Author: Stephen King
Publication Year: 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio
Edition: audiobook
Readers: Craig Wasson and Jessica Hecht (both excellent)
Source: Library
Date Completed: 5/6/2011
Setting: New England and Midwest
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
It has been many many years since I've read or listened to a Stephen King book, but recently I felt the need to read outside of my comfort zone, so I decided to try King once again. I am so happy that I did. None of the stories were really gory, and I only felt the tiniest bit squeamish was with the first story, 1922, as there were some scenes with rats. Other than that, I think this book was a pleasantly toned down Stephen King.The audiobook is on (12) cds, and the two readers, Craig Wasson and Jessica Hecht were simply fantastic. The book has (4) separate stories.
- 1922 - is about a rural Midwest husband who murders his wife because she wants to sell off part of family farm, so she can move to the big city-Omaha. The husband, Wilfred, evens convinces his teenage son Hank to help carry out the deed. The story takes place in 1922, when farming was a way of life. In this story, nothing goes as smoothly as Wilfred Leland James envisioned. In this story there are a few scenes that rats kept appearing, and that part made me a bit queasy. Despite this, I liked the execution of this story and thin it was my 3rd favorite of the 4 stories.
- Big Driver - Tess is an author of detective mystery books; she is in her 30s. She is invited to speak at the, Chicopee Public Library....(it's a real place in New England. I grew up in this Massachusetts city). After her talk at the library, she is given alternate directions for a shortcut by the head librarian. The shortcut, turns out to be a near deadly experience for her that she'll never forget. In fact, all she can think of is getting her revenge. My 2nd favorite of 4 stories.
- Fair Extension - The weakest story, in my opinion is about a man with cancer who makes a deal with the devil, at the expense of someone else, in exchange for a longer life. It is quite funny at times, but this story ranked 4th out of 4 for me.
- A Good Marriage was my favorite story...#1 out of 3 for me. In this story, Bob and Darcy Anderson, a couple from New England, have been married for 28 years, and have had a happy marriage and now adult children. When Bob is away on a business trip, as is often the case, Darcy, accidentally uncovers, the elements of her husband's secret life tucked neatly away in a secret area of the garage. What is a wife to do when she discovers that her husband has a darker side which he has long kept hidden?
If you enjoy audiobooks, and would like to give a gentler Stephen King a try, this book of (4) short stories may be just perfect for you. My husband even got caught up in one of the stories on a brief trip, and commented how great the readers were. Seriously, I don't think you will lose sleep listening to these stories. I thought they were great.
I've always thought King's work would be too scary for me, but this one sounds like one I could handle. Thanks for your review!
ReplyDeleteFirst I have to chuckle, I just came from a course devoted to all things Faust, and here you read Fair Extension, which sounds like a Faustian story. I cannot get away!
ReplyDeleteI have not read King for years either. I used to be a hard core King fan, but found his writing starting to become tedious. I may pick this up and try him again.
I read this one and posted about it last week. I think we felt just about the same about the stories. Fair Extension was my least favorite too. I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteThese do sound good, and not too scary. But I'd still like to read (or watch) Pet Sematary!
ReplyDeleteI have just read one book by Stephen King - it scared me so much that I could not sleep for almost a week !
ReplyDeleteFull Dark, No Stars sounds like something I will be able to read - it doesn't sound as scary as his other books.
I've got this one on my shelf - I am looking forward to reading it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI generally consider myself too much of a wimp to read King!
ReplyDeleteI like Stephen King, even some of the gory stuff. I haven't read any of his books in the past few years, he writes too many for me to keep up. My favorite collection of his is Four Past Midnight, which I didn't find too scary. Anyway, thanks for the recommendation. I think I'll get the audio from the library on this one.
ReplyDeleteI think King shines at shorter fiction. It sounds like these are novellas rather than short stories? I haven't read King in awhile. I should try him again. I remember wanting to read his Dome book and then not following up.
ReplyDeleteI've been a fan of Stephen King since before he became well known. I have this book in my stack of books to be read. I'll have to move it to the top of the stack.
ReplyDeleteI've loved Stephen King since I was in high school, but it's been forever since I've read one of his books. Sounds like this might be a good one to pick up where I left off! =)
ReplyDeleteI may have to give this one a chance. Like you, it's been eons since I've read King. Maybe he's mellowed out huh?
ReplyDeleteNot every book of Stephen King worked for me but I would try these short stories - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI feel as if King has mellowed a bit with age. Not that he's lost that edge (certainly not!) but that his stories are less graphic but somehow scarier. I am so glad you enjoyed this one. I so wanted to read it when it first came out but I got sidetracked.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I'll read the whole book, but I'll definitely check out your favorite story of the collection: A Good Marriage.
ReplyDeleteI gave up reading King years ago, until Under the Dome came out and Dave and I read it together. He is such a wonderful writer - if only he could write happy stores :) I may give King another try. Short stories might be easier to take.
ReplyDeleteMy husband listened to this audio recently and highly recommended it.
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