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Full Dark, No Stars
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Amazon.co.uk 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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
'Fine stories to take with us into the night' (Neil Gaiman in the Guardian )
'An extraordinary collection, thrillingly merciless and a career high point' (Matt Thorne in the )
'America's greatest living novelist' (Lee Child )
'Mr. King's gift of storytelling is unrivaled. His ferocious imagination is unlimited' (George Pelecanos )
'The genius of King is not the fecundity of his imagination, great though it is, but the empathy he can create between the reader and a character . . . He is . . . not a national, but global treasure . . . just buy the book. Trust me, you won't be disappointed' (Scotsman )
'The collection's story stand-out story is the final novella . . . resembles Hitchcock's Suspicion with extra turns of the screw.' (The Sunday Times )
'offers striking reminders of King's mastery of structure . . . compulsively readable' (Private Eye )
'An extraordinary collection, thrillingly merciless and a career high point' (Matt Thorne in the
'America's greatest living novelist' (Lee Child )
'Mr. King's gift of storytelling is unrivaled. His ferocious imagination is unlimited' (George Pelecanos )
'The genius of King is not the fecundity of his imagination, great though it is, but the empathy he can create between the reader and a character . . . He is . . . not a national, but global treasure . . . just buy the book. Trust me, you won't be disappointed' (Scotsman )
'The collection's story stand-out story is the final novella . . . resembles Hitchcock's Suspicion with extra turns of the screw.' (The Sunday Times )
'offers striking reminders of King's mastery of structure . . . compulsively readable' (Private Eye )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 84 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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!! :)
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!! :)
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is the kind of thing that keeps Stephen King's Constant Readers coming back again and again. Even after we'd all thought he'd gone beyond the bottom of the barrel and was in the process of digging himself a hole to China, we still keep buying the man's books because every now and again he'll pull the brilliance of a book like "Under the Dome" out of his bag of dark tricks. But as if that's not enough, he then follows it up with this, the best collection of stories since "Everything's Eventual". Honestly, The King is so good it's just staggering.
Be in no doubt, the title of this collection of four novellas should let you know what you're in for, and would definitely not be for King newbies. This is full dark indeed, with no lights at the end of ANY of the tunnels. If you thought the Bachman Books were bleak, dark, uncompromising and harsh, you ain't seen nothing yet. The stories in this collection all revolve around the themes of retribution and revenge, sometimes savage and brutal, sometimes cold and calculating, but always chilling.
The only reason that I'm giving this four stars instead of five is a very big implausibility (I mean, a BIG one) in one of the stories (A Good Marriage, in case you're wondering). But other than that, this is one of the best collections from one of the best story-tellers of this or any other age. Buy it. Read it. Love it.
Be in no doubt, the title of this collection of four novellas should let you know what you're in for, and would definitely not be for King newbies. This is full dark indeed, with no lights at the end of ANY of the tunnels. If you thought the Bachman Books were bleak, dark, uncompromising and harsh, you ain't seen nothing yet. The stories in this collection all revolve around the themes of retribution and revenge, sometimes savage and brutal, sometimes cold and calculating, but always chilling.
The only reason that I'm giving this four stars instead of five is a very big implausibility (I mean, a BIG one) in one of the stories (A Good Marriage, in case you're wondering). But other than that, this is one of the best collections from one of the best story-tellers of this or any other age. Buy it. Read it. Love it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mr K doesn't let you down
A collection of 'short', (some are quite long really), stories but each with enough depth to catch the imagination and entice you back to read more. Unlike some of his ideas,(e.g. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Clipper 314
Scary!!!
I've got most of King's books (no Kindle for me!). This is by far the scariest of the lot. SUPERB! Twists that couldn't be seen coming and really powerful writing. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Peter Senior
A dark voyage into Crime and Punishment, in company of the Devil...
As one of Stephen King's "constant readers" I was delighted to discover this collection of four extremely dark tales. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Maciej
Magic!
Stephen King can be a bit hit and miss. When he's good (eg Dolores Claibourne) he's terrific. When he's bad (Needful Things) he's dire. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Booklover
Back to his best
I am so glad I bought this book, I did think that Stephen had lost his talent after his accident but after reading this book I am convinced he is back to his best again. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jan Prendergast
very satisfied
i'm very satisfied with service. the book came in the preliminary declareted time limits. the book was i would say
'new' and surprise me with the very good condition in which... Read more
'new' and surprise me with the very good condition in which... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ivelina
A flawed but gripping and sinister collection..
I was a huge fan of King's books growing up, but somewhere around 'Dreamcatcher' and 'Rose Madder' I gave up. Read more
Published 3 months ago by henryhunter
Excellent - as always!
I love all Stephen King's writings, and thought I had a complete collection - this one must have slipped through the net. Great yarns.....!
Published 3 months ago by Carol-Ann
King Gets Back
This is the third collection of four novellas Stephen King has released. The first two are Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John M. Ford
Hits & Misses But The King Juggernaught Rumbles On...
Stephen King has been one of the world's bestselling authors for over 35 years. He is wealthy. Many of his books have become films or television series. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Horatio Bannister
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