Building Bridges : Stephen King Live at the National Book Awards

Rating:
Summary: "Recognition for Being an Honest Writer"
Review: The awarding of the 2003 National Book Award Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to Stephen King caused quite a stir in the literary community, as King himself is quick to acknowledge in his 25-minute acceptance speech, recorded on this CD. It's called "Building Bridges" because King talk about bridges in his speech, specifically about the bridges that he believes can be built between popular fiction and so-called "literary" fiction.

For King fans like myself, much of the material King discusses here will be familiar from his apocryphal history (the story of his wife retrieving the pages of "Carrie" from the trash is told here again), or from his book "On Writing." Even so, hearing King talking about it in his own voice is charming and well worth the listen. He speaks with an open sincerity here, in loving words regarding his wife, and in proud words regarding his love for his chosen craft. There are funny moments that only King could pull off, like when he suggests to the audience that even though it isn't likely, the elevator they take to their hotel rooms might -- just might -- plummet down 30 floors. And there are disarmingly sweet moments, such as his explanation that while he didn't marry his wife Tabitha for her typewriter, he admits it was a factor.

What comes through most strongly in this relatively short speech is King's love for the written word, and his respect for anyone who makes the effort to share in his craft. He gives credit to his fellow writers across the board, genre writers and literary writers alike, and he talks about good fiction being able to express the truth at the center of the lie. If you're looking for a reason why King was given this award, look no further than this speech -- in King's simple, honest style, it eloquently expresses many of the reasons why King deserves the award, both in terms of his contribution to the world of words and his unabashed love for it.

I may be a little biased, but I can't think of anyone who deserves the recognition more, and it made me smile to hear him talk about it.

Rating:
Summary: King even speaks with grace!
Review: This title is probably only for King die-hards. That said, it is a wonderful speech by sai King. He tells of his early days, waiting for his wife (Tabitha King) to tell him to get a real job. She never tells him that. In fact, she goes on to save Carrie from the trash can. True love, I beg ya!

Sai King goes on to chatise the uppity judges for not reading popular fiction. He goes on to mention Peter Straub, Jack Ketchum, Elmore Lenord(sp) and a bunch of other authors. "Have you read them? Have the judges read them?"

Good stuff. His speaking voice is as wonderful as his writing voice. A great addition to your King collection for only nine bucks.