Is Stephen King the Charles Dickens of this century?

Answer 1

History will be the judge.

Answer 2

Matters of quality and subjects aside, there is good reason to consider Stephen King the Charles Dickens of the 20th century. Like Dickens, his work is immensely popular in his own lifetime and both men enjoyed substantial financial rewards.

While there are other contemporary authors who fit that description, Stephen King is different (and closer to Dickens) because, like Dickens, he serialized a work "The Green Mile" in a popular medium. The popular medium in Dicken's Day was the newspaper. "The Green Mile" was published in installments on the internet.

The answer to your question depends on the angle from which you choose to look at both authors.

Answer 3

Certainly not. Charles Dickens was a much finer writer (note: when King tries, he CAN write -- Different Seasons, his short stories). But King rarely writes about social injustice and the life and times of our experiences. He is first and foremost a genre writer while Dickens wrote primarily literature. Dickens was trying to do something new with the English language whereas King is looking for a groove and to keep it. He has found it with horror.

Answer 4

King himself says that Dickens is the standard. King may not be the Dickens of this century but he's one of the greatest storytellers of all time.

Answer 5

No. Dickens wrote of social conditions as they were at the time. Stephen King writes scary stories.... King may be more successful now, but in the long run, Dicken's novels will last longer...

Answer 6

He might be. I think he might be a little more dark than Dickens but then again they do have similar styles. I think he is. They both had dark stories but each had their hand in a not so strange book from time to time. A/w i still enjoy Stephen King's novels. Have you read the new Richard Bachman book, Blaze?

Answer 7

I don' t think so. Dickens' writing spoke against society. King's does not take on any current issues. I also doubt that King's writing will have the longevity that Dickens has.

Answer 8

No, Dickens wrote about social injustice and the disparity among the various classes in London. Stephan King is more like the H. P. Lovecraft of this, and of course the last century.

Answer 9

Gawds I hope not. Only the dark tower series has the subtleties of Dickens. The rest is amusing cotton candy.

Answer 10

you may well be right, but I think you mean the 20th century. This century is yet too young to make that call.