Horror

Slow start here but once you get to Ur things pick up and I really enjoyed almost every story after that one.

I tend to have mixed feelings about King but I tend to like his short stories more than his full length novels. What really shines here are the intros from
King to each story. I love it when he talks to constant reader and gives the backstory on his story ideas and writing. ( )

This collection is aptly titled - a lot of the stories end in gruesome and bitter ways. In recent years, King's style has long since changed from the rural characterizations of his 1970s early work to a more grand guignol approach. Some will like that, and I can enjoy it in small doses. The most positive aspect of King's short stories are the tight, controlled, on-point writing within the confined space. Personally, I think his longer novels could stand some more aggressive editing. His short stories - especially this collection - seem to have gone through a round or two of outside influence.and I think that helped a lot. In a story like "Herman Wouk is Still Alive," the bitter ending needs to get wrapped up with a punch, and that happens here. I think that impact would have been lost in an extra 10 pages, for instance (I also read this story in its original magazine appearance, and something about it being in a book gives the narrative more weight...I was not as unsettled by the ending in the magazine, as I was here. Strange...).

"A Death," I think will appeal to King's longest-running fans. It's the story that captures the rural-speak "Night Shift" vibe the closest. "That Bus is Another World" is close to the grim view a lot of the stories in "Skeleton Crew" had - it's not supernatural, not even horrible in a direct, specific, "it's happening to me" way - it's the 'distance' from the horror that makes it terrible. If that makes sense.. "Mile 81" is sort of like "Mrs Todd's Shortcut," except not so benign.

Very few of the stories are straight-up supernatural. Ultimately, it's four stars for me because of that. I loved "Night Shift," for example, because of the supernatural/horror elements of the stories. They weren't "real." This collection IS real - these events, mostly, COULD happen. And frankly, that took some of the fun away for me - which isn't to say I don't appreciate the writing. As Stephen King has gotten older he's much more attracted by the grimness of what's right in front of him, rather than fictional tales of zombies or vampires. We see that not just in these stories, but his new "Finder's Keepers" trilogy, which is mostly a real-world setting, with a little supernatural influence. That same vibe is through most of these stories.

But I like ghost stories where I don't have to think that world doesn't actually exist. I like horror of creatures beyond my imagination that might not actually show up to murder me (I really liked "Revival," which WAS old-school horror)...and these stories by King are a world that could/does/will exist - and that IS a very true bazaar of bad dreams! ( )

Book 77 by Stephen King. It's hard not to admire this man's dedication to his craft and the manner in which he puts together his stories. I really enjoyed the prelude that he provided to each story and giving some background to how the story was birthed which I found fascinating. Some of the stories such as Blockade Billy and Drunken Fireworks, I had read previously as stand-alone books or perhaps on another short story compendium that SK released previously, however the retelling by the voice over actors gave them a different dimension and added to the aura of the story which breathed new life into an old tale. Off-course, some of the stories are better than others, but a trip back into SK land is a rare treat and I found myself savoring the stories and not wanting it all to end. As a constant reader, I appreciated the references and similarities to his other stories the Easter eggs that I have come to look out for and pause for a moment as the memories all come flooding back to the reference in question what a pleasure! Now that for me is what sets SK apart from others, the ability to swiftly take you away on a journey to a land faraway and oftentimes scary but you go willingly and with eagerness for what lies ahead. Thanks SK for another beauty from another constant reader. ( )

I purchased [b: The Bazar of Bad Dreams|23512999|The Bazaar of Bad Dreams|Stephen King|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432324418s/23512999.jpg|43116154] by [a: Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1362814142p2/3389.jpg] from Amazon Audiobooks.

I enjoyed the narration by Stephen King and the other readers.

The stories are amazing, and even the "Baseball Story" kept my interest.

It is my habit to listen to my Audibles or music with one earbud in while I work at the library. When we are busy with patrons, I stop.

There are projects where I scan old photos, or index books. This day, I was entering data from an old card catalog onto a spreadsheet.

While I was listening to the first story, my supervisor turned around to ask me a question. At that time, every hair on my body was standing straight up. I had shivers running up and down my back.

She said, "Are you okay, you look like you've seen a ghost!" It took me a minute to move and hit the bars to stop the story. I clenched in horror, and I love the feeling. It is a well visited library. Many people come. It is not like I am alone, but it SCARED me silly.

Thank you Stephen King, I love how you work the craft! Kudos. ( )