Author Stephen King has a large collection of work that includes over 60 novels and hundreds of short stories. On a past episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he shared which of his own creations he likes the most. His top choices include a very disturbing short story about survival, two of his most famous novels, and some personal projects.
The list gives readers a special look at what the writer himself thinks about his long career. King’s picks are “Survivor Type,” “Misery,” “Lisey’s Story,” “The Stand,” and “The Body” .
The Top Choice: “Survivor Type” and Its Gruesome Story
Stephen King’s number one pick is the short story “Survivor Type” . This story is known for being one of the most graphic things King has ever written. It follows a disgraced surgeon named Richard Pine. After a shipwreck, he finds himself stranded on a tiny, rocky island in the Pacific Ocean with almost no supplies .
The story is told through Pine’s diary entries. He has two things with him: his surgical skills and a large amount of heroin he was smuggling. With no food, his situation becomes desperate. After breaking his ankle, he makes a horrifying choice. He uses the heroin as an anesthetic, amputates his own foot, and then eats it to survive .
The diary entries show Pine’s mind slowly breaking down from starvation, isolation, and drug use. He continues to amputate and eat parts of his own body. The final, barely readable entries suggest he has consumed both of his legs and is considering what to eat next. The story ends with a famous, chilling line about the taste of his own fingers .
King has even said that the idea for this story “goes a little bit too far, even for me” . He had trouble getting it published at first, as magazines found it too shocking. He got the idea after wondering how long a person could survive by eating themselves. He confirmed the grim possibility with a retired doctor in his neighborhood .
Why “Survivor Type” Stands Out to King and Fans
“Survivor Type” is more than just a gory story. King has pointed to it as a perfect example of his core question: “How badly does the patient want to survive?” . It pushes a character to the most extreme limit of human endurance, both physically and mentally.
The story has a strong cult following. Readers on sites like Goodreads often describe it as “creepy,” “macabre,” and unforgettable . Many mention that the concept stuck with them long after reading. One reviewer wrote that figuring out what was happening made them “scream” out loud .
Because of its intense content, the story has inspired several short film adaptations over the years. These include a 2012 version directed by Billy Hanson and a 2020 animated special for the series Creepshow that featured the voice of actor Kiefer Sutherland .
The Rest of King’s Personal Favorites List
Beyond “Survivor Type,” King’s other selections show the range of his writing:
- Misery: King mentioned he particularly enjoyed the process of writing this novel . It tells the story of a novelist held captive by his biggest fan. The book is a masterclass in psychological tension.
- Lisey’s Story: King has described this as a deeply personal novel that he held onto for a long time before publishing . It explores the world of a widow uncovering her famous husband’s secrets and is now a series on Apple TV+.
- The Stand: King included his epic post-apocalyptic novel about a deadly plague and the battle between good and evil . He once told Colbert that while writing it, the story became so big he felt stuck. He followed classic writer Raymond Chandler’s advice: “When you’re in doubt, bring on the man with the gun,” which helped him move the plot forward .
- The Body: This novella is less about horror and more a coming-of-age story about friendship and loss. It was adapted into the beloved 1986 film Stand By Me .
King also gave a sixth mention to Billy Summers, his most recent novel at the time of the interview .
Finding and Reading “Survivor Type” and Other King Stories
For readers curious about “Survivor Type,” the most common place to find it is in King’s 1985 short story collection, Skeleton Crew . This book is widely available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.
Many of King’s other favorite stories are also easy to find:
- Misery, The Stand, and Lisey’s Story are all bestselling novels available anywhere books are sold.
- The Body is found in the novella collection Different Seasons.
The interview where King revealed these favorites took place on August 10, 2021, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . Clips from the segment are available on the show’s official YouTube channel and social media pages, where King discusses his work directly with Colbert.
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