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A review by elanna76
Riding the Bullet by Stephen King
3.0
3.5 stars.
Not quite 4, because the King often falls just short of greatness, as in this one.
Not just 3, because this is one of the best between his short stories. Not particularly scaring or horrifiyng if you are used to Stephen King's tropes, and if you are not extremely sensitive to old graveyards and un-dead automobilists straight from an Eighties teenage horror movie. But sad, universal in his existential metaphor about the choices we all need to make between living our potential out there in the world and staying close to our family. We sometimes feel as if we were performing an act of betrayal, no matter how well we know that the people who raised us and made sacrifices for us did it all so we can do precisely that, fly the nest.
SPOILER AHEAD
In this perspective, I am glad that the story ended as it did, with an apparent whine rather than a bang, even if I was slightly disappointed upon finishing it. I was savouring the psychological horror at the realisation that your bargain with the devil was not at all about your mother dying before you; how naïve, you sent her burning in HELL!
I wanted the good ol' King shiver down my spine, and all I got instead was life.
Thirty, twenty or even fifteen years ago I woud have stayed thoroughly disappointed. Today, having become quite good at making up existentially horrific scenarios by myself, I appreciate an honest offer of inspiration for existential reflection.
Also, if you have seen Stranger Things, you will agree with me that the un-dead townie guy in the car MUST have the face and style of Billy. That's a plus.
Not quite 4, because the King often falls just short of greatness, as in this one.
Not just 3, because this is one of the best between his short stories. Not particularly scaring or horrifiyng if you are used to Stephen King's tropes, and if you are not extremely sensitive to old graveyards and un-dead automobilists straight from an Eighties teenage horror movie. But sad, universal in his existential metaphor about the choices we all need to make between living our potential out there in the world and staying close to our family. We sometimes feel as if we were performing an act of betrayal, no matter how well we know that the people who raised us and made sacrifices for us did it all so we can do precisely that, fly the nest.
SPOILER AHEAD
In this perspective, I am glad that the story ended as it did, with an apparent whine rather than a bang, even if I was slightly disappointed upon finishing it. I was savouring the psychological horror at the realisation that your bargain with the devil was not at all about your mother dying before you; how naïve, you sent her burning in HELL!
I wanted the good ol' King shiver down my spine, and all I got instead was life.
Thirty, twenty or even fifteen years ago I woud have stayed thoroughly disappointed. Today, having become quite good at making up existentially horrific scenarios by myself, I appreciate an honest offer of inspiration for existential reflection.
Also, if you have seen Stranger Things, you will agree with me that the un-dead townie guy in the car MUST have the face and style of Billy. That's a plus.