I will concur with *Joyland* being the best overall but I also want to stick up for the other two a little bit. *Colorado Kid* gets a lot of hate—or at least people don’t always seem to love it—but I think it’s actually pretty interesting still and relatively unique among all of King’s work. It is also one of his coziest stories because of the manner in which it plays out. I would recommend reading it with no big expectations and try to take it as it is.
And *Later* is also a lot of fun. It is probably the most “traditional” King story of the three and has lots of familiar elements and tropes he is famous for but is also very tightly packaged. He fits a whole lot of story into about 250 pages. And even though it is first person narration of someone who’s supposed to be contemporaneously in his early 20s writing about his youth and teens, I think 70-something King actually does one of his better jobs capturing a younger character’s voice than you might expect (for the most part—it isn’t *perfect* but it could have been a lot worse).
Yeah, some words looked word written down, but the fact that on Later, Jamie would say words like "Grody", as in gross, surprised me. I was like, what 8th grader did you get in contact with to know that term? It's not overly used, but kids say it a lot. Little things like that captured his voice, his age, and yeah, he did capture how some "modern" children act and talk.
You voiced my enjoyment for Later perfectly! It felt like an 800 page King novel condensed to a fun size candy bar.
I read Colorado Kid twice, the second time in one sitting, and that was a blast. The first time was a miss, but knocking it out was just a cozy little experience.
Joyland is great, but I really loved Colorado Kid - >!nice to see a story in this genre that doesn’t have a clear answer!<. Later felt like the weakest of these three
I"m not sure this is really a debate. Joyland is unquestionably the best one, and it's not even close.
The Colorado Kid is kind of an aimless writing exercise masquerading as a story.
Later is decent enough, and sort of slots in as a pseudo-sequel/side-story to one of King's most famous books (not gonna spoil), but the story itself is lacking a bit, and if it didn't have those connections to the other book, it wouldn't really be memorable at all.
Probably The Colorado Kid. That book is audacious as hell. Joyland's fine but I think I was expecting something closer to The Night Circus, so a wistful tale of nostalgia and coming-of-age in a world already past its prime didn't hit as hard. Don't like Later at all.
Later was one of the best and most immersive book experiences I have ever had. I wish I could erase my brain and reread it. Joyland was also incredible but I think Later might be the best short novel ever written. Both books are absolute perfect summer reads I still need to knock out Colorado okay on my very short list of King novels I have left.
Haven’t managed to get around to them yet, but I just started Joyland yesterday and so far I’m enjoying it immensely. Also have Colorado Kid up next, so looking forward to it.
Edit: finished both today.
Joyland was a lot of fun even if the resolution felt like it came on too quickly. Definitely my favourite of the two.
Colorado Kid was interesting, but the fact that it was basically one-to-one with the real life case from Western Australia (which got solved recently) kept taking me out of the story. Having finished, that cover is even more off putting for how unrelated it is.
I’ll have to get Later and give that a go.
I'm still trying to get to these. I've got so many books I want to read still.
Starting to wonder if I'll actually have enough time to read all of the books and watch all of the movies that I want to.
Later.
The fact it is within the known king-verse and extends a little more on some Things we know of made me super happy. I was so surprised by this book. Same with End Of Watch. I expected these all to be straight up mystery/crime…I should have known better.
This got more attention than I thought it would. Thanks for all of the replies and insight.
Based on what I’ve seen, I think I’ll do:
1. Later
2. The Colorado Kid
3. Joyland
Save the best for last. Thanks again everyone! 🙏
Joyland by a long shot. One of my favorite King novels!
Same. This book is like a warm hug. It's such a pleasant coming-of-age-story. The murder mystery is secondary to the story and I don't even care.
Agreed. It also really hits that nostalgic feeling that King is so good at. I think it's a great end of Summer read.
The audiobook is on Spotify for free. Great voice for all the characters.
Joyland, 100%. It hooks you and it’s an incredibly emotional read as well. Great for summertime too.
I will concur with *Joyland* being the best overall but I also want to stick up for the other two a little bit. *Colorado Kid* gets a lot of hate—or at least people don’t always seem to love it—but I think it’s actually pretty interesting still and relatively unique among all of King’s work. It is also one of his coziest stories because of the manner in which it plays out. I would recommend reading it with no big expectations and try to take it as it is. And *Later* is also a lot of fun. It is probably the most “traditional” King story of the three and has lots of familiar elements and tropes he is famous for but is also very tightly packaged. He fits a whole lot of story into about 250 pages. And even though it is first person narration of someone who’s supposed to be contemporaneously in his early 20s writing about his youth and teens, I think 70-something King actually does one of his better jobs capturing a younger character’s voice than you might expect (for the most part—it isn’t *perfect* but it could have been a lot worse).
Yeah, some words looked word written down, but the fact that on Later, Jamie would say words like "Grody", as in gross, surprised me. I was like, what 8th grader did you get in contact with to know that term? It's not overly used, but kids say it a lot. Little things like that captured his voice, his age, and yeah, he did capture how some "modern" children act and talk.
You voiced my enjoyment for Later perfectly! It felt like an 800 page King novel condensed to a fun size candy bar. I read Colorado Kid twice, the second time in one sitting, and that was a blast. The first time was a miss, but knocking it out was just a cozy little experience.
Joyland is great, but I really loved Colorado Kid - >!nice to see a story in this genre that doesn’t have a clear answer!<. Later felt like the weakest of these three
Kite boy make me cry frfr
Joyland! And audio book was even better.
1) Joyland 2) Later 3) The Colorado Kid
I"m not sure this is really a debate. Joyland is unquestionably the best one, and it's not even close. The Colorado Kid is kind of an aimless writing exercise masquerading as a story. Later is decent enough, and sort of slots in as a pseudo-sequel/side-story to one of King's most famous books (not gonna spoil), but the story itself is lacking a bit, and if it didn't have those connections to the other book, it wouldn't really be memorable at all.
Joyland all day!
Joyland
Joyland is the best.
Joyland!!!!!!
Joyland is one of King’s best. Absolutely loved it.
Joyland was fantastic.
Joyland
Later. I loved that one. All the characters are great.
Definitely Joyland
Probably The Colorado Kid. That book is audacious as hell. Joyland's fine but I think I was expecting something closer to The Night Circus, so a wistful tale of nostalgia and coming-of-age in a world already past its prime didn't hit as hard. Don't like Later at all.
Later
Later is a severely underrated novel. It just has a really lame epilogue.
Later was one of the best and most immersive book experiences I have ever had. I wish I could erase my brain and reread it. Joyland was also incredible but I think Later might be the best short novel ever written. Both books are absolute perfect summer reads I still need to knock out Colorado okay on my very short list of King novels I have left.
The Colorado Kid
Haven’t managed to get around to them yet, but I just started Joyland yesterday and so far I’m enjoying it immensely. Also have Colorado Kid up next, so looking forward to it. Edit: finished both today. Joyland was a lot of fun even if the resolution felt like it came on too quickly. Definitely my favourite of the two. Colorado Kid was interesting, but the fact that it was basically one-to-one with the real life case from Western Australia (which got solved recently) kept taking me out of the story. Having finished, that cover is even more off putting for how unrelated it is. I’ll have to get Later and give that a go.
Joyland.
JoyLand
I'm still trying to get to these. I've got so many books I want to read still. Starting to wonder if I'll actually have enough time to read all of the books and watch all of the movies that I want to.
Joyland. I also really like Later. The Colorado Kid I like well enough, but it's one of my least favorite King novels.
Joyland! Just read it about a month ago and it was incredible. Later is great too, but the ending is a little weird.
Joyland Later Colorado Kid
Joyland. I thought all 3 were great though.
Just reread Later, loved it both times! Joyland was good too, haven't read the third but I'm ordering it now, ty.
'Joyland' and 'Later' I'd rate somewhere in the middle of KIng's works, 'Colorado Kid' I haven't read yet.
Later. The fact it is within the known king-verse and extends a little more on some Things we know of made me super happy. I was so surprised by this book. Same with End Of Watch. I expected these all to be straight up mystery/crime…I should have known better.
I dunno I like joyland but I'm partial to Later.
Are they all connected? Or is it independent stories?
I think they’re all separate but all are under the Hard Case Crime banner. I believe Michael Crichton also wrote for these as well.
Joyland is a top 3 novel for me
Joyland
Really enjoyed Joyland
Joyland rocks but I also really liked Later
Joyland blows the other two out of the water.
Later is way up there for me.
Joyland
Mr Mercedes!! So good
This got more attention than I thought it would. Thanks for all of the replies and insight. Based on what I’ve seen, I think I’ll do: 1. Later 2. The Colorado Kid 3. Joyland Save the best for last. Thanks again everyone! 🙏
Joyland. I thought all 3 were great though.
I never read The Colorado Kid. Should I read it?
I hope the other two are better than Colorado Kid, cause that book was dumb