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r_alyssa_2's review
3.0
I don’t read a ton is Stephen King but I’ve enjoyed his books and I wanted a dark thriller and this was recommended to me. The beginning is quite creepy and suspenseful, while the ending was a little bit underwhelming - I felt like something deeper was lacking (following the revelation about Sam’s past I think I wanted a more impactful ending). That being said it was still satisfying, and the pacing/plot throughout was quick and definitely kept me engaged. Probably 3.5ish stars.
However... it does get really dark in some parts, I don’t want to say much about it because it’s integral to the story, but there is one incredibly graphic scene so I would caution some people to check trigger warnings before reading.
However... it does get really dark in some parts, I don’t want to say much about it because it’s integral to the story, but there is one incredibly graphic scene so I would caution some people to check trigger warnings before reading.
kgaitzimeo22's review
2.0
This was definitely not one of my favorite King's despite how much I wanted it to be. It was eerie and cute but a little to .. syfy for me. Overall, not bad, but not one I'm likely to read again.
(P.S. I'M SO SORRY STEPHEN KING FOR ONLY RATING IT 2 STARS. I LOVE YOU!)
(P.S. I'M SO SORRY STEPHEN KING FOR ONLY RATING IT 2 STARS. I LOVE YOU!)
arquero's review
2.0
Plain stupid plot + pederasty in minute details.
No horror, no scare, not even chill. Just disgusting.
No horror, no scare, not even chill. Just disgusting.
dmantonya's review
3.0
I don't usually read anything by Stephen King but thought I would try this one since it was about the library. The main character is Sam Pebbles who has to give a speech. His part time helper suggests a book from the library. When Sam goes to check it out the librarian warns him that if it is late the library policeman will come to get him. Everything goes well until Sam loses the books & the library policeman comes & tells him he has until midnight to get them turned in.
pussreboots's review
3.0
Four Past Midnight contains four novellas by Stephen King. For the purpose of my book count, I'm counting each novella as a separate "book" and I'll be posting a separate review for each one.
"The Library Policeman" is the third novella. Librarians are evil. Libraries are too dark and too quiet. Overdue book fines are inherently scary. What Sam doesn't realize is just how bad things can get if he loses a pair of books.
The story of the evil she-devil librarian and her henchman the Library Policeman had its moments but it didn't hold my attention as well as the previous two novellas did.
Near the end of the story there is a lengthy flashback told in first person from one of the locals whose life had been ruined by Adelia the librarian. It was during his monologue that I had to struggle to pay attention. There was just too much info dumping. King usually distributes the back story better or saves it for a tight explanation at the end. As "The Library Policeman" is more of a "monster of the week" type story, the ending is reserved for the great showdown between the protagonist and the librarian.
"The Library Policeman" is the third novella. Librarians are evil. Libraries are too dark and too quiet. Overdue book fines are inherently scary. What Sam doesn't realize is just how bad things can get if he loses a pair of books.
The story of the evil she-devil librarian and her henchman the Library Policeman had its moments but it didn't hold my attention as well as the previous two novellas did.
Near the end of the story there is a lengthy flashback told in first person from one of the locals whose life had been ruined by Adelia the librarian. It was during his monologue that I had to struggle to pay attention. There was just too much info dumping. King usually distributes the back story better or saves it for a tight explanation at the end. As "The Library Policeman" is more of a "monster of the week" type story, the ending is reserved for the great showdown between the protagonist and the librarian.
frickative's review against another edition
2.0
The Library Policeman is my least favourite of the Four Past Midnight collection so far. It focuses on a small-town businessman, Sam Peebles, who loses his library books and discovers there may be a steep other-worldly fine to pay.
The novella's lack of originality made it feel like an amalgam of dozens of ghost stories I've read before. It didn't particularly annoy me as I listened to it (though the spooky music which tried to make innocuous dialogue like "The library..." seem ominous was fairly ridiculous) - I just think it'll prove to be a very forgettable tale.
It made for easy listening and was an acceptable enough distraction, but everything was so heavily foreshadowed that it rarely succeeded in building tension, and the final showdown was somewhat anti-climatic. In particular, a long, graphic description of child-rape felt utterly unnecessary, and was much scarier when it was merely alluded to, rather than spelled out in vivid, emotionally manipulative detail.
The novella's lack of originality made it feel like an amalgam of dozens of ghost stories I've read before. It didn't particularly annoy me as I listened to it (though the spooky music which tried to make innocuous dialogue like "The library..." seem ominous was fairly ridiculous) - I just think it'll prove to be a very forgettable tale.
It made for easy listening and was an acceptable enough distraction, but everything was so heavily foreshadowed that it rarely succeeded in building tension, and the final showdown was somewhat anti-climatic. In particular, a long, graphic description of child-rape felt utterly unnecessary, and was much scarier when it was merely alluded to, rather than spelled out in vivid, emotionally manipulative detail.
aoutramafalda's review against another edition
5.0
Uma história de Stephen King com um final feliz? Parece que é possível!
A premissa desta história é muito interessante, especialmente se em crianças frequentavam a biblioteca. Eu apenas frequentei a biblioteca das escolas onde estive, e sempre tive receio de ir à biblioteca municipal... porque era longe, porque era GRANDE!, porque tinha medo de me esquecer da data de entrega do livro e passar pela vergonha de devolver o livro depois do tempo, tinha medo de estragar um livro que não era meu (apesar de nunca o ter feito).
No entanto o medo tece as suas teias nos lugares mais estranhos.
E é com este medo com que Stephen King gosta de brincar. A existência da Polícia da Biblioteca que te faz pagar a coima (ou algo mais) por não teres devolvido o livro a tempo é uma premissa muito interessante. No entanto apesar de eu só estar a falar de medos de infância, as personagens da história são adultas. A personagem principal é Sam Peebles e ao longo da história ele vai re-descobrir o seu medo por bibliotecas, e antes do final vai ter que enfrentar um acontecimento que o marcou quando era criança (e que ele fez de tudo para o esquecer) para poder sobreviver à Polícia da Biblioteca.
A premissa desta história é muito interessante, especialmente se em crianças frequentavam a biblioteca. Eu apenas frequentei a biblioteca das escolas onde estive, e sempre tive receio de ir à biblioteca municipal... porque era longe, porque era GRANDE!, porque tinha medo de me esquecer da data de entrega do livro e passar pela vergonha de devolver o livro depois do tempo, tinha medo de estragar um livro que não era meu (apesar de nunca o ter feito).
No entanto o medo tece as suas teias nos lugares mais estranhos.
E é com este medo com que Stephen King gosta de brincar. A existência da Polícia da Biblioteca que te faz pagar a coima (ou algo mais) por não teres devolvido o livro a tempo é uma premissa muito interessante. No entanto apesar de eu só estar a falar de medos de infância, as personagens da história são adultas. A personagem principal é Sam Peebles e ao longo da história ele vai re-descobrir o seu medo por bibliotecas, e antes do final vai ter que enfrentar um acontecimento que o marcou quando era criança (e que ele fez de tudo para o esquecer) para poder sobreviver à Polícia da Biblioteca.