tbr_the_unconquered 's review for:

Four Past Midnight by Stephen King
4.0

Many a time after reading Stephen King and closing the book I would wonder what just happened. This did not occur with every one of his works but I recollect this especially with tales he spun on larger canvases. There are four tales in this book and being one of his earlier works, they (most of them) stand out as really well crafted.

1.The Langoliers : It's one of the now-classic scenarios of a small group of survivors who fight tooth and nail to survive. The characterization is brilliant and King goes in directly for the action by setting the tone. This is quite expected, for after all its a short story.

2. Secret Window, Secret Garden : My personal favorite from the collection. King was at one of his finest here is what I felt all through the scope of the tale. The slow onset of insanity and how guilt can sometimes push people over the edge is captured well through the story of Mort.

3. The Library Policeman : Not exactly one story I liked but it sure does have its moments.

4. The Sun Dog : What stands out best here is the characterization. Pop Merrill is a fine study of character and the emporium galorium is deftly captured through King's words. It's good old King territory where after a lot of detail and sub plots it all comes down to good v/s evil in the end.

An author writes : Tara & Greg were lost in the kiss and to them all that existed was the other's breath & presence . You visualize a couple lip locked in a moment of passion & that is perhaps all that you see. Stephen King is one of those authors who will tell u what Tara & Greg did today from the moment they woke up, what kind of thoughts inhabited their mind today, why are they wearing the clothes that they are wearing and the act of the kiss will come probably 15 pages down the line.

Considering the fact that my degree of rejoicing in reading largely depends on my mood, this sometimes deters and other times fuels my imagination. This however was one that I loved and I have come to realize that when it comes to SK, I love his short stories more than most of his novels.