these compelling, developed, intriguing characters. Ray was my hero. Go Go Garraty!


OK, so that may have been a bit specialised for the Stephen King readers out there. But I would love to think that someone who isn't a big King fan may think, 'Oh, OK, I might give one of his books a read, I didn't realise there was more to the Stephen King Universe than rabid dogs and creepy clowns.' 

There is, people. Heaps more. There is time traveling and love stories and humour and gunslinging and a fair amount of bad swears. All the bestest stuff.