April 2012's SK Flavor of the Month - The Regulators

This month, it is Desperation's evil twin The Regulators.

I remember one of the best reviews I've read for The Regulators is by user davidabrams (how do you touchstone user names?) right here on LT:

I can just picture Stephen King sitting at his desk, staring at the blinking cursor on his computer screen. The little bar’s flashing on the just-finished side of the words "THE END." King's just capped off his best book in years, a scalp-prickling, clammy-handed horror extravaganza called Desperation. The only trouble is, his writer'™s brain is still sizzling. He's fried the eggs and spatulaed them onto the plate, but he left the pan on the burner and man, oh man, he'™s on fire!

What's a prolific writer to do? Well, if you'™re the tireless King (until the recent traffic accident, that is), you keep your scare-mongering butt right there in that chair and churn out another pulse-quickening tale.

I have no idea if his picture is correct, but man, I hope it is.

Wow! That's a review that makes me want to read! NOW

Just started the book (I am less than ten pages in). I knew about the connections, but still, I got goosebumps reading the postcard and checking the map. Loved the introduction of Cynthia and my eyes popped when I first met Ralph and Ellie Carver.

Alos, I loved the cute little game with the letter from the editor.

I do wonder if after the heaviness of Desperation, he was determined to just have a good time with The Regulators. The description of summer and Wentworth, Ohio... I just got the feeling King was grinning as he wrote it.

Hoping to start this one after easter. Due for a little quieter time at work then. Have to run down to the library as I don't have this one.

Reading The Regulators immediately after Desperation is so much fun.

I just keep spotting connctions between the two books and it's neat the way they are worked in so naturally. David Carver is covered by dried on soap suds again for instance.

I checked on the Regulators movie he mentioned in the book (it actually sounded pretty good to me) and couldn't find it. I have a feeling that even with all those details, he made it up.

>5 jseger9000:

It's fictional. The Complete Stephen King Universe: A Guide to the Worlds of Stephen King is one of the places it was mentioned directly although I had seen in a few more places.

Posted this is in the wrong forum.

So, just looking at the map on the front pages, I am struck by an amazing fact. When I read these books 15 years ago (haven't read regulators since), I don't remember there being a connection between the two books outside of Tak. That is to say I don't remember the characters being recast in an alternate dimensional way...I also don't remember being that dumb in Jr. high. Disappointed in my adolescent self. :)

Looking forward to re-reading this with a fresh perspective!

I just finished the book. I wanted to talk about the ending, but maybe I should wait for others to finish...

I have finished.

1. Loved how there were common story elements from both this and Desperation, like the scene with the mountain lion.

2. Really interesting ending, would have loved a little more about how they explained things to the police, or some sort of epilogue.

3. If you are talking about the final shooting, yeah had completely forgotten about that.

Not much new to add, just that I agree that reading these books in publishing order has really made me aware of all the connections I never would have picked up on otherwise. I liked this one a lot.