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kristalall's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jach's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
4.0
King has given us a retribution piñata in this collection of novellas…hit it and the sweet candy of revenge, mistrust, & the darker side of humanity fall at your feet. Be greedy, because he really shines at the short stories. King is also a master at taking ordinary, seemingly mundane people, and putting them in extraordinary situations. I’ve always enjoyed how deep into his characters he takes us, letting the plot kind of settle on the side…he’ll get to it eventually, but in the mean time here is what’s running through this character’s head. “1922” was my favorite, giving a nod to Poe in the form of guilty thoughts and general creepiness. Lovely.
hinesight's review against another edition
4.0
From the Afterword:
"I have little patience with writers who don't take the job [of writing] seriously, and none at all with those who see the art of story-fiction as essentially worn out. It's not worn out, and it's not a literary game. It's one of the vital ways in which we try to make sense of our lives, and the often terrible world we see around us. It's the way we answer the question, How can such things be? Stories suggest that sometimes - not always, but sometimes - there's a reason." (p. 365, hardback edition)
That's why I like King. In his work of dark and horror, the darkness and the horrible things happen for a reason. I used to wonder why he didn't put his gifts to more traditional fiction. I think now that he can't. He can't because in a more real world, there are no reasons, and he has a lot invested in the idea that reasons exist.
This book was horrible, in the sense that it was very, very dark and hard to read. Disturbing. I don't recommend it, exactly. But it was King at the top of his game, even if the premises of the four novellas that make up the book aren't exactly new. Overall, I'm glad I bothered.
"I have little patience with writers who don't take the job [of writing] seriously, and none at all with those who see the art of story-fiction as essentially worn out. It's not worn out, and it's not a literary game. It's one of the vital ways in which we try to make sense of our lives, and the often terrible world we see around us. It's the way we answer the question, How can such things be? Stories suggest that sometimes - not always, but sometimes - there's a reason." (p. 365, hardback edition)
That's why I like King. In his work of dark and horror, the darkness and the horrible things happen for a reason. I used to wonder why he didn't put his gifts to more traditional fiction. I think now that he can't. He can't because in a more real world, there are no reasons, and he has a lot invested in the idea that reasons exist.
This book was horrible, in the sense that it was very, very dark and hard to read. Disturbing. I don't recommend it, exactly. But it was King at the top of his game, even if the premises of the four novellas that make up the book aren't exactly new. Overall, I'm glad I bothered.
reillymatt23's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sushizhan's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars tbh. This was excellent. I remember why I love short fiction from Stephen King.
1922 - 4 stars. Love the atmosphere and the vibe. The ending in the novella - better than the one in the movie IMO.
Big Driver - 5 stars. Parts of this made me uncomfortable because of the subject matter: rape. But this story is one of my faves in this collection.
Fair Extension - 3.5. Probs my least favorite but it was cool to read about this supernatural man that gives you “extensions”.
A Good Marriage - 4 stars. Enjoyable, and the easiest to read out of the bunch. About a woman who finds her husband’s secret... and well it’s pretty horrible, and what can a wife do in that situation?
1922 - 4 stars. Love the atmosphere and the vibe. The ending in the novella - better than the one in the movie IMO.
Big Driver - 5 stars. Parts of this made me uncomfortable because of the subject matter: rape. But this story is one of my faves in this collection.
Fair Extension - 3.5. Probs my least favorite but it was cool to read about this supernatural man that gives you “extensions”.
A Good Marriage - 4 stars. Enjoyable, and the easiest to read out of the bunch. About a woman who finds her husband’s secret... and well it’s pretty horrible, and what can a wife do in that situation?
tamgperkins's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the short stories. New to Stephen King. I am enjoying discovering his work. I now see why he has such a loyal following.
bethmorvant's review against another edition
5.0
Four stories about ordinary people put into extraordinary circumstances and I really enjoyed this one! The fourth story, A Good Marriage, is my favorite of the four. (King was inspired by the BTK killer, and I can definitely see that!)
rjdenney's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rating!
I really only read Big Driver and A Good Marriage. I wanted to read the stories before I saw the movies on Lifetime and Demand. The other two stories weren't my cup of tea.
I really only read Big Driver and A Good Marriage. I wanted to read the stories before I saw the movies on Lifetime and Demand. The other two stories weren't my cup of tea.
jbliv's review against another edition
4.0
The title really says it all; these tales are all darkness, no light. My history with King has been rocky, though recently I feel he has picked up his game significantly, with the recent Under the Dome being a hefty masterpiece. But as dark as King can be, these takes are darker than most. Two, "1922" and "Fair Extension" more or less plod through their gruesome plots, leaving behind little except a bad aftertaste. But "Big Driver" and "A Good Marriage" both redeem the book as a whole. While dark, both tales explore the nightmarish mix of good and bad that can exist in a single person, and in a single relationship. There is bitter redemption in each, and both will have you ripping through pages to see the surprises just ahead. Just be prepared to get a bit dirty in the process.