Mixed bag, but worth revisiting

This collection always pales in comparison to Night Shift, as King offers a pleasing but never really satisfying selection of tales in different styles. That said, the book is worth buying for Paul Giamatti, who not only proves himself the best narrator of the bunch but draws you in with such ease that you don't want his stories to end. David Morse is excellent too, and so is Frances Sternhagen's version of 'Gramma' which despite the overpowering audio cues still manages to chill and delight.

If there's a downside it's a couple of the narrators: Anthony Michael Hall's 'Beachworld' is dull and lifeless as the story, doling out the word 'doon' for 'dune' with regular monotony (though he partly redeems himself with 'Ballad of the Flexible Bullet). Then there's Matthew Broderick who reads his story with all the joy of a child in detention. Some of the tales also misfire but given the duds King often assembles in his recent collections they're still far better than anything from this decade.

I don't regret buying this: it's not as memorable as Everything's Eventual or Nightmares and Dreamscapes but far outclasses Just After Sunset or Bazaar of Bad Dreams. The stories are varied enough for the strong to carry the weak and while there are a few reservations, this collection is recommended.

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15 people found this helpful

The Mist

I like Kings big sprawling type books so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this, whilst I enjoyed most of the stories it was worth it just for The Mist to be honest.

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2 people found this helpful

Mixed but mostly great

Good selection of stories. Only problems were a few of the narrators unfortunately we're not my cup of tea. In particular Mr. Patton reading the mist. One of my favorite stories but almost unbearable narration.

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Not my Favourite S King compilation!

While being an entertaining listen I found some of the narration to become back ground noise while my mind slung off elsewhere- not a good sign!
Some noteworthy tales here and it kicks off with whats possibly my all time favourite short- The Mist. Unfortunately I didn't find as many short story gems as I'm used to within this compilation.
having said that it is worth the listen even if you do find yourself having to start one or two of the stories over as it's ended and you haven't been paying attention.

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1 person found this helpful

Overall a fantastic read

As always with a collection of shorts and novellas I have my favourite and my least favourite.
I enjoyed this read thoroughly.
As always, king did not disappoint.
5/5

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Great Audio

Really enjoyed listening to one of my favourites rather than reading it.
The different voices made the stories very individual.

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1 person found this helpful

Loved it

Great mixture of people reading the different stories, not too be missed that’s for sure if you’re a true king fan.

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Some great stories!

This is a good book, well performed and includes many great Stephen King short stories. It does also include a few fillers and lost steam towards the end. Would still recommend highly

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only for hardcore fans of King

there were few great stories. some were even well read. but, for the very first time I cannot give 4 or 5 stars for King's book. many stories were simply boring. they like an outcome of a bet. like I bet you can't write a story about a milkman in less than a day... and King won, as there was nothing about writing s good story... . what is worse, performance considerably vary and rarely you get a package of a well read good story. Some I struggled to finish listening. Don't recommend, unless you are a fan like myself that wants to go through literally all Stephen King's books.

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typical Steven King Short StoryNovel.

Not a very good short stories book by Steven King, I have read better, I think Night Shift is a better read if you want short stories.

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