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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Four tales of horror. Very well done. The main introduction and the intros to each novella are worth the price of admission alone.
I really enjoy [a:Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1362814142p2/3389.jpg]'s novellas. I think I like them more than his shorter fiction. In this collection of four novellas, two of the novellas really stood out for me:
1. "The Langoliers." I'd read this once before, but forgot how it ended. I think in the 1950s, this would have been considered a short novel, and it moves with breakneck speed, which is one thing I like about it. It is another one of King's exploration of the "thin places" between worlds, and that's another thing I liked about it. But mostly, this was just plane fun (pun intended).
2. "The Library Policeman." I'd read this one once before, too, but it wasn't until I re-read it this time that I realized it was, in many ways, a retelling of King's It. The monsters we encounter as children can take many different forms, and in King's universe, are often defeated by childish magic. This was true in It and it was true here as well. There is a comfortable logic about this that feels right to me. I should say that while I read this story, I was home alone. Rarely do stories spook me, and I can count on one had those that have. This is one of those stories.
1. "The Langoliers." I'd read this once before, but forgot how it ended. I think in the 1950s, this would have been considered a short novel, and it moves with breakneck speed, which is one thing I like about it. It is another one of King's exploration of the "thin places" between worlds, and that's another thing I liked about it. But mostly, this was just plane fun (pun intended).
2. "The Library Policeman." I'd read this one once before, too, but it wasn't until I re-read it this time that I realized it was, in many ways, a retelling of King's It. The monsters we encounter as children can take many different forms, and in King's universe, are often defeated by childish magic. This was true in It and it was true here as well. There is a comfortable logic about this that feels right to me. I should say that while I read this story, I was home alone. Rarely do stories spook me, and I can count on one had those that have. This is one of those stories.
I would of given this book 2 and a half stars. This book!! I just... I don't think I've had so much to say about a book.
It started great, loved the first novella. Except the beginning was a little long and took me a bit to get into it but once I got past the first chapter or so, I began to enjoy it. I Enjoyed the second novella but not as much as the first, I feel this was because I had seen the film and was anticipating the end a bit too much. But I did feel it drag in the middle.
After the second novella, the book just went down hill for me. The third novella was the worst. It just completely bored me and it failed to grasp my attention, however I am stubborn so I ended up skimming through to the end. I just couldn't connect with the characters, I found them a bit annoying and it just dragged.
The fourth novella was better than the third but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it. I enjoyed parts, I felt like I was on a bit of a roller coaster with this novella, one minuet it was enjoyable, the next it was so boring I had to skim. I think I managed to put up with the fourth novella because I actually liked the father and son in the book but I absolutely couldn't get on with Pop. He was went on and on and dragged the story out for me. I hated that we ended up following pop for a lot of this story :(
I'm so glad to be finished with this book and I've never felt that much relief from finishing a book before. I had to stop and start due to tests and stuff. Which probably didn't help, as I was unable to stay interested in it and the stopping as starting didn't help that.
Would I recommend this book? Simple. no
It started great, loved the first novella. Except the beginning was a little long and took me a bit to get into it but once I got past the first chapter or so, I began to enjoy it. I Enjoyed the second novella but not as much as the first, I feel this was because I had seen the film and was anticipating the end a bit too much. But I did feel it drag in the middle.
After the second novella, the book just went down hill for me. The third novella was the worst. It just completely bored me and it failed to grasp my attention, however I am stubborn so I ended up skimming through to the end. I just couldn't connect with the characters, I found them a bit annoying and it just dragged.
The fourth novella was better than the third but I wouldn't say I enjoyed it. I enjoyed parts, I felt like I was on a bit of a roller coaster with this novella, one minuet it was enjoyable, the next it was so boring I had to skim. I think I managed to put up with the fourth novella because I actually liked the father and son in the book but I absolutely couldn't get on with Pop. He was went on and on and dragged the story out for me. I hated that we ended up following pop for a lot of this story :(
I'm so glad to be finished with this book and I've never felt that much relief from finishing a book before. I had to stop and start due to tests and stuff. Which probably didn't help, as I was unable to stay interested in it and the stopping as starting didn't help that.
Would I recommend this book? Simple. no
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
A tour-de-force of taking the mundane and making it creepy. Neither the stories nor characters were that captivating individually, but everything held together well enough for the unease to take hold.
“Then his lids closed slowly over his slightly bloodshot eyes, and Mort Rainey, who had yet to discover what true horror was all about, fell asleep.”
I usually enjoy King’s short stories and novellas quite a bit. Unlike many, he has a consistent talent with shorter works. It’s sort of ironic he shines so heavy in this area considering most of his novels are too long, but I kind of digress here.
Unfortunately this was the least favorite I’ve read. I have many more to go, of course, so it may not stay in the weaker spot. 3 Stars isn’t bad, but this is a mundane offering compared to the brilliance of his other novella collections like the excellent Different Seasons.
While I enjoyed The Langoliers and couldn’t put it down (at first), time started weighing it down and the longer it continued, the more it started dragging. I do dig the concept, though, and the characters were fully fleshed.
I figured I’d like Secret Window, Secret Garden...and I did. I dig the idea of a writer obsessed with his fiction. I do keep picturing Johnny Depp in the role now, of course. The movie had a darker twist that fits the fictional short story with irony, but the book ending is a little more somber. I know this particular story gets its share of flack for some reason, but I enjoyed it in theater and I enjoyed it in written form. It was a clever mishmash with some twists, although the ending I’m used to from the movie didn’t match and I’m not sure which version I prefer.
The biggest disappointment was The Librarian Police. It sounded fascinated and started strong, but turns out inconsistent and downright silly.
The Sun Dog as a final installment was a weird wrap-up that stayed interesting enough but fully embraced its cheesiness.
A particular delight was Kings’ foreward before each story, talking about themes and how he came up with each story. He speaks of Castle Rock quite a bit. His stories set in so many imaginary towns in Maine have made that state stand out in the heads of horror fans.
I usually enjoy King’s short stories and novellas quite a bit. Unlike many, he has a consistent talent with shorter works. It’s sort of ironic he shines so heavy in this area considering most of his novels are too long, but I kind of digress here.
Unfortunately this was the least favorite I’ve read. I have many more to go, of course, so it may not stay in the weaker spot. 3 Stars isn’t bad, but this is a mundane offering compared to the brilliance of his other novella collections like the excellent Different Seasons.
While I enjoyed The Langoliers and couldn’t put it down (at first), time started weighing it down and the longer it continued, the more it started dragging. I do dig the concept, though, and the characters were fully fleshed.
I figured I’d like Secret Window, Secret Garden...and I did. I dig the idea of a writer obsessed with his fiction. I do keep picturing Johnny Depp in the role now, of course. The movie had a darker twist that fits the fictional short story with irony, but the book ending is a little more somber. I know this particular story gets its share of flack for some reason, but I enjoyed it in theater and I enjoyed it in written form. It was a clever mishmash with some twists, although the ending I’m used to from the movie didn’t match and I’m not sure which version I prefer.
The biggest disappointment was The Librarian Police. It sounded fascinated and started strong, but turns out inconsistent and downright silly.
The Sun Dog as a final installment was a weird wrap-up that stayed interesting enough but fully embraced its cheesiness.
A particular delight was Kings’ foreward before each story, talking about themes and how he came up with each story. He speaks of Castle Rock quite a bit. His stories set in so many imaginary towns in Maine have made that state stand out in the heads of horror fans.
The Langoliers: 5
Secret Window, Secret Garden: 4
The Library Policeman: 5
The Sun Sog: 4
Raw, dark and equally neat four novellas. Especially "The Library Policeman" has one of the darkest storylines I've ever seen. That one is a real chiller in the bone.
Secret Window, Secret Garden: 4
The Library Policeman: 5
The Sun Sog: 4
Raw, dark and equally neat four novellas. Especially "The Library Policeman" has one of the darkest storylines I've ever seen. That one is a real chiller in the bone.
I've only read The Langoliers from this book. And it was amazing. It gave me such a feeling of unease and restlessness. The writing was flawless, and the characters were terrifyingly and painfully real. I hope to read the rest of the stories in this book someday! When I do, I'll be sure to update this review ha.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced