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A review by labunnywtf
Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Volumes 1-3 by

4.0

This audiobook is a goldmine of narrators. My supervisor rolled over while I was listening to Rainy Season to ask WTF I was listening to, because it sounded like I was listening to a kid's book. I explained a) horror story, and b) the voice of Lisa Simpson narrated it. I should've stopped there, but no. I decided to tell her what that story was about. She rolled away with a look.

I first read this book when I was 11 years old. Wow. A friend of my mom's was my King dealer. When he saw what a serious reader I was, he gave me Carrie. I was 9. Should I find that creepy in retrospect?

I took my sweet time writing this review because I wanted to do individual reviews of each story. If I didn't review the story, I didn't care enough about it one way or the other. And unlike when I revisit the physical copy of the book, I didn't allow myself to skip over any chapter.

Dolan's Cadillac: (Read by Rob Lowe) Chances are good that this is my all-time favorite Stephen King story. For the very simple reason that this is the type of vengeance I daydream about. King's long windedness pays off with this story. The step-by-step methodology of Robinson's plan is what makes the story so great, and the ending even sweeter. I listened to this story twice.

The End of the Whole Mess: (Matthew Broderick) Longer than it needed to be, but what a fantastically horrifying story. Not because monsters. But because look what taking the monster out of people does to them. I read this before I'd ever heard the word Alzheimer's. It's far more powerful now.

Suffer the Little Children: (Whoopi Goldberg) Creepy little children are my kryptonite. 'Nuff said. Fuck.

Popsy: (Joe Mantegna) Such a simple story, but one I love so so hard. Takes the pedophile monster story and flips it beautifully.

Chattery Teeth (Kathy Bates) I couldn't remember this story. I think I've skipped it on re-read more often than not. I think I find it funnier than I should be allowed to.

Dedication: (Lindsey Crouse) Another I forgot about. Until....the moment. The moment that I yanked my earbuds out of my ears just before the main character talks about it. And even so doing, I started gagging violently at my desk and had to power walk to the bathroom. And bitch repeats it multiple times, too. It's not even a good enough story to deserve a review, but it gets one because of that.

The Moving Finger and Sneakers: These two shouldn't have been back to back. I'm sure King had his reasons, but they really should've been separated. There's something about them. It's another 'too long for their own good' situation. Finger beats out Sneakers for interest level, though.

You Know They Got a Hell of a Band: I love the fuck out of this story. And who narrates it? Grace motherfucking Slick. This story deserves another fuck. Fuck yeah.

Rainy Season: (Yeardley Smith) See my comment above re: narration. It was horribly amusing to hear Lisa Simpson read this story. The story itself is pretty fantastic, too.

Sorry, Right Number: I've loved and remembered this story, but was never quite sure who wrote it. Could've been a number of my favorites, including Matheson. Hearing it read by a cast, like a radio play, is offputting, but fun.

Crouch End: Four words. Read by Tim Curry. That should be enough for anyone. If fucking Pennywise the Clown narrates a book? You listen.

The House on Maple Street: (Tabitha King) Another one that stuck with me. Because we all had those dreams as children.

The Doctors Case: See above re: Tim Curry narrating anything. King does Sherlock Holmes, and does it well.

Umney's Last Case: There's a lot of phlebotinum missing from this story. But it makes me hella curious to know which of his stories King wants to slip into.