Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed King's insight given to us before each story in this collection-why he wrote it, etc. I started out listening to it on audio which I highly recommend as numerous readers were used, giving a different feel to each selection.
https://theyearoftheking.tumblr.com/post/641402669679935488/book-seventy-two-the-bazaar-of-bad-dreams
An eclectic and thought provoking collection. I think King is at his best with his short stories; they're tightly written, memorable and stick with you long after reading them. I also enjoyed each little personal note and dedication before each story.
An eclectic and thought provoking collection. I think King is at his best with his short stories; they're tightly written, memorable and stick with you long after reading them. I also enjoyed each little personal note and dedication before each story.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This collection of short stories is classic King. I liked some of the stories more than others, but they were all good. I prefer his novels to the short stories, but I will read anything he writes.
I really did like this collection. It was a good mix of the paranormal, psychological and just your average, everyday interesting. Some of the stories were better than others, though that's a given for any short-story collection. However, each one had a distinctly King-ish feel, which one would hope for when picking up anything by King.
Super uneven, but I guess that's to be expected with a big collection like this. I did really enjoy the intros for each story, where King explains his specific muse for the piece.
It took me almost a full year to finish this book on audio but I loved every minute of it. It is kind or ironic that I finished on election day with the last story Summer Thunder, which is about 2 men and a dog slowly succumbing to radiation poisoning after nuclear war following the breakdown of peace talks in Geneva. A year ago I wouldn't have thought twice about that. Tonight, as I wait for election returns, the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched.
I am not a fan of short stories at all, however I am a fan of Stephen King and his ability to create such vivid stories. After reading one of his longest novels (and possibly one of the biggest novels ever to have existed since the start of time) earlier this year (It) I decided to see if his short stories could thrill just as much as his long ones.
Now normally I rate a book on the overall feeling I got at the end of it however there were so many different stories in this book - some of which I loved, some I didn't - that I felt I had to review them individually then give a summary rating at the end.
So here are my short (there are a lot of stories in this and I don't have the energy to give a full review for each and I don't think you'd want to read 500 words on each story!) reviews for each of the stories:
Mile 81 - This one for me got repetitive quickly, great concept and would have really enjoyed it but there were just too many deaths. Probably could have gotten away with a few less, would have made a much more enjoyable story - 3*
Premium Harmony - Really didn't see the point in this one, was really short and not a lot really happened. Felt more sorry for the dog than the woman - 1*
Batman and Robin Have an Altercation - I enjoyed this, definitely a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Could have been better though, felt a bit rushed - 3*
The Dune - Really liked this! I thought I could see where it was heading the whole way through but was definitely shocked with that twist! - 4*
Bad Little Kid - Also enjoyed this one, a bit longer than the others so therefore had a bit more depth, it was definitely a bit strange but that's what King does well - 4*
A death - EWWWWWWW did not see that coming, made me shudder at the ending - 5*
The Bone Church - I don't have a clue what happened with this one. Couldn't even tell you what it is about - 1*
Morality - This one I found was a bit confusing, however think it has a deep undercurrent for such a short story - 3*
Afterlife - Interesting story about life after death, reminded me of Beetlejuice and the waiting room after they die - 4*
Ur - Liked this, not the ending I expected, definitely made the reading experience better as I was reading it on my ipad - 4.5*
Herman Wouk Is Alive - meh, pretty pointless but interesting, not great though 3*
Under The Weather - Saw the ending coming at the start, still good though, kept you hooked to see just what would happen - 4*
Blockade Billy - This one I didn't think was great, nothing overly shocking, seemed a bit boring to be honest - 2*
Mister Yummy - I liked this one, sad but nice - 5*
Tommy - Too short, didn't really get the meaning, felt it needed more depth - 3*
The Little Green God Of Agony - Loved this! Was creepy and unexpected - 5*
That Bus Is From Another World - Confusing, didn't really see the point. Main character extremely unlikeable from such a short story - 2*
Obits - Hmm surprisingly good but did think the ending was a bit meh - 3*
Drunken Fireworks - Predictable, did make a fun read though - 4*
Summer Thunder - Surprisingly really enjoyed this! Definitely enjoy dystopian stories 5*
My overall rating for this averaged out at 3.4 stars therefore I'm giving it a 3 because although some of the stories were really good (Summer Thunder and The Dune especially), most were just ok and not great.
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
Now normally I rate a book on the overall feeling I got at the end of it however there were so many different stories in this book - some of which I loved, some I didn't - that I felt I had to review them individually then give a summary rating at the end.
So here are my short (there are a lot of stories in this and I don't have the energy to give a full review for each and I don't think you'd want to read 500 words on each story!) reviews for each of the stories:
Mile 81 - This one for me got repetitive quickly, great concept and would have really enjoyed it but there were just too many deaths. Probably could have gotten away with a few less, would have made a much more enjoyable story - 3*
Premium Harmony - Really didn't see the point in this one, was really short and not a lot really happened. Felt more sorry for the dog than the woman - 1*
Batman and Robin Have an Altercation - I enjoyed this, definitely a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Could have been better though, felt a bit rushed - 3*
The Dune - Really liked this! I thought I could see where it was heading the whole way through but was definitely shocked with that twist! - 4*
Bad Little Kid - Also enjoyed this one, a bit longer than the others so therefore had a bit more depth, it was definitely a bit strange but that's what King does well - 4*
A death - EWWWWWWW did not see that coming, made me shudder at the ending - 5*
The Bone Church - I don't have a clue what happened with this one. Couldn't even tell you what it is about - 1*
Morality - This one I found was a bit confusing, however think it has a deep undercurrent for such a short story - 3*
Afterlife - Interesting story about life after death, reminded me of Beetlejuice and the waiting room after they die - 4*
Ur - Liked this, not the ending I expected, definitely made the reading experience better as I was reading it on my ipad - 4.5*
Herman Wouk Is Alive - meh, pretty pointless but interesting, not great though 3*
Under The Weather - Saw the ending coming at the start, still good though, kept you hooked to see just what would happen - 4*
Blockade Billy - This one I didn't think was great, nothing overly shocking, seemed a bit boring to be honest - 2*
Mister Yummy - I liked this one, sad but nice - 5*
Tommy - Too short, didn't really get the meaning, felt it needed more depth - 3*
The Little Green God Of Agony - Loved this! Was creepy and unexpected - 5*
That Bus Is From Another World - Confusing, didn't really see the point. Main character extremely unlikeable from such a short story - 2*
Obits - Hmm surprisingly good but did think the ending was a bit meh - 3*
Drunken Fireworks - Predictable, did make a fun read though - 4*
Summer Thunder - Surprisingly really enjoyed this! Definitely enjoy dystopian stories 5*
My overall rating for this averaged out at 3.4 stars therefore I'm giving it a 3 because although some of the stories were really good (Summer Thunder and The Dune especially), most were just ok and not great.
Read more on my blog at: https://bookgeek2015.wordpress.com/
It took me almost a full year to finish this book on audio but I loved every minute of it. It is kind or ironic that I finished on election day with the last story Summer Thunder, which is about 2 men and a dog slowly succumbing to radiation poisoning after nuclear war following the breakdown of peace talks in Geneva. A year ago I wouldn't have thought twice about that. Tonight, as I wait for election returns, the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched.