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Just After Sunset
Stephen King – who has written more than fifty books, dozens of number one New York Times bestsellers, and many unforgettable movies – delivers an astonishing collection of short stories, his first since Everything’s Eventual six years ago. As guest editor of the bestselling Best American Short Stories 2007, King spent over a year reading hundreds of stories. His renewed passion for the form is evident on every page of Just After Sunset. The stories in this collection have appeared in The New Yorker, Playboy, McSweeney’s, The Paris Review, Esquire, and other publications.
Who but Stephen King would turn a Port-O-San into a slimy birth canal, or a roadside honky-tonk into a place for endless love? A book salesman with a grievance might pick up a mute hitchhiker, not knowing the silent man in the passenger seat listens altogether too well. Or an exercise routine on a stationary bicycle, begun to reduce bad cholesterol, might take its rider on a captivating – and then terrifying – journey. Set on a remote key in Florida, “The Gingerbread Girl” is a riveting tale featuring a young woman as vulnerable – and resourceful – as Audrey Hepburn’s character in Wait Until Dark. In “Ayana,” a blind girl works a miracle with a kiss and the touch of her hand. For King, the line between the living and the dead is often blurry, and the seams that hold our reality intact might tear apart at any moment. In one of the longer stories here, “N.,” which recently broke new ground when it was adapted as a graphic digital entertainment, a psychiatric patient’s irrational thinking might create an apocalyptic threat in the Maine countryside . . . or keep the world from falling victim to it.
Just After Sunset – call it dusk, call it twilight, it’s a time when human intercourse takes on an unnatural cast, when nothing is quite as it appears, when the imagination begins to reach for shadows as they dissipate to darkness and living daylight can be scared right out of you. It’s the perfect time for Stephen King.
Who but Stephen King would turn a Port-O-San into a slimy birth canal, or a roadside honky-tonk into a place for endless love? A book salesman with a grievance might pick up a mute hitchhiker, not knowing the silent man in the passenger seat listens altogether too well. Or an exercise routine on a stationary bicycle, begun to reduce bad cholesterol, might take its rider on a captivating – and then terrifying – journey. Set on a remote key in Florida, “The Gingerbread Girl” is a riveting tale featuring a young woman as vulnerable – and resourceful – as Audrey Hepburn’s character in Wait Until Dark. In “Ayana,” a blind girl works a miracle with a kiss and the touch of her hand. For King, the line between the living and the dead is often blurry, and the seams that hold our reality intact might tear apart at any moment. In one of the longer stories here, “N.,” which recently broke new ground when it was adapted as a graphic digital entertainment, a psychiatric patient’s irrational thinking might create an apocalyptic threat in the Maine countryside . . . or keep the world from falling victim to it.
Just After Sunset – call it dusk, call it twilight, it’s a time when human intercourse takes on an unnatural cast, when nothing is quite as it appears, when the imagination begins to reach for shadows as they dissipate to darkness and living daylight can be scared right out of you. It’s the perfect time for Stephen King.
367 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2008
3363 people are currently reading
48701 people want to read
About the author
Stephen King
2,617 books885k followersStephen Edwin King was born the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King. After his father left them when Stephen was two, he and his older brother, David, were raised by his mother. Parts of his childhood were spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his father's family was at the time, and in Stratford, Connecticut. When Stephen was eleven, his mother brought her children back to Durham, Maine, for good. Her parents, Guy and Nellie Pillsbury, had become incapacitated with old age, and Ruth King was persuaded by her sisters to take over the physical care of them. Other family members provided a small house in Durham and financial support. After Stephen's grandparents passed away, Mrs. King found work in the kitchens of Pineland, a nearby residential facility for the mentally challenged.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
Stephen attended the grammar school in Durham and Lisbon Falls High School, graduating in 1966. From his sophomore year at the University of Maine at Orono, he wrote a weekly column for the school newspaper, THE MAINE CAMPUS. He was also active in student politics, serving as a member of the Student Senate. He came to support the anti-war movement on the Orono campus, arriving at his stance from a conservative view that the war in Vietnam was unconstitutional. He graduated in 1970, with a B.A. in English and qualified to teach on the high school level. A draft board examination immediately post-graduation found him 4-F on grounds of high blood pressure, limited vision, flat feet, and punctured eardrums.
He met Tabitha Spruce in the stacks of the Fogler Library at the University, where they both worked as students; they married in January of 1971. As Stephen was unable to find placement as a teacher immediately, the Kings lived on his earnings as a laborer at an industrial laundry, and her student loan and savings, with an occasional boost from a short story sale to men's magazines.
Stephen made his first professional short story sale ("The Glass Floor") to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage, he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many were gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.
In the fall of 1971, Stephen began teaching English at Hampden Academy, the public high school in Hampden, Maine. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,648 reviews
August 6, 2025
ثلاثة عشر هو رقم ليس سيئا أبدا لى و ان كان غير محبب للكثيرين
و لكنى أحببته هنا لأنه عدد القصص في هذه المجموعة الرائعة
كانت أول قراءاتى لكنج و بالطبع لم تكن الأخيرة
يمتلك الرجل قدرة على الاسترسال في تفاصيل صغيرة غير مهمة أبدا و لكنها غير مملة مع ذلك
تجد فلسفة عميقة لا يشعر بها من لا يريدها و لا يقحمها في القصة اقحاما و لكنه يعطيك الإثارة و المتعة و حبس الأنفاس مبطن بفكرته التي يبثها بين السطور
لن أعيد و أزيد في مراجعات تفصيلية فستجدها كلها هنا
ويللا
الفتاة الهاربة
حلم هارفى
استراحة طريق
دراجة ثابتة
الأشياء التي تركوها هناك
عصر يوم تخرج
قط شيطانى
ن
نيويورك تايمز بسعر منافس
موقف عصيب
أيانا
أبكم
للمزيد انظر النشرة الداخلية
لا أمزح في ذلك فقد ضمن المجموعة فصلا أخيرا عن حالته و دواعى الكتابة لكل قصة دون شرح المغزى أو الهدف و لا ينصح بقراءة هذا الفصل إلا بعد إتمام قراءة جميع القصص.
June 22, 2025
What a difference six years can make? I do feel I was a far harsher judge of books back in in the Noughties!
2010 view: 13 short stories by Stephen King, some quite good, a few just average. 4 out of 12, Two Star read(!!!)
Updated review>: Not his best short story collection but still contains some real gems such as Willa, The Gingerbread Girl, Stationary Bike, 'N' and The Cat From Hell. This writer is a machine! 8 out of 12 Four Star read from one of the greatest living short story writers?
2016 and 2010 read
2010 view: 13 short stories by Stephen King, some quite good, a few just average. 4 out of 12, Two Star read(!!!)
Updated review>: Not his best short story collection but still contains some real gems such as Willa, The Gingerbread Girl, Stationary Bike, 'N' and The Cat From Hell. This writer is a machine! 8 out of 12 Four Star read from one of the greatest living short story writers?
2016 and 2010 read
August 21, 2022
من يقول ان الرتابة و الروتين و الضحالة هم الجحيم بذاته..هو مجرد إنسان متبطر يستحق كل ما يحدث له
فهذه الكلمات المملة هي المرادف لكلمة :استقرار
لا يقدر قيمته الا من يصحو على مفاجآت بغيضة
مثل جانيت تلك المرأة الخمسينية المتبرمة من وجود زوجها صباح كل عطلة سبت
يتفنن كينج بعبقرية في وصف كل شعرة و تجعيدة في المحاسب الكهل "هارفي" في جلسته المتراخية في المطبخ
و🎃 تدريجيا يخيم رعب خافت على القصة
و عن طريق الظلال و بضع تفاصيل بسيطة لكن حية و بدون ان يتحرك الزوجين من مكانهما
..نرى كابوس هارفي يتحقق تدريجيا
ارشحها للمخضرمين في عالم كينج فقط
مراجعة حلم هارفي من مجموعة بعد الغروب 🌞
فهذه الكلمات المملة هي المرادف لكلمة :استقرار
لا يقدر قيمته الا من يصحو على مفاجآت بغيضة
مثل جانيت تلك المرأة الخمسينية المتبرمة من وجود زوجها صباح كل عطلة سبت
يتفنن كينج بعبقرية في وصف كل شعرة و تجعيدة في المحاسب الكهل "هارفي" في جلسته المتراخية في المطبخ
و🎃 تدريجيا يخيم رعب خافت على القصة
و عن طريق الظلال و بضع تفاصيل بسيطة لكن حية و بدون ان يتحرك الزوجين من مكانهما
..نرى كابوس هارفي يتحقق تدريجيا
ارشحها للمخضرمين في عالم كينج فقط
مراجعة حلم هارفي من مجموعة بعد الغروب 🌞
July 15, 2016
Willa: After a train derails leaving its passengers stranded, David Sanderson's wife wanders away from the station and he goes looking for her.
On the surface, this was a tale of people who don't realize that they're ghosts dealing with their fate. Beneath, I think it's about how time slips away and the deeper the rut you get into, the harder it is to get out and do something new. His Kingship picked a good tale to start the collection with.
Gingerbread Girl: After leaving her husband, Emily takes up running on the beach. Her life is turning around until she runs afoul of killer!
This was a pretty gripping tale about a woman running for her life from a serial killer. Serial killers have been done to death but King makes a good tale out of it.
Harvey's Dream: A woman in a boring marriage is surprised when her husband wants to share a dream of his with her.
This one felt like a well-written Twilight Zone episode to me. The characters felt very real to me.
Rest Stop: A writer on the way home stops at a rest area to pee and interrupts a man beating his wife.
This one was okay. It dealt a little with identity but was mostly a writer gathering up the courage to do something about a bad situation.
Stationary Bike: An overweight commercial artist gets a stationary bike. Twilight Zone style weirdness ensues.
Yeah, I kind of liked this but it was a little long for what it was. Stationary bike takes guy into his drawing, guys working inside his body to keep his body healthy, it was a strange ride that ultimately went nowhere. See what I did there?
The Things They Left Behind: Mysterious objects appear in a 9/11 survivor's apartment, objects belonging to his deceased co-workers.
Another Twilight Zone-ish story that should have been a lot shorter.
Graduation Afternoon: A young woman knows she's attending one of her boyfriend's family's gatherings for the last time. It turns out being the last in more ways than one.
Meh.
N: A psychiatrist commits suicide and his sister reads the file on his last patient, an OCD man named N.
Holy shit! I enjoyed the hell out of this one. An OCD guy's rituals keeping a world devouring monster straight out of H.P. Lovecraft at bay? Loved it!
The Cat From Hell: A pharmaceutical millionaire hires a hitman to kill... a cat?
Pretty brutal. You can tell this one was early King, especially compared to the writing style of the other stories. No wonder it was featured in Tales from the Dark Side: The Movie.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates: A woman gets an unexpected phone call from her dead husband.
Yawn. Another plane crash-related tale. King's getting soft in his old age.
Mute: After finding out his wife has been having an affair, a man picks up a deaf-mute hitchhiker and bares his soul. But was the man really deaf?
This confessional tale was pretty good. King likes his shorts Twilight Zone-ish, doesn't he?
Ayana: This was a tale about miracles. It was a little Hallmark-y for my taste.
A Very Tight Place: A guy gets trapped inside a Johnny-On-The-Spot by his vindictive neighbor.
This was a revenge story that wasn't shitty despite the setting.
Closing Thoughts: Not a bad short story collection. N and the Cat from Hell were my favorites. I wouldn't say any of the stories were duds but this wasn't my favorite King collection. Three out of five stars.
On the surface, this was a tale of people who don't realize that they're ghosts dealing with their fate. Beneath, I think it's about how time slips away and the deeper the rut you get into, the harder it is to get out and do something new. His Kingship picked a good tale to start the collection with.
Gingerbread Girl: After leaving her husband, Emily takes up running on the beach. Her life is turning around until she runs afoul of killer!
This was a pretty gripping tale about a woman running for her life from a serial killer. Serial killers have been done to death but King makes a good tale out of it.
Harvey's Dream: A woman in a boring marriage is surprised when her husband wants to share a dream of his with her.
This one felt like a well-written Twilight Zone episode to me. The characters felt very real to me.
Rest Stop: A writer on the way home stops at a rest area to pee and interrupts a man beating his wife.
This one was okay. It dealt a little with identity but was mostly a writer gathering up the courage to do something about a bad situation.
Stationary Bike: An overweight commercial artist gets a stationary bike. Twilight Zone style weirdness ensues.
Yeah, I kind of liked this but it was a little long for what it was. Stationary bike takes guy into his drawing, guys working inside his body to keep his body healthy, it was a strange ride that ultimately went nowhere. See what I did there?
The Things They Left Behind: Mysterious objects appear in a 9/11 survivor's apartment, objects belonging to his deceased co-workers.
Another Twilight Zone-ish story that should have been a lot shorter.
Graduation Afternoon: A young woman knows she's attending one of her boyfriend's family's gatherings for the last time. It turns out being the last in more ways than one.
Meh.
N: A psychiatrist commits suicide and his sister reads the file on his last patient, an OCD man named N.
Holy shit! I enjoyed the hell out of this one. An OCD guy's rituals keeping a world devouring monster straight out of H.P. Lovecraft at bay? Loved it!
The Cat From Hell: A pharmaceutical millionaire hires a hitman to kill... a cat?
Pretty brutal. You can tell this one was early King, especially compared to the writing style of the other stories. No wonder it was featured in Tales from the Dark Side: The Movie.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates: A woman gets an unexpected phone call from her dead husband.
Yawn. Another plane crash-related tale. King's getting soft in his old age.
Mute: After finding out his wife has been having an affair, a man picks up a deaf-mute hitchhiker and bares his soul. But was the man really deaf?
This confessional tale was pretty good. King likes his shorts Twilight Zone-ish, doesn't he?
Ayana: This was a tale about miracles. It was a little Hallmark-y for my taste.
A Very Tight Place: A guy gets trapped inside a Johnny-On-The-Spot by his vindictive neighbor.
This was a revenge story that wasn't shitty despite the setting.
Closing Thoughts: Not a bad short story collection. N and the Cat from Hell were my favorites. I wouldn't say any of the stories were duds but this wasn't my favorite King collection. Three out of five stars.
January 16, 2023
لا يمكنها منع نفسها من التساؤلجملة بائسة رنت فى رأس الزوجه و هى ترى نفسها فى المطبخ تحضر الغداء و زوجها يجلس فى الشمس بعد أن بدأ فى مرحلة الكهولة و تزوجت البنات و صارت الحياة ليست أبدا كما كانت تتصور
هل هذا ما ناضلا من أجله
بعد كل ما فعلته للاحتفاظ بهذا الزواج فهذا هو رجلها ذو الأربعة و خمسين عاما يبدو لمن يراه على اعتاب السبعين و ربما اكبر
يحكى لها كابوس مرعب تعرض له ليكشف لها كم ان الحياة هشة و ان اللحظه التى نحياها مهما كانت سيئة بالنسبة لنا فعلينا ان نحياها بكل جوارحنا فنحن لا نعلم ابدا ماذا يخبئ لنا القدر
May 13, 2017
Αυτή η πένα έχει μεγάλο ειδικό βάρος και κλασσική αξία όμως το βιβλίο τούτο φάνηκε πολύ κατώτερο των προσδοκιών μου.
Από τα 13 διηγήματα μου άρεσαν τα 4. Τα υπόλοιπα ακόμη αναρωτιέμαι τι ακριβώς σκοπό εξυπηρετούν και όταν καταφέρω να βρω απαντήσεις καμία δεν ανταποκρίνεται στο είδος αυτού του βιβλίου.
Τα υπόλοιπα διηγήματα που πέρασαν αδιάφορα θα μπορούσαν να ειναι απλώς κάποιες ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορίες που απέχουν παρασάγγας από ιστορίες ψυχολογικής έντασης ή ακόμη περισσότερο τρόμου.
Οταν έχεις διαβάσει το "σκοτάδι βαθύ δίχως άστρα" που και πάλι δεν ήταν συνταρακτικό αλλά οπωσδηποτε κάποιες ιστορίες δεν τις ξεχνάς ποτε, τότε το " ιστορίες του λυκόφωτος" παρά τον βαρύγδουπο και πολλα υποσχόμενο τίτλο, ειναι πολύ ...συνηθισμένο και απλό σε σημείο να μην κάνει εντύπωση.
Παράξενο το σκεπτικό του συγγραφέα και αρκετά γοητευτικό και πολύπλευρο με ειδικό ταλέντο σε ολες τις ΙΨΔ, δεν κατάφερε να με συναρπάσει στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου.
Τα *** αστέρια ειναι εξαιτίας του ονόματος του "βασιλιά" που αγαπώ και που ειναι από μόνο του βαρύ σαν ιστορία...!
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
Από τα 13 διηγήματα μου άρεσαν τα 4. Τα υπόλοιπα ακόμη αναρωτιέμαι τι ακριβώς σκοπό εξυπηρετούν και όταν καταφέρω να βρω απαντήσεις καμία δεν ανταποκρίνεται στο είδος αυτού του βιβλίου.
Τα υπόλοιπα διηγήματα που πέρασαν αδιάφορα θα μπορούσαν να ειναι απλώς κάποιες ενδιαφέρουσες ιστορίες που απέχουν παρασάγγας από ιστορίες ψυχολογικής έντασης ή ακόμη περισσότερο τρόμου.
Οταν έχεις διαβάσει το "σκοτάδι βαθύ δίχως άστρα" που και πάλι δεν ήταν συνταρακτικό αλλά οπωσδηποτε κάποιες ιστορίες δεν τις ξεχνάς ποτε, τότε το " ιστορίες του λυκόφωτος" παρά τον βαρύγδουπο και πολλα υποσχόμενο τίτλο, ειναι πολύ ...συνηθισμένο και απλό σε σημείο να μην κάνει εντύπωση.
Παράξενο το σκεπτικό του συγγραφέα και αρκετά γοητευτικό και πολύπλευρο με ειδικό ταλέντο σε ολες τις ΙΨΔ, δεν κατάφερε να με συναρπάσει στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου.
Τα *** αστέρια ειναι εξαιτίας του ονόματος του "βασιλιά" που αγαπώ και που ειναι από μόνο του βαρύ σαν ιστορία...!
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Πολλούς ασπασμούς.
October 26, 2025
This is an interesting mix. I found that for some of the stories there was a been-there-done-that feel. In another, my favorite in the collection, a nuclear bomb in NYC tale, I felt as if King had been peeking in at dreams I have had myself. His 9/11 story had a very welcome gentle touch. In another a dark reality strives to pop through into our real world, being held back only by the OCD activities of a series of unfortunates. I thought it was a tribute to H. P. Lovecraft, particularly given the name King assigns to his demon, Cthun, calling to mind Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulu,” but in the afterward, where he tells of his inspirations for each story, Lovecraft is not mentioned. I enjoyed that several tales were set in NYC. There is always some joy to be had in recognizing street locations, local TV personalities when they appear in fiction.
This is by no means a must read. This collection is, overall, steady-state King. At that, it remains engaging if not top-tier among his work.
This is by no means a must read. This collection is, overall, steady-state King. At that, it remains engaging if not top-tier among his work.
October 20, 2025
Just After Sunset is a collection of thirteen delightful short stories from who I consider being the master of the short story format.
'"How is it that the very sunlight does not turn to blackness before this thing, the hard earth melt and boil and melt beneath such a burden?"'
This was my second time reading this book, and I have to say, this book is a far more accomplished body of work than I originally gave it credit for. These stories cover a broad and at times profound range of topics and genres, each written in Stephen King's typically dark, humorous and intelligent style, which I have grown to love.
Below are my thoughts on each of the thirteen stories included in this book.
Willa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A smart psychological story that tackles one of the big questions that I'm fairly sure we have all thought about at one time or another...what happens after?
'Yes' she said, 'and you saw us in the mirror the first time didn't you? Perception isn't everything, but perception and expectations together?'
The first time I read this story it didn't strike a chord with me, but this time around I have to say that this is Stephen King close to his dark and twisted best, although with a more gentle touch than some of his other works. This is one that got under my skin and had me thinking about its subject matter. This story feels like it should be an episode of the Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, or some similar show.
'I don't care if his name is Jack D. Ripper,' Ruth said. 'The point is, you're not in Kansas anymore, David.'
It's a hugely underrated short story!
The Gingerbread Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A wonderful slice of suspense writing.
'The westward legs plunged into the unravelling fog and doused themselves in the water; those curving down towards the mainland disappeared into the palms and waxy fiddlewoods.'
In this story, Emma retreats from events in her home life to her father's secluded beach house for some much-needed time to herself, what could ever go wrong?
This is one of those stories that I had partially forgotten but a few details had remained in my mind since my first reading this and one that I loved reading on both occasions. It's a story that resonates with me. Before I injured myself, I used running as a tool to help de-stress and provide headspace for my thoughts, much like the main character in this gripping tale. Plus I do seem to have an attraction towards work involving final girls lately.
' Remember that gravity is everyone's mother.'
A massively tense, breathless and action-packed slice of suspense writing. I love this!
Harvey's Dream ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Short but perfectly formed fiction.
'Dreams are poems from the subconscious.'
Despite its very low page count, this short story packs a serious punch.
It's a deeply unsettling story of a man's dream and his recounting its events to his wife. That may sound dull but the conversation and relationship between the two characters feel so authentic that it had me gripped almost instantly.
King's writing feels almost real and with it creates a deep sense of foreboding. Yet again a story that could easily become an episode of The Twilight Zone.
'It's a good thing that you weren't sleeping with me last night, Jax. I had a bad dream. I actually screamed myself awake.'
As people say these days, this gave me all the feels.
Rest Stop ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dark yet humourous take on society and human nature.
'Yet there was a fundamental problem with beer any undergraduate understood: You couldn't buy it, only rent it.'
This short story follows an author on his journey home from a writing club but then has to stop at a rest stop for a call of nature, when he heads to the toilet he then hears someone in the ladies' room.
As with most of King's short stories, this made me think deeply about how I would feel or react in a similar situation. The fact that his writing made me do this is a testament to his writing skills and ability to understand the human condition.
'Yes, he would turn into his hit man, stride into the women's room, beat the living shit out of Lee, then go on his way.'
Maybe not my favourite of his stories but still a great piece of work.
Stationary Bike ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We have all had moments where we promise to get into exercise or alternatively, we get into it and it becomes an obsession. This is Stephen King's brilliant take on those observations.
'The second is that your metabolic crew - those fellows in the chinos with the tattoos on their arms - aren't getting any younger. They're not as efficient as they used to be.'
I love this short story. King's writing is subtly dark, with touches of humour throughout. In this story, he paints such a vivid picture with his words that it had me thinking back to when I was hugely into running, where I would almost zone out during my activity.
Above all things, I loved the doctor's use of the metaphor of a work crew to represent the MC's metabolism. It's something that will stick with me for a long time.
I'm not willing to give away any more detail and then spoil a potential reader's experience, so I'll stop typing and let you judge for yourself.
'Doctors were busy men, disinclined to waste time in head-patting. So instead of something stupid, he asked how bad a number two-twenty-six was.'
This needs to be experienced, Classic, razor-sharp work from the master.
The Things They Left Behind ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A brilliantly written and harrowing story about the events of 9/11.
'I also know it's true, that thing about how perception switches and we come to realize the things we thought we were holding are actually holding us.'
I'm not going to say too much about this. I'm sure many have very personal stories or memories regarding this. I do not often have strong emotional reactions to much in life, but this story cut me up, This made my skin crawl, my hairs stand on end and maybe produce the odd tear or two. One of the most poignant pieces of writing I've ever had the opportunity to read.
'I don't believe in ghosts, but I'm sure that I had just seen one.'
An incredible piece of writing.
Graduation Afternoon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Short and sweet but god damn packs a punch.
'What do you do all weekend? Go to garden parties? To polo matches?'
As this short story is exactly that, very short at 6 pages long, I will just say that when you're young you think life is ahead of you, you have grand plans but none of that is a given.
'She winces from the brilliance, which is at first like a thick, isolated stroke of lightning.'
Quality yet again.
N. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dark and menacing piece of horror writing.
' Sometimes we drift do we not? Into places where the choices are no longer simple, and the consequences of picking the wrong option become grave. Perhaps life-or sanity-threatening.
Or . . . what if they aren't choices at all? What if they only look like life choices?'
Just wow. This piece of writing is one of the most captivating and skin-crawlingly delicious stories I have read in some time. A story which is as much about human nature and the workings of our minds, as it is about the supernatural or unexplained.
This story is so dark, almost Lovecraftian in places. Like a presence lurking just out of your view or without any rational explanation.
'But there are places where the cloth gets ragged and reality is thin. The face beneath peeps through . . . but not the face of a corpse. It would be better if it was.'
Personally, I would say this is a must-read for all fans of the horror genre.
The Cat from Hell ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this cat-themed thriller.
'Its eyes were huge in the gloom, and caught in each nearly circular black pupil was a prism of firelight, like a sullen coal of hate.'
Again King does what he does best and takes a regular day-to-day thing and turns it into something extraordinary. Although this story is over the top in its events, there still remains that element of it feeling believable. I'm sure most cat owners would agree. This had me in fits of laughter due to the sheer irony of the events in this story. Don't fuck with cats!!
'Halston liked cats. They were the only animals he did like, as a matter of fact.'
I get the feeling Mr King isn't the biggest fan of the feline kind.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates ⭐⭐⭐
Another emotional and intriguing read.
'Others might picture burned bodies or dismembered heads with grinning teeth, even light fingered first responders filching wedding rings and diamond ear-clips. . .'
Although this was probably my least favourite story in this book it still packs a punch. King's writing is on point once in this 9-page-long short story of love and loss. Again this is so short that it's difficult to write much without leaving spoilers, so this will have to do.
'Her absurd attraction to the FedEx man had been a joke between them for years.'
Who wouldn't want to hear from a lost loved one that one last time?
Mute ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Uncle Stevie does it again.
'FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF GOD'S GLORY.'
Here King yet again turns everyday occurrences into something much grander and funnier than life itself. This is one of those stories where the majority of the main details are things which we would all hate to happen in our lives, but somehow King makes this a really enjoyable and darkly funny read.
' It was funny. Anyone could see that. It was sitcom shit if there ever had been sitcom shit.'
Breathes new light on what I thought would happen in a confessional.
Ayana ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A miraculously fascinating short story.
'He reached a point where not even a ninth inning walk-off home run could do much to crack his deepening gaze.'
This was the only one of these stories which I had no recollection of at all. With all the others I would read a page or two and then think 'Oh I remember this.'
In part this made me think of The Green Mile, but with a bittersweet twist. Yet again King made me ponder both life and death, plus the consequences of our actions.
'And during my bit of investigation, which of course I called research, I learned an interesting thing: the medical definition of miracle is misdiagnosis.'
I love this kind of story.
A Very Tight Place ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Mr King at his most outrageous and horrific best in this tale of revenge and suspense.
'Curtis stepped across the ditch and into the Port-O-San. It rocked forward alarmingly under his weight. He cried out and leaned over the bench with the closed toilet seat in it, splaying his hands against the back wall.'
This story could be the funniest of all his short stories. As much as it is funny it is also incredibly scary due to its subject matter and the sheer tension built up with incredible writing.
I had many a moment of uncontrollable laughter, swiftly followed by feeling grossed out.
'He retched again. To his own ears he sounded like a bad-tempered dog on a hot day, trying to bark while half-strangled by a too-tight collar.'
Such a fun yet disgusting story.
In summary, this is one hell of a story collection!
'"How is it that the very sunlight does not turn to blackness before this thing, the hard earth melt and boil and melt beneath such a burden?"'
This was my second time reading this book, and I have to say, this book is a far more accomplished body of work than I originally gave it credit for. These stories cover a broad and at times profound range of topics and genres, each written in Stephen King's typically dark, humorous and intelligent style, which I have grown to love.
Below are my thoughts on each of the thirteen stories included in this book.
Willa ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A smart psychological story that tackles one of the big questions that I'm fairly sure we have all thought about at one time or another...what happens after?
'Yes' she said, 'and you saw us in the mirror the first time didn't you? Perception isn't everything, but perception and expectations together?'
The first time I read this story it didn't strike a chord with me, but this time around I have to say that this is Stephen King close to his dark and twisted best, although with a more gentle touch than some of his other works. This is one that got under my skin and had me thinking about its subject matter. This story feels like it should be an episode of the Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, or some similar show.
'I don't care if his name is Jack D. Ripper,' Ruth said. 'The point is, you're not in Kansas anymore, David.'
It's a hugely underrated short story!
The Gingerbread Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A wonderful slice of suspense writing.
'The westward legs plunged into the unravelling fog and doused themselves in the water; those curving down towards the mainland disappeared into the palms and waxy fiddlewoods.'
In this story, Emma retreats from events in her home life to her father's secluded beach house for some much-needed time to herself, what could ever go wrong?
This is one of those stories that I had partially forgotten but a few details had remained in my mind since my first reading this and one that I loved reading on both occasions. It's a story that resonates with me. Before I injured myself, I used running as a tool to help de-stress and provide headspace for my thoughts, much like the main character in this gripping tale. Plus I do seem to have an attraction towards work involving final girls lately.
' Remember that gravity is everyone's mother.'
A massively tense, breathless and action-packed slice of suspense writing. I love this!
Harvey's Dream ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Short but perfectly formed fiction.
'Dreams are poems from the subconscious.'
Despite its very low page count, this short story packs a serious punch.
It's a deeply unsettling story of a man's dream and his recounting its events to his wife. That may sound dull but the conversation and relationship between the two characters feel so authentic that it had me gripped almost instantly.
King's writing feels almost real and with it creates a deep sense of foreboding. Yet again a story that could easily become an episode of The Twilight Zone.
'It's a good thing that you weren't sleeping with me last night, Jax. I had a bad dream. I actually screamed myself awake.'
As people say these days, this gave me all the feels.
Rest Stop ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dark yet humourous take on society and human nature.
'Yet there was a fundamental problem with beer any undergraduate understood: You couldn't buy it, only rent it.'
This short story follows an author on his journey home from a writing club but then has to stop at a rest stop for a call of nature, when he heads to the toilet he then hears someone in the ladies' room.
As with most of King's short stories, this made me think deeply about how I would feel or react in a similar situation. The fact that his writing made me do this is a testament to his writing skills and ability to understand the human condition.
'Yes, he would turn into his hit man, stride into the women's room, beat the living shit out of Lee, then go on his way.'
Maybe not my favourite of his stories but still a great piece of work.
Stationary Bike ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We have all had moments where we promise to get into exercise or alternatively, we get into it and it becomes an obsession. This is Stephen King's brilliant take on those observations.
'The second is that your metabolic crew - those fellows in the chinos with the tattoos on their arms - aren't getting any younger. They're not as efficient as they used to be.'
I love this short story. King's writing is subtly dark, with touches of humour throughout. In this story, he paints such a vivid picture with his words that it had me thinking back to when I was hugely into running, where I would almost zone out during my activity.
Above all things, I loved the doctor's use of the metaphor of a work crew to represent the MC's metabolism. It's something that will stick with me for a long time.
I'm not willing to give away any more detail and then spoil a potential reader's experience, so I'll stop typing and let you judge for yourself.
'Doctors were busy men, disinclined to waste time in head-patting. So instead of something stupid, he asked how bad a number two-twenty-six was.'
This needs to be experienced, Classic, razor-sharp work from the master.
The Things They Left Behind ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A brilliantly written and harrowing story about the events of 9/11.
'I also know it's true, that thing about how perception switches and we come to realize the things we thought we were holding are actually holding us.'
I'm not going to say too much about this. I'm sure many have very personal stories or memories regarding this. I do not often have strong emotional reactions to much in life, but this story cut me up, This made my skin crawl, my hairs stand on end and maybe produce the odd tear or two. One of the most poignant pieces of writing I've ever had the opportunity to read.
'I don't believe in ghosts, but I'm sure that I had just seen one.'
An incredible piece of writing.
Graduation Afternoon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Short and sweet but god damn packs a punch.
'What do you do all weekend? Go to garden parties? To polo matches?'
As this short story is exactly that, very short at 6 pages long, I will just say that when you're young you think life is ahead of you, you have grand plans but none of that is a given.
'She winces from the brilliance, which is at first like a thick, isolated stroke of lightning.'
Quality yet again.
N. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A dark and menacing piece of horror writing.
' Sometimes we drift do we not? Into places where the choices are no longer simple, and the consequences of picking the wrong option become grave. Perhaps life-or sanity-threatening.
Or . . . what if they aren't choices at all? What if they only look like life choices?'
Just wow. This piece of writing is one of the most captivating and skin-crawlingly delicious stories I have read in some time. A story which is as much about human nature and the workings of our minds, as it is about the supernatural or unexplained.
This story is so dark, almost Lovecraftian in places. Like a presence lurking just out of your view or without any rational explanation.
'But there are places where the cloth gets ragged and reality is thin. The face beneath peeps through . . . but not the face of a corpse. It would be better if it was.'
Personally, I would say this is a must-read for all fans of the horror genre.
The Cat from Hell ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this cat-themed thriller.
'Its eyes were huge in the gloom, and caught in each nearly circular black pupil was a prism of firelight, like a sullen coal of hate.'
Again King does what he does best and takes a regular day-to-day thing and turns it into something extraordinary. Although this story is over the top in its events, there still remains that element of it feeling believable. I'm sure most cat owners would agree. This had me in fits of laughter due to the sheer irony of the events in this story. Don't fuck with cats!!
'Halston liked cats. They were the only animals he did like, as a matter of fact.'
I get the feeling Mr King isn't the biggest fan of the feline kind.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates ⭐⭐⭐
Another emotional and intriguing read.
'Others might picture burned bodies or dismembered heads with grinning teeth, even light fingered first responders filching wedding rings and diamond ear-clips. . .'
Although this was probably my least favourite story in this book it still packs a punch. King's writing is on point once in this 9-page-long short story of love and loss. Again this is so short that it's difficult to write much without leaving spoilers, so this will have to do.
'Her absurd attraction to the FedEx man had been a joke between them for years.'
Who wouldn't want to hear from a lost loved one that one last time?
Mute ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Uncle Stevie does it again.
'FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF GOD'S GLORY.'
Here King yet again turns everyday occurrences into something much grander and funnier than life itself. This is one of those stories where the majority of the main details are things which we would all hate to happen in our lives, but somehow King makes this a really enjoyable and darkly funny read.
' It was funny. Anyone could see that. It was sitcom shit if there ever had been sitcom shit.'
Breathes new light on what I thought would happen in a confessional.
Ayana ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A miraculously fascinating short story.
'He reached a point where not even a ninth inning walk-off home run could do much to crack his deepening gaze.'
This was the only one of these stories which I had no recollection of at all. With all the others I would read a page or two and then think 'Oh I remember this.'
In part this made me think of The Green Mile, but with a bittersweet twist. Yet again King made me ponder both life and death, plus the consequences of our actions.
'And during my bit of investigation, which of course I called research, I learned an interesting thing: the medical definition of miracle is misdiagnosis.'
I love this kind of story.
A Very Tight Place ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is Mr King at his most outrageous and horrific best in this tale of revenge and suspense.
'Curtis stepped across the ditch and into the Port-O-San. It rocked forward alarmingly under his weight. He cried out and leaned over the bench with the closed toilet seat in it, splaying his hands against the back wall.'
This story could be the funniest of all his short stories. As much as it is funny it is also incredibly scary due to its subject matter and the sheer tension built up with incredible writing.
I had many a moment of uncontrollable laughter, swiftly followed by feeling grossed out.
'He retched again. To his own ears he sounded like a bad-tempered dog on a hot day, trying to bark while half-strangled by a too-tight collar.'
Such a fun yet disgusting story.
In summary, this is one hell of a story collection!
April 26, 2020
Interesting story about a couple married for a longtime from the perspective of the woman. What is it about Harvey's dream and why has Frank's car a dent? Very psychological, dreamlike story about life shaping the main characters to what they are present. I would have liked a bit of more twist at the end. The story is included in the anthology Just After Sunset. Well written, but nothing that takes you off the rocker.
Merged review:
The anthology is a bit of a mixed bag. It starts with "Willa" a story I liked least (not a very good beginning), "Gingerbread Girl" was far better but also not fully convincing, "Harvey's Dream" a bit confusing but ok, "Rest Stop" really good, "Stationary Bike" ok, "The Things They Left Behind" interesting but not my cup of Tea, "Graduation Afternoon" nice with a serious undercurrent, "N." the best story in here, very uncanny, very Machen/Lovecraft, a real highlight, "The Cat From Hell", even apt for cat lovers, "The New York Times at a Special Bargain Price" good, "Mute", quite extraordinary and very compelling, "Ayana", strange but good and last and least "A Very Tight Place", brilliant final story. Overall I give it 3 stars because of N., Mute and A Very Tight Place, my favorites and quite outstanding stories. Not the best King anthology but very readable. If you're focused on supernatural horror you might be a bit disappointed here. Interesting and recommended nevertheless!
Merged review:
The anthology is a bit of a mixed bag. It starts with "Willa" a story I liked least (not a very good beginning), "Gingerbread Girl" was far better but also not fully convincing, "Harvey's Dream" a bit confusing but ok, "Rest Stop" really good, "Stationary Bike" ok, "The Things They Left Behind" interesting but not my cup of Tea, "Graduation Afternoon" nice with a serious undercurrent, "N." the best story in here, very uncanny, very Machen/Lovecraft, a real highlight, "The Cat From Hell", even apt for cat lovers, "The New York Times at a Special Bargain Price" good, "Mute", quite extraordinary and very compelling, "Ayana", strange but good and last and least "A Very Tight Place", brilliant final story. Overall I give it 3 stars because of N., Mute and A Very Tight Place, my favorites and quite outstanding stories. Not the best King anthology but very readable. If you're focused on supernatural horror you might be a bit disappointed here. Interesting and recommended nevertheless!
March 13, 2023
I don't remember this one very well, and it's been recommended to me a couple times lately. So I'm going to reread it next year, 2023!
*Update March 2023
Buddy read this great collection with my friend Gareth Loves Books here on GR in February. Now have a clearer memory of the collection and the story "N." in particular. Below are two sentences about each story!
Willa (⭐️⭐️⭐️) -- A young couple on a stop on a Greyhound journey in the 80s find themselves in a small town in 2006 that is not exactly what it seems. "Willa" is beautiful, atmospheric writing, but I found this one a bit slow and longer than necessary.
The Gingerbread Girl (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)-- Emily runs to deal with all her problems: grief...family trouble...murder... "The Gingerbread Girl is one of my favorite stories in the book, it's empowered fmc, Stephen King flavor.
Harvey's Dream (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5) -- Janet realizes as she watches out the window at the neighborhood in the morning around her that the dream her husband describes might have some unusual qualities. This was a good story, but I didn't get the turn until talking about it with my reading buddy!
Rest Stop (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5) -- Can struggling writer Hardin gain a new perspective by anonymously confronting a domestic abuser at a rest stop? I love that this story is a fun look at the writing process!
Stationary Bike (⭐️⭐️⭐���⭐️.5) -- A commercial artist paints a picture on the wall in front of his exercise bike, but as he increases his riding, the painting starts to change. This is another of my favorites from this collection, I adored the character work.
The Things They Left Behind (⭐️⭐️.5) -- Scott is the protector of certain objects that survived the collapse of the twin towers and which, he claims, are still connected to that tragedy. This is a decent ghost story, fresh because of the objects, but the shape of the narrative is a bit contrived.
*more to come
Rating: 🗿🗿🗿🗿.5 / 5 monoliths
Recommend? Definitely!!
Finished: February 25 2023
Read this if you like:
📄 Short fiction
😱 Horror stories
🤪 Weird fiction
🔪 Thrillers
*Update March 2023
Buddy read this great collection with my friend Gareth Loves Books here on GR in February. Now have a clearer memory of the collection and the story "N." in particular. Below are two sentences about each story!
Willa (⭐️⭐️⭐️) -- A young couple on a stop on a Greyhound journey in the 80s find themselves in a small town in 2006 that is not exactly what it seems. "Willa" is beautiful, atmospheric writing, but I found this one a bit slow and longer than necessary.
The Gingerbread Girl (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)-- Emily runs to deal with all her problems: grief...family trouble...murder... "The Gingerbread Girl is one of my favorite stories in the book, it's empowered fmc, Stephen King flavor.
Harvey's Dream (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5) -- Janet realizes as she watches out the window at the neighborhood in the morning around her that the dream her husband describes might have some unusual qualities. This was a good story, but I didn't get the turn until talking about it with my reading buddy!
Rest Stop (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5) -- Can struggling writer Hardin gain a new perspective by anonymously confronting a domestic abuser at a rest stop? I love that this story is a fun look at the writing process!
Stationary Bike (⭐️⭐️⭐���⭐️.5) -- A commercial artist paints a picture on the wall in front of his exercise bike, but as he increases his riding, the painting starts to change. This is another of my favorites from this collection, I adored the character work.
The Things They Left Behind (⭐️⭐️.5) -- Scott is the protector of certain objects that survived the collapse of the twin towers and which, he claims, are still connected to that tragedy. This is a decent ghost story, fresh because of the objects, but the shape of the narrative is a bit contrived.
*more to come
Rating: 🗿🗿🗿🗿.5 / 5 monoliths
Recommend? Definitely!!
Finished: February 25 2023
Read this if you like:
📄 Short fiction
😱 Horror stories
🤪 Weird fiction
🔪 Thrillers
March 17, 2025
13 stories, all quite entertaining (although I was really grossed out by “A Very Tight Place”). My favorites were “The Gingerbread Girl” and “The Cat from Hell.” 👏👏
“As infants, our first victory comes in grasping some bit of the world, usually our mother’s fingers. Later we discover that the world, and the things of the world, are grasping us, and have been all along.” 🫠
“As infants, our first victory comes in grasping some bit of the world, usually our mother’s fingers. Later we discover that the world, and the things of the world, are grasping us, and have been all along.” 🫠
October 11, 2014
This was kinda hit and miss for me. I'm not a true fan of short stories so maybe that's what it is. I mean dang..it's Stephen King.
The ones I did like:
The Gingerbread Girl- A woman runner tangles with a very bad man.
Harvey's Dream-short but chilling..thinking that dreams do come true.
Rest Stop-I know this one has been done before but I liked it. Then in the final chapter when King explains his reasons behind the story it made me like this one even more.
The NY Times at Special Discount rates-I was a softie on this one. Not really scary but touching.
Mute-one of my favs
The Cat from Hell-probably my favorite of the lot.
Sucky ones:
The other seven stories. The one about poop..I couldn't even finish. My tummy being not quite the same since I had gallbladder surgery this week. I just couldn't take it.
The ones I did like:
The Gingerbread Girl- A woman runner tangles with a very bad man.
Harvey's Dream-short but chilling..thinking that dreams do come true.
Rest Stop-I know this one has been done before but I liked it. Then in the final chapter when King explains his reasons behind the story it made me like this one even more.
The NY Times at Special Discount rates-I was a softie on this one. Not really scary but touching.
Mute-one of my favs
The Cat from Hell-probably my favorite of the lot.
Sucky ones:
The other seven stories. The one about poop..I couldn't even finish. My tummy being not quite the same since I had gallbladder surgery this week. I just couldn't take it.
July 5, 2023
I decided to read this book in celebration of posting my 500th book logged into my read shelf on Goodreads.
I chose it because it was written by my favorite author, Stephen King. King's writing is what started my renewed interest in reading back in the 70's. I didn't really enjoy reading up to that point in my life, but then a co-worker of mine told me about Stephen King. I was hooked. I'm now at 62 King books read and counting.
My first book was "Different Seasons" which contained four short stories. "Just After Sunset" is also a collection with 13 short stories followed by the author's thoughts on writing each one.
As with most books like this, some are very good, and some are just a little below par. Most of these were very good. An enjoyable read.
Keep cranking them out Uncle Steve. I'm one of your Constant Readers.
I chose it because it was written by my favorite author, Stephen King. King's writing is what started my renewed interest in reading back in the 70's. I didn't really enjoy reading up to that point in my life, but then a co-worker of mine told me about Stephen King. I was hooked. I'm now at 62 King books read and counting.
My first book was "Different Seasons" which contained four short stories. "Just After Sunset" is also a collection with 13 short stories followed by the author's thoughts on writing each one.
As with most books like this, some are very good, and some are just a little below par. Most of these were very good. An enjoyable read.
Keep cranking them out Uncle Steve. I'm one of your Constant Readers.
August 22, 2017
Oh, that age has gone. Oh yeah. Totally. For the last novel with any ounce of originality still left in it by Stephen King was surely the serial-then-(underrated)novel "The Green Mile." And now? Now is the age of rehash (boo "Doctor Sleep"... boo boo BOO!) with an originality factor that registers at about 0.07%.
Therefore yes; this ain't too bad at all, but it's no good either. This is a total miss for me, for I pretty much KNOW, am certain that the writer actually manages to flourish in the short story department. (There are more, if not an equal number of, movies based on Stephen King short stories than on his novels.)
So for a vastly better collection of short stories, in the new and sad age of King-imitating-King, just do yourself a favor & choose "Everything's Eventual" instead. (Or any one of his older anthologies--so worth it!)
Therefore yes; this ain't too bad at all, but it's no good either. This is a total miss for me, for I pretty much KNOW, am certain that the writer actually manages to flourish in the short story department. (There are more, if not an equal number of, movies based on Stephen King short stories than on his novels.)
So for a vastly better collection of short stories, in the new and sad age of King-imitating-King, just do yourself a favor & choose "Everything's Eventual" instead. (Or any one of his older anthologies--so worth it!)
March 31, 2023
4.5 stars. I've previously stayed away from Stephen King's short story collection as I didn't enjoy the format overall but now my reading have changed a bit and I fond that I enjoy reading them a lot more.
This had some hits and misses as most of the short story collections tend to be but I liked quite a few of them. Not sure which is my favorite, perhaps Willa or the one where a wife get a call from her dead husband.
This had some hits and misses as most of the short story collections tend to be but I liked quite a few of them. Not sure which is my favorite, perhaps Willa or the one where a wife get a call from her dead husband.
April 21, 2017
"Any parting could be forever, and we just don't know."
Just After Sunset is the fifth collection of short stories published by Stephen King, containing 13 stories in total. A lot of these stories seem to focus on the aftermath of tragedy, and how people react. Whether this is pertaining to the loss of a child or the events of 9/11, it's a strong theme throughout this collection of short stories.
Usually I will review short stories collectively, but I had gotten a few private messages and comments about people wanting to know what I thought of specific stories, so I thought I'd give a brief review on all the stories included in this collection. I also feel like you should go into short stories blind, therefore I really don't want to say too much in terms of plot.
First up - Willa. I don't want to spoil the "twist" in the story, so I feel like I can't say much, but this short story was just "blah" to me. I feel like it's one that I'll forget pretty quickly - it just didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
The Gingerbread Girl - this was a highlight within this collection. The pace is relentless, almost like the pace of Emily... see what I did there? *insert smug face* This short story was full of tension and had me feeling nervous, it really had some classic King themes in here. It also reminded me a bit of Duma Key given the location!
Harvey's Dream - this one was short and sweet. Quite unsettling - I liked it!
Rest Stop - once again King explores the idea of pseudonyms and how they can have an influence on the person who creates them. It's pretty violent, visceral, raw... it was a good one!
Stationary Bike - I know my pal Abbie isn't a fan of this one, but I actually kinda liked it. I guess too much exercise can be a bad thing? It was an interesting concept and one that was hard to wrap my head around initially, but it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.
The Things They Left Behind - an interesting look at the topic of survivor guilt following the events of 9/11. Ultimately it evolved into quite an optimistic conclusion, I feel? It's definitely one I won't forget.
Graduation Afternoon - MEH. I actually had to Google the synopsis of this one to remind me what story it was even referring to - already I'm starting to forget about it!! Not a good sign. Pretty boring.
N. - okay, let me tell you about N. This story (or novella, I guess) blew my little mind. I was getting strong Lovecraftian vibes from the get-go - it's reminiscent of short stories focusing on Cthulhu and his ability to drive people insane. An interesting exploration of OCD, with an absolutely outstanding mix of supernatural horror and psychological terror. I went to bed that night feeling generally unsettled and couldn't stop thinking about it - that's what I want from my horror stories! This was really the jewel in the crown.
The Cat from Hell - another awesome story! This one actually left me feeling nauseous by the end... I will no longer be able to trust cats again.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates - this was a decent story, also exploring post-9/11 themes, but ultimately I think it'll be one I forget with time.
Mute - ah, this one was great!! Just a fun short story, very enjoyable.
Ayana - this was actually a short story that I think has the potential to become a novel, maybe? Very intriguing and I wanted to know more.
A Very Tight Place - oh geez, literally the most disgusting thing I've ever read! Glad I read this on an empty stomach as otherwise I would have probably been running for the bathroom to be sick. It was just... horrific. I now join in King in having a fear of becoming trapped in a porta-loo! Fun story overall!
So that's it. I think the stories in this collection ranged from awesome to pretty good to forgettable, which is probably true for most of the short story collections I've read (although to be honest, I think all of Night Shift is memorable). Overall then, I'd give this collection of short stories 4 out of 5. A pretty strong collection, but I've read better. N. was the definite highlight for me.
Just After Sunset is the fifth collection of short stories published by Stephen King, containing 13 stories in total. A lot of these stories seem to focus on the aftermath of tragedy, and how people react. Whether this is pertaining to the loss of a child or the events of 9/11, it's a strong theme throughout this collection of short stories.
Usually I will review short stories collectively, but I had gotten a few private messages and comments about people wanting to know what I thought of specific stories, so I thought I'd give a brief review on all the stories included in this collection. I also feel like you should go into short stories blind, therefore I really don't want to say too much in terms of plot.
First up - Willa. I don't want to spoil the "twist" in the story, so I feel like I can't say much, but this short story was just "blah" to me. I feel like it's one that I'll forget pretty quickly - it just didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
The Gingerbread Girl - this was a highlight within this collection. The pace is relentless, almost like the pace of Emily... see what I did there? *insert smug face* This short story was full of tension and had me feeling nervous, it really had some classic King themes in here. It also reminded me a bit of Duma Key given the location!
Harvey's Dream - this one was short and sweet. Quite unsettling - I liked it!
Rest Stop - once again King explores the idea of pseudonyms and how they can have an influence on the person who creates them. It's pretty violent, visceral, raw... it was a good one!
Stationary Bike - I know my pal Abbie isn't a fan of this one, but I actually kinda liked it. I guess too much exercise can be a bad thing? It was an interesting concept and one that was hard to wrap my head around initially, but it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.
The Things They Left Behind - an interesting look at the topic of survivor guilt following the events of 9/11. Ultimately it evolved into quite an optimistic conclusion, I feel? It's definitely one I won't forget.
Graduation Afternoon - MEH. I actually had to Google the synopsis of this one to remind me what story it was even referring to - already I'm starting to forget about it!! Not a good sign. Pretty boring.
N. - okay, let me tell you about N. This story (or novella, I guess) blew my little mind. I was getting strong Lovecraftian vibes from the get-go - it's reminiscent of short stories focusing on Cthulhu and his ability to drive people insane. An interesting exploration of OCD, with an absolutely outstanding mix of supernatural horror and psychological terror. I went to bed that night feeling generally unsettled and couldn't stop thinking about it - that's what I want from my horror stories! This was really the jewel in the crown.
The Cat from Hell - another awesome story! This one actually left me feeling nauseous by the end... I will no longer be able to trust cats again.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates - this was a decent story, also exploring post-9/11 themes, but ultimately I think it'll be one I forget with time.
Mute - ah, this one was great!! Just a fun short story, very enjoyable.
Ayana - this was actually a short story that I think has the potential to become a novel, maybe? Very intriguing and I wanted to know more.
A Very Tight Place - oh geez, literally the most disgusting thing I've ever read! Glad I read this on an empty stomach as otherwise I would have probably been running for the bathroom to be sick. It was just... horrific. I now join in King in having a fear of becoming trapped in a porta-loo! Fun story overall!
So that's it. I think the stories in this collection ranged from awesome to pretty good to forgettable, which is probably true for most of the short story collections I've read (although to be honest, I think all of Night Shift is memorable). Overall then, I'd give this collection of short stories 4 out of 5. A pretty strong collection, but I've read better. N. was the definite highlight for me.
June 13, 2020
This is not my favorite story of the collection. It’s not bad, it’s rather simple. We see the relationship of an elderly couple, the man is about to retire from Wall Street. They are having breakfast. The wife is mostly telling the story.
The husband, Harvey begins to tell about his dream, a daughter died and several things in the dream are concrete things the wife has seen this morning. It’s an ending that lets the reader decide what’s going to happen.
I guess the thing is the scene is very mundane and while there is nothing wrong with that, it simply isn’t the most interesting story. It’s not horrible, but I don’t care to read it again.
The writing was great here and it’s good to see an aging couple and life between them.
Merged review:
Well, I finished off another short story collection of Stephen King's. Hmm. There were some stories I enjoyed a lot and there were some stories that were stories and there were some things I really didn't care for. This is not one of my favorite collections.
I enjoyed Gingerbread Girl and N the best. Those are the best. There were other stories that I thought were good too.
I didn't care for A Very tight place at all.
This is not my favorite collection of his. I heard people talk about loving this collection, but it's down on the list for me. I didn't think there were many strong entries. Stephen can write, but not every story is my cup of tea.
The stories in the collection are:
Willa
Gingerbread Girl
Harvey’s Dream
Rest Stop
Stationary Bike
The Things they Left Behind
Graduation Afternoon
N
the Cat from Hell
the New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
Mute
Ayana
a Very Tight Place
The husband, Harvey begins to tell about his dream, a daughter died and several things in the dream are concrete things the wife has seen this morning. It’s an ending that lets the reader decide what’s going to happen.
I guess the thing is the scene is very mundane and while there is nothing wrong with that, it simply isn’t the most interesting story. It’s not horrible, but I don’t care to read it again.
The writing was great here and it’s good to see an aging couple and life between them.
Merged review:
Well, I finished off another short story collection of Stephen King's. Hmm. There were some stories I enjoyed a lot and there were some stories that were stories and there were some things I really didn't care for. This is not one of my favorite collections.
I enjoyed Gingerbread Girl and N the best. Those are the best. There were other stories that I thought were good too.
I didn't care for A Very tight place at all.
This is not my favorite collection of his. I heard people talk about loving this collection, but it's down on the list for me. I didn't think there were many strong entries. Stephen can write, but not every story is my cup of tea.
The stories in the collection are:
Willa
Gingerbread Girl
Harvey’s Dream
Rest Stop
Stationary Bike
The Things they Left Behind
Graduation Afternoon
N
the Cat from Hell
the New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
Mute
Ayana
a Very Tight Place
July 10, 2012
There are two "eras" of Stephen King: before and after he got clean and sober. Like quite a few of his fans, some of my favorite King novels are the ones he wrote during his coke-fiend days, when he was just writing whatever crazy shit ran amok through his booze-addled brain. Even back then, his stories were coherent and compellingly written, if sloppy at times and sometimes giving the impression of a train about to go off its rails at any moment. But I really like the old King classics.
That is not to say I don't like the "new" King. He's perfected his craft and he can write much calmer, more thoughtful stories. But he can still write some crazy shit.
So, Just After Sunset is not Skeleton Crew or Night Shift. Most of the horror is not as raw in this collection, but King spends more time on characterization or just playing with scenes. However, when one story stood out to me — The Cat from Hell — and made me think "Now that's the old King," I was gratified when he mentioned in his author's notes at the end of the book that it was one of the stories he wrote for a men's magazine 30 years ago that just hadn't happened to make it into any of his previous short story collections.
So here are the stories:
Willa is a sad, touching ghost story. That's a little bit of a spoiler, but come on, you've seen Sixth Sense, and anyway, King doesn't make you wait until the end. Great mood, though the story was unremarkable.
The Gingerbread Girl is your basic survival thriller, a woman versus a maniac serial killer in the Florida Keys.
Harvey's Dream is a story that begins as a mundane examination of your basic unhappily married middle-aged couple, and slowly edges towards horror.
Rest Stop, about a traveler who stops at a rest stop and is unwillingly involved in a domestic dispute. King has always written with sympathy although not much finesse about women who are victims of abuse.
Stationary Bike This is reminiscent of the old "weird King," where the mundane turns bizarre. A guy trying to lose weight spends hours on a stationary bike and literally goes into another world.
Graduation Afternoon A short short, about a townie girl dating one of the wealthy summer tourists, and a King twist at the end.
The Things They Left Behind Every American writer in the 21st century has to write a 9/11 story at some point, and this is King's.
N. King always has to give a nod to Lovecraft, and this is this collection's "unspeakable horror from between worlds" story.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates is a brief, eerie tale about a woman who receives a phone call from her husband, who died two days ago.
Mute A man unburdens himself about his marital woes to a deaf-mute hitchhiker, with disastrous results.
The Cat From Hell A hit man accepts a contract on... a cat.
Ayana About a little girl with healing powers. This one kind of annoyed me, because King just cannot break his Magical Negro habit.
And finally, in another hat-tip to his older, grosser self, A Very Tight Place. The "very tight place" referred to is a porta-potty. Combine "porta-potty" with "Stephen King" and a title like that, and you know it's going to go bad places. Don't read it while eating, but it's a pretty satisfying survival-and-revenge tale.
Overall, I give this collection 3.5 stars as the stories ranged from 3 to 4 stars for me — no stand-outs, but no real duds. King fans should find it perfectly satisfying, and it's pretty representative of his late-career writing style.
That is not to say I don't like the "new" King. He's perfected his craft and he can write much calmer, more thoughtful stories. But he can still write some crazy shit.
So, Just After Sunset is not Skeleton Crew or Night Shift. Most of the horror is not as raw in this collection, but King spends more time on characterization or just playing with scenes. However, when one story stood out to me — The Cat from Hell — and made me think "Now that's the old King," I was gratified when he mentioned in his author's notes at the end of the book that it was one of the stories he wrote for a men's magazine 30 years ago that just hadn't happened to make it into any of his previous short story collections.
So here are the stories:
Willa is a sad, touching ghost story. That's a little bit of a spoiler, but come on, you've seen Sixth Sense, and anyway, King doesn't make you wait until the end. Great mood, though the story was unremarkable.
The Gingerbread Girl is your basic survival thriller, a woman versus a maniac serial killer in the Florida Keys.
Harvey's Dream is a story that begins as a mundane examination of your basic unhappily married middle-aged couple, and slowly edges towards horror.
Rest Stop, about a traveler who stops at a rest stop and is unwillingly involved in a domestic dispute. King has always written with sympathy although not much finesse about women who are victims of abuse.
Stationary Bike This is reminiscent of the old "weird King," where the mundane turns bizarre. A guy trying to lose weight spends hours on a stationary bike and literally goes into another world.
Graduation Afternoon A short short, about a townie girl dating one of the wealthy summer tourists, and a King twist at the end.
The Things They Left Behind Every American writer in the 21st century has to write a 9/11 story at some point, and this is King's.
N. King always has to give a nod to Lovecraft, and this is this collection's "unspeakable horror from between worlds" story.
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates is a brief, eerie tale about a woman who receives a phone call from her husband, who died two days ago.
Mute A man unburdens himself about his marital woes to a deaf-mute hitchhiker, with disastrous results.
The Cat From Hell A hit man accepts a contract on... a cat.
Ayana About a little girl with healing powers. This one kind of annoyed me, because King just cannot break his Magical Negro habit.
And finally, in another hat-tip to his older, grosser self, A Very Tight Place. The "very tight place" referred to is a porta-potty. Combine "porta-potty" with "Stephen King" and a title like that, and you know it's going to go bad places. Don't read it while eating, but it's a pretty satisfying survival-and-revenge tale.
Overall, I give this collection 3.5 stars as the stories ranged from 3 to 4 stars for me — no stand-outs, but no real duds. King fans should find it perfectly satisfying, and it's pretty representative of his late-career writing style.
October 14, 2017
كتاب بعيد الغروب مكون من 13 رواية قصيرة، الترجمة حرفية رديئة للأسف وأضعفت الحكاية بشدة عند مقارنتها بالنسخة الأصلية، متوسط التقييم نجمتان ونصف، وإليكم الريفيو لكل رواية منهم:
ويلا
كلٌ يكمن في كلمتين .. الملاحظة .. والتوقع ..
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"الفتاة الهاربة"
!إركضي كما لم تركضي من قبل .. إركضي فإن حياتك على المحك
ملحوظة: هذا الريفيو مقسم لجزئين مختلفيين والرابط بينهما في التفاصيل المقبلة
قصة من سبعون صفحة من التشويق المستمر، خيّل إلىّ انني أشاهد هذة اللقطات كاملة أمامي على الشاشة وليست بين دفتي غلاف. وبالرغم من إمتعاضي الشديد من هذا النوع من القصص والأفلام عادةً إلا أن محاكاة الأحداث لتكون بهذا الوضوح جعل منها رونقا خاصا. أعتقد انني بعد فترة من الزمن سوف أذكر لقطات من أحداث هذة الرواية وأحاول جاهدة أن أتذكر الفيلم ولن أذكره، فقد برعت ستيفن في أن تجعله كفيلم حي أمامي. تسارع الأحداث وحجم القصة جعلها لا يشوبها ملل ولا تختزل في صفحات قصيرات فتكون منقوصة. كل ذلك على الرغم من أن هذا النوع من القصص أمقته بحق ولكن السرد كان حقا رائعا، وعلى الرغم أيضا من أن الترجمة لم تكن بالمستوى المطلوب.
ولكن ستيفن سردك حقا يستحق الثناء، لا أستطيع الإنتظار حتى أبدأ في القصة القادمة
الدرس المستفاد من الرواية:
المِحن في الحياة تأتي لتعلمنا كيف نكون أقوى وأقوم، تماما كما في الرواية، عندما فقدت إميلي إبنتها شرعت في أن تركض، لا لشئ سوى أنها يجب أن تركض، شئ ما في داخلها أخبرها ان بذلك حل لمشكلاتها، لم تعلم أنه بالفعل سيكون كذلك ولكن ليس لموت إبنتها، إنما لما هو قادم والذي لم يكن أبدا في الحسبان.
يحضرني في هذا الدرس الآية الكريمة، قال الله تعالى: " إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلاَ تَلْوُونَ عَلَى أحَدٍ وَالرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِي أُخْرَاكُمْ فَأَثَابَكُمْ غُمَّاً بِغَمٍّ لِّكَيْلاَ تَحْزَنُواْ عَلَى مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلاَ مَا أَصَابَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ "
فإن الله قد يثيب الإنسان بغمِ فينسيه الغم السابق، وانما هي لرحمة الله بنا، وهو ما رأيت أننا في معظم الوقت نمر به، حتى نقول ان الأمور السيئة تأتي معا، والحقيقة انها رحمة بنا كي تهون بعضها بعضا. فسبحان الله الرحيم بنا حتى عندما نبتلى.
وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين.
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حلم هارفي
الهول بالتفصيل الممل البطئ
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استراحة طريق
كيف ستتصرف عند المواقف الصعبة، هل ستكون بشخصيتك التي تتوقعها حينها، أم انك ستفاجأ بشخصية أخرى!
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دراجة ثابتة
عندما يتأجج الألم النفسي وتصحبه معوقات الحياة، يصير الهوس هو المئآل .. شعرت بالعزلة بين طيات النوفيلا وودت لو صرخت في سيفكيتز لأخبره ان يدع الحزن والأسى يمران ويستعيد حياته من جديد .. وقد كان
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الأشياء التي تركوها خلفهم
الأشياء التي تركوها خلفهم، رواية كتبها ستيفن كينك بعد شهر إثر حادثة البرجين. كقارئ اما ان تنظر اليها بالشكل التراجيدي المأساوي بالفقد لأناس كانوا قريبين منك أو بشكل آخر. أما انا فنظرت إليها بالشكل الآخر، ألا وهو عند رحيل مختلف الشخوص من حياتنا إما بإختيارنا الواعي أو من دونه فإنه يبقى لهم في حياتنا لمحة، ليست بالضرورة أن يكون شئ ماديا ملموسا ولكن ربما تكون مجرد لقطة تقبع في ذاكرتك. وتكون أمام إختيارين، إما ان تعيد الأشياء (الذكرى) إلى أصحابها وتتحرر منها -وكذلك منهم- أو ان تظل أسيرهم وتدعهم يؤرقون عليك وهج الحياة. أعتقد أن بولا لم تكن جميلة، فقد رآها في وقت آخر بشكل مغاير تماما، فهل كانت جميلة حقا، أم ان الرغبة في مجالسة أحدهم والانطلاق بالحديث عما يختلج في الصدر قد حولها الى ذلك. أو ربما هي جميلة بالفعل، ولكن ابقائها على الذكرى حولها الى تلك المرأة الدميمة؟ لقد قالت بولا:" على الأرجح هناك شخص يلعب معك. وهي لعبة ليست لطيفة." أغلب الظن أن من كان يمارس هذة المزحة هو سكوت ستالي نفسه، ولكنها لم تكن مزحة، بل قوة لاإرادية للإبقاء على الماضي والذكرى المؤلمة، دعوى للسقوط والتداعي مرة بعد أخرى.
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عصر يوم تخرج
أحيانا التدخل الخارجي يكون مريحا ولو كان بخسائر أكبر، المهم أن يضمن لنا عدم الإختيار
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ن
"الحقيقة لغز محير يا دكتور بونسينت، والأشياء اليومية هي القماش الذي نضعه فوقها كي نحجب إشراقها أو ظلمتها. صحيح أن البوابة موصدة علينا .. لكننا نعرف أنها لن تبقى موصدة دائما. ستفتح يوما ما لكل واحد منا، وسنعبر خلالها جميعا."
وإليكم هذا الفيلم القصير الرائع المأخوذ عن القصة ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i454o...
والآن يجب على أن أحصي عدد الكلامات التي كتبتها في هذا الريفيو
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قط شيطاني
مقززة ومقرفة وتدعو للغثيان رغم ان البداية كانت مشوقة إلى درجة كبيرة
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نيويورك تايمز بسعر تفاوضي خاص
ويحدث أن يبقيك الأمل متشبثا بالماضي السحيق، وربما قد يدفعك الى الجنون، ولكن ماذا لو أثبت صحة تنبؤاته، فهل يظل جنونا؟!
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أبكم
أبكم، وهي إحدى الروايات القصيرة بنفس الكتاب بعيد الغروب
الرواية تحكي عن رجل يذهب إلى الكنيسة من أجل جلسة إعتراف، وفي الإعتراف يحكي عن ذلك الشخص الغامض الذي إلتقاه مصادفةً فإعترف له وباح بما يجول في خاطره، وما الضرر إذا فالمستمع أبكم!
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آيانا
آيانا، تلك الفتاة السمراء الصغيرة، ضعيفة وكفيفة، ذكرتني بكوفي في روايته اللحظة الأخيرةبل إنني تصورتها إبنته، وأن يكون ذلك إحتمال آخر من رواية الميل الأخضر، حيث يعيش كوفي ويتزوج وينجب أبناء بنفس الطاقات الخارقة.
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وضع عصيب للغاية
اعتقد انه بدأ يعتاد على هذة الأشياء، وأن باستطاعة الناس الاعتياد على أي شئ إذا اضطرّوا لذلك. ولم تكن هذة الفكرة مريحة جدا.
رواية برائحة سيئة
ويلا
كلٌ يكمن في كلمتين .. الملاحظة .. والتوقع ..
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"الفتاة الهاربة"
!إركضي كما لم تركضي من قبل .. إركضي فإن حياتك على المحك
ملحوظة: هذا الريفيو مقسم لجزئين مختلفيين والرابط بينهما في التفاصيل المقبلة
قصة من سبعون صفحة من التشويق المستمر، خيّل إلىّ انني أشاهد هذة اللقطات كاملة أمامي على الشاشة وليست بين دفتي غلاف. وبالرغم من إمتعاضي الشديد من هذا النوع من القصص والأفلام عادةً إلا أن محاكاة الأحداث لتكون بهذا الوضوح جعل منها رونقا خاصا. أعتقد انني بعد فترة من الزمن سوف أذكر لقطات من أحداث هذة الرواية وأحاول جاهدة أن أتذكر الفيلم ولن أذكره، فقد برعت ستيفن في أن تجعله كفيلم حي أمامي. تسارع الأحداث وحجم القصة جعلها لا يشوبها ملل ولا تختزل في صفحات قصيرات فتكون منقوصة. كل ذلك على الرغم من أن هذا النوع من القصص أمقته بحق ولكن السرد كان حقا رائعا، وعلى الرغم أيضا من أن الترجمة لم تكن بالمستوى المطلوب.
ولكن ستيفن سردك حقا يستحق الثناء، لا أستطيع الإنتظار حتى أبدأ في القصة القادمة
الدرس المستفاد من الرواية:
المِحن في الحياة تأتي لتعلمنا كيف نكون أقوى وأقوم، تماما كما في الرواية، عندما فقدت إميلي إبنتها شرعت في أن تركض، لا لشئ سوى أنها يجب أن تركض، شئ ما في داخلها أخبرها ان بذلك حل لمشكلاتها، لم تعلم أنه بالفعل سيكون كذلك ولكن ليس لموت إبنتها، إنما لما هو قادم والذي لم يكن أبدا في الحسبان.
يحضرني في هذا الدرس الآية الكريمة، قال الله تعالى: " إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلاَ تَلْوُونَ عَلَى أحَدٍ وَالرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِي أُخْرَاكُمْ فَأَثَابَكُمْ غُمَّاً بِغَمٍّ لِّكَيْلاَ تَحْزَنُواْ عَلَى مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلاَ مَا أَصَابَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ "
فإن الله قد يثيب الإنسان بغمِ فينسيه الغم السابق، وانما هي لرحمة الله بنا، وهو ما رأيت أننا في معظم الوقت نمر به، حتى نقول ان الأمور السيئة تأتي معا، والحقيقة انها رحمة بنا كي تهون بعضها بعضا. فسبحان الله الرحيم بنا حتى عندما نبتلى.
وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين.
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حلم هارفي
الهول بالتفصيل الممل البطئ
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استراحة طريق
كيف ستتصرف عند المواقف الصعبة، هل ستكون بشخصيتك التي تتوقعها حينها، أم انك ستفاجأ بشخصية أخرى!
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دراجة ثابتة
عندما يتأجج الألم النفسي وتصحبه معوقات الحياة، يصير الهوس هو المئآل .. شعرت بالعزلة بين طيات النوفيلا وودت لو صرخت في سيفكيتز لأخبره ان يدع الحزن والأسى يمران ويستعيد حياته من جديد .. وقد كان
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الأشياء التي تركوها خلفهم
الأشياء التي تركوها خلفهم، رواية كتبها ستيفن كينك بعد شهر إثر حادثة البرجين. كقارئ اما ان تنظر اليها بالشكل التراجيدي المأساوي بالفقد لأناس كانوا قريبين منك أو بشكل آخر. أما انا فنظرت إليها بالشكل الآخر، ألا وهو عند رحيل مختلف الشخوص من حياتنا إما بإختيارنا الواعي أو من دونه فإنه يبقى لهم في حياتنا لمحة، ليست بالضرورة أن يكون شئ ماديا ملموسا ولكن ربما تكون مجرد لقطة تقبع في ذاكرتك. وتكون أمام إختيارين، إما ان تعيد الأشياء (الذكرى) إلى أصحابها وتتحرر منها -وكذلك منهم- أو ان تظل أسيرهم وتدعهم يؤرقون عليك وهج الحياة. أعتقد أن بولا لم تكن جميلة، فقد رآها في وقت آخر بشكل مغاير تماما، فهل كانت جميلة حقا، أم ان الرغبة في مجالسة أحدهم والانطلاق بالحديث عما يختلج في الصدر قد حولها الى ذلك. أو ربما هي جميلة بالفعل، ولكن ابقائها على الذكرى حولها الى تلك المرأة الدميمة؟ لقد قالت بولا:" على الأرجح هناك شخص يلعب معك. وهي لعبة ليست لطيفة." أغلب الظن أن من كان يمارس هذة المزحة هو سكوت ستالي نفسه، ولكنها لم تكن مزحة، بل قوة لاإرادية للإبقاء على الماضي والذكرى المؤلمة، دعوى للسقوط والتداعي مرة بعد أخرى.
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عصر يوم تخرج
أحيانا التدخل الخارجي يكون مريحا ولو كان بخسائر أكبر، المهم أن يضمن لنا عدم الإختيار
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ن
"الحقيقة لغز محير يا دكتور بونسينت، والأشياء اليومية هي القماش الذي نضعه فوقها كي نحجب إشراقها أو ظلمتها. صحيح أن البوابة موصدة علينا .. لكننا نعرف أنها لن تبقى موصدة دائما. ستفتح يوما ما لكل واحد منا، وسنعبر خلالها جميعا."
وإليكم هذا الفيلم القصير الرائع المأخوذ عن القصة ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i454o...
والآن يجب على أن أحصي عدد الكلامات التي كتبتها في هذا الريفيو
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قط شيطاني
مقززة ومقرفة وتدعو للغثيان رغم ان البداية كانت مشوقة إلى درجة كبيرة
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نيويورك تايمز بسعر تفاوضي خاص
ويحدث أن يبقيك الأمل متشبثا بالماضي السحيق، وربما قد يدفعك الى الجنون، ولكن ماذا لو أثبت صحة تنبؤاته، فهل يظل جنونا؟!
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أبكم
أبكم، وهي إحدى الروايات القصيرة بنفس الكتاب بعيد الغروب
الرواية تحكي عن رجل يذهب إلى الكنيسة من أجل جلسة إعتراف، وفي الإعتراف يحكي عن ذلك الشخص الغامض الذي إلتقاه مصادفةً فإعترف له وباح بما يجول في خاطره، وما الضرر إذا فالمستمع أبكم!
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آيانا
آيانا، تلك الفتاة السمراء الصغيرة، ضعيفة وكفيفة، ذكرتني بكوفي في روايته اللحظة الأخيرةبل إنني تصورتها إبنته، وأن يكون ذلك إحتمال آخر من رواية الميل الأخضر، حيث يعيش كوفي ويتزوج وينجب أبناء بنفس الطاقات الخارقة.
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وضع عصيب للغاية
اعتقد انه بدأ يعتاد على هذة الأشياء، وأن باستطاعة الناس الاعتياد على أي شئ إذا اضطرّوا لذلك. ولم تكن هذة الفكرة مريحة جدا.
رواية برائحة سيئة
April 24, 2023
I have seen many cases like N. during the five years I've been in practice. I sometimes picture these unfortunates as men and women being pecked to death by predatory birds. The birds are invisible—at least until a psychiatrist who is good, or lucky, or both, sprays them with his version of Luminol and shines the right light on them—but they are nevertheless very real. The wonder is that so many OCDs manage to live productive lives, just the same. They work, they eat (often not enough or too much, it's true), they go to movies, they make love to their girlfriends and boyfriends, their wives and husbands ... and all the time those birds are there, clinging to them and pecking away little bits of flesh.
Just After Sunset is another solid collection of short stories from Mr. King. The Gingerbread Girl and Stationary Bike were above average. My two favorites were The Things They Left Behind, a story about a 9/11 survivor, and N., a chilling story told by multiple narrators about a psychiatrist treating a man who’s either gone mad or is truly saving the world from a terrible fate. Good stuff. Recommended.
April 21, 2024
فى العادة لست من محبى القصص القصيرة ماعدا قلة نادرة التى تستطيع أن تجعلنى استمتع بها منها هذه المجموعة لذا شكرا ستيفن كينج وشكر هام لانك اضفت ملاحظاتك حول القصص فى النهاية ليس كبعض الاحيان حين يضع المترجم ملخص الرواية او القصص فى البداية
وشكر للصديق الذى عرفت عن طريقة هذه المجموعة والذى شجعتنى رفيوهاته عن القصص على قراءتها
mohammed-makram
. من القصص التى استمتعت بها اكثر من بقيتها :
ويلا - الفتاة الهارية - الاشياء التى تركوها خلفهم - ن - قط شيطانى - نيويورك بسعر تفاوضى - ابكم - وضع عصيب للغاية
( نصائح ساخرة بسيطة لبعض القصص )
اذا كنت مسافر بالقطار انتظر حتى تصل قبل ان تقرا ويلا
أذا كنت محب للجرى وانت فى بلدة او مكان ليس ماهولا انتظر لاتقرا الفتاة الهاربة
اذا كنت تخاف القطط او قريب من قطط فلتؤجل قط شيطانى حتى تكون بعيد عنهم
نيويورك لسعر تفاوضى لا تقرأها وانت مسافر بالطائرة او تعرف احد مسافر بالطائرة
اما القصة الأخيرة وضع عصيب للغاية فلاتقراها بعد الغداء او على معدة ممتلئة ولاتقراها على الطريق
١٠ / ٥ / ٢٠١٧
وشكر للصديق الذى عرفت عن طريقة هذه المجموعة والذى شجعتنى رفيوهاته عن القصص على قراءتها
mohammed-makram
. من القصص التى استمتعت بها اكثر من بقيتها :
ويلا - الفتاة الهارية - الاشياء التى تركوها خلفهم - ن - قط شيطانى - نيويورك بسعر تفاوضى - ابكم - وضع عصيب للغاية
( نصائح ساخرة بسيطة لبعض القصص )
اذا كنت مسافر بالقطار انتظر حتى تصل قبل ان تقرا ويلا
أذا كنت محب للجرى وانت فى بلدة او مكان ليس ماهولا انتظر لاتقرا الفتاة الهاربة
اذا كنت تخاف القطط او قريب من قطط فلتؤجل قط شيطانى حتى تكون بعيد عنهم
نيويورك لسعر تفاوضى لا تقرأها وانت مسافر بالطائرة او تعرف احد مسافر بالطائرة
اما القصة الأخيرة وضع عصيب للغاية فلاتقراها بعد الغداء او على معدة ممتلئة ولاتقراها على الطريق
١٠ / ٥ / ٢٠١٧
October 30, 2022
Just After Sunset is a collection of thirteen short stories by Stephen King. Only one of the stories (N.) is new and being published in this collection for the first time; all others had previously been published elsewhere. Rather than focusing on the supernatural (though there are some such stories in this collection), the stories mostly revolve around fears of various aspects of ordinary life: a marriage falling apart, having a relative who becomes terminally ill and having to cope with that, getting bored of your partner and life after decades of marriage, having to move on with your life after suffering a loss, fighting with your neighbour, things like that. I appreciated this, as some of the stories stuck with me and had quite an emotional impact.
That being said, I have a lot of complaints about this book. In the early stories in the collection, SK almost seems like a parody of his thirty-years-earlier self that wrote the dark, more seriously-toned stories of Night Shift, injecting awkward humour and jokes, along with lax, crude prose (e.g. descriptions such as: "man-tits") and short forms of words that almost seem like street slang into the stories. This gave the early stories a comedic and oddly relaxed undertone, which I didn't care for and found to be very un-Stephen-King-like. His stories usually have at least some pervading sense of dread, and that was largely missing here.
The majority of the stories also take place in either Florida, New York, or Connecticut, which I thought was a bit odd. Florida I can understand, because King says in the Sunset Notes section at the end of the book that he and his wife now live in Florida for part of the year. But what about New York and Connecticut? Maybe those are places SK has visited and is familiar with? Or places he's fond of? I'm not sure. But combined with some other things like character details that were reused in different stories (e.g. several characters who were teachers or school administrators) and numerous references in the different stories to St. Christopher's medals hanging from the rearview mirrors of different cars, it made the collection seem a bit repetitive, given the extensive recycling of numerous details.
I also didn't like a lot of the subject matter in the stories: graphic depictions of extreme domestic violence, terminally ill family members, a guy stuck in a flipped over porta-potty and trying to escape (which, yes, is just as disgusting as you imagine it would be), etc. Just things that were really hard and not at all enjoyable to read about. Things that were either downright disgusting or that otherwise made me sick to my stomach more than anything else. This made for a pretty unpleasant reading experience.
As I briefly mentioned earlier, there is a Sunset Notes section at the end of the book, where King provides brief notes on each story, outlining how he got the idea and why he wrote the story. Though mildly interesting, it didn't really add much to what was overall a pretty mediocre collection of stories.
I had never really heard of Just After Sunset. No one had ever mentioned or recommended it to me, and my local used bookstore always seems to have numerous copies of it lying around. I don't think any of these things are coincidences. Though there are a few great stories in here, this was generally a disappointing book, and I only recommend it to diehard King fans. For anyone else seeking a short story collection by The King, I say:
Go then, there are other Stephen King collections than these.
Ratings for each story, as well as a cumulative rating for the book as a whole, are below:
Willa: 2/5
The Gingerbread Girl: 3/5
Harvey's Dream: 2/5
Rest Stop: 1.5/5
Stationary Bike: 4/5
The Things They Left Behind: 3/5
Graduation Afternoon: 1/5
N.: 4.5/5
The Cat from Hell: 3/5
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates: 2.5/5
Mute: 4/5
Ayana: 1.5/5
A Very Tight Place: 2.5/5
34.5 / 65 = 53.08% = 2.65 stars
That being said, I have a lot of complaints about this book. In the early stories in the collection, SK almost seems like a parody of his thirty-years-earlier self that wrote the dark, more seriously-toned stories of Night Shift, injecting awkward humour and jokes, along with lax, crude prose (e.g. descriptions such as: "man-tits") and short forms of words that almost seem like street slang into the stories. This gave the early stories a comedic and oddly relaxed undertone, which I didn't care for and found to be very un-Stephen-King-like. His stories usually have at least some pervading sense of dread, and that was largely missing here.
The majority of the stories also take place in either Florida, New York, or Connecticut, which I thought was a bit odd. Florida I can understand, because King says in the Sunset Notes section at the end of the book that he and his wife now live in Florida for part of the year. But what about New York and Connecticut? Maybe those are places SK has visited and is familiar with? Or places he's fond of? I'm not sure. But combined with some other things like character details that were reused in different stories (e.g. several characters who were teachers or school administrators) and numerous references in the different stories to St. Christopher's medals hanging from the rearview mirrors of different cars, it made the collection seem a bit repetitive, given the extensive recycling of numerous details.
I also didn't like a lot of the subject matter in the stories: graphic depictions of extreme domestic violence, terminally ill family members, a guy stuck in a flipped over porta-potty and trying to escape (which, yes, is just as disgusting as you imagine it would be), etc. Just things that were really hard and not at all enjoyable to read about. Things that were either downright disgusting or that otherwise made me sick to my stomach more than anything else. This made for a pretty unpleasant reading experience.
As I briefly mentioned earlier, there is a Sunset Notes section at the end of the book, where King provides brief notes on each story, outlining how he got the idea and why he wrote the story. Though mildly interesting, it didn't really add much to what was overall a pretty mediocre collection of stories.
I had never really heard of Just After Sunset. No one had ever mentioned or recommended it to me, and my local used bookstore always seems to have numerous copies of it lying around. I don't think any of these things are coincidences. Though there are a few great stories in here, this was generally a disappointing book, and I only recommend it to diehard King fans. For anyone else seeking a short story collection by The King, I say:
Go then, there are other Stephen King collections than these.
Ratings for each story, as well as a cumulative rating for the book as a whole, are below:
Willa: 2/5
The Gingerbread Girl: 3/5
Harvey's Dream: 2/5
Rest Stop: 1.5/5
Stationary Bike: 4/5
The Things They Left Behind: 3/5
Graduation Afternoon: 1/5
N.: 4.5/5
The Cat from Hell: 3/5
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates: 2.5/5
Mute: 4/5
Ayana: 1.5/5
A Very Tight Place: 2.5/5
34.5 / 65 = 53.08% = 2.65 stars
August 21, 2024
- بين الكابوس الذي تعيشه الزوجة والكابوس الذي عاشه زوجها في عالم الأحلام، ينسج كينج هذه القصة القصيرة الساذجة، ورغم محاولته الربط بين كلام الزوج عن الكابوس وما تراه زوجته من النافذة بشكل متوازٍ ومن ثم ترك القصة مفتوحة على عدة احتمالات في النهاية الا انني وجدتها متوقعة وركيكة.
August 31, 2019
I love Stephen King's short story collections. I'm always amazed by his ability to craft a riveting and fully fleshed out story in so few pages. There have been quite a few short stories by Uncle Stevie that I would love for him to expand into a full novel.
As with all short story collections, there are winners and a few losers.
The Winners:
The Gingerbread Girl- A story about a grieving mothers fight for her life against a sadistic serial killer.
Harvey's Dream- About a woman who fears she may be living in her husband's nightmare.
N.- A terrifying tale of OCD.
I'm not saying anything else about this story. Y'all need to read it!
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates- A story of a woman who gets to say a final goodbye to her husband.
If I was a crier, I would have.
Mute - A story that reminds us to be careful about picking up hitchhikers.
The Losers:
Willa - A rather boring story about an extra long wait at a train station.
Rest Stop - Just a pointless story about a rest stop.
The Things Left Behind - I don't remember it.
A Very Tight Place - A gross story about a guy trapped in a Port A Potty. Just gross for no reason.
Overall I really enjoyed Just After Midnight In the introduction Uncle Stevie explains that he had stop writing short stories for some reason, but after editing the 2006 edition of Best American Short stories he felt the urge to write them again. And I'm so happy he did.
I highly recommend Just After Midnight to King lovers and to first time King readers a like.
As with all short story collections, there are winners and a few losers.
The Winners:
The Gingerbread Girl- A story about a grieving mothers fight for her life against a sadistic serial killer.
Harvey's Dream- About a woman who fears she may be living in her husband's nightmare.
N.- A terrifying tale of OCD.
I'm not saying anything else about this story. Y'all need to read it!
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates- A story of a woman who gets to say a final goodbye to her husband.
If I was a crier, I would have.
Mute - A story that reminds us to be careful about picking up hitchhikers.
The Losers:
Willa - A rather boring story about an extra long wait at a train station.
Rest Stop - Just a pointless story about a rest stop.
The Things Left Behind - I don't remember it.
A Very Tight Place - A gross story about a guy trapped in a Port A Potty. Just gross for no reason.
Overall I really enjoyed Just After Midnight In the introduction Uncle Stevie explains that he had stop writing short stories for some reason, but after editing the 2006 edition of Best American Short stories he felt the urge to write them again. And I'm so happy he did.
I highly recommend Just After Midnight to King lovers and to first time King readers a like.
July 19, 2019
Well what to say about this book....sometimes Stephen King is just hit and miss. This was a miss unforuantely as I only liked about three of the stories. I won't be going into detail with the stories, but I will list the ones I liked. I felt like I slogged through over five hundred pages for nothing, but at least I finished the book and it didn't end up on my DNF shelf which normally that is where most of the books end up if I am muddling through them.
The best parts of the book was the Introduction by Stephen King and he ends the book with some notes, other than that this book just dropped off for me. Now that is just me, there are probably other people that will love it and it has received four to five star reviews, but it just didn't make the grade with me. The stories I liked are: The Gingerbread Girl, The Things They Left Behind, and The Cat From Hell. Giving this book two stars.
The best parts of the book was the Introduction by Stephen King and he ends the book with some notes, other than that this book just dropped off for me. Now that is just me, there are probably other people that will love it and it has received four to five star reviews, but it just didn't make the grade with me. The stories I liked are: The Gingerbread Girl, The Things They Left Behind, and The Cat From Hell. Giving this book two stars.
July 3, 2020
Story 3 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Stephen king
Crazy I was just thinking how cool it would be if Stephen king would narrate one of his books and bam! I get it with “Harvey’s Dream” which he did an excellent job. A good quick story with an unexpected ending. ❤️
Merged review:
This rating is for N.
Story 3.75** stars
Audio 4 stars** for all narrators
Narrators Holter Graham, Denis O’Hare, Ben Shenkman, and Karen Ziemba.
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Stephen king
Crazy I was just thinking how cool it would be if Stephen king would narrate one of his books and bam! I get it with “Harvey’s Dream” which he did an excellent job. A good quick story with an unexpected ending. ❤️
Merged review:
This rating is for N.
Story 3.75** stars
Audio 4 stars** for all narrators
Narrators Holter Graham, Denis O’Hare, Ben Shenkman, and Karen Ziemba.
June 11, 2022
No son historias excelentes pero están entretenidas.
Honestamente, la peor antología que he leído de King es Pesadillas y Alucinaciones.
King demuestra una vez más que es el rey del terror. Convierte sucesos de su vida cotidiana en relatos perturbadores. Ya por esto merece mucho la pena leerlos.
.
They are not great stories but they are entertaining.
Honestly, the worst anthology I've ever read by King is Nightmares and Dreamscapes.
King proves once again that he is the king of terror. He turns events from his everyday life into disturbing stories. For this reason, they are well worth reading.
Honestamente, la peor antología que he leído de King es Pesadillas y Alucinaciones.
King demuestra una vez más que es el rey del terror. Convierte sucesos de su vida cotidiana en relatos perturbadores. Ya por esto merece mucho la pena leerlos.
.
They are not great stories but they are entertaining.
Honestly, the worst anthology I've ever read by King is Nightmares and Dreamscapes.
King proves once again that he is the king of terror. He turns events from his everyday life into disturbing stories. For this reason, they are well worth reading.
November 10, 2019
Excellent collection of King short stories
I'm not sure how I missed the publication of this collection of author King's short stories. I usually buy or receive his books on the first day of publication. But it did make for a nice surprise to be able to read a new (to me) book by the master of the dark and unimaginable. This Constant Reader was a happy camper.
There are thirteen stories in this book and I enjoyed each and every one of them, although the last story in the book A VERY TIGHT PLACE almost made me puke. Ugh...what does it say about me that it was my favorite story in the book?
King, when he's in top form, is the all-time best at short stories. He brings his characters, good and bad, alive on the page.
Oh, and another thing I liked about the book were King's notes about each story at the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book if you aren't plagued by nightmares or too vivid of an imagination.
I'm not sure how I missed the publication of this collection of author King's short stories. I usually buy or receive his books on the first day of publication. But it did make for a nice surprise to be able to read a new (to me) book by the master of the dark and unimaginable. This Constant Reader was a happy camper.
There are thirteen stories in this book and I enjoyed each and every one of them, although the last story in the book A VERY TIGHT PLACE almost made me puke. Ugh...what does it say about me that it was my favorite story in the book?
King, when he's in top form, is the all-time best at short stories. He brings his characters, good and bad, alive on the page.
Oh, and another thing I liked about the book were King's notes about each story at the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book if you aren't plagued by nightmares or too vivid of an imagination.
October 17, 2020
i’ve long said this is my favorite stephen king short story collection, and i think it still holds up. i’m just glad to have finally re-read it, so i can put it on my goodreads shelves!
here’s my rankings and ratings of the stories, from favorite to least favorite:
1. new york times at special bargain rates- 5 ⭐️
2. the things they left behind- 5 ⭐️
3. willa- 5 ⭐️
4. harvey’s dream- 5 ⭐️
5. n. - 5 ⭐️
6. graduation afternoon- 5 ⭐️
7. a very tight place- 4 ⭐️
8. rest stop- 4 ⭐️
9. gingerbread girl- 4 ⭐️
10. the cat from hell- 3 ⭐️
11. mute- 3 ⭐️
12. ayana- 3 ⭐️
13. stationary bike- 2 ⭐️
= 4.07 ⭐️
here’s my rankings and ratings of the stories, from favorite to least favorite:
1. new york times at special bargain rates- 5 ⭐️
2. the things they left behind- 5 ⭐️
3. willa- 5 ⭐️
4. harvey’s dream- 5 ⭐️
5. n. - 5 ⭐️
6. graduation afternoon- 5 ⭐️
7. a very tight place- 4 ⭐️
8. rest stop- 4 ⭐️
9. gingerbread girl- 4 ⭐️
10. the cat from hell- 3 ⭐️
11. mute- 3 ⭐️
12. ayana- 3 ⭐️
13. stationary bike- 2 ⭐️
= 4.07 ⭐️
July 5, 2024
4⭐️s
This was hit-or-miss, and ranks substantially below some of King’s other short story collections. As always, there were gems contained within, but for every gem there was a middling, prosaic story as well. None of these are bad by any means, but only a few will stand out in my mind when I think back to this book in a year.
N., Mute, and The Gingerbread Girl are King at his best, and are the three I will remember most. A Very Tight Place will linger as well, but for very different reasons.
Thematic similarities
Just After Sunset feels aptly titled. None were outright scary and dark as a fully set sun would be, but the tinge of darkness was present and sat on the precipice of blackness like those moments following a recently set sun. Questioning one’s sanity or understanding of reality came through the loudest across many of these.
Thing I’ll Walk Away With
Between this and Sleepaway Camp 2, I don’t know which is responsible more for my completely rational, well-founded and wholly understandable fear of porta-potties.
Stories ranked
1. N.
2. Mute
3. The Gingerbread Girl
4. The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
5. The Things They Left Behind
6. Rest Stop
7. A Very Tight Place
8. The Stationary Bike
9. Willa
10. Harvey’s Dream
11. Graduation Afternoon
12. Ayana
13. The Cat From Hell
This was hit-or-miss, and ranks substantially below some of King’s other short story collections. As always, there were gems contained within, but for every gem there was a middling, prosaic story as well. None of these are bad by any means, but only a few will stand out in my mind when I think back to this book in a year.
N., Mute, and The Gingerbread Girl are King at his best, and are the three I will remember most. A Very Tight Place will linger as well, but for very different reasons.
Thematic similarities
Just After Sunset feels aptly titled. None were outright scary and dark as a fully set sun would be, but the tinge of darkness was present and sat on the precipice of blackness like those moments following a recently set sun. Questioning one’s sanity or understanding of reality came through the loudest across many of these.
Thing I’ll Walk Away With
Between this and Sleepaway Camp 2, I don’t know which is responsible more for my completely rational, well-founded and wholly understandable fear of porta-potties.
Stories ranked
1. N.
2. Mute
3. The Gingerbread Girl
4. The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
5. The Things They Left Behind
6. Rest Stop
7. A Very Tight Place
8. The Stationary Bike
9. Willa
10. Harvey’s Dream
11. Graduation Afternoon
12. Ayana
13. The Cat From Hell
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