Since I am a big fan of fantasy books in general, and a Stephen King fan in particular, and because I'm a bit late with the book I'm reading, I let you this article I found a couple of days ago in the web. I let you the trailers of some of the movies that had been inspired by Stephen King's books. I hope you'll enjoy it!
1. Misery
A thriller about a bestselling author who is rescued from a car wreck by his biggest fan…who then holds him hostage until he writes an entire novel just for her. Annie Wilkes is as terrifying a creation as any of King’s supernatural monsters, and represents one of King’s greatest fears – the obsessed uber-fan.
Misery (1990, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8LgoC0wwe8)
2. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The main character in this book is a nine year old girl who is lost in a forest. King has always written the perspective of children well, and he takes it to a new level here. Not only is Trisha dealing with the practical elements of survival, but increasing hallucinations and the emotional trauma of her parents’ divorce.
3. Under the Dome
A sci-fi novel about what happens when a town is sealed off from the rest of the world by a mysterious force field. The reason this book is so accessible is that despite its length (1000+ pages), it’s actually King’s leanest novel in years. A large cast of characters, an intriguing mystery and a struggle for control of the town combine to make a fast paced and thrilling read. The TV series isn’t doing it justice.
4. The Green Mile
Originally released as a six part serial novel in 1996, The Green Mile is about a man with extraordinary healing powers and empathy, who has wound up on death row. Told from the perspective of a prison supervisor, it explores race and justice in America, and was King’s biggest foray into magical realism.
The Green Mile (1999, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zkms0Tkmus)
5. On Writing
This non-fiction book is part memoir, part writing manual. It even contains exercises and ideas for aspiring writers, and is a must-read for anyone who is serious about a career in commercial fiction. As I mentioned in the introduction, King really is a master at what he does, and his insights into how fiction works are fascinating.
6. Different Seasons
Some of King’s most famous stories are included in this collection of four novellas, which form the basis for the films Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption and Apt Pupil. They are some of King’s most atypical stories and really demonstrate his skills as a storyteller.
Stand by Me (1986, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVnfaA-kpI)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raRbQkJ2pD4)
7. 11/22/63
Another sci-fi story, this time-travel tale is about an English teacher who is shown a rift in time that will take him back to 1958. Convinced by an older time traveller that he must go back and prevent the assassination of JFK, he starts a new life in the 50s and prepares to wait for the day of Kennedy’s death. Not only does he have to adjust to his new life in the past, and deal with the personal relationships that arise, but he also decides to keep an eye on Lee Harvey Oswald. This book is almost like two novels. The first is a love story, the second is a race-against-the-clock thriller.
8. The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
While this novel is positioned in the middle of the Dark Tower saga, it’s actually more of a prequel, with the events taking place many years before. It’s about the main character’s first mission as a Gunslinger, and what happened when he met his true love. It’s a tragic love story set in a magical/western realm with strong fantasy elements. As part of the massive Dark Tower saga it adds depth to the character of Roland, and fleshes out the world a lot more. As a standalone novel it is a moving story about youth, life, betrayal and love.
9. Lisey’s Story
Stephen King has said in interviews that of everything he’s written, this novel is his favourite. It’s about the wife of a bestselling author who is trying to cope after the author’s death. Partly it’s a memoir of their relationship, but it’s also a fantasy story about another world and a power that Lisey must harness to stop a crazed fan. Ultimately this is King’s most blatant love story that explores a connection between people that can outlast death.
10. The Stand
This is quite possibly King’s defining work. It’s the story of a post-apocalyptic showdown between the forces of good and evil that takes place after a virus kills 98% of the population. Using an empty and desolate America as its setting, The Stand follows a disparate group of survivors who are drawn to either the call of good or the call of evil. It’s an epic quest story, high fantasy but set in a modern, yet ruined, landscape.
The Stand (1994, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsMp2pZK-Cw)
