The Stephen King Illustrated Companion: Manuscripts, Correspondence, Drawings, and Memorabilia From the Master of Modern Horror [Hardcover]

Bev Vincent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2009

From the Publisher: This book takes a critical look at Stephen King's most iconic works and reads between the lines to uncover the personal influences and demons as reflected in each monster, epidemic, and depraved character. Unseen family photographs and 16 pieces of previously unpublished ephemera - such as handwritten manuscript notes, typed early drafts, lengthy journal entries, and doodles for King's college newspaper - complete this tangible tour. Packed with fascinating biographical details, literary interpretations, and personal memorabilia, The Stephen King Illustrated Companion is a must-have addition to any true fan's library. About the author: Bev Vincent is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of The Road to the Dark Tower, an authorized companion to King's Dark Tower series. Vincent has published more than fifty of his own short stories. He lives in Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Fall River Press (2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435117662
• ISBN-13: 978-1435117662
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bev Vincent has been a contributing editor with Cemetery Dance magazine since 2001, writing the News from the Dead Zone column that appears in every issue. He is also the author of The Road to the Dark Tower, the Bram Stoker Award nominated com­panion to Stephen King's Dark Tower series, and The Stephen King Illustrated Companion.

His short fiction has appeared in places like Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, From the Borderlands and The Blue Religion. He is a contributing editor with Cemetery Dance magazine and a member of the Storytellers Unplugged blogging community. He also writes book reviews for Onyx Reviews.

He lives in Texas with his wife.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful and fun read - a must-have for Stephen King fans, December 29, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Stephen King Illustrated Companion: Manuscripts, Correspondence, Drawings, and Memorabilia From the Master of Modern Horror (Hardcover)

I chanced upon this at a local chain bookstore and promptly bought it (good thing too since there were only two left). "The Stephen King Illustrated Companion" by Bev Vincent contains manuscripts, correspondence, drawings, and memorabilia associated with the renowned author of the macabre. This book provides a critical analysis of some of King's more iconic works such as "The Shining", "The Stand", "The Dark Tower" series, "It" and many more. There are also some rare photographs of the author, including photographs from his childhood, and also 16 pieces of previously unpublished ephemera (as claimed by the publishers) such as reproductions of typed early drafts, journal entries,handwritten manuscript notes, etc.

The chapters:
Introduction: Mr Horror USA
The Early Years - inserts include "The 43rd Dream" s story by King written for his High School newspaper, a submission letter by a 14-year-old King, and a story written by King for the Comics Review. There are lots of photographs of King from early childhood onwards, cover art for various novels including a Doubleday Hardcover edition of "Carrie".
Room 217: The Shining - includes inspirations for some of King's stories such as the Marsten House in Salem's Lot, the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, publicity campaign for The Shining, and inserts include three pages from the original manuscript about how King changed his mind about Danny's encounter with the fire hose outside room 217 in Ch. 19.
The Walkin' Dude: The Stand - inserts include the final galley page from The Stand.
Welcome to Castle Rock: The Dead Zone - inserts include a copyedited page of The Dead Zone's prologue, a page from King's first draft of The Dead Zone, and four handwritten pages of the first draft of Cujo.
Sometimes Dead is Better: Pet Sematary - inserts include manuscript pages from Pet Sematary
Pennywise Lives: It - inserts include copyedited pages from It.
Number One Fan: Misery - insert is a reproduction of the inaugural issue of Castle Rock, a newsletter published by King's staff with the objective of coping with the fan mail.
The Night Journey: The Green Mile
Things That Go Bump: Bag of Bones - highlights include candid shots of King at work and play in his office, c. 1990s
The Accident - covers the 1999 accident that King was in, his self-publishing (on the internet) of his novella "Riding the Bullet",etc.
More Worlds Than These: The Dark Tower Series - inserts include a handwritten ledger of a section of an unpublished story that is reminiscent of The Dark Tower.
The Thing With The Endless Piebald Side: Lisey's Story
Conclusion: The Test of Time - among others, a full-page color photograph of King's office in Bangor which showcases fan art etc.

There's a selected bibliography at the end, as well as endnotes. To conclude - I found this book to be a treasure trove of photographs and ephemera, and though the information provided within may not be altogether comprehensive, it is well-compiled and beautifully presented - a loving tribute to a great author, and a wonderful souvenir for the 'ardent reader'.