Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Loved this book! Stephen King explores heavy topics in each short story with some more gruesome than others. I loved that he took inspiration for these stories from real-life events. It is clear that King isn't afraid to write on topics that other authors would stray away from, which made the stories feel even more realistic and captivating. My favourite of them has to be Big Driver. Usually I'm good at predicting what happens next in horror stories, but this was filled with plot twists and truly had me on the edge of my seat.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, disturbing, with complex, vivid characters. Full Dark, No Stars is full of the standard, high-quality writing that readers expect from Stephen King. The characters really shine in this book, and they're what kept me reading, despite my hang ups with some of the plots (more on that below).
Fair Extension was probably my favorite of these stories, as it relied on a supernatural explanation for its central plot device, and therefore was the most believable (that a plot with supernatural explanation can be the most believable is one of the wonders of fiction).
However, 1922, Big Driver, and A Good Marriage, all had problems. In each story, in what was the pivotal event, people behave out of character in order for the plot to continue one. Without getting into too many details, an otherwise innocent is convinced to commit murder fairly easily, and in the other stories, extremely careful, meticulous people just leave things lying around that lead to their undoing. In the end, I felt King cheated a bit, going back on what he told us about these characters, in order for the plot to move forward. Also, King puts his characters in some of the unluckiest situations, then gives them an incredible amount of luck to get them out again. If he hadn't cut corners with these stories, they would've been better.
This was still an enjoyable read, and recommended for any King fan.
Fair Extension was probably my favorite of these stories, as it relied on a supernatural explanation for its central plot device, and therefore was the most believable (that a plot with supernatural explanation can be the most believable is one of the wonders of fiction).
However, 1922, Big Driver, and A Good Marriage, all had problems. In each story, in what was the pivotal event, people behave out of character in order for the plot to continue one. Without getting into too many details, an otherwise innocent is convinced to commit murder fairly easily, and in the other stories, extremely careful, meticulous people just leave things lying around that lead to their undoing. In the end, I felt King cheated a bit, going back on what he told us about these characters, in order for the plot to move forward. Also, King puts his characters in some of the unluckiest situations, then gives them an incredible amount of luck to get them out again. If he hadn't cut corners with these stories, they would've been better.
This was still an enjoyable read, and recommended for any King fan.
dark
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
1922 - 4
Big Driver - 2.5
Fair Extension - 3.5
A Good Marriage - 3.5
Under The Weather - 3.5
Big Driver - 2.5
Fair Extension - 3.5
A Good Marriage - 3.5
Under The Weather - 3.5
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
While not up to his best collection of short novels or novelettes, Different Seasons, this collection which also has four short novels or long stories, holds up well. It reminded me how well King can grab me and pull me along with his way of putting me in the shoes of one of the characters if not several. I read a lot of negative things from his fans. I think it's because first of all he has had some weak entries but most of all he has tremendous pressure on him to surpass himself and that's difficult for such a prolific writer who has written many more good books than bad in my opinion.
I found something about all these entries to rekindle my interest in his writing. They were intense at times, haunting, creepy and yet many times King reminded me how tender and poignant he can be, really getting into the heart of his characters. I am also impressed how he can show, without beating you over the head with it, how small actions or simple words can affect life changing decisions. One of the stories here really makes this apparent. I cared about these characters and was never bored. I recommend this highly along with his short story collection Everything's Eventual
I found something about all these entries to rekindle my interest in his writing. They were intense at times, haunting, creepy and yet many times King reminded me how tender and poignant he can be, really getting into the heart of his characters. I am also impressed how he can show, without beating you over the head with it, how small actions or simple words can affect life changing decisions. One of the stories here really makes this apparent. I cared about these characters and was never bored. I recommend this highly along with his short story collection Everything's Eventual