Stephen Kinghas published a staggering65novels and novellas since 1974. He shows no signs of stopping any time soon, with his next book,Never Finch, slated for publication in May. Butthe author’s body of work emphasizes quality as well as quantity, containing some of the most acclaimed andinfluential horror storiesof all time, likeThe Shining,It, andThe Stand.On top of that, King has also penned some exceptional dramas, likeStand By MeandThe Shawshank Redemption.
But what about the less famous novels? There areseveral lesser-known gems tucked away within King’s 65 stories that deserve attention. Though they represent more of the deep cuts in King’s bibliography, they are all worth checking out, especially for those who are fans of the author’s more famous books. The following ten books might not be as iconic as the likes ofCarrie, but they still pack a punch.
The Shining
10’Cycle of the Werewolf'
First Published: November 1983
“There is nothing of God or Light in that heartless sound - it is all black winter and dark ice.“Cycle of the Werewolfis a short novel that blends horror with a calendar-like structure, chronicling a series of brutal werewolf attacks over a year in the small town of Tarker’s Mills. The protagonist is young Marty Coslaw, a paraplegic boy who uncovers the dark secret behind the killings.
Cycle of the Werewolfdoesn’t innovate within the genre; it just deploys its tropes effectively.
Cycle of the Werewolfserved as the basis forthe 1985 movieSilver Bullet, though the source material is more interesting than the adaptation. It’s a flawed novel and a comparatively slight one, both narratively and literally (it’s just 127 pages long). Nevertheless,the plot is well-executed, the atmosphere is delectable, and the lupine carnage, when it finally arrives, is thoroughly entertaining.Cycle of the Werewolfdoesn’t innovate within the genre; it just deploys its tropes effectively.
9’The Eyes of the Dragon'
First Published: Fall 1984
“I tell tales, not tea leaves.“The Eyes of the Dragonrepresented King’s first foray into fantasy, which, at the time, was jarring for much of his horror fanbase. Set in the kingdom of Delain, the book tells the story of Prince Peter, who is falsely accused of murdering his father, King Roland, and is imprisoned in a high tower. The true villain, the malevolent sorcerer Flagg, manipulates events to install Peter’s weak-willed brother Thomas as king. With only his wits and determination, Peter devises an escape plan to reclaim his rightful throne.
This novelvery muchpays homage to fairy talesand classic fantasy, particularlyTolkien. The plot is a little predictable (it was initially intended for younger readers), but the characters are interesting, including a dragon, a forlorn rabbit, and a wise old wizard, among others. King fans may also enjoy the book’s connections to some of the author’s works,The Dark Tower, most of all.
The Dark Tower
8’Dolores Claiborne'
First Published: November 1992
“I’m not making an enemy; I’m keepin' one.” This one is told from the perspective of the title character, a woman accused of murdering her wealthy employer, Vera Donovan. But as Dolores tells her story, a deeper and more tragic history is revealed—including the fateful day she took matters into her own hands to protect herself and her children from her abusive husband.
Dolores Claiborneis a psychological thriller with no supernatural elements, demonstrating the writer’s skill at crafting real-world suspense.The writing is sharp, lean, and brutally direct, giving the reader a front-row seat to Dolores’s psyche. The result is a vivid character study, playing on an intriguing premise: what if someone got away with a crime but then was placed on trial for another crime that they did not commit? It works because the three main characters are so well-drawn. In 1995, the novel was made intoa terrific filmstarringKathy Bates.
Dolores Claiborne
7’Insomnia'
First Published: September 1994
“Of all the things which make up our Short-Time lives,sleepis surely the best.“Insomnia(no relation totheChristopher Nolan/Robin Williamsfilm) centers on Ralph Roberts, an elderly man suffering from chronic insomnia. As his condition worsens, he begins to see strange auras around people and witnesses mysterious beings tampering with the threads of life and death. His newfound abilities pull him into a larger battle involving the forces of chaos and order, with ties toThe Dark Towerseries.
Insomniaisa fusion of psychological horror and cosmic fantasy. It features monstrous entities like something out of Lovecraft, including the shape-shifting interdimensional being known as the Crimson King. It’s a dense book, clocking in at close to 800 pages, but one that rewards readers who stick with it. The trippy vibe and philosophical musings won’t be for everyone, but a certain subset of King fans should get a kick out of it.
6’Revival'
First Published: November 2014
“He spoke with the patience of a true believer. Or a lunatic.“Revivalfocuses on Jamie Morton, who forms a strange, lifelong connection with a charismatic preacher named Charles Jacobs. After suffering a personal tragedy, Jacobs becomes obsessed with experimenting with electricity’s potential to bridge the gap between life and death. As Jamie grows older and falls into addiction, Jacobs reenters his life with a horrifying proposition.
This is King’s riff onFrankenstein, balancing the genre elements with an astute meditation on grief, obsession, and the perils of playing god. Narratively,Revivalsees the author channeling a disparate array of influences, from Lovecraft andMary ShelleytoArthur Machen,Arthur Miller,The X-Files, and the sci-fi TV character Bernard Quatermass. Once again, it’s probably overlong, but it impresses with itscharacter-driven storytelling, thoughtful themes, and shocking climax. Jamie is three-dimensional and contends with real struggles, including loss and addiction.
5’Duma Key'
First Published: January 2008
“My accident really taught me just one thing: the only way to go on is to go on.“Duma Keyfollows Edgar Freemantle, a once-successful construction mogul who suffers a near-fatal accident, losing his right arm and suffering severe head trauma. As he struggles with memory loss, mood swings, and a failing marriage, he moves to the remote Duma Key in Florida to heal. There, Edgar discovers an unexpected artistic talent, producing eerie paintings that seem to hold supernatural power and hint at an ancient, malevolent force.
This book isas much a story of personal trauma as it is a horror. King himself was badly injured after being hit by a car in 1999, so his description of Edgar’s struggles is informed by his experiences. Thus,Duma Keyis grounded in reality, even as the supernatural terrors begin creeping in. They include a spectral limb and ghostly figures of young girls drifting across the sand. Spooky stuff.
4’Joyland'
First Published: June 2013
“When it comes to the past, everyone writes fiction.“Joylandis a nostalgic, heartfelt novel combining elements of crime, coming-of-age, and supernatural horror. It’s about Devin Jones, a college student who takes a summer job at Joyland, a small North Carolina amusement park in the early 1970s. While working the carnival games and entertaining children, Devin becomes entangled in the park’s dark history, particularly the unsolved murder of a young woman whose ghost is said to haunt one of the rides.
Joylandis a charming book, sweet and a little scary.
Joylandis a small-scale, intimate novelwith a lot to say about the bittersweetness of youth: the fleeting magic of summer jobs, first loves, and the slow realization that childhood is slipping away. This aspect of the book is arguably stronger than the horror (although it does get decidedly eerie at times). It’s a charming book, sweet and a little scary. Plus, reading it, one gets a sense of just how much the author enjoys the act of writing itself.
3’Needful Things'
First Published: October 1991
“Everyone loves something for nothing…even if it costs everything.“Needful Thingsis one of King’s most compelling small-town horror stories (thoughthe movie version is pretty lame), focusing on Castle Rock, a town that has appeared in many of his works. The plot revolves around Leland Gaunt, the mysterious new shopkeeper who opens an antique store. The shop sells seemingly perfect, personalized trinkets to residents—items that fulfill their deepest desires. However, the true cost isn’t money but rather small favors, escalating into acts of cruelty, pranks, and violence.
The story builds nicely, getting more intense as it rolls along, sprinkling the scares with sharp social commentary. It’s about unchecked greed, the fragility of social bonds, and how easily people can be turned against each other. The prose is strong, the premise is interesting, and, yet again, it draws on the author’s real life. For example, one of the characters struggles with addiction, and King himself had quit alcohol and cocaine shortly before writing this book.
2’Lisey’s Story'
First Published: October 2006
“There was a lot they didn’t tell you about death, she had discovered.” This introspective novel tells the tale of Lisey Landon, the widow of famous author Scott Landon. Two years after her husband’s passing, Lisey is still struggling to sort through his belongings and come to terms with the trauma she endured throughout their marriage. As she delves deeper into his papers, she discovers an unsettling supernatural world known as Boo’ya Moon, a mysterious place Scott often escaped to for inspiration.
Lisey’s Storyisone of King’s most emotional books, with much to say about love, grief, and the writing process itself. Here,the author deftly fuses the mundane and the fantastical, balancing the relationship drama with alternate realities and a vicious beast with the power to walk between the worlds. Not for nothing, King once declaredLisey’s Storyas his favorite of all the books he’s written.
1’Bag of Bones'
First Published: September 1998
“Any good marriage is secret territory, a necessary white space on society’s map.” A gothic ghost story in the vein ofThe Shining,Bag of Bonesfollows bestselling novelist Mike Noonan, who, after the sudden death of his wife, Jo, is unable to write. He retreats to their summer home on Dark Score, where he finds himself drawn to a young widow, Mattie Devore, and her daughter, Kyra. At the same time, the house seems to be haunted by Jo’s presence, along with darker forces.
King often writes about writers, and this is perhaps his strongest example of that.Bag of Bonesis also a moving portrait of a marriage; in this regard a companion piece toLisey’s Story.The novel thus succeeds on multiple levels: as a rich drama, a romance, an exploration of creativity, and an unsettling horror story.Bag of Bonesis also exceptionally well written,placing it at the forefront of King’s work.
