On Writing, a Review

Stephen King’s On Writing could be put in the genre of nonfiction or of memoir. The first part, the memoir, moves along at a brisk pace as it gives us a tour of how the Maine legend became the writer he is today. The prose is so friendly and personal that it feels almost as if you know the writer, and contains King’s distinctive style as well as his appreciation for bare reality, a.k.a no sugarcoating things or censoring the swears.
There are parts memorable for their quirky, bizarre hilarity, such as the retelling of the gassy babysitter who said “Pow!” as well as moments supremely moving, such as King’s account of his battle with drugs and alcohol. All in all, there is rarely a dull moment in the memoir, and the reader gets a very complete picture of how each thing in King’s development have led to how he is today.
The second part of the book is about writing. For the beginning writer, this could definitely be a useful section to learn some about the basic tools of writing. However, what it contains could be found from almost any other writing book, and if you’ve already read a few, this may not be anything new to you. Admittedly it can serve as a helpful reminder on some points, but don’t expect it to elevate you to a new level of writing.
In any case, this section is enjoyable merely because of the extra commentary from King, if nothing else. Funny and offbeat, he always creates a quality experience for the reader. On Writing is a worthwhile read that I would recommend to anyone, whether you’re a regular fan of King’s or someone looking for a new read.