gewidder's review
3.0
Good collection of short stories and novellas, diverse in genre. To me, there isn't a bad story in it, but some that didn't resonate with me quite as much as others. Some I loved: "Autopsy Room Four" is intense, edge of your seat, squirm in your seat, with a very Stephen King resolution. "The Man in the Black Suit" is creepy, so is "The Road Virus Heads North", and "1408". I really enjoyed "Riding the Bullet" and "Everything's Eventual" as well.
purpleowl6's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
franzi_ela's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lwalker77's review against another edition
2.0
I’m a big Stephen King fan and have loved many of his short story collections, however I thought this one was below average. I didn’t find any of the stories memorable.
masteryoda716's review
4.0
Everything's Eventual was a solid collection for me. There are some gems in here, mostly decent stories, and a couple that where meh but as a whole, Everything's Eventual has themes throughout that tie the stories together into a collection that makes sense.
elenajohansen's review against another edition
4.0
It's always hard for me to properly rate and review short story collections, because the stories can vary so wildly. I liked more of the stories than I didn't (only two really bored me) and several of the stories I actually loved.
The "dark" in the title is appropriate, because rather than all of these being classic horror, many of them had more of a psychological or sometimes moral creepiness. I remember reading a different collection of King's stories as a tween (bad idea) and having trouble sleeping for the next week--but this one wasn't frightening, just unsettling. Which isn't worse or better than straight horror, just different.
The "dark" in the title is appropriate, because rather than all of these being classic horror, many of them had more of a psychological or sometimes moral creepiness. I remember reading a different collection of King's stories as a tween (bad idea) and having trouble sleeping for the next week--but this one wasn't frightening, just unsettling. Which isn't worse or better than straight horror, just different.
sarahpetherr's review
3.0
Really it's like 2.5 but I have a lot guilt around judging Stephen King that harshly. I'm a fool.
ohdearmariie's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
ambyrvi's review against another edition
4.0
UPDATED: FINISHED BOOK REVIEW! 11-24-2015
Finally! I finished it! Let me preface anything I'm about to state by first saying this: This is my second collection of Stephen King short stories I've read, the first being the epic and amazing Full Dark, No Stars, which may have spoiled me. It is hard to give a collection like this a star rating that fully encapsulates how you feel about each story, but I feel like four stars is a good place to sit with this one as a whole. The stories that I liked I loved, however the stories that I didn't like nearly bored me to tears (or were merely skimmed, if I'm being honest). There is no running theme between each of these fourteen stories, therefore it stands to reason that there is something for every reader to enjoy within the pages of this compilation. The stories I enjoyed/did not enjoy may carry an entirely different experience for you than they did for me. Reading this selection of stories, as a whole, was a good experience for me. To see my reviews for each individual story along with their own star rating, keep reading:
Introduction: I love the way Stephen King talks when he's just being Stephen King. He doesn't seem pretentious like an asshole that's trying too hard(see: John Green) and he doesn't seem like someone that's altogether fixated on what anyone thinks of him. He's brutal, for lack of better word, and I really fucking love it.
Autopsy Room Four: Autopsy Room Four is a story told from the perspective of Howard Cottrell, an unfortunate middle-aged man that's found himself on an autopsy table completely aware of everything happening around him however completely powerless to stop it. I really liked the majority of this story. Only an author as wonderful as Stephen King could make an entire short story so vivid you can almost taste the cold, sterile air of the autopsy room from the perspective of someone living in total paralyzed darkness. I was confused and anxious from beginning to end, however I will say that the ending itself was a little abrupt and left something to be desired. Overall, I would give this story 4 stars out of 5.
The Man in the Black Suit: The Man in the Black Suit is told from the perspective of an old man by the name of Gary. Gary recalls the most troubling story of his childhood in which he believes he was visited by the devil himself. I loved this story. As someone who grew up in the south, it was far from rare for my sister and I to hear southern allegories of smooth-talking, split-tongued men in velvet suits. Despite the shame I feel when I think of the history of the American south, I have a surprising amount of reverence for the stories that illustrate it. I love the simple flow of a story when told from the view of someone living in the heat of a southern summer during the late 19th-early 20th century. Mix that with the supernatural (the BIBLICAL supernatural, even) and I'm sold. It was done quite well and was the perfect length for a short story...at least for my attention span. 5 out of 5 stars.
All That You Love Will Be Carried Away: This very short story follows Alfie Zimmer as he makes a routine stop preceded by so many exactly like it. Alfie is a traveling salesman that knows the process down to a science: arrive at the hotel before 4 PM, get a room on the end, stay on the first floor, etc. and the reader quickly learns that Alfie plans for this trip to end differently than all the others he's been on. I actually didn't really care for this story. I hate to put it so rudely, but I've come to expect a certain amount of emotion induced by King's works and this just came up short. Without giving away any spoilers, the subject matter of this story is very real and should be of higher importance to writers, however I would have been much more satisfied with a less ambiguous ending (which King notes was not his personal idea). Probably a 3 out of 5.
The Death of Jack Hamilton: The title of this story intrigued me immediately, as my mother's maiden name is Hamilton and one of the most well-known members of that side of the family is Cousin Jack. I, admittedly, know almost as little about Cousin Jack as I do about depression-era gangsters such as John Dillinger. A coworker of mine has a bit of a history obsession, particularly with that point in time, and he actually has a gorgeous German Shepard named Dillinger. I feel like I would have enjoyed this story substantially more if I had even a little bit of background information, however I must admit it did make me want to do some more reading or, at the very least, harass that coworker to share his thoughts. This story, like all of King's written works placed in any time that isn't present, seemed very historically accurate as far as the documented events and dialogue goes. The holes in the stories that he filled with his own imagined sequence of events were, as expected, masterful, tasteful, and entertaining. I felt like it read very well and ended on a great note. Everyone loves a good historical fiction! If I was a history buff this would have tickled my fancy, however I prefer to read the tales from the darker parts of King's brain. 3 out of 5 stars.
In the Deathroom: This may be my least favorite story of the book. In King's own words, this particular story is "Kafke-esque" in nature, which is a red flag for anyone who doesn't enjoy that type of writing. I didn't feel immediately captivated by it, which is what I've grown accustomed to with King's work. I had hoped that would change as the story went on. On the contrary, I felt very put off and bored with it. It took me forever to get through and really stunted my progress with the book as picking it back up felt like a chore. Luckily, it wasn't very long and it was easy to skim through. I usually resent myself for doing that but I feel like I needed to in order to get to some of his better work. 2 out of 5 stars, simply because I can't bring myself to give King a 1.
The Little Sisters of Eluria: Okay...this story is my new least favorite of the book. I've never read any of The Dark Tower books, however the notes written in the beginning of the story by King himself indicated that reading anything in the series prior to reading this short story wasn't necessary to understanding or enjoying it. I only half agree with that. I didn't need a lot of background to get a basic grip on what I was reading, however it would have been nice to have gone in at least slightly less blindly. Granted, in hindsight, I should have at least read a plot summary on Wikipedia or something. If I had done so I might have been able to enjoy this story more. The actual idea of it was pretty cool on the whole, for lack of better word. I enjoy sci-fi for the most part and I definitely enjoy King's take on it but, for whatever reason, this just fell short for me. 2 out of 5 stars.
Everything's Eventual: Redemption! I loved this story. I loved it so much so that I not only wish there had been more to it, I wish I could read an entire series based on it (hint hint, Stephen). It's told from the perspective of a quick-witted nineteen-year-old shit head with a potty mouth and a very interesting ability. 50% sci-fi, 50% autobiographical thriller, 100% hilarious and intriguing. The fact that King could construct such an intricate storyline weaved together so delicately and concisely is beyond anything I can comprehend. It left me on the edge of my seat while still simultaneously maintaining an even flow from start to finish. 5 out of 5 stars!
L.T.'s Theory of Pets: If you're a fan of Stephen King's hilarious and notably witty comedy, this short story will tickle you as much as it did me. To put it simply: I laughed my ass off. I laughed and laughed and laughed, then read my favorite excerpt out loud to my partner at work who then laughed and laughed and laughed. Nothing says "Stephen King Comedy" like a little darkness muddled into it, so I will say that his signature and imminent doom is present. Definitely, absolutely 5 out of 5 stars.
The Road Virus Heads North: This story is more along the lines of what I imagine when I think of a Stephen King short story. With the eerie charm of an adult Fear Street book, the narrator weaves a story from the perspective of a man (not unlike King himself) who happens to stumble across a bit of bad luck when he finds himself purchasing a strange, albeit alluring, painting from a rural yard sale. Set yourself up for an unsettling and creepy story that will leave you wanting more of an explanation, because that's exactly what you're going to get. With that being said, the fact that I don't feel satiated with the amount of background information only made me love the story more. It is open to interpretation and, as usual with King, does not have to make sense. Loved it! 4 out of 5 stars.
Lunch at the Gotham Cafe: Interesting! This story is told from the narrative of a man named Steve. Steve's story for the reader begins on the day he comes home to find his wife has left him. What should be a humdrum divorce takes an unexpected twist as he meets for a casual lunch meeting with his soon-to-be ex-wife and her lawyer. This particular story is packed with action and excitement and, admittedly, a dash of confusion. If getting closure was as easy for us all as it was for the main character in this story, there would be no heartache left. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 stars.
That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French: What a fantastic take on eternal torment! I'll be as careful as I can to review this story without any spoilers, but suffice it to say it was equal parts creepy, redundant, and thought-provoking. Think Secret Window meets Groundhog Day meets Fair Extension. This is my idea of a close-to-perfect short story by any author and for any genre, not limited to thriller/horror. I didn't care as much for the subtle commentary on abortion nor the stereotypes of Catholicism but they both played a part: What if our version of Hell consists of our worst thoughts eating at us on repeat? Bottom line, I wasn't as entranced in it as I wanted to be, however it was still a great read that will keep you guessing and is, as so many of King's stories are, up to the interpretation of the reader. 4 out of 5 stars.
1408: I have to say I was more pumped for this story than any of the others in the collection. I actually really enjoyed the movie, save for the ending, and I am pleased to report that I enjoyed it just as much on paper. Strangely enough, however, I enjoyed it in a much different way as it provided a starkly different experience than its on-screen counterpart did. The narration was unsettling and pleasing all at once and the jarring lack of continuity really added to the confused ambiance. The movie was, for lack of better explanation...a movie, whereas the book was (in typical King format) able to jump from place to place without the slightest hint of a reason. It ended in a more solid way than the movie did as well and, overall, I feel very satisfied. The way King spoke of this particular story in his notes made it sound like it was the simple bread-and-butter formula that most paranormal/horror/thriller writers employ at least once throughout their career, however I am set in my belief that he told it in a way only he could. 5 out of 5 stars.
Riding the Bullet: This book came in as a close second for me in terms of excitement raised, right behind 1408. Riding the Bullet was one of my favorite TV thriller movies as a kid and watching it reminds me of being home sick with my grandma eating egg sandwiches while we watched one of the movie's million daytime showings on the USA channel. To me, it felt like I could catch that movie on some channel or another at least once a week, lurking on HBO or the ScyFy channel if USA wasn't willing to provide. The book, told from the perspective of young, laid-back college boy Alan Parker, seems to rely much more heavily on classic creepiness as opposed to its on-screen counterpart's usage of thrills and jump-scares. I always enjoy King's determination to make sure his readers have a thoroughly vivid picture in their minds eye of the setup he is presenting them with, and this story provided no exception. I felt like I could close my eyes and see the scenery on the highway and the hospital bed Alan's mom was in and so forth; Strangely enough, this scenery was completely original and not at all inspired by the film, but strictly constructed using King's guided visualization. That certainly helped with immersion, which helped me to enjoy this story even more. Creepy, unsettling, and exciting! 5 out of 5 stars.
Luckey Quarter: This particular story bored me. I didn't feel like "Go out with a bang" was the theme of this collection, and the fact that I probably had my hopes up for that theme to present itself at the last second probably contributed to my disappointment. That being said, I thought it was a decent story. Not the best one I've ever read, not the worst. I liked the language and the imagery (as usual), but there was no va-va-voom. It is very short and does raise a few moral questions, but other than that...it just falls short. 3 out of 5 stars.
Finally! I finished it! Let me preface anything I'm about to state by first saying this: This is my second collection of Stephen King short stories I've read, the first being the epic and amazing Full Dark, No Stars, which may have spoiled me. It is hard to give a collection like this a star rating that fully encapsulates how you feel about each story, but I feel like four stars is a good place to sit with this one as a whole. The stories that I liked I loved, however the stories that I didn't like nearly bored me to tears (or were merely skimmed, if I'm being honest). There is no running theme between each of these fourteen stories, therefore it stands to reason that there is something for every reader to enjoy within the pages of this compilation. The stories I enjoyed/did not enjoy may carry an entirely different experience for you than they did for me. Reading this selection of stories, as a whole, was a good experience for me. To see my reviews for each individual story along with their own star rating, keep reading:
Introduction: I love the way Stephen King talks when he's just being Stephen King. He doesn't seem pretentious like an asshole that's trying too hard
Autopsy Room Four: Autopsy Room Four is a story told from the perspective of Howard Cottrell, an unfortunate middle-aged man that's found himself on an autopsy table completely aware of everything happening around him however completely powerless to stop it. I really liked the majority of this story. Only an author as wonderful as Stephen King could make an entire short story so vivid you can almost taste the cold, sterile air of the autopsy room from the perspective of someone living in total paralyzed darkness. I was confused and anxious from beginning to end, however I will say that the ending itself was a little abrupt and left something to be desired. Overall, I would give this story 4 stars out of 5.
The Man in the Black Suit: The Man in the Black Suit is told from the perspective of an old man by the name of Gary. Gary recalls the most troubling story of his childhood in which he believes he was visited by the devil himself. I loved this story. As someone who grew up in the south, it was far from rare for my sister and I to hear southern allegories of smooth-talking, split-tongued men in velvet suits. Despite the shame I feel when I think of the history of the American south, I have a surprising amount of reverence for the stories that illustrate it. I love the simple flow of a story when told from the view of someone living in the heat of a southern summer during the late 19th-early 20th century. Mix that with the supernatural (the BIBLICAL supernatural, even) and I'm sold. It was done quite well and was the perfect length for a short story...at least for my attention span. 5 out of 5 stars.
All That You Love Will Be Carried Away: This very short story follows Alfie Zimmer as he makes a routine stop preceded by so many exactly like it. Alfie is a traveling salesman that knows the process down to a science: arrive at the hotel before 4 PM, get a room on the end, stay on the first floor, etc. and the reader quickly learns that Alfie plans for this trip to end differently than all the others he's been on. I actually didn't really care for this story. I hate to put it so rudely, but I've come to expect a certain amount of emotion induced by King's works and this just came up short. Without giving away any spoilers, the subject matter of this story is very real and should be of higher importance to writers, however I would have been much more satisfied with a less ambiguous ending (which King notes was not his personal idea). Probably a 3 out of 5.
The Death of Jack Hamilton: The title of this story intrigued me immediately, as my mother's maiden name is Hamilton and one of the most well-known members of that side of the family is Cousin Jack. I, admittedly, know almost as little about Cousin Jack as I do about depression-era gangsters such as John Dillinger. A coworker of mine has a bit of a history obsession, particularly with that point in time, and he actually has a gorgeous German Shepard named Dillinger. I feel like I would have enjoyed this story substantially more if I had even a little bit of background information, however I must admit it did make me want to do some more reading or, at the very least, harass that coworker to share his thoughts. This story, like all of King's written works placed in any time that isn't present, seemed very historically accurate as far as the documented events and dialogue goes. The holes in the stories that he filled with his own imagined sequence of events were, as expected, masterful, tasteful, and entertaining. I felt like it read very well and ended on a great note. Everyone loves a good historical fiction! If I was a history buff this would have tickled my fancy, however I prefer to read the tales from the darker parts of King's brain. 3 out of 5 stars.
In the Deathroom: This may be my least favorite story of the book. In King's own words, this particular story is "Kafke-esque" in nature, which is a red flag for anyone who doesn't enjoy that type of writing. I didn't feel immediately captivated by it, which is what I've grown accustomed to with King's work. I had hoped that would change as the story went on. On the contrary, I felt very put off and bored with it. It took me forever to get through and really stunted my progress with the book as picking it back up felt like a chore. Luckily, it wasn't very long and it was easy to skim through. I usually resent myself for doing that but I feel like I needed to in order to get to some of his better work. 2 out of 5 stars, simply because I can't bring myself to give King a 1.
The Little Sisters of Eluria: Okay...this story is my new least favorite of the book. I've never read any of The Dark Tower books, however the notes written in the beginning of the story by King himself indicated that reading anything in the series prior to reading this short story wasn't necessary to understanding or enjoying it. I only half agree with that. I didn't need a lot of background to get a basic grip on what I was reading, however it would have been nice to have gone in at least slightly less blindly. Granted, in hindsight, I should have at least read a plot summary on Wikipedia or something. If I had done so I might have been able to enjoy this story more. The actual idea of it was pretty cool on the whole, for lack of better word. I enjoy sci-fi for the most part and I definitely enjoy King's take on it but, for whatever reason, this just fell short for me. 2 out of 5 stars.
Everything's Eventual: Redemption! I loved this story. I loved it so much so that I not only wish there had been more to it, I wish I could read an entire series based on it (hint hint, Stephen). It's told from the perspective of a quick-witted nineteen-year-old shit head with a potty mouth and a very interesting ability. 50% sci-fi, 50% autobiographical thriller, 100% hilarious and intriguing. The fact that King could construct such an intricate storyline weaved together so delicately and concisely is beyond anything I can comprehend. It left me on the edge of my seat while still simultaneously maintaining an even flow from start to finish. 5 out of 5 stars!
L.T.'s Theory of Pets: If you're a fan of Stephen King's hilarious and notably witty comedy, this short story will tickle you as much as it did me. To put it simply: I laughed my ass off. I laughed and laughed and laughed, then read my favorite excerpt out loud to my partner at work who then laughed and laughed and laughed. Nothing says "Stephen King Comedy" like a little darkness muddled into it, so I will say that his signature and imminent doom is present. Definitely, absolutely 5 out of 5 stars.
The Road Virus Heads North: This story is more along the lines of what I imagine when I think of a Stephen King short story. With the eerie charm of an adult Fear Street book, the narrator weaves a story from the perspective of a man (not unlike King himself) who happens to stumble across a bit of bad luck when he finds himself purchasing a strange, albeit alluring, painting from a rural yard sale. Set yourself up for an unsettling and creepy story that will leave you wanting more of an explanation, because that's exactly what you're going to get. With that being said, the fact that I don't feel satiated with the amount of background information only made me love the story more. It is open to interpretation and, as usual with King, does not have to make sense. Loved it! 4 out of 5 stars.
Lunch at the Gotham Cafe: Interesting! This story is told from the narrative of a man named Steve. Steve's story for the reader begins on the day he comes home to find his wife has left him. What should be a humdrum divorce takes an unexpected twist as he meets for a casual lunch meeting with his soon-to-be ex-wife and her lawyer. This particular story is packed with action and excitement and, admittedly, a dash of confusion. If getting closure was as easy for us all as it was for the main character in this story, there would be no heartache left. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 stars.
That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French: What a fantastic take on eternal torment! I'll be as careful as I can to review this story without any spoilers, but suffice it to say it was equal parts creepy, redundant, and thought-provoking. Think Secret Window meets Groundhog Day meets Fair Extension. This is my idea of a close-to-perfect short story by any author and for any genre, not limited to thriller/horror. I didn't care as much for the subtle commentary on abortion nor the stereotypes of Catholicism but they both played a part: What if our version of Hell consists of our worst thoughts eating at us on repeat? Bottom line, I wasn't as entranced in it as I wanted to be, however it was still a great read that will keep you guessing and is, as so many of King's stories are, up to the interpretation of the reader. 4 out of 5 stars.
1408: I have to say I was more pumped for this story than any of the others in the collection. I actually really enjoyed the movie, save for the ending, and I am pleased to report that I enjoyed it just as much on paper. Strangely enough, however, I enjoyed it in a much different way as it provided a starkly different experience than its on-screen counterpart did. The narration was unsettling and pleasing all at once and the jarring lack of continuity really added to the confused ambiance. The movie was, for lack of better explanation...a movie, whereas the book was (in typical King format) able to jump from place to place without the slightest hint of a reason. It ended in a more solid way than the movie did as well and, overall, I feel very satisfied. The way King spoke of this particular story in his notes made it sound like it was the simple bread-and-butter formula that most paranormal/horror/thriller writers employ at least once throughout their career, however I am set in my belief that he told it in a way only he could. 5 out of 5 stars.
Riding the Bullet: This book came in as a close second for me in terms of excitement raised, right behind 1408. Riding the Bullet was one of my favorite TV thriller movies as a kid and watching it reminds me of being home sick with my grandma eating egg sandwiches while we watched one of the movie's million daytime showings on the USA channel. To me, it felt like I could catch that movie on some channel or another at least once a week, lurking on HBO or the ScyFy channel if USA wasn't willing to provide. The book, told from the perspective of young, laid-back college boy Alan Parker, seems to rely much more heavily on classic creepiness as opposed to its on-screen counterpart's usage of thrills and jump-scares. I always enjoy King's determination to make sure his readers have a thoroughly vivid picture in their minds eye of the setup he is presenting them with, and this story provided no exception. I felt like I could close my eyes and see the scenery on the highway and the hospital bed Alan's mom was in and so forth; Strangely enough, this scenery was completely original and not at all inspired by the film, but strictly constructed using King's guided visualization. That certainly helped with immersion, which helped me to enjoy this story even more. Creepy, unsettling, and exciting! 5 out of 5 stars.
Luckey Quarter: This particular story bored me. I didn't feel like "Go out with a bang" was the theme of this collection, and the fact that I probably had my hopes up for that theme to present itself at the last second probably contributed to my disappointment. That being said, I thought it was a decent story. Not the best one I've ever read, not the worst. I liked the language and the imagery (as usual), but there was no va-va-voom. It is very short and does raise a few moral questions, but other than that...it just falls short. 3 out of 5 stars.