Scan barcode
caffeinatedbookowl's review against another edition
3.0
The Langoliers: 3.5//5 stars
Secret Window, Secret Garden: 2.5//stars
The Library Policeman: 5//5
The Sun Dog: 1//5 Stars
With the exception of The Library Policeman, I wasn't too fond of these too much. I feel like most Stephen King novels are thrillers with hints of supernatural, these were more Sci-Fi with hints of mystery. There wasn't much character development, and I think the stories relied too much on the paranormal aspects to intrigue the reader instead of the characters.
Overall, major let down on this one for me.
Secret Window, Secret Garden: 2.5//stars
The Library Policeman: 5//5
The Sun Dog: 1//5 Stars
With the exception of The Library Policeman, I wasn't too fond of these too much. I feel like most Stephen King novels are thrillers with hints of supernatural, these were more Sci-Fi with hints of mystery. There wasn't much character development, and I think the stories relied too much on the paranormal aspects to intrigue the reader instead of the characters.
Overall, major let down on this one for me.
titus_hjelm's review against another edition
4.0
Before I read this, I wondered why King wouldn't publish these as separate books--they'd be similar to the average James Herbert anyway--but after finishing I get it. He really is at his best when he has time to develop the characters and the setting. As usual, all of the stories were good, but perhaps with the exception of 'Secret window, secret garden', none of them are up there among his finest. I devoured this one despite being close to the daunting 1000 page mark, so good fun, but really the big books is where King really shines.
ashleybreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cagebox's review against another edition
4.0
Four Past Midnight is a very good novella collection, though inferior to Kings collections Different Seasons and Full Dark, No Stars. The Library Policeman, and Secret Window Secret Garden were my two favorites. The Langoliers and Sun Dog were both good but seemed to drag at times. Each has a good amount of horror and suspense to make them worthy reads.
db1987's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tatty_books's review against another edition
3.0
In a nutshell:
The Langoliers - First book
A select few passengers wake up mid-flight to an almost empty plane. Each character's realisation of the situation is told parallel to each other.
Fortunately, they have a pilot amongst the mixed bag of characters.
As they navigate their conundrum and their bizarre setting, one particular character does not make it easy for them.
In a race against 'The Langoliers', they miraculously find their way back to time warp but come across yet another hurdle.
When the remaining passengers finally land, they face a new reality.
All the while, one passenger who misses most of the drama, wakes up intermittently, says something and then drops back to sleep as though nothing has happened.
An enjoyable read, nothing overly fascinating but humorous in places. A fast paced, easy read, something to flick through on the train journey.
Opening Sentence:
Brian Engle rolled the American Pride L1011 to a stop at Gate 22 and flicked off the FASTEN SEATBELT light at exactly 10:14pm.
Closing Sentence:
The six of them ran down the concourse together toward the escalators and all the outside world beyond.
Favourite Quote(s):
….because they made be giggle
(British humour/character- when they realise it is just them)""We seem a few passengers short, don't we?" he said?"
"My father never saw a child run in his entire life. They always scampered. I think he liked that word because it implies senseless, directionless, non-productive motion. But the langoliers . . . They run. They have purpose" - You'll need to find out what langoliers are to get this one.
In a nutshell:
Secret Window, Secret Garden
This is the second story in the Four Past Midnight collection.
I read this as part of a book club, which I now realise only reads Stephen King, 'Constants Readers' lol.
I think I quite enjoy his writing style, particularly the dialogue, and this story is no different.
It's not an engrossing read, but it was readable and funny in parts. The story is meta but not in your face meta. The plot builds up nicely with a few red herrings, but then the narrative shifts, and the plot becomes immediately predictable and dare I say it 'boring'.
Essentially, the story is about personal guilt that never really goes away and how traumatic/stressful situations can bring those feelings hurtling back with dire consequences if left unchecked.
The story is told in 3rd person, and to be honest, it probably would have read better in 1st person. We didn’t really get anyone else's perspective, and I don't think there was a scene that didn't explicitly involve the protagonist.
A little read for the train journey north, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend.
Opening Sentence:
'You stole my story', the man on the doorstep said.
Closing Sentence:
And to tend their gardens.
Favourite Quote(s):
"It was good to have those make-believe worlds to fall back on when the real one had hurt you"
The Langoliers - First book
A select few passengers wake up mid-flight to an almost empty plane. Each character's realisation of the situation is told parallel to each other.
Fortunately, they have a pilot amongst the mixed bag of characters.
As they navigate their conundrum and their bizarre setting, one particular character does not make it easy for them.
In a race against 'The Langoliers', they miraculously find their way back to time warp but come across yet another hurdle.
When the remaining passengers finally land, they face a new reality.
All the while, one passenger who misses most of the drama, wakes up intermittently, says something and then drops back to sleep as though nothing has happened.
An enjoyable read, nothing overly fascinating but humorous in places. A fast paced, easy read, something to flick through on the train journey.
Opening Sentence:
Brian Engle rolled the American Pride L1011 to a stop at Gate 22 and flicked off the FASTEN SEATBELT light at exactly 10:14pm.
Closing Sentence:
The six of them ran down the concourse together toward the escalators and all the outside world beyond.
Favourite Quote(s):
….because they made be giggle
(British humour/character- when they realise it is just them)""We seem a few passengers short, don't we?" he said?"
"My father never saw a child run in his entire life. They always scampered. I think he liked that word because it implies senseless, directionless, non-productive motion. But the langoliers . . . They run. They have purpose" - You'll need to find out what langoliers are to get this one.
In a nutshell:
Secret Window, Secret Garden
This is the second story in the Four Past Midnight collection.
I read this as part of a book club, which I now realise only reads Stephen King, 'Constants Readers' lol.
I think I quite enjoy his writing style, particularly the dialogue, and this story is no different.
It's not an engrossing read, but it was readable and funny in parts. The story is meta but not in your face meta. The plot builds up nicely with a few red herrings, but then the narrative shifts, and the plot becomes immediately predictable and dare I say it 'boring'.
Essentially, the story is about personal guilt that never really goes away and how traumatic/stressful situations can bring those feelings hurtling back with dire consequences if left unchecked.
The story is told in 3rd person, and to be honest, it probably would have read better in 1st person. We didn’t really get anyone else's perspective, and I don't think there was a scene that didn't explicitly involve the protagonist.
A little read for the train journey north, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend.
Opening Sentence:
'You stole my story', the man on the doorstep said.
Closing Sentence:
And to tend their gardens.
Favourite Quote(s):
"It was good to have those make-believe worlds to fall back on when the real one had hurt you"
melissa541's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
dwibble92's review against another edition
3.0
A nice collection of short stories I liked the first one and third one the most. I love Stephen kings style of writing and that he does mini chapter inside chapters so if I only have ten minutes I can read a few mini chapters
grafious's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved these for the most part. Some really unique ideas. Two of the novellas felt a little stretched out but the other two were absolute page turners. Really enjoyed my time with this one.