Haunted Heart

"A thoroughly respectful overview of King's life, and a great starter biography for new fans." ― The Boston Globe One of the most prolific and popular authors in the world today, Stephen King has become part of pop culture history. But who is the man behind those tales of horror, grief, and the supernatural? Where do these ideas come from? And what drives him to keep writing at a breakneck pace after a thirty-year career? In this unauthorized biography, Lisa Rogak reveals the troubled background and lifelong fears that inspire one of twentieth century's most influential authors. King's impoverished childhood in rural Maine and early marriage hardly spelled out the likelihood of a blossoming literary career. But his unflagging work ethic and a ceaseless flow of ideas put him on the path to success. The side effects of sudden stardom and seemingly unlimited wealth soon threatened to destroy his work and, worse, his life. But he survived and has since continued to write at a level of originality few authors could ever hope to match. Despite his dark and disturbing work, Stephen King has become revered by critics and his countless fans as an all-American voice more akin to Mark Twain than H. P. Lovecraft.  Haunted Heart chronicles his story, revealing the character of a man who has created some of the most memorable—and frightening—stories found in literature today.   "[Rogak] looks at what scares King enough that he's been able to keep readers entertained for thirty years." ― Bangor Daily News "Rogak . . . has pieced together King's sometimes erratic life scrupulously into a clean, swift read." ― Times Online (U.K.)