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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)

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The Long Walk Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Dystopian, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Psychological, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

The Long Walk

Published: July 1979
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Dystopian, Fiction, Horror, Literature, Psychological, Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
The Long Walk Summary


The Review

Stephen King's The Long Walk is a dystopian horror novel written under the pen name Richard Bachman. The narrative centers around the competitors of a rigorous yearly walking tournament in a future dystopian America ruled by a dictatorial and military ruler. The American Library Association named The Long Walk one of the 100 finest novels for adolescent readers produced between 1966 and 2000 (in 2000). While The Long Walk was not the first of Stephen King's books to be published, it was the first novel he wrote, beginning in 1966–67 during his freshman year at the University of Maine, some eight years before his first published work Carrie was released in 1974.

This is really an open review because the title of the book tells you exactly what it's about, thus part of what I'm sharing about the plot is inevitable and I don't think it can be labeled as spoiler, which is why I'm not offering any warning. But don't worry; I'm not going to go into any major story aspects or the finale.

This seemed like an extended version of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," and a precursor to The Hunger Games.

You get to meet some intriguing folks, but you don't get to see the background in which they were all walking.

There are a few hints that this is not in our reality, such as February 31, which would have been intriguing to pursue.

One of Stephen King's early and shorter works it was a quick read for me, but after about a third of the way through, I was hooked. Great idea, but I'm wondering if it wouldn't have been better as a short narrative owing to the lack of variation and growth, as well as the sluggish tempo. 

It may be ideal for quick readers like me, but that doesn't mean it's not worthy of Stephen King's name; it just means it's not for everyone, and not all readers will enjoy it. But one thing is certain. It's like the Hunger Games, except with less renovation and cosmetics. 

It is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. This is not like Stephen King's other works, in which protagonists escape from clowns, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. The terror you'll experience while reading this story will feel all too real since the author makes it much too easy to identify with and actually understand the characters.

The Long Walk was the most distinctive of Stephen King's books and short pieces that I've read. It retains the gruesome aspects of the author that we all know and love, but it is not a horror story. It's similar to the modern-day smash sensation The Hunger Games as i have mentioned before and may do it again in coming paragraphs.

The Long Walk is an event in which 200 males, 100 participants, and 100 back-ups, are chosen at random to participate and walk for days on end. Maintain a speed of at least 4 miles per hour, since if you don't after three warnings, you'll be shot and executed.

Ray Garrity is the main character, and throughout the book, he interacts with some of the 100 people he's traveling with and develops relationships with a few of them, one of whom is a youngster named Pete McVries. 

As the days and nights pass slowly, hundreds of miles are traveled, and lads are slaughtered one by one, a process referred to in the book as "buying their ticket," the battle for life versus death becomes more palpable.

Each character in the novel has their own perspective on life and death, as well as their own way of dealing with The Walk and their life before The Walk.

As the characters continue to walk and some even go insane, you can see from Garrity's perspective what it takes to stay alive and how important mind over body is.

Let us now discuss the points that may cause some readers to dislike this book. For one thing, the ending was predictable to me, and it left me wanting far more than what was provided. It's because I prefer longer books and this one felt too short for me. 

In addition, there were numerous details throughout the book that I thought were unnecessary, and some pages could be skipped entirely. 

But, in the end, I thought this book was a very good read that didn't leave you bored. It was definitely something I completed quickly, and completing it was my top priority.

Okay lets go back to the good stuff, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone over the age of 18, owing to the speech, some sexual inappropriateness, and graphic violence and I will definitely read it again.

Stephen King has written a genuinely fantastic novel. Because of the title of the book, the narrative is essentially open. 

It's sufficient to remark that this was a terrific read. That's not to suggest it's a short book or an easy read because some readers may find the subject difficult to swallow, yet this is a book that you will likely recall at odd moments for years after finishing it. 

This book and its plot are most likely to come to mind while I'm at the gym, walking great distances, or becoming lost in an area where a foolish person is unwilling to reveal the location, or even when running on a treadmill. 

Basically, whenever I'm struggling to live or take another step forward, this book comes to mind and motivates me.


Final Thoughts

My colleagues and fellow readers were arguing that because the book is about walking, it is a knockoff or a letdown. My reply to all of them is, first and foremost, the title "The Long Walk" should have tipped you off. 

Second, The Walk itself functions as a plot element. It may have been something else, such as a game show or a physical competition. I'd like to think the author chose The Walk because it is so ubiquitous; the book could then focus on its main themes rather than explaining a more sophisticated set of rules to go with some game show. 

Consider the Hunger Games or its far superior forerunner, Battle Royale, both of which required extensive explanations of their settings and the game itself.

After reading this, a reader would see that Stephen King, even as a young writer, possessed an exceptional talent for character development. 

In this story, I felt for even the nameless characters. Not to mention that the Major is as terrifying as Randall Flagg or the Crimson King. 

I know some readers may be thinking that I give higher marks and suggest books that aren't as excellent as they thought; nevertheless, the reason I like some novels more than other readers is that I read the books and attempt to comprehend and give thorough consideration to what's going on. 

The authors are not stupid; they conduct a study and, on occasion, leave clues of brilliance for us to discover. And I am one of those readers who discovers those hidden nuggets that many so-called passionate readers and reviewers overlook since they simply copy synopsis and call it a review.

I read this book in two sittings and recommend it whether you are a frequent reader or not.


Synopsis

“In this #1 national bestseller, “master storyteller” (Houston Chronicle) Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman, tells the tale of the contestants of a grueling walking competition where there can only be one winner—the one that survives.

“I give my congratulations to the winner among your number, and my acknowledgments of valor to the losers.”

Against the wishes of his mother, sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty is about to compete in the annual grueling match of stamina and wits known as The Long Walk. One hundred boys must keep a steady pace of four miles per hour without ever stopping...with the winner being awarded “The Prize”—anything he wants for the rest of his life. But, as part of this national tournament that sweeps through a dystopian America year after year, there are some harsh rules that Garraty and ninety-nine others must adhere to in order to beat out the rest. There is no finish line—the winner is the last man standing. Contestants cannot receive any outside aid whatsoever. Slow down under the speed limit and you’re given a warning. Three warnings and you’re out of the game—permanently....”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Hunger Games, Bachman Books, Character Development, Ever Read, Miles Per, Per Hour, Ray Garraty, Running Man, Teenage Boys, Years Ago, Young Men


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 100/100 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)

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The Dark Half Review

Stephen King, American, Classic, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

The Dark Half

Published: 20, October 1989
Author: Stephen King
Genre: American, Classic, Fiction, Horror, Media Tie-In, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:
The Dark Half Summary


The Review

Stephen King's horror thriller The Dark Half was the second best-selling book in 1989, behind Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger, according to Publishers Weekly. In 1993, the novel was turned into a feature film with the same title. During the 1970s and 1980s, Stephen King published many works under the alias Richard Bachman. The majority of the Richard Bachman books were darker and crueler in tone, with a primal feeling of terror that contrasted sharply with the psychological, gothic approach prevalent in many of Stephen King's most well-known works. In response to his revelation as Richard Bachman, Stephen King penned The Dark Half, a novel about a novelist with a nasty parasitic twin.

The book's main antagonist, George Stark, was named after Richard Stark, a pen name used by author Donald E. Westlake to create some of his darkest and most violent works. To obtain approval, Stephen King personally called Donald E. Westlake. Stephen King's own pseudonym, "Richard Bachman," was partially inspired by Richard Stark: he was reading a Richard Stark novel at the time he adopted the name.

When I first read it, I felt sad rather than terrified. I felt sympathy for the villain of this narrative and wished him a happy life; I always do for someone with this character's past. It seems complicated, but if you read the story attentively, you'll understand; I'll give you one hint: it's about being "absorbed by the stronger one."

From the first page of The Dark Half, I was completely engrossed. This creepy tale was difficult to put down. 

The Dark Half is twisted entertainment with moments that pop to life and characters that are truly unparalleled. Every time one of the main characters appears on the page, this page-turner can give you the chills. 

I believe it is best not to read this book late at night, not because of the gore, but because George Stark is the last fictional character you want to think about before falling asleep! 

Overall, Stephen King's The Dark Half is gripping, dark, and intense, immensely intense! Somehow it snatches you by the neck, drags you inside, and refuses to let go.

The passages are so well-written that you believe as if you're in the story, watching everything happen in real-time, and you're just as terrified of George Stark as everyone else. In true Stephen King flair, the finale is downright creepy.

I didn't want to reread this book because of how sorry I felt about the antagonist, but I had to, and I'd suggest it to anybody who likes a dark, brutal novel!

I'm not sure why I always imagined Stephen King as the protagonist and actually thought it might happen to an author like him in real life when I was reading this book for the first time. The crazy thing is that I had no idea he was Richard Bachman, and he basically wrote this book for a reason, which I will explain in the following paragraphs.

Warning: Some of what I'm about to say in the next few paragraphs may contain spoilers for new readers, so skip ahead to Final Thoughts if you don't want to be spoiled.

The author's The Dark Half was one of his final straight horror novels before moving on to more modern works like Dolores Claiborne, Gerald's Game, and Rose Madder. 

It was also penned in the wake of having his alias of Richard Bachman uncovered after numerous books printed under that name. 

Based on his own assumptions, a bookshop employee looked up publishing information that identified Stephen King as the author of one of the Richard Bachman books. 

Stephen King, perhaps feeling that his secret was on borrowed time anyhow, permitted the clerk to interview him, resulting in the rest of the world finding Richard Bachman's identity.

This turn of events clearly influenced The Dark Half. Under the alias George Stark, the main character, novelist Thad Beaumont, creates significantly more violent fiction than he usually does. 

After Stark's identity, like Bachman's, is revealed, a sequence of savage killings targets those who were involved in Stark's fake death. Stark has somehow crossed over from the fictional world to the actual world, and he isn't thrilled about being murdered off as a PR ploy. 

It's easy to envision Stephen King using this narrative to express some of his darker thoughts about being outed as Bachman.

Considering the terrible nature of Stark's killings, you'd have to think that the author was holding some wrath and animosity about the incident. 

He created the Bachman identity to avoid over saturating the market with his own name and to test whether he might thrive in the literary world as an unknown for the second time. 

He was getting close, because Bachman's most recent novel, Thinner, did far better than the previous four, and Stephen King was considering publishing Misery under the Bachman moniker. 

We're left to speculate about what may have transpired, but at the very least, the entire experience inspired a Stephen King novel. 

The Dark Half is a completely eerie and thrilling book and signaled the end of an era in Stephen King's career.

Some of the early material is wonderful, but it takes a few chapters for it to really take off. This Stephen King masterpiece will impress you with its savagery and the villain's nastiness. 

The Dark Half will transport you to a magnificent world you never imagined conceivable, with plenty of twists, turns, and shocks, as well as Stephen King's trademark descriptive brilliance. 

It will carry you further than you ever imagined, and if you read closely enough, you may find yourself questioning yourself once you've finished.


Final Thoughts

One point about the book "Needful Things" that has to be clarified is that it made several references to the events of The Dark Half. However, it has little influence on the main storyline of Needful Things. 

You may read Needful Things first and then read The Dark Half afterward. However, it is preferable if you have already read The Dark Half because it provides some background and context for where Alan Pangborn is during the events of Needful Things, as well as information about the impact of the events that some characters in Stephen King are still dealing with as a result of the events of The Dark Half.

I'm usually rewarded with outstanding writing and clearly defined characters when I read a Stephen King novel, and this one is no exception.

This tale of evil deeds and murderous doings was inspired by Stephen King's personal adventure into the realm of pseudonyms as alter ego Richard Bachman.

Taking the possibility of murdering Bachman off the table, Stephen King has his protagonist Thad Beaumont issue press releases and stage pictures at the late writer's cemetery. Regrettably, this is when things start to go awry.

I enjoyed this novel because it had me guessing the entire time, wondering if Stephen King's protagonist was insane or if his conviction in the existence of George Stark was warranted.

The writing is crisp and intelligent as always, but it also made me smile at times, which is wonderful.

Must have for aficionados of horror, murder, and fictional writers coming to life and murdering a slew of people.


Synopsis

“Set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine

A “wondrously frightening” (Publishers Weekly) tale of terror and #1 national bestseller about a writer’s pseudonym that comes alive and destroys everyone on the path that leads to the man who created him.

Thad Beaumont is a writer, and for a dozen years, he has secretly published violent bestsellers under the name of George Stark. But Thad is a healthier and happier man now, the father of infant twins, and starting to write as himself again. He no longer needs George Stark and so, with nationwide publicity, the pseudonym is retired. But George Stark won’t go willingly.

And now Thad would like to say he is innocent. He’d like to say he has nothing to do with the twisted imagination that produced his bestselling novels. He’d like to say he has nothing to do with the series of monstrous murders that keep coming closer to his home. But how can Thad deny the ultimate embodiment of evil that goes by the name he gave it—and signs its crimes with Thad’s bloody fingerprints?

The Dark Half is “a chiller” (The New York Times Book Review), so real and fascinating that you’ll find yourself squirming in Stephen King’s heart-stopping, blood-curdling grip—and loving every minute of it.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Alexis Machine, Alter Ego, Amy Madigan, Castle Rock, George A Romero, George Stark, Highly Recommend, Julie Harris, Kindle Edition, Kindle Version, King At His Best, Needful Things, Pen Name, Timothy Hutton, Thad Beaumont


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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