Since I was so slow to the Stephen King appreciation club (I know I know I know), I attempt to 'catch up' and read one of his classics every fall. But until this year I had never actually read his first novel! 

If you've seen the movie (which is still excellent) you know the basic story, but I still enjoyed the book more. The characterization was superb, and the stylistic approaches chosen were surprising and so effective. 

And if you keep in mind that this is where Stephen King started (well, in some ways anyway), then there is an additional level of appreciation.