One of my all time favorite Stephen king books! Gaunt was a villain who I knew we were supposed to hate but darn it his old school charm was just so likeable! 😄 Couldn’t put this book down.
@@mikesbookreviews This is also my favorite book. I decided to return gift to you. NIGHT IN ZAGREB by Adam Medvidović - they didnt translate still all four parts from Croatian language, but that first part is out on amazon, and it not long, so you can tell did it make you wanna read all series. Tell me what you honestly think of book, I will find something else to return gift if this doesnt satisfy you. Just be honest, its not rpoblem for me, Im a bookworm
Just awesome book . When my husband and I first got married we lived in old 100 yr old house and I was alone reading Needful Things , scared the crap out of me. There’s something about loosing yourself into this one. Mr. King you are King 👑
I disliked having the character "just being" satan in the movie. It's such an easy antagonist; so uninspired. It's like when horror movies just have "a demon" to be the bad guy. Jeepers Creepers does it right, we have a demon, yes; but an actual character monster.
Needful Things is amazing, you are spot on on the development of the town and it’s inhabitants, their build up. For me I loved the ending. It definitely made me think of The Dark Tower in an alternative way. For me The Sheriff is another version of Roland. For me this is in his top five best stories.
I'm currently reading SK in publication order, but including the short story collections, and every time as soon as I'm done with one I come here and watch your review on it. 9/10 you say the exactly what I was thinking while reading it, same goes with this one. I loved everything about this book, definitely in my top 10 so far
Just re read it for the first time in years and the ending doesn’t bother me that much I love the whole middle act where everyone is just being hideous to each other - so well written
I just finished this book and WOW, I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it the same way I enjoyed Under the Dome. I love the small town, large cast books and I was worried I’d be lost in characters, but I found I didn’t. So much suspense and realism. I personally liked the ending. There were a few things I was hoping that wouldn’t happen, and they didn’t. So I got out of the ending what I was looking for. Thanks for the recommendation. One of my top 5 SK novels without a doubt.
Possibly my favourite Stephen King book, love it. Really enjoy the film too, though it leaves a lot to be desired. Amanda Plummer is amazing in it as Nettie.
I feel that Needful Things is often overlooked, but more or less everyone I talk to about the book, love it. Leland Gaunt is one of King's top antagonists, in my opinion.
One of the great strengths of that novel, and why only someone like King could write it, is that the characters are entirely real and relatable and there's an awesome naturalism and sincerity behind the creations, despite the fact the novel is also a modernized folktale and a darkly hilarious social satire. It reminds me a bit of Balzac's La Comédie Humaine, which is the literary project that pretty much founded the "shared universe" concept. Pangborn is the best small town sheriff character since Harry in Twin Peaks (which came 2 years earlier, and is even referred to - the deputies in NT are very Twin Peak-esque) and Gaunt is fascinating villain, borrowing from the same folktales Jordan's Padan Fain came from. I really wish we see a great incarnation of Gaunt on screen one day. I love Max von Sydow, and he gave a wonderful performance in a otherwise pretty off tone adaptation, but that's another take on the suave devil, far more imposing physically. It's not for me the book character that King rather describes as an Ichabod Crane, gaunt, with bad teethm and that's the wandering, seductive in his ways yet also repulsive physically devil of the folklore of the North East, whether from Maine or the neighbouring Québec, where I'm from. I have less issues with the ending than you do, though I understand why it bugs you, and it's fine. I am only past book four of Dark Tower, so I do not fully understand what you are alluding to, but on a meta level the ending of NT is also steeped in folklore, where powers often come from a mix of purity of heart and wit. NT ends like those folktales about the devil roaming the countryside as an affable stranger or a peddler, dancing with maids, playing on men's desires in order to "sell" them what they want, in exchange for their souls, and in the end being thwarted and revealed for the demon it is. Or getting away with it. So it's pretty much how I take the ending of NT: as a final revelation of the book as a modernized folktale. It's very in your face and not on par with the subtlety of the character through the book, which is probably what I like less about it, but I'm willing to accept it. I'm curious to find out the DT connection as I progress, though. It might change my perception. I read that book in 1991 and revisited it a few years later. And I just now read it for a third time. I think I'll schedule periodical reread as this one is too good to come off the shelf only once per decade.
I read most of the classics back in junior high high school (late 90s, early 00’s) but then didn’t read much, if any, of his stuff into adulthood. Needful things was then first one I read when I got back into him as an adult 5 or 6 years ago. I remember my parents going to see the movie when I was a kid and it makes me wish I had read this one sooner! Great stuff, prob top 5-8 King book for me.
This was my all time favorite outside the gunslinger series. And the talisman has a special place, but needful things... it's when I first felt the PULL off a Stephen King story!
Just recently discovered your channel and actually bought this book earlier today! I love all of your videos that i have seen so far... Greetings from Germany :)
“He can’t write an ending, I think that is complete horse shit” - my favorite part of this review lol! Love it! Great review i juuuuust wish I didn’t hear the ending about not liking the ending haha. I loved Billy Summers though and I know you weren’t a huge fan of it. Always the coolest thing about reading though. Hits everyone different. Great review!
Good review Mike, I read Needful Things back in 1991, just bought hardcover recently. I might read again when I finish Billy Summers which is excellent.
This is absolutely one of my favorite King novels. I absolutely agree that it’s like the small town feel of Salems’ Lot but it’s done so much better. Where I struggled with Salems’ Lot, I didn’t in this one. As I was reading this one I got the same vibes of Derry from IT. Derry feels like a character in IT and Castle Rock absolutely feels like I character in this one
Top ten favorite books from Stephen king 1. The stand 2. Wizard and glass 3. Insomnia 4. The wastelands 5. The talisman 6. Rose madder 7. The long walk 8. The gunslinger 9. Sleeping beauties 10. Needful things
The one I've been waiting for!! Awesome review Mike! This was the first Stephen King I read in 1994, I absolutely loved it, agree that all the characters are distinct from one another. I really enjoyed Alan's character development, its fed to you in dribs and drabs, so you keep turning the pages. The book never feels padded out, and I can see why some have an issue with the ending, but I didn't mind it, there is definitely something about Alan that feels like he might have some kind of 'ability' but it is never overtly mentioned what or if it is. I would still love to see a sequel, one perhaps with Sean Rusk hunting down Leland Gaunt, with Alan Pangborn back as a minor character to make sure his nemesis is dealt with permanently. Oh and guys, do check out the audiobook, read by the Master himself. There's certain parts, shall we say where king goes all in on the performance.
This is a top King book for me too, ever since I first read it (and I actually liked the ending and read NT long before Dark Tower). On why it got overlooked, yeah The Stand totally overshadowed it. I can recall The Stand being this cultural event-even when I was too young to be reading it.
Wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. If not for the ending, this would be in my top ten King books of all time. His writing is genius in this. I picture him laughing maniacally at the typewriter as he wrote this book lol
I love your intros- make me want to read the book (its like a film trailer). I read this when I was a teenager and never forgot this story. How 'good/normal' people could be manipulated into terrible behaviour.
I read this when it came out and it’s still a favorite of mine. I like how he compares crossing two people to “crossing two wires and then every once and a while you flip the switch to make sure things are going as you planned”. The ending isn’t what I’d have liked but the rest of the book is so good and is somewhat believable, especially given how people are today.
Currently reading desperation and halfway through it. It's my first Steven king and I'm absolutely loving it. I really want to know your opinion about it Mike.
I listened to this book on Audible. At first I thought it was so-so then I saw an interview with King where he said that he thought the book was "hilarious". And from then on I loved it. I truly see this book as a dark, tongue in cheek comedy. And I think it was great.
Been on a King binge myself over the past couple months. Just finished Dark Tower 1-6 and Wind Through the Keyhole. I'm glad I picked that one up, was thinking of skipping it initially. I wish King would write more side stories and histories within Mid-World.
I just finished this book literally today and I loved it. I don't think there's anything Leland Gaunt could offer me, but that's probably being too naive. I think if he could offer me my Hollywood crush he would probably get me, which we see in the book of course with another famous King (Hahaaa those don't come around often). However I personally love the idea and I hope we do return to Castle Rock sometime in the future. Thanks Mike, Stephen King has always been my favourite author. I advent read everything but your channel has given me so many great books to read, thanks for helping build my library.
I think this is his most underrated book. I love it! I got it at a garage sale and it set on my bookshelf for a while before I picked it up but once I did I couldn't put it down.
I read a couple of years back, really enjoyed it but I do remember feeling a bit fatigued towards the end with a "can we start to wrap this up now?" Feeling Which I never got with IT or The Stand. But I remember being underwhelmed by the ending when it did come. Aside from that I really liked it.
Stumbled across this video a few months ago. Decided to read it. Loved it. LOVED it. The character development is amazing, and, by the third act when all of the character development is done, and connections are made, and things start to get REAL and bodies start dropping, you can feel it, because he spent 500 pages building up to everything. You're drawn in slowly, and not much really HAPPENS for most of the book, but when that third act kicks in WATCH OUT. S--t gets REAL. Also: I hated the ending.
I read this a couple years ago and I loved it! Except the ending, I thought I could have been a bit better but I'm honestly really forgiving with endings. Got an old school hardback recently and I hope to read it again soon!
Needful Things would be on my top ten. I rarely notice the references, but that's probably, because I still haven't read enough. There are some King I probably won't read, because it's not my thing, like Mr. Mercedes, but I did get a book for Christmas on the Stephen Universe.
Read this just a few months ago, my first Stephen King book. It’s good, had a great villian, good cast of characters, and there’s some really funny shit that happens. I literally laughed my ass off when ol boy comes home to all the notes 📝 😂. Just a really enjoyable book that sets its hooks in early keeping you interested what’s going to happen next the whole way through.
Haha people are probably tired by now of hearing me saying it's in my top three with IT and The Stand. Just glad the reread reinforced the high opinion I had. I realised I remembered more of this book than almost any other Stephen King books I've read over the years, with the possible exception of IT, as I've read that several times. Leland Gaunt is just such a great villain, in the list of top five King villains easily for me.
Thank you! Finally. I don't see the point to read a story to find yourself in it, there's no obligation to identify. On the contrary, reading to me is made to open one's horizon, by sharing the human experience through the stories of others: female, male, old, young, fom any nationality, real or fictional, or even totally alien to the human experience. That's the real "escapism": being able to simply enjoy a story and learn from it, grow from it as a person, having been subtily told through the stories of all these different characters. (It's late here in Europe, not sure I'm making myself clear, but this has been bothering so much lately. I would be bored to death to read only about characters similar to myself. It's nice to get the empathetic feeling that we all share this human experiment, outside of our own little carapace.... anyway, thank you!) Also, a story is not made only by the characters themselves, we do want their stories! Adventures! In a beautiful prose, profound enough to make us both think and feel about all the things in the previous paragraph 🍂 Jeez, I don't even need cough sirup, exhaustion is enough!😉
This is the book I read after the Dark Tower. I was massively disappointed in the DT ending but loved the ending of Needful Things because it tied into the DT! It was awesome for me! TO this day my favorite King book.
I listened to the audiobook of this years ago when I had a long drive several weekends in a row. I was absolutely hooked but then remember being disappointed at the ending. I don’t remember the specifics exactly. Just remember feeling that it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the story or something. I actually want to read the book and give it another chance.
Love this book. Read it back in the 90s. I should reread it. I remember this was the book that got me into Lovecraft. There’s a part where a character reads “ Yog Sogoth” on a wall and I was like, “what is that” and it sent me down a rabbit hole.
Needful Things is such a great book. I actually saw the movie back in high school before I ever read it. I have a soft spot for the movie, despite its various flaws, mainly due to the cast, especially Max Von Sydow, J. T. Walsh, and Amanda Plummer.
I just finished the book last night and loved it. I recall seeing the movie probably a few years after it came out and that is drastically different from the book, cutting out great characters like Ace Merrill, completely changing subplots or removing them as well as changing a good portion of the deaths. The book is superior in every possible way, in my opinion. *spoilers*
Are you down to do an Under the Dome review? I went into that one with pretty low expectations after years of not picking up a King book. The cast in that one is also top notch.
By chance I've been reading this and finished it just today and find myself in agreement with your assessment: it's one of the good ones. I think Bag of Bones will be a pleasant surprise when you re-read it; I loved it. Needful Things reminded me very strongly of Salem's Lot. As you say, the cast of thousands, but also the clued-up kids that are somehow wiser than their adult relatives, the religious leaders reading all the wrong verses and looking for dangers in the worng places, the poor chump who King saddles with his own substance issues... and the quintessence of King that sets you in a universe that could have been imagined and fleshed out by nobody else. Incidentally, one more question to ponder perhaps: when a certain character finds herself in - er - congress with someone she refer to as "King", are we sure that's really Elvis? Or is it perhaps a different King entirely - a reddish one, maybe, or even an authorial one?
Yes! "Needful Things" is the best and my 3 King book I had to get when I started my audible journey. I'm telling you Mike nothing beats hearing this narrated by Stephen himself. King as Nettie Cobb and Aunt Evie Charlmers might be my needful thing.... Since I listened to it 8 times now lol 😂. Great review as always. Have a great day. I'm currently on my 7th listen of "The Talisman" another awesome one thanks to Frank Muller narrator.
Needful Things is definitely in my top 5 King novels of all time for sure!! It's such a great ride!!! What happened to the reviews of The Sun Dog and Library Policeman from Four Past Midnight though??? Please do them :)
I'm currently 3/4 of the way through this novel, and I was kind of hoping there would be a clear explanation of WHY Gaunt was doing what he was doing. Hopefully when I finish it will be a little clearer, but it's been a question on my mind since the first sale he made in Castle Rock. I'm a little sad to hear there may not be a definitive answer.
Needful Things is definitely in my top-10 SK novels. Also it says Leland Gaunt is from Akron, Ohio; at the end of The Stand, Randall Flagg makes an allusion to Akron, Ohio. Perhaps Leland = Flagg?
It's a toss up between Needful Things & 11/22/63 for my favorite SK book. As a native Mainer from the same region as King, Needful Things feels the most "Maine" to me if that makes sense. Leland Gaunt is also a highly underrated villain. Top 3 in the SK metaverse & maybe the scariest to run into for an array of reasons.
Needful Things was one of the first King books I read and it still stands out as a classic. Just love the big cast of characters and how evil and manipulative Leland is in pitting them all against each other. Been looking forward to your review for a while :)
Maybe i'm in the minority here, but I actually rate the movie version. Yeah, they left a helluva lot out, but the acting, especially by the actress portraying Nettie was heart-breaking. The confrontation between Nettie and Wilma is beautiful yet so sad. I have heard there is a 3 hour TV movie cut of the film... fingers crossed it may be released sometime. Would love to know what was edited. Max Von Sydow was simply perfect as Gaunt in my opinion. Nothing will ever beat the novel though.
You're right. Clutterbuck is foretold to start falling into alcoholism and die two years later (93) when the ice on the lake breaks beneath his feet. Continuity error, or we are getting into the multiverse theory where those Castle Rock continuity issues (in its location, most of all. King leaves info to precisely locate it with exact distances and direction to real landmarks, but it differs from book to book) aren't errors but deliberate clues, or a deliberate feature anyway.
This book sickened me with the boy killing himself in front of his little brother. King does horror differently, it is horrific in the most human sense, despite the monsters and demons that may lurk. It's the human depravity and utter hopelessness that burrows deepest.
This is the third book I've read by King (I've only read three), and I had the EXACT complaint you talk about here. I loved the book - right up until that ending that came from nowhere. I think that's why I haven't picked up another one yet honestly... I'm not entirely sure what I would want from the store - but I'm sure I'd be ashamed of what I'd do for it!
Hey Mike - catching up on your videos - I can’t find where you talk about what books to read prior to Needful things - I don’t want to watch this video in case there are spoilers 😬
Like most King books you don’t have to read anything. His connections are all Easter eggs and you’re safe to read them in any order except for Dark Tower.
