I read a ton of Stephen King as a kid and I think my kid will be into it, but I'm not sure which book would be a good entry point. He has so many different types of story from weird to horror to mind bending. What would you use as a good entry for his horror? For an 11 year old.

Update... Thank you so much everyone! This thread is making me want to reread the books myself too 😄

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[–] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I would recommend Eyes of the Dragon, The Institute, The Talisman, Fairy Tale, and some of the short story and novella collections. I don't think you should worry about what is representative of King but what is relatable and good reading for an 11 year old.

I would recommend against Pet Semetary. I read it at around 11 or 12 and was very disturbed by it.

[–] mudstickmcgee@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Is the Institute book better than the series? Because that ending to season 1 was ass

[–] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

I really enjoyed the book. I didn't know there was a TV series at all, but I have a hard time with any dramatic TV/movies with child actors because they just can't have the depth of experience to act out anything other than silly kid comedy.

[–] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I haven't seen the series but I've read the book and really liked it.

[–] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I was in a book shop today looking at Pet Semetary actually and did decide against it. I'm thinking short story collections might be the way to go.

[–] Stabbitha@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Gonna echo Eyes of the Dragon, it's fantasy rather than horror.

[–] CaptainBlinky@lemmy.myserv.one 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Also The Body by his pseudonym Richard Bachman, in the book Different Seasons, which was remade into the movie Stand By Me.

[–] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Oh yeah, great call. That movie was the best thing I'd ever seen even before I was old enough to start reading King.