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Amazon.com: You Like It Darker: Stories (Audible Audio Edition): Stephen King, Will Patton, Stephen King, Simon & Schuster Audio: Audible Books & Originals
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From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of twelve short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best EVER.
“You like it darker? Fine, so do I,” writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life—both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to digest. King writes to feel “the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind,” and in You Like It Darker, listeners will feel that exhilaration too, again and again.
“Two Talented Bastids” explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream,” a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny’s most catastrophically. In “Rattlesnakes,” a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives an unexpected inheritance—with major strings attached. In “The Dreamers,” a taciturn Vietnam vet answers a job ad and learns that there are some corners of the universe best left unexplored. “The Answer Man” asks if prescience is good luck or bad and reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.
King’s ability to surprise, amaze, and bring us both terror and solace remains unsurpassed. Each of these stories holds its own thrills, joys, and mysteries; each feels iconic. You like it darker? You got it.
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Amazon.com: You Like It Darker: Stories (Audible Audio Edition): Stephen King, Will Patton, Stephen King, Simon & Schuster Audio: Audible Books & Originals
Cliente de Kindle –
First, I didn’t know there was a story sequel of CUJO… surprised and happy, read it gladly. Second, apart from the sequel of CUJO, there were several stories that were just amazing, I think the “two talented bastids” story is my favorite so far, gave me “Dreamcatcher” vibes! This book is a must-read for every Stephen King fan, and I recommend it if you are new to his stories.
Josh Mauthe –
I feel like I’ve made this comment before, but it’s hard not to think about how much Stephen King is aging as you read his recent works, which are increasingly aware of King’s impending mortality and questions of what he will leave behind – and those questions are undeniably present throughout many of the stories (and, not coincidentally, the best stories) in You Like It Darker, a collection of short fiction and novellas. The most notable here is “Rattlesnakes,” which finds us revisiting Vic Trenton from Cujo in the present, many years removed from the events of that book, but nonetheless haunted by them as he moves into a Florida neighborhood and encounters an elderly woman who pushes around a stroller to carry what she claims to be her twin boys – boys who died decades ago. “Rattlesnakes” is undeniably a horror tale – perhaps the most effective in the book – but it’s also a fascinating reminder of that character and a thoughtful take on what might have happened to him in the many years since, to say nothing of being a portrait of parents left dealing with the scar tissue left behind when a child dies. It’s an affecting, unsettling tale, and single-handed justifies the collection, even though there are plenty of other solid entries here. “Two Talented Bastids,” for instance, takes a look at how “regular” people become geniuses, and while the tale itself is a good one, orbiting around a young man in the aftermath of the death of his famous author father, it’s the kicker that turns it into something special, giving us a rough ending that hurts in a wholly unexpected way. Meanwhile, “Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” is a great premise that fits perfectly into its novella length, delivering a supernatural premise that feels like a spiritual cousin to both King’s own The Outsider but also to Les Miserables’s iconic Javert, pacing out some great suspense and strangeness along the way. You Like It Darker is full of solid tales, and if the others beyond this one are never quite “essential,” they’re also never bad at all – King is too capable of a writer for that, and his imagination is still as fresh and rich here as it ever has been, whether he’s delivering a tribute to Flannery O’Connor in “On Slide Inn Road” or digging into the questions of fate in “The Answer Man.” It’s the perfect literary equivalent of Selznick’s “three good scenes, no bad ones” approach to filmmaking; while it won’t make the top tier of King’s works, it’s still a great piece of entertainment, and gives us a few classics – especially “Bastids” and “Rattlesnakes” – to more than justify your time.
Kevin Lintner –
Stephen King’s *You Like It Darker* is an extraordinary collection of short stories that takes readers on a journey through the shadows of human experience. Each tale is uniquely crafted, offering a range of horrors that are both deeply unsettling and thought-provoking. King’s mastery of storytelling shines through, making this a must-read for fans of the genre.
Among the collection, a few stories stand out as particularly memorable. “The Answer Man” is a chilling exploration of the dangers of foresight, where the protagonist faces the ominous consequences of seeking knowledge about his future. This story is a perfect example of King’s ability to weave suspense with profound philosophical questions.
Another highlight is “Rattlesnakes,” a story that revisits the world of *Cujo* and introduces new layers of terror. The sense of dread builds slowly, culminating in a deeply disturbing narrative that lingers long after the story ends.
However, my favorite story in the collection is “On Slide Inn Road.” This tale captures the essence of Southern Gothic horror, blending elements of psychological tension with supernatural terror. The story’s depiction of a family stranded in a desolate area, facing unspeakable horrors, is both eerie and captivating. King’s skillful character development and atmospheric writing make this story a standout in an already impressive collection.
Overall, *You Like It Darker* is a brilliant showcase of Stephen King’s storytelling prowess. Each story is a gem, offering something unique and haunting. It’s a collection that will satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike, earning it a well-deserved five stars.
MJ –
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. All of them caught my interest and made me think. And there are some excellent sentence structures, something I always appreciate in his writing.
A Constant Reader –
Most non-fans of Mr. King think of him as a horror writer (usually thinking of gore – which he does very well), and are unaware he gave the world The Green Mile, (Rita Hayworth and) The Shawshank Redemption, Dolores Claiborne, and (The Body) Stand By Me. When I was a bookstore owner, I used those as a comeback to the countless customers who told me they did not like King’s writing. In this set of stories “Two Talented Bastids” is wonderful literature masquerading as a bit of SciFi. I wish I were very wealthy so I could buy movie rights to this one, as that would be an excellent investment.
I’m sure many “friends of Bill” will not like what Mr. King has done for the 12 Steps in “The Fifth Step,” but I found it to be an extremely funny look at an idea. The main character here is going to have real problems when it comes to making amends, though.
“Willie the Wierdo” actually is a horror story, but it is also close to Jacob’s hundred-plus year old classic “The Monkey’s Paw”.
“Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream” is another I would love to have enough money to invest in the movie/TV rights. It is going to be an excellent production. I could see exactly the right actors for the cast all the way through it. It is also the second story here that felt to me like exquisite writing.
The story “Finn” reminds me very much of a Faustian idea I once had for writing a book, but I never got around to writing it. Thank you, Mr. King for doing the hard work for me.
There is no horror or supernatural in “On Slide Inn Road”. It is just a very good, very tight action short story that is very satisfying. Mr. King gives a nod to O’Connor, so I guess I’ll have to try reading some.
“Red Screen” is a brief glimpse into a world and some characters that you know how things are going to be, but you want it to go on anyway to find out how right or wrong you are.
I have to say “The Turbulence Expert” is one that just did not impress me all that much. It was an interesting idea, and I liked the characters, but it just did not take me anywhere.
“Laurie” is a nice story that moves a little slowly, but that’s ok because it doesn’t seem to have anywhere that it wants to go. It just introduces you to some diverse characters that are very much like people in your neighborhood and family. There is a bit of excitement, but no horror or supernatural to it.
“Rattlesnakes” is another that will be a good production, either movie or TV. Again I would be willing to invest in the rights for it. It comes with a tip of the hat to John D. McDonald, who is another writer whose every work I read voraciously. This one does drift into the world of supernatural and good versus evil, but not as heavily as some of Mr. King’s gargantuan novels. It brings back a character from Cujo in a setting close-by Duma Key, but you don’t need to have read either of those to enjoy it (to be honest, I did not recall the character actually making an appearance in Cujo). The TV/movie script will be enormously bolstered by the very real, likable ancillary characters that work throughout this novella.
“The Dreamers” was an interesting idea, but for whatever reason it did not do it for me. I really liked, and felt for the narrator, but the story left me flat. I did not grasp Mr. King’s reference to Cormac McCarthy, whose beautiful prose in horrific, sometimes painful to read stories, I love.
The advice to performing artists is to “Always leave ’em wanting more.” And Mr. King certainly does that with “The Answer Man” as the finale for this publication. As a better reviewer remarked this story “reminds us that a life marked by unbearable tragedy can still be meaningful.” At the conclusion of this beautifully written piece, you definitely want more while at the same time it gives a great feeling of satisfaction. And that is good writing!
Shelley B –
Being a huge fan of Stephen King, this collection of short stories does not disappoint! Great beach reading!
Huseyin Yilmaz –
A book you will always want to keep in your library.
Marcos –
Que livro bom! Stephen king é um excelente autor de contos. Acho que é o melhor livro dele nos últimos 10, 12 anos. Todos os contos e novelas do livro são excelentes com exceção de “Finn” que realmente não me pegou. Altamente recomendável, na melhor tradição da ficção espeulativa norte americana. Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, onde quer que estejam devem estar orgulhos das sementes que plantaram. Vale cada palavra lida.