Scan barcode
thecatsmum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If you're new to Stephen King, and you ask for recommendations on what to start with, this is likely going to be one of the first you're given.
I'm not going to tell you that this collection of four novellas are bad or should be avoided. Two are excellent, one is pretty good, and one is awful. They are all graphic and disturbing.
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and The Body are great and have been adapted into what are now classic films. The novellas are much more explicit than the films, so check the content warnings. The Breathing Method is a classic gothic feeling King tale. The less said about Apt Pupil the better.
I'm not going to tell you that this collection of four novellas are bad or should be avoided. Two are excellent, one is pretty good, and one is awful. They are all graphic and disturbing.
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and The Body are great and have been adapted into what are now classic films. The novellas are much more explicit than the films, so check the content warnings. The Breathing Method is a classic gothic feeling King tale. The less said about Apt Pupil the better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Racial slurs, Child death, Fatphobia, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Homophobia, Bullying, Torture, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
kmolson29's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Animal cruelty, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape
sunny_not's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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, Antisemitism, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, and Medical content
More...