Needful Things by Stephen King (1991, Hardcover)

This is a keeper. To be read over and over. Much more intertwining than the movie, guaranteed to keep you up at nights (don't read if you have to go to work the next day). As always, King brings a book that is hard to put down. As noted by others, there is much more to the punch in the book than the movie (but this is always true). And of course, the original plot is a tad off (and you miss oh so much more of the fun!!)

If you are a Stephen King fan, and have seen the movie - be sure to pick up the book (and see what you missed out on). P.S. - I like King over Koontz, just a personal injection here.

Happy Shopping.

This is yet another great Stephen King novel. Well written and very gripping. I just can't seem to put it down!

I love this book. Small differences from the movie - there are more characters in the book, and naturally more supernatural effects in the book. One difference was in the book, the items bought from Mr. Gaunt were shiny and new (even though they were antiquities - like the spinter from the true cross, etc..) and when the customers caught on to Leland's act, the items were old and ratty. Sheriff Pangborn (alan) could see the items were rotting and nasty and not authentic right at the start (like the baseball card). The ending of the book was very good as well.. made him more satan-like than in the movie. in the book he flew away, in the movie he drove away and disappeared. Very good. Took me three - four days to read it, i could not get enough of it. All the characters were very in depth.

As a devoted Stephen King reader, I have read almost every book he has written. In my opinion, all his best works were written BA [before his accident] and Needful Things thankfully is among them. The book open in Castle Rock, no surprise there, but as it says on the cover it is the last Castle Rock based story. The story opens with a mysterious stranger opening up a store in downtown Castle Rock. No one in town is exactly sure what the shop sells, and even those who have been inside emerge in a sort of trance, usually unable or unwilling to remember the exact nature of their conversation with the proprietor. In a small town like Castle Rock, everyone knows everyone and soon the town is abuzz with the news of the mysterious new shop and its unusual business hours. Soon after the shop opens, strange things start happening in this normally quiet suburb. There are several cases of hate mail, tire slashings and broken windows. The sherrif soon realizes that the new shop is more then it appears to be, and decides to investigate further. The owner of the new shop, an elderly man named Leland Gaunt, does not like people prying into his business and soon devises a plan to keep the sherrif busy--and well out of his hair. In this novel, King incorporates a generous amount of offbeat characters as well as a good amount of small town local color. The book will hook you in the very first chapter and will keep you reeled in all the way to the climax. Along the way, be prepared for alot of mayhem and bloodshed, in the true BA King form. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :-)

This book is in great condition. It came in great time I am very Pleased with this book. I will definatley be buying from this seller again. Thank you.

Even though I am a true Mainer and love Stephen King...(I am usually too chicken to read his scary stories!). However, "Needful Things" sounded more intriguing so...I gathered up my courage and read it. The author writes of a small ficticous town in Western Maine nestled between South Paris and Oxford. Of which I am VERY familiar since I used to live in Oxford county. I felt like SK was writing this tale just for me! As the story unfolds the reader will get caught up in the suspense of the "new store" opening up in the town and of the shopkeeper himself. From very early on one senses some dread and doom approaching the town...but, you just can't put your finger on it. SK is a master story weaver as he writes short chapters, but at a fast pace. How he manages to keep track of all the town's characters: Pangborn (the Sheriff), Norris (deputy), Polly, Nettie, Brian, Wilma, Ace, Buster, Mr.Gaunt, etc. and braids a thoroughly precise timeline from every angle of the story is mind-blowing! As one meets the evil shopkeeper-Leland Gaunt and how he conducts business (ie: "Oh you can have that baseball card for $1.85, and a "service" for me by playing a harmless prank on your neighbor"...), the reader realizes early on that the shopkeeper is the Devil himself. I really loved how the Sheriff solved the puzzle as to why the whole town was going crazy. The ending was brilliant and all the loose ends tied in a neat little bow. Even a "scardy-cat" like me loved it! 5 stars*****

What I like about this book: Stephen King is my favorite author, bar none. His stories may feature monsters and such, but mostly they are stories about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
What I dislike about this book: The only thing about Stephen's work that I don't like is his over-use of foul language. This book is no exception.
Why I bought this book: I am in the process of building a collection of all of Stephen's work in hard cover with dust jackets.

Great book. Definitely a must buy. Had purchased 1 before & had gotten lost in move, glad to own another copy......

I decided to purchase this item because almost everything stephen king writes about keeps you wanting to read more.

The book is in good condition and the price was very good. The cost of shipment was a little more than it really cost to ship but the over all cost was good.

Is possibly one of Stephen Kings best books.It will literally capture you in the story and I for one read it from start to finish in one day.

This book is just awesome.
I really liked how all the problems were there before the stranger even came.
He just stirred the drink and sat back to watch the results.
This book is the perfect story of trouble.

Believe all you hear and repeat it.

Received book fast and seller was very helpful. Was very patient with me while I set up a PAYPAL account. Corresponded with me duruing this process.

Stephen King at his finest. I am an avid Stephen King fan and find his books to be well written, intriguing, and pulls you in from start to finish.

I bought this book because the price was right and it was indeed exactly like the seller described. Perfect condition. I wouldnt hesitate to buy from them again. I am also reading this book right now and it is awesome. A wonderful break from the holiday stresses!!

Stephen King is 2nd on my list of all time greatest authors ( First is Dean Koontz ), I just wish he could write a book a week, Then I wouldnt have to keep waiting for the next one to come out. Im not going to go into details about the book as if you are like me, I prefer to not know anything untill I start reading about it in the book, I have read most of his books so far and I love them all.
So as you can probably guess from what I wrote above, I highly Recomend this book.

This was a great book and also a good tv movie. The plot thickens as one reads further into the book and at times raises goosebumps. Highly recommended reading for SK fans.

Ray Numbers