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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
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
This book has 4 novellas. I was looking forward to read the first one.
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption [Hope Springs Eternal]
Mainly to see if it was better than the amazing movie adaptation. For me it was equally good. My favourite character is still Red (in movie played by Morgan Freeman). Although the story is more about Andy Dufresne, the hope that he always have and he represents, for me, Red is the one who grows, from hopelessness to hope.
Apt Pupil [Summer of Corruption]
This story, OMG I wasn't expecting nothing like this. This novella is about a young boy, an Apt Pupil that is very obsessed about World War II and discovers that a nearby old man was an old SS member and torturer in Camp. He decides to visit the man and somehow become his pupil. The relation between both is toxic and co-dependent. And at the certain point you just know that there is only one possible end for the story. (there is a movie adaptation that I'm looking so forward to check - Ian McKellen is in it!).
The Body [Fall from Innocence]
I found out that this one also had be adapted for cinema. You probably have seen it on the TV - Stand by me. Only after I finished reading it I understood the movie title, and oh boy I shed a few tears because of that. I didn't want to read this one. I thought it would be boring. Four boys going into the wild searching for the dead body of a little boy about there age that was missing. It's a story about growing up, ritual of passage between boy and man. There were many times that I wasn't sure why I was still reading it, because it was almost boring. But then it wasn't. And I learned to love two of the characters and shudder when things happened to them. There were a few scenes that were very visual to me that either disgust me or make me almost feel the pain of the character (specially when one of them is beat up). I do have to re-watch the movie adaptation, and see if it leaves up to the novella.
The Breathing Method [A Winter's Tale]
This one is a bit messed up, but in a good sense. It has two stories in it, but if you closed endings well there isn't one for it. The narrator tells the story about a place where men can go, a sort of gentleman's club. There they can drink, they have a library with tomes and books that don't exist elsewhere and on Thursday's members gather together to tell stories. A special day for stories is the Thursday before Christmas. It's when the most weird and shocking stories are told. And that's the other story of this novella. A doctor tells the story of one of his patient that was so determined to give birth, no matter what. Either of the stories are eerie, and good. Although for me it wasn't my favourite. I would love to read any of those ideas told in a much bigger book.
Review also in portuguese in my April Reads of 2016 http://nutsforpaper.blogspot.pt/2016/05/april-reads.html
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption [Hope Springs Eternal]
Mainly to see if it was better than the amazing movie adaptation. For me it was equally good. My favourite character is still Red (in movie played by Morgan Freeman). Although the story is more about Andy Dufresne, the hope that he always have and he represents, for me, Red is the one who grows, from hopelessness to hope.
Apt Pupil [Summer of Corruption]
This story, OMG I wasn't expecting nothing like this. This novella is about a young boy, an Apt Pupil that is very obsessed about World War II and discovers that a nearby old man was an old SS member and torturer in Camp. He decides to visit the man and somehow become his pupil. The relation between both is toxic and co-dependent. And at the certain point you just know that there is only one possible end for the story. (there is a movie adaptation that I'm looking so forward to check - Ian McKellen is in it!).
The Body [Fall from Innocence]
I found out that this one also had be adapted for cinema. You probably have seen it on the TV - Stand by me. Only after I finished reading it I understood the movie title, and oh boy I shed a few tears because of that. I didn't want to read this one. I thought it would be boring. Four boys going into the wild searching for the dead body of a little boy about there age that was missing. It's a story about growing up, ritual of passage between boy and man. There were many times that I wasn't sure why I was still reading it, because it was almost boring. But then it wasn't. And I learned to love two of the characters and shudder when things happened to them. There were a few scenes that were very visual to me that either disgust me or make me almost feel the pain of the character (specially when one of them is beat up). I do have to re-watch the movie adaptation, and see if it leaves up to the novella.
The Breathing Method [A Winter's Tale]
This one is a bit messed up, but in a good sense. It has two stories in it, but if you closed endings well there isn't one for it. The narrator tells the story about a place where men can go, a sort of gentleman's club. There they can drink, they have a library with tomes and books that don't exist elsewhere and on Thursday's members gather together to tell stories. A special day for stories is the Thursday before Christmas. It's when the most weird and shocking stories are told. And that's the other story of this novella. A doctor tells the story of one of his patient that was so determined to give birth, no matter what. Either of the stories are eerie, and good. Although for me it wasn't my favourite. I would love to read any of those ideas told in a much bigger book.
Review also in portuguese in my April Reads of 2016 http://nutsforpaper.blogspot.pt/2016/05/april-reads.html
A great collection of novellas. My overall rating averages to four stars, but there's some five and three here, too.
"Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is my five star read. The casual racism of several characters to show that they're redneck-types is pretty gross. Other than that, it's beautifully crafted, well-characterized, and the rare Stephen King story that gives you genuine hope.
"Apt Pupil" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Truly chilling in every way.
"The Body" -- ⭐⭐⭐ Okay, so I was never a young boy and I certainly wasn't a young boy in 1960, but I found pretty much every character in this story completely repellant: racist, sexist, abusive bullies. I hear people talk about this story like it's some rosy nostalgic story about childhood. I disagree. I also disagree with the fundamental idea that you never have friends like the ones you had when you were twelve. I sincerely hope people don't quit having genuine open relationships as adults. What a sad life.
Gordie and Chris are the only characters who are worth any attention. The only reason my rating isn't lower is that it is very well-written structurally with some gorgeous passages from Gordie's reflective moments.
"The Breathing Method" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this one except for the rampant misogyny (the idea of determined Miss Stansfield as an exceptional woman, the pursed-lipped judgement of every other woman, the flat characterization of the wives and mothers, etc.). But ... the spooky stories, the frame story, and the fascinating club building at 249B East 35th: chef's kiss.
"Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is my five star read. The casual racism of several characters to show that they're redneck-types is pretty gross. Other than that, it's beautifully crafted, well-characterized, and the rare Stephen King story that gives you genuine hope.
"Apt Pupil" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Truly chilling in every way.
"The Body" -- ⭐⭐⭐ Okay, so I was never a young boy and I certainly wasn't a young boy in 1960, but I found pretty much every character in this story completely repellant: racist, sexist, abusive bullies. I hear people talk about this story like it's some rosy nostalgic story about childhood. I disagree. I also disagree with the fundamental idea that you never have friends like the ones you had when you were twelve. I sincerely hope people don't quit having genuine open relationships as adults. What a sad life.
Gordie and Chris are the only characters who are worth any attention. The only reason my rating isn't lower is that it is very well-written structurally with some gorgeous passages from Gordie's reflective moments.
"The Breathing Method" -- ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this one except for the rampant misogyny (the idea of determined Miss Stansfield as an exceptional woman, the pursed-lipped judgement of every other woman, the flat characterization of the wives and mothers, etc.). But ... the spooky stories, the frame story, and the fascinating club building at 249B East 35th: chef's kiss.