REVIEW: Full Dark, No Stars

Full Dark, No Stars
Author: Stephen King

Stephen King has been scaring me for almost 40 years. Cars that want to kill. Vengeful underdogs. Crazy fans. Curses. Vampires. Possessed toys. Clowns. You name it -- he's scared me with it. There is just some incredibly demented stuff that pops out of that man's brain. It's his superpower. The last 20 years or so I missed some of his books. I was raising kids, working....you know, adulting. And I missed a lot of great writing by my favorite authors. King included. Now that my kids are older (and, alas I am also older) I have more time to enjoy books, so I'm backtracking and reading things that I missed, or didn't have time to read. I think I skipped a lot of King's newer books because he does have a habit of writing 1000+ page 10 lb books. While I had teenagers and a toddler, I just didn't have time to commit to longggggggg books. But, I'm almost 50 now.....only one kid still at home. I have the time.  So, Stephen......this grandma is ready for all the stuff you've churned out while I wasn't looking.

I decided to start with a book of short stories. Mostly because one of the stories, 1922,  has a film version on Netflix. I always read the book before I watch the film. I'm glad I picked Full Dark, No Stars as my first jump back in to Stephen King. Four stories, medium length, all different. All strange. And definitely, Stephen King. The last novel I read that King wrote was Dreamcatcher. I hated it. I tried at least 4 times to get through it because my oldest son bought it for me as a present with his own money, and I really really wanted to love it. But, aliens popping out of people's butts while they are on the toilet really was too ridiculous for me. Sorry, Stephen -- I DNFd your book. Ugh. And I pretty much missed everything he wrote after that...til now.  I opened this book of short stories carefully, telling myself with a laugh that if any aliens popped out of someone's ass I could shut the book and go read Dean Koontz. At least he would have a nice yellow dog to pat. And no butt aliens. I was pleasantly surprised to find that these stories have that sneaky, strange creepiness that I remember from King's earlier writing. The sort that makes you leave a light on when you go to bed, but you aren't quite sure why.

Stories in this collection are:

1922:  Wilfred and Arlette's life and marriage on the farm in Nebraska goes horribly, horribly wrong. And there are consequences. Wilfred pulls his son into a violent decision....and they both slide the slippery slope to damnation. Definitely classic demented and disturbing King.

Big Driver: Tess writes cozy mysteries and puts money away for retirement with public appearances and book signings. She loves to drive to these events, and has never had a problem.....until she takes a short cut off the main highway. A talking cat and sentient GPS mark Tess' descent into madness, as she gets revenge on a serial killer and rapist, and everyone else involved in the situation. This tale is dark, brutal and demented. Classic King.

Fair Extension: Dave Streeter is living on borrowed time. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, he's on chemo and feels life slipping away slowly and painfully. Then he meets a strange man who offers extensions. Any kind of extension. He offers to help Dave....for a price. This story reminded me a bit of Needful Things. A dark, strange man offering what someone desires most, but it's going to cost. This time it costs someone, but not necessarily Dave. Great story. My favorite in this collection!

A Good Marriage: Darcy and Bob have been married for 27 years. They are comfortable and happy with their life, their children, their relationship. Darcy knows Bob. His jokes. His mannerisms. The way he is concerned about going bald. But one night she accidentally discovers something about Bob. Something she didn't know. Something she wishes she had never discovered.  For me, this was the most chilling story in the book. Maybe because this could happen -- and has happened. Does anybody ever really know anyone? Really KNOW them? Scary!

I enjoyed all the stories in this book! Glad I read it. And while I know that a multi-millionaire ridiculously famous author does not really care about the opinion of one long-time reader.....I will say that this story collection has reawakened my love for his writing. I lost the desire to read his books after Dreamcatcher....and I jumped on the bandwagon with King fans who remarked that his books following his accident in 1999 were different and not as good as his previous writing. But I'm going to publicly apologize for that.....I made assumptions about books that I didn't bother to read. And that is never fair or just. I'm going to delve into the writings that I missed. I might love some of it, and dislike some....but at least I'm going to read before forming opinions.

Great story collection!!