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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Eh. Every story was either a 2 or 3 star, pretty much.
I guess sometimes the movie is better than the book.
I guess sometimes the movie is better than the book.
Shawshank Redemption and Rita Hayworth - 5*
Apt Pupil - 3*
The body - 5*
The breathing method - 5*
Apt Pupil - 3*
The body - 5*
The breathing method - 5*
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I enjoyed being able to read four short novellas that were brought to life on film from Stephen King. I definitely enjoyed Shawshank Redemption and even though I enjoyed the film for The Body, the book felt disjointed in some parts. Still a very food read though. Apt Pupil was definitely a story that sticks with you and The Breathing Method was eerie but bittersweet and an interesting read.
More top notch quality from Stephen King. There's something here that most people will enjoy.
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is about what you'd expect if you've seen the film, although the adaptation is superior and expands on almost every aspect. Despite that, the novella still has a tonne of personality and a good sense of humour.
Apt Pupil is just bleak and made me feel actively disgusted several times, which I think was the aim. I really enjoyed it but it's not for the weak of heart.
The Body is really wholesome. It's not particularly happy or sad, it's just a nice, self contained story. It makes me feel nostalgic, not for the 60's, but just for childhood. I think that more than any other story I've read, The Body really understands what it is that makes childhood so magical.
The Breathing Method is weird but I really liked it. It's much shorter than any of the other three novellas in the collection, and its supernatural undertones give it an entirely different feeling. It's a semi-gothic tale of tragedy and also hope, and the creepy nature of 'the club' adds a little to the story that wasn't necessary but acts as a really neat framing device. Also I'm a sucker for connections to The Dark Tower, especially when I don't expect them.
So overall it's a great book, I read it in less than a week because it's wonderful. Unlike most depressing Stephen King books, the bleak part is immediately followed by a wholesome nostalgic story, so you'll be fine.
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is about what you'd expect if you've seen the film, although the adaptation is superior and expands on almost every aspect. Despite that, the novella still has a tonne of personality and a good sense of humour.
Apt Pupil is just bleak and made me feel actively disgusted several times, which I think was the aim. I really enjoyed it but it's not for the weak of heart.
The Body is really wholesome. It's not particularly happy or sad, it's just a nice, self contained story. It makes me feel nostalgic, not for the 60's, but just for childhood. I think that more than any other story I've read, The Body really understands what it is that makes childhood so magical.
The Breathing Method is weird but I really liked it. It's much shorter than any of the other three novellas in the collection, and its supernatural undertones give it an entirely different feeling. It's a semi-gothic tale of tragedy and also hope, and the creepy nature of 'the club' adds a little to the story that wasn't necessary but acts as a really neat framing device. Also I'm a sucker for connections to The Dark Tower, especially when I don't expect them.
So overall it's a great book, I read it in less than a week because it's wonderful. Unlike most depressing Stephen King books, the bleak part is immediately followed by a wholesome nostalgic story, so you'll be fine.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some of the stories were super brutal and awful, they left me with a sense of dread while others were almost hopeful. Apt Pupil was not what I expected at all and I hated it. I hated the characters so much, it was dreadful, awful and really portrayed humanity's lows. I really liked Shawshank redemption it was a great novella and the breathing method although sad was a great one as well. Since I liked some stories I gave 3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
3,8 stars.
I have not read Apt Pupil and probably won't, even though the three other short stories are very good and interesting. I've simply heard a few bad things about it and don't want it to ruin my experience. Soooo yeah.
I have not read Apt Pupil and probably won't, even though the three other short stories are very good and interesting. I've simply heard a few bad things about it and don't want it to ruin my experience. Soooo yeah.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a collection of 4 short stories/novellas that have a link to Shawshank. The first is the story that inspired the Shawshank Redemption film. The second is a book about a teenager and his attempts to exploit a former Nazi soldier - but like most teenagers, Todd thinks he has the upper hand despite only being 14. In the third book a group of 4 friends go on an 'adventure' to find the body of a missing class mate. In the 4th book we meet a lady who is pregnant but not married in a story within a story in a club that isn't a club!
The author explained all these books were written immediately after some if his some length novels. Some of these are really difficult to read. Apt Pupil, contains really detailed descriptions of animal cruelty and 'experiments' that took place in concentration camps. However, all the books are really gripping. Despite being short stories they still have that classic Stephen King feel about them - the feel like a long ramble through a story where you get to know the characters... and some of them are not very nice! Todd is just awful!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Vomit, Pregnancy
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated