Book Reviews of Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales

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.

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.

Some of the stories are very compelling. King is a great storyteller.

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.

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!

I really liked this collection of short stories, but not as much as I enjoyed Night Shift.

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.

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.

Great stories by the master!

love king books~~

A great compliation of some of Stephen Kings earlier writings.

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.

Another good book for Stephen King fans

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.

Brand new!! Never opened!!

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

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.

A collection of tales from the Horror master Stephen King.

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.

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