Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Something of a return to his better form, maybe his best short story collection since Skeleton Crew
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Too many stories that include the Covid-19 pandemic… it’s too soon for me to want to read fiction that includes that horrible time in life.
dark
mysterious
I enjoyed most stories in this collection; particularly the first and the last. There were some really cool common themes in the collection, many dealing with dreams and the complexities of them. Many stories provoked thought, and some made me close the blinds in my room while reading. Overall, I’m impressed with King’s work… but that’s no surprise.
Often I don't enjoy short story collections and tend to avoid them. But over the past decade, King has become one of my favourite fiction writers. Each year, I buy his latest book and enjoy it. This collection of stories sits alongside the [b:Great Short Stories of the World: 71 of the Finest Stories Ever Written|1222659|Great Short Stories of the World 71 of the Finest Stories Ever Written|Reader's Digest Association|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1536631990l/1222659._SX50_.jpg|1211154] as the best short story collection I've read. My favourite is "The Fifth Step," which takes one of the recovery steps from twelve-step fellowships and gives it a dark spin. If you're looking for masterful short stories, then give this one a whirl.
What an excellent collection of classic King stories. I loved every page, every story- dark and believable. His imagination or his gift for seeing the dark in life is still sharp. I felt like I was reading old King- 1980's King. It felt good! He's still my favorite author.
I really enjoyed this collection—4.5 stars from me. While a few stories dragged in places and I found myself wishing the overall tone was darker, King still delivers a solid mix of suspense, emotion, and eerie storytelling. One that didn’t quite land for me was The Dreamers—the Vietnam connection felt underdeveloped, and I wanted more clarity around how it shaped the main character. That said, the highlights made up for it. Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream completely pulled me in, and The Answer Man stuck with me long after I finished. Both offered the depth and tension I was hoping for.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious