Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Let's face it, Mr. King rights best in the short form. I can only think of one or two of his novels that really worked for me. But I love almost all his short stories and novellas. When he goes long, he tends to get lost and weird ideas come to the fore. But something about short stories make him lean and tight.

The four stories in this collection aren't really horror stories. The monsters all come in human forms. They are murderers and rapists and serial killers. The closest it comes to his usual horror vein is the story about the devil. But the devil is a sympathetic character so I am still confused.

The stories are harsh depictions but compelling to read. I felt the need to ingest them quickly but am sad now that I am done. I'm still going to read The Dome or his upcoming time travel Novel set in the JFK era.

[Drunk Monk]

I find that horror doesn't holds up for a full length book for me in general. I just can't stay scared for that long. That being said, and as much as I enjoy King, I'll probably give this one a pass. I much prefer the supernatural to murders, rapists and serial killers. That's so NOT escapist for me. I might just try to read the devil story tho.

I still think King's book On Writing is one of the best works on the subject ever and recommend that to all our fledgling freelancers. They hardly ever read it though. Martial artists just aren't the most literate of people sometimes, even the so-called writers.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I read "On Writing" awhile back and not as a part of DM prodding. The note that stuck with me is the one about writing being a muscle you have to exercise.

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

I agree with you on long form horror. It usually doesn't work. With one exception.

When I read The Shining when I was 16, it scared the crap out of me. I had to finish the book before I could go to sleep. It probably didn't help I was alone in the house at the time on a foggy hill in Ireland.

[Drunk Monk]

I saw the movie first which loaded my head with imagery. It still worked. That remains my fav King book and my fav horror, although that doesn't say much as I've not read that many horror novels beyond King and Lovecraft, and that was mostly in High School.