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Showing posts with label Short Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Stories. Show all posts

Four Past Midnight Review

Stephen King, American, Anthologies, Fiction, Horror, Occult, Short Stories, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Four Past Midnight

Published: 24, September 1990
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Anthologies, Fiction, Horror, Occult, Short Stories, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
Four Past Midnight Summary


The Review

Stephen King's novella collection Four Past Midnight, released in August 1990, is a compilation of tales written between 1988 and 1989. It's his second novel of this style, following Different Seasons. The collection received the Bram Stoker Award for Best Collection in 1990 and was nominated for a Locus Award in 1991. In the preface, King states that, unlike Different Seasons, which is a compilation of four stories, this book is more exclusively horror with supernatural aspects.

As I've indicated in previous reviews of short tales, I've never loved reading them, but every now and then, a writer changes my mind, and Stephen King is one of them and this book, as well as the short stories included inside it, caused my mind to alter for the better once more.

The Langoliers, Secret Window, Secret Garden, The Library Policeman, and The Sun Dog are the four novellas. All of the pieces were excellent, but I can't help but think that a handful of them might have worked better as full-length novels. 

There was simply so much more to discover in some of them. For example, The Langoliers, a jet that goes into yesterday, when the earth is rapidly being eaten away by bouncing alien balls known as the Langoliers. They fly back to the present/future after a brief stop at the airport of the past. I simply felt that there may be some fun in all of this, but it was hampered by the length of the tale.


The following are the short stories from this book:

01 - The Langoliers

It's a mysterious time travel story with a surprising twist. A jumbo jet carrying passengers takes off from Los Angeles bound for Boston, but passes through a time rip, sending the few surviving passengers back in time by barely a few hours while the past-tense world decays around them. 

This narrative was converted into a TV show and a film, and it wasn't horrible to watch. This was my personal favorite. It's horrifyingly creepy and will keep you fascinated till the finish. 

Of course, practically everyone has seen the TV movie, but even if you haven't, it's a wonderful read. The characters, like all Stephen King's, are incredibly believable.


02 - Secret Window, Secret Garden

The plot of Secret Window, Secret Garden is similar to that of Stephen King's earlier work The Dark Half. Both are about authors who are barely veiled parallels of King himself—in The Dark Half, it's Thad Beaumont, and in Secret Window, Secret Garden, it's Mort Rainey.

In Secret Window, Secret Garden, Mort Rainey, the author, is approached by a man who accuses him of stealing his novel. 

Rainey's life takes a truly nasty turn as he rejects the claims, and the perpetrator of it all gave me the goosebumps. 

It's creepy, unsettling, and heartbreaking. This is my third choice. There are several obvious differences between the book and the film, some of which are negative, but the tale is generally wonderful. 

Prepare for a crazy voyage into the human psyche. Secret Window, Secret Garden was the one exception to a borderline-juvenile narrative. That one was the most mature and, in my opinion, creepiest. 

This is due to the fact that it dealt with the very real and terrifying thought of losing one's mind in the worst way possible, all the way into the world of violent schizoaffective disorder.


03 - The Library Policeman

A man who hasn't been to the library since he was a youngster, comes in to look for two specific books. His experience there is, to say the least, unpleasant, as he rapidly discovers he has entered another realm. 

The stereotyped librarian threatens him that if he does not return his books on time, the library policeman would come to his house. 

The novel is a little monotonous at first, but when the narrative takes a supernatural left turn, boring turns into odd, and bizarre goes into spine-tingling. 

Just keep reading over the dull portion and you'll be able to enjoy the narrative once it's over. It is second on my list. 

This was a dramatic and interesting story about confronting childhood anxieties as an adult. It is twisted and may even cause a nostalgic lump to form in your throat.


04 - The Sun Dog

For his 15th birthday, a boy receives a much-desired Polaroid camera, but something is horribly wrong with it. 

It only takes one type of photograph... And something genuinely awful and sinister is happening with each passing image. 

The camera is a portal to another world—an evil, malevolent space where things can get sinister and eerie.


All of the novellas are preceded by a preface from Stephen King explaining how he came up with the story idea.

Only Stephen King would consider them novellas, which are longer than short stories but shorter than novels. I've read several books that are shorter than the "novellas" in this book and almost every story in this book is the size of a standard novel.

These stories were really enjoyable to me. They all piqued my attention instantly and kept it to the finish. Stephen King shines most brightly in these sorts of stories, which are neither too long nor too short.


Final Thoughts

Short tales may be difficult to impress, especially when they come from an author who creates 1000+ page volumes. 

You can see from King's short tales that he had an idea but couldn't figure out how to properly explore it and turn it into a novel. 

Fortunately, Four Past Midnight has three terrific stories that are neither hurried nor abbreviated. 

Sun Dog, on the other hand, did not live up to the other three, while being great on its own but not on the level of the other three.

It has always surprised me how he can transform nothing into something, how he can take the simplest of narrative lines, the most basic of concepts, and turn them into something really intriguing and exciting.

My main issue isn't actually a complaint at all; rather, it's a source of intrigue. His ability to twist topics that, from a distance, appear to be rather infantile into something dramatic, enigmatic, and sophisticated is a source of intrigue in and of itself. 

What do you mean, Library Policemen? A camera that is possessed? Is there a time-warp in the sky? I mean, really. Despite this, I was able to readily suspend my disbelief.

It's amazing to see how things develop and play out. And it's a lot of joy to go through them and observe the mystery.


Synopsis

This synopsis is taken from the book's audio version.

“Four chiller novellas set to keep listeners awake long after bedtime.

One Past Midnight: "The Langoliers" takes a red-eye flight from LA to Boston into a most unfriendly sky. Only 11 passengers survive, but landing in an eerily empty world makes them wish they hadn't. Something's waiting for them, you see.

Two Past Midnight: "Secret Window, Secret Garden" enters the suddenly strange life of writer Mort Rainey, recently divorced, depressed, and alone on the shore of Tashmore Lake. Alone, that is, until a figure named John Shooter arrives, pointing an accusing finger.

Three Past Midnight: "The Library Policeman" is set in Junction City, Iowa, an unlikely place for evil to be hiding. But for small businessman Sam Peebles, who thinks he may be losing his mind, another enemy is hiding there as well - the truth. If he can find it in time, he might stand a chance.

Four Past Midnight: "The Sun Dog", a menacing black dog, appears in every Polaroid picture that 15-year-old Kevin Delevan takes with his new birthday gift - with each following photograph beckoning him to the supernatural. Old Pop Merrill, Castle Rock's sharpest trader, wants to crash the party for profit, but the Sun Dog, a creature that shouldn't exist at all, is a very dangerous investment.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Castle Rock, Johnny Depp, Library Policeman, Needful Things, Past Midnight, Polaroid Camera, Secret Garden, Secret Window, Sun Dog, Well Written, Window Secret


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Secret Window (1994) (PG-13)

The Langoliers (1994) (PG-13)

Under The Dome - Season 1 (2013) (13+)

Dreamcatcher (2003) (R)

Cell (2016) (R)

Bag of Bones Season 1 (2012) (13+)

Dolores Claiborne (1995) (R)

It (1990) (R)

It (2017) (R)

It Chapter Two (2019) (R)

Needful Things (1993) (R)

Desperation (2006) (16+)

Silver Bullet (1985) (R)

The Tommyknockers (1993) (M)

Christine (1983) (R)

The Dead Zone (1983) (R)

Misery (1990) (R)

Carrie (1976) (R)

Firestarter (1984) (R)

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Skeleton Crew Review

Stephen King, American, Anthologies, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+, Literature, Psychological, Short Stories, Supernatural, Thriller

Skeleton Crew

Published: 21, June 1985
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Anthologies, Contemporary, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+, Literature, Psychological, Short Stories, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
Skeleton Crew Summary


The Review

Stephen King's Skeleton Crew is a collection of short stories released by Putnam in June 1985. Scream/Press published a limited edition of 1,000 copies in October 1985, illustrated by J. K. Potter, and included an additional short story, "The Revelations of 'Becka Paulson," which first appeared in Rolling Stone magazine (July 19 – August 2, 1984), and was later incorporated into King's 1987 novel The Tommyknockers. The book's initial title was Night Moves, but it was eventually changed to Skeleton Crew.

The Mist is undoubtedly the standout element of Skeleton Crew, and although being shorter than most of his novels, he's able to deliver on a wonderful combination of tension, action, and character development better than most of his 700+ page novels. This story alone is practically worth the price of this book, while taking up barely a fifth of the collection.

Cain Rose Up, as many other readers have noted, stands out uncomfortably as a basic and too brutal tale of a school massacre. It feels like the conclusion to a much more intricate and engaging narrative, such as Rage.

The Jaunt is probably my favorite of the bunch because of how it delivers on an intriguing notion and the ensuing reward at the end, but it's also wonderful to read one from Stephen King that digs into some exciting sci-fi features. This entire narrative is available for free online, so if nothing else, read it.

The notion of Word Processor of the Gods is fantastic enough: a handmade computer that can generate whatever that is written into it. However, I believe that this should have been lot bigger and better than it is, but it is still an excellent read.

Nona seemed the most like a Stephen King narrative, with an overabundance of characters that all felt like they belonged in a broader story, which is why most of them subsequently appear in other stories set in the same town. It's still a fantastic book, especially if you've just read Body or Hearts in Atlantis.

The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet takes a while to get going, but once it does, it's a wonderful unsettling yet subtly humorous narrative. It's one of the collection's longer and last pieces, and it, along with The Reach, ends on a high note.

The Monkey is the book's second longest story, and it also happens to be my second favorite. A guy is terrified of a cymbal-clapping windup monkey who he believes has been responsible for several fatalities since he was a child. This is his effort to rid himself of the item in order to rescue himself and his family. It's a basic narrative, but it's spooky, and it's an excellent illustration of what a short story should be.

The collection includes eighteen short stories, two novellas "The Mist" and "The Ballad of The Flexible Bullet," as well as two poems "Paranoid: A Chant" and "For Owen." 

In addition to the opening, in which King addresses his readers directly in his trademark style of speech, Skeleton Crew includes a type of epilogue called "Notes," in which King examines the genesis of numerous pieces in the book. 

The stories are drawn from science-fiction and horror anthologies such as Dark Forces, Shadows, Terrors, and New Terrors, as well as genre magazine publications such as Twilight Zone, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Startling Mystery Stories, Weirdbook, and Fantasy and Science Fiction, as well as popular magazines such as Redbook, Gallery, Yankee, and Playboy.

Overall, I would suggest this collection to any Stephen King fan, since it contains many of his most popular and memorable works (especially those that are not whole novels), and it may even be the ideal place for a beginner to Stephen King to begin.

The following is a list of the stories from this book.

01 - The Mist

02 - Here There Be Tygers

03 - The Monkey

04 - Cain Rose Up

05 - Mrs. Todd's Shortcut

06 - The Jaunt

07 - The Wedding Gig

08 - Paranoid: A Chant

09 - The Raft

10 - Word Processor of the Gods

11 - The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands

12 - Beachworld

13 - The Reaper's Image

14 - Nona

15 - For Owen

16 - Survivor Type

17 - Uncle Otto's Truck

18 - Morning Deliveries (Milkman #1)

19 - Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game (Milkman #2)

20 - Gramma

21 - The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet

22 - The Reach

My recommendation is to wait until you've finished all of the other tales before reading The Mist, since it's one of the greatest stories in the book in my view.


Final Thoughts

Stephen King is an author who should be read at least once by every reader. His ability to tell stories and draw you in from the first phrase is incredible. 

The stories are among King's best, as mentioned in the title. 

"The Mist" is the collection's first short story, and it's also the longest. 

I've always been wondering about where King gets his ideas, and I was glad to learn that at the conclusion of this book, there are some details about what inspired King to create a couple of the stories. 

While "The Mist" is his most well-known work in this collection, I also enjoyed "The Jaunt," "Word Processor of the Gods," (a bizarre but enjoyable piece of writing, "The Raft," and "The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet." 

Fantastic bits of writing that demonstrate King's talent in a variety of forms. It's also worth noting that not all of these short tales are about terror or weirdness; he's also fantastic at writing about everyday life and seemingly ordinary events that we as humans face. Any Stephen King lover should have this book.

There are around 20 tales here, all of varied quail. Most of them are between 20 and 30 pages long, so even if you don't like any of them, you haven't wasted too much time. 

I thought almost all of them to be quite amusing, with a few of them being considerably above average. The book is certainly worth purchasing, and I would suggest it to any Stephen King fans who are ready to read him in tiny doses.


Synopsis

The following synopsis is taken from the Audiobook version of the book.

“Narrated by Stephen King, Matthew Broderick, Michael C. Hall, Paul Giamatti, Will Patton, Norbert Leo Butz, Lois Smith, Dylan Baker, Kyle Beltran, Dana Ivey, Robert Petkoff, David Morse, and Frances Sternhagen.

The master at his scarifying best! From heart-pounding terror to the eeriest of whimsy - tales from the outer limits of one of the greatest imaginations of our time!

In "The Mist", a supermarket becomes the last bastion of humanity as a peril beyond dimension invades the earth.

Touch "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands", and say your prayers.

There are some things in attics that are better left alone - things like "The Monkey".

The most sublime woman driver on earth offers a man "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut" to paradise.

A boy's sanity is pushed to the edge when he's left alone with the odious corpse of "Gramma".

If you were stunned by Gremlins, the Fornits of "The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet" will knock your socks off.

Trucks that punish and beautiful teen demons who seduce a young man to massacre; curses whose malevolence grows through the years; obscene presences and angels of grace - here, indeed, is a night-blooming bouquet of chills and thrills.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Ballad Of The Flexible, Flexible Bullet, Mrs Todd, Processor Of The Gods, Shake Hands, Short Story, Survivor Type, Todd Shortcut, Word Processor


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

Under The Dome - Season 1 (2013) (13+)

Dreamcatcher (2003) (R)

Cell (2016) (R)

Bag of Bones Season 1 (2012) (13+)

Dolores Claiborne (1995) (R)

It (1990) (R)

It (2017) (R)

It Chapter Two (2019) (R)

Needful Things (1993) (R)

Desperation (2006) (16+)

Silver Bullet (1985) (R)

The Tommyknockers (1993) (M)

Christine (1983) (R)

The Dead Zone (1983) (R)

Misery (1990) (R)

Carrie (1976) (R)

Firestarter (1984) (R)

Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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Night Shift Review

Stephen King, American, Anthologies, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Short Stories, Supernatural, Thriller

Night Shift

Published: February 1978
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Anthologies, Fiction, Ghost, Horror, Literature, Mystery, Short Stories, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Stephen King's debut collection of short works, Night Shift, earned the Balrog Award for Best Collection and was nominated for the Locus Award and the World Fantasy Award for Best Collection in 1979. It is Stephen King's fifth novel, following the publication of Rage under the alias Richard Bachman.

The first book for which Stephen King wrote a preface was Night Shift. John D. MacDonald, one of Stephen King's favorite authors, wrote the introduction.

This book is one of the treasures of Deja Vu and memories that are embedded in my mind because this book's short stories were adopted multiple times into films and television and if you watched those movies at a young age then you'll understand what I'm saying but if you don't then read the book and you will surely understand because chances are you must have watched many of these movies without knowing about it.

Some of the stories have been adapted into comic books, podcasts, and stage productions. Some are warped and twisted beyond recognition, yet a sharp eye can still recognize the work of Stephen King.

Nine of the twenty tales were first published in Cavalier Magazine issues from 1970 to 1975, while others appeared in Penthouse, Cosmopolitan, Gallery, Ubris, and Maine Magazine. 

Stephen King's debut short story collection is an excellent depiction of his work. This collection contains several introductions to the author's world, as well as references to many recognized sites and people from his later works.

It also includes several pieces that are quite different from the Stephen King we've come to know and love. A number of these masterpieces are quite sad and add a new perspective to our dear author.

In this book, the stories "Jerusalem's Lot," "Quitters, Inc.," "The Last Rung on the Ladder," and "The Woman in the Room" were published for the first time.

Both Children of the Corn and Trucks were transformed into bad movies, yet they function well as short stories. Children of the Corn is the better of the two, focusing on the lonely village rather than the children, and it also has some excellent horrible images near the conclusion. 

I'm eager to come through each one individually, but suffice it to say that they're practically all good. 

Some serious Stephen King fans may be apprehensive to read these works in a current world when the book has entirely overtaken the short story. Don't make this error. This is some of his finest work by the author.

I never wanted to read short tales before, but Stephen King changed my mind with books like this, and now I don't mind if a narrative is only two pages long since you can build any context and even the aftermath in your thoughts once the rapid thrill on the page is done.

This is a list of 20 short stories from this book, organized alphabetically rather than in the order in which they appear in the book. I have added information about movie adaptations as well as any other valuable information about the narrative under the story name.

1 - Battleground
It is a fantasy short story that first appeared in the September 1972 issue of Cavalier magazine and was later collected in Stephen King's 1978 collection Night Shift. 

Richard Christian Matheson turned "Battleground" into a teleplay for the Nightmares & Dreamscapes television series (Name of another great Stephen King short story collection.) 

The episode directed by Brian Henson and featuring William Hurt as Renshaw the assassin debuted on July 12, 2006. The entire episode is devoid of conversation. 

One of my favorite stories and TV episodes in these volumes. The tale makes you think in two ways; sometimes I was rooting for the main character, and other times I was rooting for the other boys, which was thrilling to watch as a movie/TV program with my cousins and brother. 

After reading it, I recommend viewing it with friends or family for maximum fun. Check out the 8-part series here: https://rebrand.ly/Nightmares-Dreamscapes-2006-18


2 - Children of the Corn
It is a short tale that initially appeared in the March 1977 issue of Penthouse and was subsequently included in the 1978 collection Night Shift. 

The plot revolves around a couple who find themselves in an abandoned Nebraska community inhabited by a cult of violent youngsters who worship a demon that resides in the nearby cornfields. 

The narrative was translated into multiple films, generating a horror feature film series that began in 1984. 

The story was published in Stephen King's book Stephen King Goes to the Movies in 2009. It made reference to Gatlin. Hemingford Home, a nearby village to Gatlin, was also the place in "1922" where Mother Abagail lived and picked up the good survivors of the super virus in The Stand. 

I've just included the first adoption here, but you can search for rest at the same link: https://rebrand.ly/Children-of-the-Corn-1984-R


3 - Graveyard Shift
It was initially published in Cavalier magazine in October 1970 and collected in Stephen King's book Night Shift in 1978. 

The story was adapted into a hilariously terrible film, is surprisingly effective. The plot centers on the struggle between Hall and his boss, Warwick, and keeps the rat substance in small, but still lethal, dosages. 

A terrifying trip into the murky world of corporate greed and power. Graveyard Shift is set in a tiny Maine town, with most of the action taking place at a textile factory. 

Here's the link to the movie adaptation: https://rebrand.ly/Graveyard-Shift-1990-R


4 - Gray Matter
It is a short tale that first appeared in the October 1973 edition of Cavalier magazine and was subsequently included in the 1978 collection Night Shift. 

The narrative takes place in the same setting as Stephen King's novel Dreamcatcher. It is also set in the It universe. 

Jesse C. Boyd, Christopher Nathan, Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tobin Bell feature in the premiere episode of the 2019 Shudder anthology web series Creepshow, which is based on the Gray Matter tale. 

Here's where you may find the first season of the show: https://rebrand.ly/Creepshow-2019-TV-MA


5 - I Am the Doorway
It is a science fiction short tale that was initially published in Cavalier magazine in March 1971 and then collected in Night Shift in 1978. Many adoptions are accessible, but I was unable to locate any reliable sources; nevertheless, as soon as I do, I will update this section.


6 - I Know What You Need
It is a fantasy/horror short tale that was initially published in Cosmopolitan in September 1976 and then collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

The Necronomicon from the Cthulhu Mythos is one of Ed's novels in this story and that is a nice touch. 

The 1973 oil crisis and The Godfather are discussed; the narrative takes place between 1973 and 1974. 

A brief version of the adoption is available, but I couldn't find a safe link; I'll update you as soon as I discover one.


7 - Jerusalem's Lot
It is a clear Lovecraft depiction. It doesn't quite equal his finest work, but it's terrific and avoids being overly derivative. '

The story was also included in the illustrated edition of Stephen King novel Salem's Lot, published in 1975. 

The author enhances Stoker's Lair of the White Worm with some cosmic horror. The narrative short tale "Jerusalem's Lot" is set in the imaginary village of Preacher's Corners in Cumberland County, Maine, circa 1850. 

The story is conveyed through a series of letters and journal entries, most of which are written by the main character, nobleman Charles Boone, though his manservant, Calvin McCann, also serves as narrator on occasion. 

The narrative style is well-crafted, and I appreciate the mix. It serves as a precursor to Salem's Lot. 

For the first season of the TV adaption, click here: https://rebrand.ly/Chapelwaite-2021-TV-MA


8 - Night Surf
It is a post-apocalyptic short tale that was initially published in the spring 1969 edition of Ubris magazine and then collected in Stephen King's 1978 collection Night Shift in a revised form. 

I believe that if you can delve deep enough, you will be able to sense the COVID-19 Vibes here and what mankind is up to. 

In 2001, writer-director Peter Sullivan translated "Night Surf" into a short film. The film, which was optioned from the author for $1, is part of the Dollar Baby series of similar short films.


9 - One for the Road
It's a short tale that initially appeared in Maine in March/April 1977, and was then collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

This tale is a sequel to Stephen King's 1975 novel "Salem's Lot," and it is also linked to the novella "Jerusalem's Lot," which is a prequel to both and appears in Night Shift. 

Both stories were eventually included in the Salem's Lot Illustrated Edition, which was published in 2005.


10 - Quitters, Inc.
It's a short tale from the Night Shift collection from 1978. Unlike the bulk of the other stories in this collection, it was previously unpublished until February 1978 under Doubleday Publishing. 

This short story is one of author's lesser-known works, yet it was included in Edward D. Hoch's collection of Best detective stories of the year in 1979. 

The narrative concerns Dick Morrison's discovery of Quitters, Inc.'s harsh enforcement techniques, which he hires to help him stop smoking. 

This short tale, like most of the author's writing, has elements of horror fiction and satire, with the goal of inducing sensations of anxiety and tension in the reader. 

Because I am allergic to smoke, one of my favorite stories is the Quitters, Inc. I want cigarettes to be prohibited as dangerous drugs because the impact is the same on smokers, who are unaware that they are dying a slow painful death while also causing people like me to suffer from secondhand smoke. 

Cat's Eye, a 1985 American anthology horror film, was based on the story. This film was not only based on this story; it also included The Ledge from the same book. I discovered numerous versions of this story in other languages, but I think this film to be the most accurate and authentic, therefore I'm just posting the link to it here: https://rebrand.ly/Cats-Eye-1985-PG-13


11 - Sometimes They Come Back
Another short tale that initially appeared in Cavalier in March 1974 and was eventually collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

This is perhaps one of my favorite tale in this collection. It's one of the most intensely melancholy pieces the author's ever written, with a few novel twists on the familiar retribution from beyond the dead subject. 

The first full-length feature film adaptation of this story can be found here: https://rebrand.ly/Sometimes-They-Come-Back-1991-18


12 - Strawberry Spring
It's a horror short tale that first appeared in Ubris magazine's fall 1968 issue and was collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

It is a novel involving a sequence of killings on a college campus, has a somewhat obvious finish, but it has enough atmosphere to be a very amazing narrative in its own right. It has a surprising finale if you don't get it during the story. 


13 - The Boogeyman
It is a short tale that was initially published in the March 1973 edition of Cavalier and then included in the Night Shift collection in 1978. 

This may cause your hair to stand up, particularly at the end. I discovered a couple of films with the same title, but they are not adaptations of this story, therefore I have not included the links to those films. 

Hulu plans to make a film adaption of the same name in 2023. Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, David Dastmalchian, Marin Ireland, Vivien Lyra Blair, and Madison Hu feature in the film, which was written by Mark Heyman and directed by Rob Savage. So be ready, and I'll provide the link as soon as it's available.


14 - The Last Rung on the Ladder
It's a short tale from the Night Shift collection from 1978. This is another of the author's stories that is linked to a number of others, like as Larry recalls growing up on a farm near Hemingford Home, Nebraska, with his sister. 

During The Stand, this is also the town where Mother Abagail dwells. Also the town next door to Gatlin, where "Children of the Corn" takes place and it occurs in It to introduce Ben Hanscom. In Cell, it is discussed. Hemingford Home is also the setting for "1922" from Full Dark, No Stars.


15 - The Lawnmower Man
It's a short tale that initially appeared in the May 1975 edition of Cavalier and was then collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

The following is a link to the movie: https://rebrand.ly/The-Lawnmower-Man-1992-18


16 - The Ledge
It's a short tale that initially appeared in the July 1976 edition of Penthouse and was then included in the Night Shift collection in 1978. 

It was also included in the anthology film Cat's Eye, and the following is a link to it: https://rebrand.ly/Cats-Eye-1985-PG-13


17 - The Man Who Loved Flowers
It's a short tale that initially appeared in Gallery in August 1977 and was then collected in Night Shift in 1978. The plot follows a young man who buys flowers for his love interest, but he turns out to be someone you don't want to meet.


18 - The Mangler
It is a short tale that was initially published in Cavalier magazine in December 1972 and then collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

This is an odd one because it's about a possessed industrial dryer/folder. It has an inadvertently black-comic air to it, as well as some of the most violent, unsettling violence I've read from him. Being murdered by one of those things would entail being crushed and scalded at the same time. I'm sure it's not pleasant. 

The story takes place in an American town, with the majority of the action taking place in an industrial laundry. 

The author has revealed that he worked in an industrial laundry as one of the numerous jobs he performed to support his family before becoming famous. 

The initial movie adoption can be accessed here: https://rebrand.ly/The-Mangler-1995-R


19 - The Woman in the Room
It is a short tale that was originally published in the Night Shift collection in 1978. 

While not a horror story, it is one of the darkest and most heartbreaking pieces in the collection. It's about a man's effort to euthanize his terminally sick mother, and plainly reflects on author's mother's gradual death.

Real-life horrors frequently outnumber what humans can conceive. It's difficult to deal with death. 

It is, in some ways, tied to the author's own life, much like a lot of the other things he writes that makes readers' hearts explode with the sorrow of truth.


20 - Trucks
It is a short tale that was initially published in Cavalier magazine in June 1973 and then collected in Night Shift in 1978. 

Two films have been made based on the narrative. Maximum Overdrive, directed by Stephen King, was released in 1986 as a film adaptation. 

It was remade again in 1997 as the television film Trucks, starring Timothy Busfield, which was filmed on a far lesser budget than Maximum Overdrive but was far more loyal to the original tale. 

Here are the two links: 


Final Thoughts

This book is an excellent display for the young Stephen King's versatility, who is too frequently branded as having solely written gruesome stories, an idea he addresses in a hilarious and instructive introduction. 

The stories are all nicely written and different enough that each seems new and separate from the others. 

Furthermore, author's brilliance is evident as several of the story's foundations are flimsy, yet Stephen King deftly closes them before the narratives break apart or become too ridiculous. 

Instead, the plots are typically dramatic and precise, like a good Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episode. 

This collection is a must-have for lovers of the author's work, as well as aficionados of the horror and science fiction genres in general. Even if you are not a lover of those genres, this book is still worth reading.


Synopsis

“Stephen King’s first collection of short stories showcases the darkest depths of his brilliant imagination and will "chill the cockles of many a heart" (Chicago Tribune). Featuring “Jerusalem’s Lot," the basis for the upcoming tv series Chapelwaite.

Here we see mutated rats gone bad (“Graveyard Shift”); a cataclysmic virus that threatens humanity (“Night Surf,” the basis for The Stand); a possessed, evil lawnmower (“The Lawnmower Man”); unsettling children from the heartland (“Children of the Corn”); a smoker who will try anything to stop (“Quitters, Inc.”); a reclusive alcoholic who begins a gruesome transformation (“Gray Matter”); and many more shadows and visions that will haunt you long after the last page is turned.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Come Back, Graveyard Shift, Jerusalems Lot, Last Rung, Lawnmower Man, Rung On The Ladder, Salem's Lot, Sometimes They Come, Strawberry Spring


Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

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Mr. Mercedes Season 01 (2017) (TV-MA)

Thinner (1996) (R)

The Running Man (1987) (R)

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

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The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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If It Bleeds Review

Stephen King, American, Anthologies, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Short Stories, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

If It Bleeds

Published: 21, April 2020
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Anthologies, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Short Stories, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
If It Bleeds Summary


The Review

If It Bleeds is a collection of four Stephen King stories that have never been published before. These stories or novellas are written in a variety of moods and styles, and each one is well worth reading. If It Bleeds, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and Mr. Harrigan's Phone are the titles of the stories in the book.

I noticed something new in the Stephen King books, and it's politics. I'm OK with it, but I'm concerned about the fans who are beginning to resent him for including politics in his stories. 

It makes no difference whether he is telling the truth or not; people will believe what they want to believe. As a result, half of the readers are likely to agree with him, while the other half will constantly disagree. 

For me, I'm in the center, and I just read these novels as fiction, even if something from real life is contained; I only think of it as fiction and entertainment, so I just read them for pleasure and to pass the time. 

When reading books by any author, I recommend that all readers do the same and just have fun instead of thinking about real life, even if you read the name of a genuine person or a narrative about someone you know in real life.

Let's forget about reality and politics and focus on the four stories in this book.

Mr. Harrigan's phone is the first entry. The plot unfolds like a classic Tales from the Darkside episode or an old EC comic book. The author writes about a youngster who works part-time for an older guy in a tiny town. 

Stephen King excels at writing about adolescents. He appears to have a thorough understanding of them. It's a melancholy coming-of-age ghost story told from the perspective of a first-person protagonist. 

I'll also admit that I like first-person narratives, and several of my favorite Stephen King pieces, such as 11/22/63, Bag of Bones, and Revival, are written in this style. 

The novel has the feel of vintage Stephen King, which is a phrase I hesitate to use since late in his career, the author has written some of his most riveting fiction, and it could easily be placed alongside Different Seasons or Four Past Midnight. This story was engrossing from beginning to end. 

It's tightly wrapped and finishes with a button because it appears to be an amazing rebranding of Gwendy's Button Box.

I appreciated The Life Of Chuck, the second tale in the anthology, which was certainly my favorite. 

What begins as an apocalyptic tale quickly transforms into one of author's most sincere and beautiful tales. 

It discusses all of the possible worlds that we have in our heads. Based on what I've seen from many book clubs and Stephen King fans across all social media channels, I can see why The Life Of Chuck is everyone's favorite. 

When Stephen King's writing becomes more literary, he usually produces a fantastic story. The story is told in three acts and in reverse order. It made me feel like it was 11/22/63, and it had an impact on my heart and spirit. 

After some consideration, I believe it is also "my favorite" from this collection, despite the fact that saying so feels odd. This one was the most inventive, and I think it's the one I like best as a writer. It's inspiring to see author's ability to keep innovating after nearly 50 years.

The title tale, If It Bleeds, continues Stephen King's recent fascination in combining crime with the supernatural. It's a direct sequel to The Outsider, which was a brilliant novel in its own right and was masterfully adapted as an HBO limited series. 

Stephen King brings back Holly Gibney from the Bill Hodges trilogy, and her character is one of my favorites. This chapter reintroduces a lot of her backstory from her time in Mr. Mercedes and The Outsider, as well as a number of old individuals, including my personal favorite, Jerome. 

Overall, it was a thrilling and entertaining novel. Since her debut in Mr. Mercedes, Holly Gibney has split Stephen King fans, and I've always been in the pro-Holly side. 

Perhaps it's because I see attributes in her that I see in some of my closest friends, and perhaps in myself, but I think it's largely because she is strong and resilient while yet displaying undeniable empathy. 

Rat was also a favorite of mine. It had its moments and a few lines that I particularly enjoyed. It was a worthwhile read that kept my attention throughout. 

It's about an author who goes on a self-imposed writing retreat to finish his first work but ends up making a bad bargain. 

It is a retelling of the traditional Faustian story, which the author has addressed in a number of stories throughout the course of his career. 

A tale called "Fair Extension" appears in his earlier novella collection, Full Dark, No Stars, and depicts a guy who displays no remorse for the disastrous deal he strikes. 

In "Rat," the protagonist is unsure whether the agreement was fully accomplished, if he truly intended it, or if he is going insane. This is plainly Stephen King having a good time, and it's a pleasant, if slightly disconcerting, read.


Final Thoughts

In various ways, I enjoyed all four novellas. The Life of Chuck is a catastrophic story with a twist, while Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a great account of an odd relationship that lasts to the grave and beyond. 

Rat is about creation and inspiration, and it's reminiscent of those old fairy stories about wishes fulfilled with unpleasant consequences. 

If It Bleeds is the greatest of the four, since it stars Holly Gibney, Jerome Robinson, and Barbara Robinson, three characters that were originally featured in Stephen King's Bill Hodges trilogy of supernatural crime stories. 

Gibney and the Robinsons are really likable characters who I am confident will return many times. 

Any one of these four stories would be worth the full price of the book, so having them all in one compilation is a great steal and a one-of-a-kind gift.

This book really engulfed me in characters and an environment that I can perfectly picture and feel as if I were there. 

Even from Stephen King, this collection of short narratives knits together in a way I've never seen before. If you haven't read his prior novel, The Outsider, you should do so before diving into this one. If you don't, you'll miss out on a significant portion of this intertwined short narrative. Amazing masterpiece by one of the greatest authors of all time.

All of the stories had a hint of the otherworldly, which I didn't mind at all. The book was a short read, and I would suggest it to both Stephen King aficionados and new readers who are considering giving him a try.

I relish any chance to learn more about Stephen King's writing process and perspectives. In most of his collections, we get a forward or an author's note, and If It Bleeds is no exception.

These four stories were a blast, and I can't wait to read them again soon.


Synopsis

“From #1 New York Times bestselling author, legendary storyteller, and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary collection of four new and compelling novellas—Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, The Life of Chuck, Rat, and the title story If It Bleeds—each pulling you into intriguing and frightening places.

The novella is a form King has returned to over and over again in the course of his amazing career, and many have been made into iconic films, including “The Body” (Stand By Me) and “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” (Shawshank Redemption). Like Four Past Midnight, Different Seasons, and most recently Full Dark, No Stars, If It Bleeds is a uniquely satisfying collection of longer short fiction by an incomparably gifted writer.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Bill Hodges, Collection Of Short, Harrigans Phone, Harringtons Phone, Highly Recommend, Hodges Trilogy, Holly Gibney, Life Of Chuck, Really Enjoyed, Sequel To The Outsider, Title Story


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Dark Half (1993) (R)

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

Compare Kindle E-readers on one page

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