If It Bleeds

I was initially going to write my thoughts on each of the stories but after finishing it I realized I was going to be saying the same thing about each of them so I am just going to write my overall thoughts on the book as a whole.

This is a collection of 4 novellas. We have Mr. Harrigan's Phone, The Life of Chuck, If It Bleeds and Rat. Each story gives me everything I am always wanting in a King novel. Not to much detail and an open and shut ending pretty much which is good except every story just seemed so simple for something written by King.

I don't know if it's because I was fighting a slump all month that I just didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would or what. I enjoyed all of them except maybe The Life of Chuck because that was like 3 separate stories in one and I was left confused at how they all went together and rat had a story within a story that I didn't care for but overall they were all ok.

Yeah so I just thought this was ok. I just had higher expectations for it especially with the synopsis saying “intriguing and frightening places”. I seem to have an unpopular opinion because I keep seeing nothing but good things about it. It's not bad or anything but it's not mind blowing either.

Riding with the King is never a disappointment. I note that there is a strong focus on technology in this collection, and also a strong focus on dancing. Although it was a pleasure to visit with Holly Gibney again, my favorite was “Rat”–I always enjoy King's views of the world through a writer's eyes. I'd thought I knew how that one was going to end, but the boss pulled the rug out from under me quite handily. And that's all right.

If you haven't partaken of If It Bleeds yet, you should. Now. Go. Your local library is probably open again.

It's been a long time since I've read a Stephen King story collection, and I didn't realize how much I actually needed it right now. His story collections are actually where I started my King journey, and there's something so comforting about going back to that place. Yes, I know that sounds odd since his stories are always rather bleak, but it's more going back to that place where I first discovered my love of the darkness, and the weird hope that I found there.

Anyway, pardon my prattling. I'm mostly here to tell you that this set of novellas really impressed me. While I didn't love all of them equally, there are some gems in here! It didn't surprise me at all that “If It Bleeds”, the title story, is utter perfection. I read the The Outsider last year without realizing that it was part of a series, and so it was kind of nice to catch up with Holly Gibney again. I missed her quirks, and her constant inner monologue. It's not hard for me to tell you that this was my favorite story in this book.

However the other stories all have their own merits, and work well within the whole. “Mr. Harrigan's Phone” caught me up, and threw me back into the times when cellphones were new and the world of technology hadn't taken over yet. It was just creepy enough, and the perfect intro. “The Life of Chuck” was a little patchwork at first, but I enjoyed it because it was one of those King stories where his imagination shines and you're only along for the ride. The story I liked the least, mainly because the main character was an insufferable ass, was “Rat”. If that's what it is like to be married to writer, count me out. Hahaha. It was a very King novella though, and really brought to life the world of being a writer. I'll give him that kudos.

I think this series of novellas is exactly what I needed to get my reading bug moving again, because I finished this morning and I already want to start another book. There's something about King's writing, something addictive, that makes me come back again and again. I'm not sorry I purchased a copy of this book. I'm only sorry it's already over. Time to go find some more to devour.

Live only the first one the others were hard to finish. IMHO

I was highly annoyed that the second story did not stop at the end of the first chapter.

Solid Writing but not Five Stars

This isn't my favorite of King's work. As always, King delivers solid writing that keeps the reader interested, if not totally on edge, throughout the four novellas. The works are more thought-provoking than horrifying, which is actually a bit more nerve-wracking. Some of the images might tend to creep into the reader's mind hours, days, or weeks after reading the book. Are the ideas really so far-fetched? How many people have ever put an item into a loved one's coffin to be buried with that person? Does this item have a profound link to the dead? And have you ever considered the effect your thoughts have once you release them into the world? What is the cosmos, after all?

Yes, this is a book of deep thoughts and deeper meaning. It kind of creates a bit of an earworm, with ideas going on and on and on... I heard King say he isn't just a horror writer and after reading this I can agree 100% that there is more to this writer. I am a fan through and through and am here for the good the bad and the horrific.

Compulsively readable. If It Bleeds and Rat are solid and 4-star reads. Mr. Harrigan's Phone is so-so. The Life of Chuck is excellent. A 5-star effort.