Helpful Score: 5
i have several family members that can't STAND stephen king, so i thought i'd try him out. i don't see why they're hatin! i enjoyed the short stories in this book, and i've got another short story collection from king to try, too. some of the stories were better than others, and i found the way he addresses his readers to be a little bit odd, but that's not why i got the book. some of the stories definitely spurned me to think, and some of them were a little spooky!
Helpful Score: 3
If you've only read Stephen Kings novels or seen his movies, you are missing out. His short stories are my favorite of all his writing. Even more than The Gunslinger. Although this is not my favorite collection of his (Night Shift is), it is one of his best books in my opinion. Read this and then read Night Shift!
Helpful Score: 2
Fine collection of King short stories, most involving ordinary people who suddenly find themselves in very non-ordinary situations. The title story is a standout, revisiting one of King's earliest themes -- the teased and tormented youngster uses his (in this case) special powers for revenge on his tormentor. Also supremely creepy is "The Road Virus Heads North", about a very special and malevolent picture. Includes "1408", which was the basis for the current (2007) movie.
Helpful Score: 1
I highly recommend this to anyone that likes Stephen King's work, and also to those that aren't so sure about him but want to give him a try. Like other reviewers have said, it's nice to get to read a short story by King once in awhile, to save the time of reading one of his novels.
The characters in each story are just SO good - that, to me, is King's strength beyond the creepy or supernatural. He develops characters that you feel like you know, so real that you could reach out and touch them. He doesn't need an entire novel to do that, either.
Some of the stories aren't top notch in here, but so much of it - as of everything - is preference. I personally loved all but 2 of them, and even those 2 are still better than some other short stories I've read.
If I could part with it, I'd post it here - but I just can't do it!
The characters in each story are just SO good - that, to me, is King's strength beyond the creepy or supernatural. He develops characters that you feel like you know, so real that you could reach out and touch them. He doesn't need an entire novel to do that, either.
Some of the stories aren't top notch in here, but so much of it - as of everything - is preference. I personally loved all but 2 of them, and even those 2 are still better than some other short stories I've read.
If I could part with it, I'd post it here - but I just can't do it!
Helpful Score: 1
I actually have found Stephen King is a better short story writer than novelist. This is a good book of short stories on various subjects. Remember, three of the four short stories in his Different Seasons collection were turned into great movies: Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption and Apt Pupil. Also, it's a good book to have when you don't feel like reading a full Bible length Stephen King book.
Helpful Score: 1
A memorable collection of short stories by horror master Stephen King. King's writing generally tends either to emphasize human warmth and goodness or spine-tingling horror; this collection has a good mix of stories in each category, as well as a few that combine both.
Helpful Score: 1
Earlier in the year I read Stephen King's "Just After Sunset", a really enjoyable collection of some of his short stories. I ordered "Everything's Eventual" immediately after and was excited to get started reading it. Not all of King's stories are 5 stars but most of them are captivating, entertaining and, most importantly, scary. I found several of these stories to be really creepy and had a hard time putting the book down. In particular, "Riding the Bullet", in which a hitch hiking college student gets picked up by a corpse and " The Man in the Black Suit", in which a child encounters the Devil. A few of the stories (mainly "Everything's Eventual" and "1408") really demonstrate how creative a writer King is; some of his concepts are just so out there...yet, they really work. BTW, I had seen the movie for the story "1408" and wasn't particularly impressed. The story is much better than the movie. I'd recommend keeping this book by your bed and reading a story each night before bed. They are really fun.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great book. Quite a few of these stories scared me pretty good. All in all a great book!! Have to say though I was a little dissappointed when I reached the story 1408-as many of you know that movie just recently came out. I had only seen the movie, never read the story. And I was rather dissappointed in it. But Stephen King is an awesome writer and I love all of his books. I would definetely recommend this book to anyone.
Helpful Score: 1
Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, and he doesn't fail to delight/chill the reader in this anthology. Of course, I've never read anything by him I didn't like.
"Riding the Bullet," published here on paper for the first time, is the story of Alan Parker, who's hitchhiking to see his dying mother but takes the wrong ride, farther than he ever intended. In "Lunch at the Gotham Café," a sparring couple's contentious lunch turns very, very bloody when the maître d' gets out of sorts. "1408," the audio story in print for the first time, is about a successful writer whose specialty is "Ten Nights in Ten Haunted Graveyards" or "Ten Nights in Ten Haunted Houses," and though Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel doesn't kill him, he won't be writing about ghosts anymore. And in "That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French," terror is déjà vu at 16,000 feet.
Excellent King reading! It won't take you long to finish this one, you won't want to put it down!
I love his short stories! This one includes a nice prelude to The Gunslinger.
It's a great book, filled with wonderful stories. If you like Stephen King's short stories, you'll enjoy this! It also has his ebook phenomenon "Riding the bullet" Included! Well worth the read!
14 different stories
14 Short Tales
Typical Stephen King short stories.
I enjoyed Kings older stuff better, but short stories are always fun to read.
14 short stories of chilling terror as only Steven King can write.
14 short tales
In this spine chilling compilation, King takes readers down a road les traveled (for good reason) in the blockbuster e-book "Riding the Bullet," bad table service turns bloody when you stop in for "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe," and terror becomes deja vu all over again when you get "That Feeling, You Can Only Say What Is Is in French" -- along with 11 more stories that will keep you awake until daybreak. Enter a nightmarish mindscape of unrelenting horrow and shocking revelations that could only come from the imagination of the greatest storyteller of our time.
Scary but read the whole book, only if someone was in the room with me.
One story after another....14 of them....King is always a good read!
Stephen King's short stories have always been my favorite portions of his work, and this book is no exception. Like all story collections, there are some here that really excel, and some which are short of the mark. King's characterization is almost always excellent, and even when the story doesn't quite click for me, his characters always entertain me.
Splendid short stories.
Great if you love Stephen King...just the right mix of stories. With a nice bonus for Dark Tower junkies - one of Roland's adventures before "The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed..."
I LOVED this book! The stories are fresh, frightening and truly vintage-King. Anyone who has followed his career will enjoy this book of stories; they make you feel as though you're reading SK as a brand-new writer all over again.
different type of Steven King.
Quick short scary stories, just don't read them at night!
A good book by Stephen King.
My favorite by far. I love Stephen King and these short stories were great. All the tales kept you on your toes. I couldn't put the book down.
i really enjoyed the eclectic nature of the stories in here. Definately my fave of his short story collections.
Serena S. (misshollywoodstarlet) reviewed Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales on + 8 more book reviews
Great collection of short stories. Gotta love Stephen King when he isn't babbling!
Very enjoyable read....Great assortment of short stories....
I adore Stephen King but I had a very hard time enjoying some of the stories in this book. there were a couple of good old King, shiver in your shoes stories but I don't think that you should pay a lot for this book just to get a couple of good stories out of it.
Edit Review: Enter a nightmarish mindscape of relenting horror and shocking revelations that could come only from the imagination of the greatest storyteller of our time.
Stephen King's #1 Bestselling Story Collection...Everything's Eventual Features the tale "1408," now a Dimension Films Motion Picture, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
Also, inside is the blockbuster eBook "Riding the Bullet," the original audio story "In the Deathroom," plus eleven more boudary-pushing fiction masterworks that will keep you away until daybreak.
"USA Today.... Brilliant Creepy." "The New York Times...Unpredictable." "The Washington Post...Well-Crafted, Nuanced Stories."
Introduction: Practicing the (Almost) Lost Art
Tale 1: Autopsy Room Four
Tale 2: The Man in the Black Suit
Tale 3: All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
Tale 4: The Death of Jack Hamilton
Tale 5: In the Deathroom
Tale 6: The Little Sisters of Eluria
Tale 7: Everything's Eventual
Tale 8: L.T.'s Theory of Pets
Tale 9: The Road Virus Heads North
Tale 10: Lunch at the Gothom Cafe
Tale 11: That Feeling, You Can Only Say what It Is in French
Tale 12: 1408
Tale 13: Riding the Bullet
Tale 14: Luckey Quarter
STEPHEN KING is the author of moare than fifty worldwide bestsellers. Among his recent are "Lisey's Story, The Dark Tower Novels, Cell, From a Buick 8, Everything's Evenual, Hearts in Atlantis, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Bag of Bones" and his acclaimed nonfiction book, On writing. He is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medel for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
Stephen King's #1 Bestselling Story Collection...Everything's Eventual Features the tale "1408," now a Dimension Films Motion Picture, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
Also, inside is the blockbuster eBook "Riding the Bullet," the original audio story "In the Deathroom," plus eleven more boudary-pushing fiction masterworks that will keep you away until daybreak.
"USA Today.... Brilliant Creepy." "The New York Times...Unpredictable." "The Washington Post...Well-Crafted, Nuanced Stories."
Introduction: Practicing the (Almost) Lost Art
Tale 1: Autopsy Room Four
Tale 2: The Man in the Black Suit
Tale 3: All That You Love Will Be Carried Away
Tale 4: The Death of Jack Hamilton
Tale 5: In the Deathroom
Tale 6: The Little Sisters of Eluria
Tale 7: Everything's Eventual
Tale 8: L.T.'s Theory of Pets
Tale 9: The Road Virus Heads North
Tale 10: Lunch at the Gothom Cafe
Tale 11: That Feeling, You Can Only Say what It Is in French
Tale 12: 1408
Tale 13: Riding the Bullet
Tale 14: Luckey Quarter
STEPHEN KING is the author of moare than fifty worldwide bestsellers. Among his recent are "Lisey's Story, The Dark Tower Novels, Cell, From a Buick 8, Everything's Evenual, Hearts in Atlantis, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Bag of Bones" and his acclaimed nonfiction book, On writing. He is the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medel for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
If you don't already know, Stephen King is very verbose. While that's awesome if you like the story he's telling, it's not so awesome if you find it boring (I'm looking at you Bag of Bones and Gerald's Game). That said, Stephen King is a master storyteller. If you are not drawn into one of his books in the first few chapters, move onto a different one. He has many absolutely fantastic novels. As for this one, some stories are great and some are mediocre, but the best part is that they are all short so there are no long drawn-out boring scenes. By the time you realize that you don't really like a story it's almost over.
Personal book - never been swapped. As far as short-story collections go, I am not a big fan of that genre - BUT - this collection ranks as one of the best I have ever read. The characters, as always with King, are interesting, vivid and well portrayed. The opening story features what I would think is everyone's most horrific nightmare, waking up on the autopsy table, Each story is terrifying in its own right and fully capable of standing on its own. There was one story "LT's Theory of Pets" that I found a little cliche in the end. The idea of having a cat or a dog reverse its loyalties is an interesting concept however. "Riding the Bullet" has a near perfect ending and is a great/twisty rendition of an old urban legend, well worth the read!
This book is a well deserved escape from King's normally long-winded books. Here you have 14 shorties instead of 1 longy! Good beach/pool book because you don't have to finish the whole book at once! Enjoy!
This book is a well deserved escape from King's normally long-winded books. Here you have 14 shorties instead of 1 longy! Good beach/pool book because you don't have to finish the whole book at once! Enjoy!
great collection of short stories...some really creepy ones!!
A collection of tales from the Horror master Stephen King.
Writing about encounters with the dead, about near death, or about the plain dread of mundane life, King is in top form in this collection of dark tales--his first in nine years. Includes three never-before-printed stories and four pieces previously published in "The New Yorker.
there is a hidden gem in this book...a roland deschain story. the dark tower series is my favorite book series and i was so excited to come across another little chapter in roland's life. the rest of the stories are pretty good, but i forgot them all as soon as i found roland's story!
If you are buying this book for the movie tie-in to 1408, you might be disappointed because the trailer for the movie and the plot of the short story really don't seem to mirror each other, so I have a feeling the two don't resemble each other down to the smallest detail. Word is that King gave approval to the movie version, so perhaps it maintains the emotional resonance of the short story which is, by the way, as spooky and eerie as you'd expect, so much so that it is easy to forget how well King writes.
In addition to the stories, one of my favorite parts of this book was the preface and author's notes on the stories, by King. Budding writers in this genre of horror or psychological suspense/horror should focus carefully on his writing advice. He doesn't give it lightly and he also doesn't mince words. You may primarily buy this book for the great and riveting tales within, but you may also find yourself equally fascinated by what King writes about...ssbout HOW to write and his own perspective on his craft. He confesses that he has been surprised that some stories which he considered less than stellar have won awards, showing that he is still capable of being surprised by his readers and reviewers. I expect that is part of the thrill of what he does, discovering what touches readers and what does not.
In the preface, for example, he brings up an important subject, the evolution of the short story and its possible demise. He writes so deftly about such a serious subject! I happen to be equally concerned, coming from a time when short stories filled so many magazines I read, from Atlantic to Redbook to Saturday Evening Post. I grew up reading them in magazines my parents had around the house. Try to find a typical, mass market magazine that contains short stories anymore, especially by writers whose words will become classic. Pretty hard, isn't it? Sad - at least to me and, based on what he wrote, to King as well.
He also touches on an E-book he wrote and his concern about how well it did. He was both fascinated and...yes, horrified. You'll have to read this book to find out why.
Anyway, this book is well worth reading, perfect for those who only have limited time and who find the idea of an entire book on one subject too daunting. I have a feeling you'll read this one straight through, even if you THINK you're going to only dip into one or two of the short stories. You'll be hooked and enthralled before you know it.
Some of the stories pay homage to other writers and if you are queasy when it comes to reading graphic details, consider yourself forewarned. I found the first story "Autopsy Room Four" to be particularly hard going but stuck it out - and I'm glad I did. Its genesis was an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, something I'd never have known if King hadn't pointed it out. Once he did, I actually remembered the particular episode with Joseph Cotten and- like King - agree that it was one of the spookiest Hitchcock episodes out there.
In addition to the stories, one of my favorite parts of this book was the preface and author's notes on the stories, by King. Budding writers in this genre of horror or psychological suspense/horror should focus carefully on his writing advice. He doesn't give it lightly and he also doesn't mince words. You may primarily buy this book for the great and riveting tales within, but you may also find yourself equally fascinated by what King writes about...ssbout HOW to write and his own perspective on his craft. He confesses that he has been surprised that some stories which he considered less than stellar have won awards, showing that he is still capable of being surprised by his readers and reviewers. I expect that is part of the thrill of what he does, discovering what touches readers and what does not.
In the preface, for example, he brings up an important subject, the evolution of the short story and its possible demise. He writes so deftly about such a serious subject! I happen to be equally concerned, coming from a time when short stories filled so many magazines I read, from Atlantic to Redbook to Saturday Evening Post. I grew up reading them in magazines my parents had around the house. Try to find a typical, mass market magazine that contains short stories anymore, especially by writers whose words will become classic. Pretty hard, isn't it? Sad - at least to me and, based on what he wrote, to King as well.
He also touches on an E-book he wrote and his concern about how well it did. He was both fascinated and...yes, horrified. You'll have to read this book to find out why.
Anyway, this book is well worth reading, perfect for those who only have limited time and who find the idea of an entire book on one subject too daunting. I have a feeling you'll read this one straight through, even if you THINK you're going to only dip into one or two of the short stories. You'll be hooked and enthralled before you know it.
Some of the stories pay homage to other writers and if you are queasy when it comes to reading graphic details, consider yourself forewarned. I found the first story "Autopsy Room Four" to be particularly hard going but stuck it out - and I'm glad I did. Its genesis was an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, something I'd never have known if King hadn't pointed it out. Once he did, I actually remembered the particular episode with Joseph Cotten and- like King - agree that it was one of the spookiest Hitchcock episodes out there.
love king books~~
A great compliation of some of Stephen Kings earlier writings.
Great stories by the master!
I really liked this collection of short stories, but not as much as I enjoyed Night Shift.
Another good book for Stephen King fans
scary and fun...
This includes 1 O. Henry Prize winner, 2 other award winners, 4 stories published by The New Yorker, and "Riding the Bullet," King's original e-book which attracted over half a million online readers and became the most famous short story of the decade.
This book has lots of good and interesting short stories. I read some over and over again.
fourteen scary tales. It makes you want to move from one short story to the next. This book certainly keeps you thrilled.
Typical King short stories
Really quite good. I think King's short stories are generally much much better than his novels. They're short, to-the-point, don't go off on tangents, and usually pack a punch.
The title story, Everything's Eventual, is great too... Did anyone ever read the kid's book, "The Girl With the Silver Eyes"? It's kinda like that - but realistic!
There's also a truly creepy story about a ghosthunter in a haunted hotel room... and many more!
The title story, Everything's Eventual, is great too... Did anyone ever read the kid's book, "The Girl With the Silver Eyes"? It's kinda like that - but realistic!
There's also a truly creepy story about a ghosthunter in a haunted hotel room... and many more!
I love this book because you can read a story thru to the end without staying up all night. Although you'll probably sleep with the lights on! Another one of King's hits.
Some of the stories are very compelling. King is a great storyteller.
King is at his best with these stories, some short and sweet (?) Some longer, more evolved and creepier for sure. I always think that short stories, or novellas are a good way to introduce yourself to any author, if they are available. And this collection is a good way to get started on Stephen King.
Very entertaining group of short stories by the master!
Lindsey B. (lindseyup67) - , reviewed Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales on + 16 more book reviews
Very good...typical Stephen King!
A must read for any "constant reader" of Stephen King's. This is a book of short stories; each with an explanatory note from the author.
was given to me didn't read.. excellent condition
Short stories by Stephen King...Some I really liked, and some were okay.
14 short stories by Stephen King....lots of horror and nightmare-inducing tales!
stephen king at his best
Joanne K. (Jerseygirl-exit30) reviewed Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales on + 79 more book reviews
Awesome and creepy, the usual great stuff from Stephen King
Barbara H. (bfhenderson88) -
Stephen King has done it again! This collection of some of his short stories is creepy, wel-written, humorous, everything of Stephen King fan expects! Some stories featured (my personal faves): "Autopsy Room Four", "The Little Sisters of Eluria" (Dark Tower fans will love this), "Everything's Eventual", "The Road Virus Heads North", "1408", and "Riding the Bullet".
Mary P. (riverratreader) - , reviewed Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales on + 164 more book reviews
King is in terrifying top form with this collection of short stories. IOn this spine-chilling compilation, King takes the reader down a road less traveled in the blockbuster e-book "Riding the Bullet," bad table service turns bloody when you stop in for "Lunch at the Gotham Cafe," and terror becomes deja vu all over again when you get "That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French" - along with eleven more stories that will keep you awake until daybreak. Enter a nightmarish mindscape of unrelenting horror and shocking revelations that could only come from the imagination of the greatest storyteller of our time.
Great book for the seasoned King fan or a newcomer. A nice variety of short stories. Definitely on the nightmarish side as opposed to the fantasy side. A great read.
This was my first Stephen King book. I've seen most of his movies and enjoyed them. I wanted to read this collection because of the current movie, "1408."
I did not enjoy his writing. Maybe because this was a collection of short stories and I know I don't enjoy short stories. I know writing short stories is different than full-length novels. Maybe I will try a novel. I did, however, enjoy the personal Stephen King narrations that preceded and followed each story. I think I will look for non-fiction books written by Stephen King.
I did not enjoy his writing. Maybe because this was a collection of short stories and I know I don't enjoy short stories. I know writing short stories is different than full-length novels. Maybe I will try a novel. I did, however, enjoy the personal Stephen King narrations that preceded and followed each story. I think I will look for non-fiction books written by Stephen King.
Not bad, but he has better books.
A mixed bag. Some stories are eerie, some require thought to figure out, and some are just plain scary. I'm amazed that King can write all of these types of horror stories.
Brand new!! Never opened!!
This particular anthology is actually the author's first collection of short stories to be published in almost a decade. According to the introduction, Stephen King is an extraordinarily prolific writer who understandably loves his craft. Apparently, he and his wife also own two radio stations in their hometown of Bangor, Maine - one station is entirely dedicated to sports, and the other one is dedicated to classic rock music. It was while trying to decide how best to boost ratings for the radio station that Stephen King had an epiphany about his own writing career - about just how much he enjoys 'pushing the envelope' with his own writing.
While his subsequent attempt at writing a radio play didn't quite work out the way he had expected, the experience served as an education of sorts - as much as a refresher course in the different styles of writing: writing for ebooks, magazines, journals and digests. In choosing which stories would actually be included in this particular anthology, Stephen King turned to a deck of playing cards to help him decide which stories would appear in the contents. He used the entire suit of spades plus a Joker card and shuffled them; the order in which he dealt the cards turned out to be where he would place a story in the contents. The contents features fourteen short stories that range from "the literary stories to the all-out screamers."
I must say that in my own opinion, this compilation of stories were all rather different from each other. The synopsis of the book claims that Stephen King takes the reader down a road less traveled - and for a very good reason - and I do have to agree with that particular claim. I found this book to be if not easy reading, certainly relatively fast reading. I would give this book an A!
To be perfectly honest, while there were some stories that were middle of the road for me, I also liked quite a few of the stories as well. I suppose that the two that would stand out the most for me would be: 'The Death of Jack Hamilton', which was about a subject that I don't usually like reading about: gangsters in the 1930s. The second story that I really enjoyed - I may even call it my favorite one of the anthology - was actually the twelfth story in collection: '1408'. I also have watched the 2007 movie that stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
While his subsequent attempt at writing a radio play didn't quite work out the way he had expected, the experience served as an education of sorts - as much as a refresher course in the different styles of writing: writing for ebooks, magazines, journals and digests. In choosing which stories would actually be included in this particular anthology, Stephen King turned to a deck of playing cards to help him decide which stories would appear in the contents. He used the entire suit of spades plus a Joker card and shuffled them; the order in which he dealt the cards turned out to be where he would place a story in the contents. The contents features fourteen short stories that range from "the literary stories to the all-out screamers."
I must say that in my own opinion, this compilation of stories were all rather different from each other. The synopsis of the book claims that Stephen King takes the reader down a road less traveled - and for a very good reason - and I do have to agree with that particular claim. I found this book to be if not easy reading, certainly relatively fast reading. I would give this book an A!
To be perfectly honest, while there were some stories that were middle of the road for me, I also liked quite a few of the stories as well. I suppose that the two that would stand out the most for me would be: 'The Death of Jack Hamilton', which was about a subject that I don't usually like reading about: gangsters in the 1930s. The second story that I really enjoyed - I may even call it my favorite one of the anthology - was actually the twelfth story in collection: '1408'. I also have watched the 2007 movie that stars John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson.
This book has made me Do everything from laugh, cry, anger all of the above. It is a MASTERPIECE. Every story was amazing I dont know how SK does it but he has my praise. I am totally in love with SK's mind lol.
Never had the chance to read this, although i love Stephen King.
International bestselling author, Stephen King is in a terrifying top form with his first collection of short stories in almost a decade. In this spine-chilling compilation, King takes readers down a road less traveled(for good reason) in the blockbuster e-book \"Riding the Bullet\" bad table service turns bloody when you stop in for \"Lunch at the Gotham Cafe\" and terror becomes deja vu all over again when you get \"That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French\"--along with eleven more stories that will keep you awake until daybreak. Enter a nightmarish mindscape of unrelenting horror and shocking revelations that could only come from the imagination of the greatest storyteller of our time.
14 short storied in one book~(brand new, never read)
Caroline B. (reachthenations) reviewed Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales on + 3 more book reviews
just so you know, the front cover has been chewed by my dog. the slip cover is in perfect condition, so it hides it. The actual cover is still there and covers the entirety of the page, but the cardboard is a bit mangled.
