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Full Dark, No Stars [Kindle Edition]

Stephen King (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
Print List Price: £7.99
Kindle Price: £5.31 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Product Description

Amazon Review

As well as being the most celebrated horror and fantasy writer of the modern age, Stephen King is a noted commentator on the genre, and some of his most intriguing writing includes studies of his great predecessors. The first story in the mesmerising collection of novellas which is Full Dark, No Stars bears the imprint of one of King's favourite writers, Edgar Allen Poe: it is the first-person confession of a murderer, in which he invites us not to judge him -- not unlike the narrator of Poe’s ‘The Tell-tale Heart’. King's protagonist, an unlettered farmer, does not relate his gruesome story in an elegant fashion. But King, of course, as well as being adroit at chilling our blood, has few equals at finding the right voice for his characters, whatever background they come from. That is precisely what happens here, as the farmer, Wilfred James, tells us how he planned the murder of his unsympathetic wife with the aid of his reluctance son. The murder itself has all the typical King flair for the macabre, but it is the steady unravelling of the killer’s plans that fascinates here – a theme that reappears in a grim tale involving a young woman's revenge on a man who raped her. As always with King's novellas, characterisation is strongly to the fore in these pieces, but the principle appeal of this form for the author would appear to be the opportunity to exercise his steely grasp of narrative technique, displayed in all the stories on offer here.

These King novellas are perhaps something of a relaxation for the author after the massive The Dome; for readers, Full Dark, No Stars is a reminder that this is a writer for whom both long and short formats are firmly in his grasp.

Some years ago, Stephen King announced that he was planning to cut down on his astonishing level of productivity, but this promise was barely kept (even a grim car accident was weathered – albeit with a heavy price paid – by the author), and though the exalted standard of the early books has faltered at times, he still has the knack of pulling that rabbit out of the hat (usually covered with blood). --Barry Forshaw

Review

Praise for Under the Dome:

(. )

'America's greatest living novelist delivers his masterpiece.'

(Lee Child )

'King's most purely entertaining novel in years . . . utterly compelling.'

(John Connolly )

'Tight and energetic from start to finish.'

(New York Times )

'The pedal is indeed to the metal.'

(Guardian )

'You're sorry when you come to the end.'

(Daily Express )
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 582 KB
  • Print Length: 364 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1444712543
  • Publisher: Hodder (9 Nov 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004B8UTY4
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #8,471 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
91 of 96 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read 1 Dec 2010
By amymdev
Format:Hardcover
King himself calls these stories "harsh" and indeed, I cannot think of a better word to describe them. Not easy reading by any means, but an excellent, riveting read. I was hooked from start to finish but had a few sleepless nights in the process (as I couldn't put book down, and when I did it was not easy to get the stories out of my head!).

A thought provoking book that delves into the darker side of life. If you have never read a Stephen King book before, I would perhaps suggest you do not start with this, as it is one of the darkest books of his I have read, but die hard King fans should really enjoy it.

One more point, I do not understand why people put spoilers on here?! I am glad I did not read these reviews before I read the book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Take a torch!!! - if only to read late into the night! 19 Aug 2011
By Helen Simpson VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Basically King just knows how to spin a really good yarn!! Just the right amount of horror to fire your imagination then send it into overdrive, combined with his unique way of bringing characters to life by letting you in on their thoughts and inner voices.
I was really looking forward to reading this latest compilation of short(er) stories and I wasn't disappointed with any of them! My favourites were '1922' and 'Big Driver', but the others were all interesting in concept. Full dark...with plenty to provoke thoughts.

Next please Mr King!! :)
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A flawed but gripping and sinister collection.. 22 Feb 2012
By henryhunter
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a huge fan of King's books growing up, but somewhere around 'Dreamcatcher' and 'Rose Madder' I gave up. This was recommended by several people and critics and was heralded as a return to form, with some saying King was having a renaissance in his later years. I'd say that's true.
These four novellas revolve around death, murder, guilt, revenge and redemption and only the third story (the weakest in my opinion) hints at anything supernatural. The strength of the other stories comes from the characters and the way their minds wrestle with their actions or events that unfold. He's always been very good at winning the reader over with a warm and inviting voice (think of 'Red' from 'Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption') that can charm you whilst simultaneously pulling you further and further into a dark and twisted world. It has to be said, at times this book is incredibly grisly and graphic, with vivd images of decaying corpses and monstrous crimes dancing around your head long after you've stopped reading. I think King may've been inspired by some of Cormac McCarthy's work when writing the first tale, "1922". It's by no means in the same league but there's an undeniable feel of darkness that's reminiscent of 'Child of God'.
As I mentioned, the third of the four is the weakest and it jarred against the sustained tension and pace of the others. It's a shame as overall it's some of the best work he's ever done. If you like horror but have grown weary of werewolves and vampires, then this will keep you entertained and reinstill some faith in one of the best mainstream writers of our time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great as usual
Always looked forward to Mr Kings short stories. These gems have not disappointed this fan. Thanks. Sharon, Maryport, C umbria
Published 8 days ago by gareths mum
4.0 out of 5 stars Full dark no stars
Excellent read it was a Stephen king I hadn't read but I'm glad l eventually read it if you are a king fan then you must read
Published 27 days ago by K. Furminger
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh Stephen i've missed you!
As a lifelong fan of Mr King who let their adoration lapse over the last 5 years i came across this collection and thought i'd give it a go. So glad i did. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Vivienne Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Stephen King never disappoints, great book full of wonderful stories by the master of the macabre. Recommended reading on a warm summer afternoon
Published 1 month ago by Stephanie Chapman
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Thriller Read.
Another Thriller read from the hand of Stephen King. Great Collection of Stories, well written from the master of storytelling.
Published 2 months ago by Mr. James A. Carter
4.0 out of 5 stars All dark, with sparkles
These stories were excellent, the third one ends a little oddly but I particularly enjoyed the last one. A great read!
Published 2 months ago by FreddieBJ
5.0 out of 5 stars I love S.K.
All I want to say about this book is - I love it. It's like putting on your favourite pair of slippers or jeans. Read more
Published 3 months ago by nicola rush
5.0 out of 5 stars A lonely man on a road
I dont know how, but Steven King gets how it is to be lonely, left out, murderous. And the people he describes are us. WHAT IF, he says, and you know, what if is true!!
Published 3 months ago by Eva Schwanenflugel
4.0 out of 5 stars THE KING IS ALIVE!!!!!
I have been a Constant Reader since my early teens, I was caught by my English teacher reading Carrie & given a lecture on pulp fiction and was deeply amused to find that Stand By... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Angela Mclaughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
When I started reading this book I thought it was one story so initially was disappointed when I found myself coming to the end of the first tale . Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ruth Bernstein
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When it came to the dark fuckery of the human heart, there seemed to be no limit. &quote;
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I believe that there is another man inside of every man, a stranger, a Conniving Man. &quote;
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The two best things in life are warm croissants and a quick way home. &quote;
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