Stephen King: 'King' of Horror Redefines Himself as Master of Psychological Drama

Entering his sixth decade writing books, Stephen King has defined horror in literature. Since 1998, or so, King's books have become more eerie and less scary. Bag of Bones, Hearts in Atlantis, Lisley's Story and Duma Key represent the redefined Stephen King.

Over the years, Stephen King has drawn a cult following for his horror classics. We are now terrified of clowns, prom night and 1958 Plymouth Fury autos thanks to King. Every great author has what has been called his 'salad days'. These are the early days in an artist's career when she must cater to mass popular appeal in order to gain recognition. The early writings are not necessarily less well written. They simply reflect a need to write what people want to read as opposed to what the author may really prefer to write.

Beginning in the 1990s, Stephen King's writings began to veer from blatant uncut horror and bloodshed to a more subtle, eerie suspense. King began to employ more introspection, finesse and delicate noir, as opposed to obligatory blood baths and violence. One thing that has always set Stephen King apart from other writers of horror is his ability to analyze and describe personality and character history. In his newer, more grown-up generation of books, King takes his gift of psychological description to deeper levels. Stephen King's newer novels delve deeper into human relationships. Stephen King's books are becoming more psycho-drama; he relies less on artificial and superficial events to guide his work.

Four of Stephen King's newer works embody this newer finely drawn style. In order of publication, they are Bag of Bones (1998), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), Lisley's Story (2006) and Duma Key (2008). Early fans of Stephen King, who love his works for the horror and gore only must be willing to make the transition King's new style. Everything that Stephen King fans love about his writing are still present in his newer novels. The intrigue, the spine-chilling suspense, the mystery are these aspects that draw readers to Stephen King like bees to honey are still there. In fact, Stephen King's style is arguably better with the emphasis on under vs. over-stated suspense.

If you've scorned Stephen King as a writer of horror only, rediscover this talented author. Stephen King has written his newest novella as an e-book; it is only available for Amazon Kindle. For more on books, literature and reading, visit me at www.thereadersgarden.blogspot.com and www.thewritersgarden.blogspot.com.