Full Dark, No Stars Book #2

 

For those of you who know me well, it should be no surprise that Stephen King would make at least one appearance on this list. If you've never read any of his work, you are missing out on a treasure trove. I have not read everything he's written. I am working on it slowly but surely. Anytime I hear something new is coming, I geek out in anticipation. This book, with four short novellas, delivered once again. I will warn you upfront, these stories are not for the faint of heart. King tells us in his afterword, "These stories in this book are harsh...I want to provoke an emotional, even visceral reaction in my reader."  Mission accomplished Mr. King.

King begins with the story 1922, in which Wilfred James murders his wife with the help of his 14-year-old son. And you know what they say about the best laid plans. These four stories center around the "Other" inside of everyone. Who or what would you become if you were pushed by extreme circumstances, or, what "Dark Other" are those you love hiding? 

Best quote from 1922

"Women take note:a wife like that never needs to fear bubbling away the last of her life through a cut throat."

Big Rider may be the hardest for some readers to take. Tess is a semi-popular author who gets brutally attacked, raped, and left for dead on the side of the road one night on her way home from a speaking engagement. Not only does she not die, she gets justice. I don't want to ruin this for you, but you don't feel bad for what happens to the bad guy(s). 

Best quote from Big Rider

"If you're going to stay, you need to get out of sight," Tom said... and no, that didn't sound like her voice. Or not exactly like her voice. Perhaps it was the one that belonged to her deepest self, the survivor. And the killer- her, too. How many unsuspected selves could a person have, hiding deep inside? She was beginning to think it could be infinite."

Of the four stories, the shortest, is Fair Extension. This story is dark, no doubt, but I will use the word cute to describe it. You can't help but smile after you read it. Call me crazy but it's not your typical sell your soul to the devil story that we've all heard or read a thousand times before. Dave Streeter has terminal cancer. He happens upon a street vendor one day, George Elvid, who offers him a life extension. He doesn't want his soul, just a percentage of his income for the next 15 years, and for Dave to put the "dirty" on someone else, as Elvid so puts it.

Best quote

"Streeter, who had played his share of Scrabble in his time, had already imagined the letters of Elvid's name in tiles and rearranged them."

And lastly, we come to A Good Marriage. This story scared me the most. This story could be about anyone, it could be about you. There's no supernatural element, no killer clowns that live in the sewer, no aliens, no ghosts, just a real person doing real bad things. Darcy and Bob have been married for 27 years. One night, while Bob is away on a business trip, Darcy trips over a box in the garage. What she finds will change their lives forever. What would you do if you found out your husband was hiding a dark side? 

Best quote

"She could see his slippers only they weren't his. They were obviously too big to be Bob's, almost a giant's slippers. They belonged to the Darker Husband. She shifted her gaze back to the wild-haired woman with the bloodshot, frightened eyes, the Darker Wife, in all her raddled glory."

Pick this one up people and do it now. You won't be disappointed. The first Stephen King I read was Skeleton Crew, and from there I was hooked. I'm sure this won't be his only appearance this year, as I haven't yet read Under the Dome. Has anyone had a chance to read that one? Thoughts? There's no doubt that King has a gift, a gift I wish I had. His son has picked up on those talents as well. Joe Hill has a few novels out there that you should check out if you have some time. Horns is the latest, supernatural to the core, loved it. Well reader, hope this has encouraged you to read something new or to pick up another King if you are a fan already. 2 down...98 to go....