STYLISTIC BASIS OF STEPHEN KING’S HORROR NOVELS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Stephen King is a popular modern writer of horror. Some critics do not approve his writing style, and this is what differentiates him from other popular horror writers. S. King’s writing style is very specific and distinctive. The author uses many figures or measures that are not common to most modern writers and this is what makes him and his works so special. This article is focused on stylistic peculiarities of S. King’s writing style. As Teodoro Gómez wrote in his book about S. King, ‘King was manifoldly christened an American Dickens because of his style, plain and simple in receival’ 1 [translation mine]. This cannot be argued – his writing style goes down well with most of his readers, although some of the more demanding intellectuals disdain it. Obviously, in the literary community there is controversy on this topic. Some people notice that ‘it is very easy to be upset with horror writer Stephen King, for not only has he turned out his annual, successful terrifier, he has also produced a remarkable nonfiction work in which he discusses the meaning and the appeal of the horror story’ 2 . This is not a popular technique among writers – to give away their secrets about how to write to achieve success. Nonetheless, this is just what S. King does. This is a reason of adoration from one side, but also a reason of animosity from the other. Of course, other popular readers do not want everyone to know how to be a good writer – this would cause a huge increase in literary competitors. Thanks to S. King’s explanations it is easier for the readers to understand the roots of their fears. It is understandable then, that S. King is more often adored by readers than other writers, although many writers really respect his achievements and talent. Being a best-selling author of horror stories in the world is undisputable. ‘But the respect of the literary establishment has always eluded King. For years, the question