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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was my first venture into the world of King, and although a book of short stories probably wasn't the best choice for a first timer, I can't say I'm disappointed, and I fully intend on picking up one of his better known, full-length novels. His dedication to continuity was 10/10 while his descriptions of women (always described by their breast/butt/waist size or level of attractiveness and not much else), in every single story, felt tired as hell.
The Langoliers: ⭐️⭐️
A very cool concept that was executed well. Atmospheric af. Some very creepy vibes at different times throughout. I didn't care much for the characters which made the story feel long as hell, but my rating would have been a solid three stars if the ending wasn't so blah and confusing as well.
Secret Window, Secret Garden: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The strongest story in the book, by far. Spooky af. Had me hooked from beginning to end. Again, I couldn't care less about the characters, but the plot made up for it.
The Library Policeman: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another one with solid spooky vibes. Loved the twists and turns. Got a little bored during the parts where some of those twists and turns were revealed thanks to King's love of going on and on and on.... but still overall a solid story.
The Sun Dog: ⭐️
Had this been a standalone, I would have DNFed it. Didn't care about the story. Didn't care about the characters. It just wasn't for me.
The Langoliers: ⭐️⭐️
A very cool concept that was executed well. Atmospheric af. Some very creepy vibes at different times throughout. I didn't care much for the characters which made the story feel long as hell, but my rating would have been a solid three stars if the ending wasn't so blah and confusing as well.
Secret Window, Secret Garden: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The strongest story in the book, by far. Spooky af. Had me hooked from beginning to end. Again, I couldn't care less about the characters, but the plot made up for it.
The Library Policeman: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another one with solid spooky vibes. Loved the twists and turns. Got a little bored during the parts where some of those twists and turns were revealed thanks to King's love of going on and on and on.... but still overall a solid story.
The Sun Dog: ⭐️
Had this been a standalone, I would have DNFed it. Didn't care about the story. Didn't care about the characters. It just wasn't for me.
FINALLY finished this one. Oh my god. Where to start? What a fantastic collection of stories. It took me quite a while to get through all four of them, but what a journey. My favourite was The Langoliers, without a doubt, followed closely by Secret Window, Secret Garden. I still thoroughly enjoyed reading the other two and now have an incredibly itching to get my hands on more of Stephen King's work.
This was a really really solid novella collection from top to bottom. It is also Stephen King writing pure horror stories that take influence from things like Tales from the Darkside or The Twilight Zone. All 4 stories have that type of feel to them.
It's hard to pick a favorite out of the 4 because for both The Langoliers and Secret Window Secret Garden I had watched the adaptions first and they're both very faithful so the twist impact of the stories was lost on me. My personal favorite of the 4 is probably The Library Policeman, but I can recognize why a lot of folks might say Secret Window Secret Garden is probably the best story. The Langoliers has many elements that I like in storytelling like great unique characters, mystery, a good human antagonist, but honestly the reveal at the end leaves a little to be desired. The Sun Dog is maybe the weakest story of the 4, but I felt the ending was really good so even it was very entertaining.
A lot of people have this as their favorite of King's novella and short story collections, and I can absolutely see why. Unlike Different Seasons this is King really working in his wheelhouse that is horror. If you want classic King these are 4 stories that deliver that. Also each story packs a punch in different ways. Whether it's mental or physical trauma or brutality each story here has it in abundance. These aren't for the weak of heart, but they are definitely for the Constant Reader.
It's hard to pick a favorite out of the 4 because for both The Langoliers and Secret Window Secret Garden I had watched the adaptions first and they're both very faithful so the twist impact of the stories was lost on me. My personal favorite of the 4 is probably The Library Policeman, but I can recognize why a lot of folks might say Secret Window Secret Garden is probably the best story. The Langoliers has many elements that I like in storytelling like great unique characters, mystery, a good human antagonist, but honestly the reveal at the end leaves a little to be desired. The Sun Dog is maybe the weakest story of the 4, but I felt the ending was really good so even it was very entertaining.
A lot of people have this as their favorite of King's novella and short story collections, and I can absolutely see why. Unlike Different Seasons this is King really working in his wheelhouse that is horror. If you want classic King these are 4 stories that deliver that. Also each story packs a punch in different ways. Whether it's mental or physical trauma or brutality each story here has it in abundance. These aren't for the weak of heart, but they are definitely for the Constant Reader.
This collection of four novellas is a must-read for any Stephen King fan. It includes "The Langoliers," which may keep you from ever flying again; "The Library Policeman," which will terrify you and make sure you never forget to return your library books on time; "The Sun Dog," a Castle Rock story; and "Secret Window, Secret Garden," a tale of a man's slowly disintegrating sanity.
"The Langoliers" and "Secret Window" have both been filmed, the former as a mini-series for television and the latter a movie starring Johnny Depp. I remember watching "The Langoliers" when it first aired, and frankly it's a wonder I ever stepped on an airplane (though clearly I forgot the scariest bits in the intervening years). But the most terrifying and gripping of the four novellas is the final one, "The Sun Dog." I won't give a synopsis in order to avoid spoilers, but you may never look at a camera the same way again.
"The Langoliers" and "Secret Window" have both been filmed, the former as a mini-series for television and the latter a movie starring Johnny Depp. I remember watching "The Langoliers" when it first aired, and frankly it's a wonder I ever stepped on an airplane (though clearly I forgot the scariest bits in the intervening years). But the most terrifying and gripping of the four novellas is the final one, "The Sun Dog." I won't give a synopsis in order to avoid spoilers, but you may never look at a camera the same way again.
Four Past Midnight is a collection of four Stephen King novellas. I was able to get through three of the four compiled in this book.
1. The Langoliers
As if I needed another reason to hate flying? A group of about 9-10 individuals going from LAX to Boston wake up mid-flight to discover that everyone else has disappeared including the flight attendants and the pilots. They are forced to figure out what happened while they were sleeping and why the world below seems completely quiet, completely abandoned.
2. Secret Window, Secret Garden
A well-known writer is living in his vacation home after his divorce when he is visited by a man named Shooter who claims that he stole one of his stories. Shooter wants to know how our main character managed to steal his story and what he plans to do to make things right with events escalating into further and further violence.
3. The Library Policeman
Sam - Realtor/Insurance Agent - is called upon to give a speech to the Rotary Club after the original speaker has an unfortunate accident. He finds himself heading to the public library so he can take out some books that might help him liven up his speech, coming in contact with the strange librarian named Ardelia Lortz. Lortz encourages Sam to return the books on time or else she is going to send the Library Policeman (depicted menacingly in a poster in the kid's section of the library) to obtain them. Is there really a Library Policeman? Is there really even an Ardelia Lortz?
4. The Sun Dog
The story I decided not to read.
The three stories I did finish were average. Three stars out of five. Like most of King's work, the three novellas I read started off very strong with good characters, a tense setting, they made me feel paranoid in sections, and I found myself being really invested in what was taking place. Like most of King's work, the endings happened. They didn't pack the punch needed to support the rest of the story. The most disappointing ending of the three was The Langoliers. I spent all that time wondering what the heck The Langoliers were and was excited to find out. When I did, I had this, "Oh....really?" reaction. The one that made me most tense was Secret Window, Secret Garden. The thought of Shooter lurking outside Rainey's home or even inside his home freaked me out a little! The most disturbing one content-wise was The Library Policeman and it was because of the trigger warning that came when Sam found out who his own personal Library Policeman was (trigger warning: sexual assault). It made me uncomfortable. In the end, I decided not to read the last story because I didn't want to take the chance that it would start off strong and end up like the other three. Maybe someday I'll come back and read The Sun Dog. For now, I'm going to avoid a reading slump and try and choose a better read!
1. The Langoliers
As if I needed another reason to hate flying? A group of about 9-10 individuals going from LAX to Boston wake up mid-flight to discover that everyone else has disappeared including the flight attendants and the pilots. They are forced to figure out what happened while they were sleeping and why the world below seems completely quiet, completely abandoned.
2. Secret Window, Secret Garden
A well-known writer is living in his vacation home after his divorce when he is visited by a man named Shooter who claims that he stole one of his stories. Shooter wants to know how our main character managed to steal his story and what he plans to do to make things right with events escalating into further and further violence.
3. The Library Policeman
Sam - Realtor/Insurance Agent - is called upon to give a speech to the Rotary Club after the original speaker has an unfortunate accident. He finds himself heading to the public library so he can take out some books that might help him liven up his speech, coming in contact with the strange librarian named Ardelia Lortz. Lortz encourages Sam to return the books on time or else she is going to send the Library Policeman (depicted menacingly in a poster in the kid's section of the library) to obtain them. Is there really a Library Policeman? Is there really even an Ardelia Lortz?
4. The Sun Dog
The story I decided not to read.
The three stories I did finish were average. Three stars out of five. Like most of King's work, the three novellas I read started off very strong with good characters, a tense setting, they made me feel paranoid in sections, and I found myself being really invested in what was taking place. Like most of King's work, the endings happened. They didn't pack the punch needed to support the rest of the story. The most disappointing ending of the three was The Langoliers. I spent all that time wondering what the heck The Langoliers were and was excited to find out. When I did, I had this, "Oh....really?" reaction. The one that made me most tense was Secret Window, Secret Garden. The thought of Shooter lurking outside Rainey's home or even inside his home freaked me out a little! The most disturbing one content-wise was The Library Policeman and it was because of the trigger warning that came when Sam found out who his own personal Library Policeman was (trigger warning: sexual assault). It made me uncomfortable. In the end, I decided not to read the last story because I didn't want to take the chance that it would start off strong and end up like the other three. Maybe someday I'll come back and read The Sun Dog. For now, I'm going to avoid a reading slump and try and choose a better read!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
2.6 stars. But I think 2 Stars is more fitting for my experience. Guess that hits my Stephen King quota for at least another 3 years. This definitely weren't "short" stories.
The Langoliers - 4 Stars, interesting, the reason I picked this up in the first place.
Secret Window, Secret Garden - 1.5 Stars, I just didn't care and found myself skimming the remaining 50 pages.
The Library Police - 4 Stars, not bad but as a writer you should be able to find a better way to describe eyes than "chinese"
The Sun Dog - 1 Star, I skipped the remaining 70% of this, do I have to say more?
The Langoliers - 4 Stars, interesting, the reason I picked this up in the first place.
Secret Window, Secret Garden - 1.5 Stars, I just didn't care and found myself skimming the remaining 50 pages.
The Library Police - 4 Stars, not bad but as a writer you should be able to find a better way to describe eyes than "chinese"
The Sun Dog - 1 Star, I skipped the remaining 70% of this, do I have to say more?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Pedophilia, Blood, Murder
Minor: Racism
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
I've generally come to really like Stephen King, but man, the guy can go on forever. "Secret Window, Secret Garden" was my least favorite one to read, which was a disappointment because it was the one I wanted to read in the first place (hello Secret Window movie). It just felt like it was going on forever, and the action takes place almost exclusively in the last 15 pages or so. "The Langoliers" was my favorite story in the collection, which surprised me. The premise was the scariest, the characters were the most interesting and fleshed out, and there was a sense of bitter, King-sian justice. "The Library Policeman" and "The Sun Dog" were also good, but that scene in the "The Library Policeman..." I don't know if if was /necessary./
Anyway, moral of the review, read "The Langoliers" if you read nothing else in this collection.
Anyway, moral of the review, read "The Langoliers" if you read nothing else in this collection.
The first story in this collection (The Longliers) has always stuck in mind.