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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One thing about Stephen King is that the man can spin a yarn. This short but sweet novella is no exception. This is a tribute to baseball from a man who loves baseball, but also loves horror. Pretty good. Easy to read in a coupla hours.
Solid, not phenomenal or especially original. As I await the start of baseball season it helped to tide me over!
Two short stories make up this book. Blockade Billy is a nondescript tale that was written interestingly as a "old folk's tale" for lack of a better term. It was not a fantastic story, but good for what it was. "Morality" is the real treasure here. With its Freudian and interrogation of certain human interactions (I don't want to spoil anything) it makes for a fun and thought-provoking read. I would probably have given this as a whole collection 3.5 stars, but lack that option here.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
A nice and quick read that tells us the story of Blockade Billy, who proved to be a very valuable player for the Titans.
The way that the story is written feels just perfect, as it is told by an old manager/coach and the mannerisms are just right. The storytelling is well-paced and interspersed with interesting pictures. Overall a decent read.
The way that the story is written feels just perfect, as it is told by an old manager/coach and the mannerisms are just right. The storytelling is well-paced and interspersed with interesting pictures. Overall a decent read.
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to an audio edition which contained the additional short story, "Morality."
Both of these stories were classic King, in that they took something ordinary and everyday and put a creepy spin on them. In this case, it's not inanimate objects coming to life or being possessed. There isn't even a supernatural element in either story. The stories are no less chilling for the lack of an unexplained monster, though.
Blockade Billy is about a miraculous catcher who shows up for a New Jersey team in 1957. He earns his nickname because he's very, very good at not letting runners past him. He's also clearly not all there in the head. It's set within a frame story of a man in a nursing home telling the story to Stephen King, years after it happened, which adds an intriguing layer to the text. Much as I love Stephen King's voice, I admire how he can make it sound like someone else is telling the story.
"Morality" starts with the question of what a person will do for $200,000, and the discovery of what a person's conscience is worth. It was a bit heady for a Friday afternoon listen, and I should probably go back to it when I can wrap my mind around it.
The 4-star rating is an average of the two stories. I would rate the top billing 5 stars, and "Morality" 3 stars based on the fact that I had to wash my mind out with some YA right after it.
Both of these stories were classic King, in that they took something ordinary and everyday and put a creepy spin on them. In this case, it's not inanimate objects coming to life or being possessed. There isn't even a supernatural element in either story. The stories are no less chilling for the lack of an unexplained monster, though.
Blockade Billy is about a miraculous catcher who shows up for a New Jersey team in 1957. He earns his nickname because he's very, very good at not letting runners past him. He's also clearly not all there in the head. It's set within a frame story of a man in a nursing home telling the story to Stephen King, years after it happened, which adds an intriguing layer to the text. Much as I love Stephen King's voice, I admire how he can make it sound like someone else is telling the story.
"Morality" starts with the question of what a person will do for $200,000, and the discovery of what a person's conscience is worth. It was a bit heady for a Friday afternoon listen, and I should probably go back to it when I can wrap my mind around it.
The 4-star rating is an average of the two stories. I would rate the top billing 5 stars, and "Morality" 3 stars based on the fact that I had to wash my mind out with some YA right after it.